Currently Active Studies
IDAS has a number of research studies going on looking for volunteers of all types to participate. This includes people aged 18 and over (unless otherwise stated) who:
- Never drink/use drugs
- Sometimes drink/use drugs
- Drink/use drugs every day
- People in treatment
- People in recovery
Below is a list of our current research projects. If you are interested in any of the studies below, call (804) 827-3784 to learn more. You may also complete our pre-screen survey to see if a study may be a good fit for you by going to: https://redcap.vcu.edu/
Currently Active Studies
Study of Lemborexant as an Adjunctive Treatment for Buprenorphine/Naloxone for Opioid Use Disorder
Study Goal: The purpose of this study is to test the effects of lemborexant when used in combination with opioids (including buprenorphine). We are also interested in learning lemborexant might help improve sleep problems and problems related to opioid use (e.g., cravings, withdrawal), in people with opioid use disorder. Study participants will be randomly assigned in a two to one ratio to receive either lemborexant or placebo. Lemborexant (DAYVIGO®) is approved by the U. S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treatment of insomnia. Participation in this study will last approximately 4 weeks.
Contact(s): study4U@vcu.edu
Principal Investigator: Moeller, Frederick, G
Status: Closed for New Enrollment
Compensation Available to Participants? Yes
Healthy Volunteers Accepted? No
Gender: All
Age: 18 to 65 years old
CTgov ID: NCT04818086
VCU IRB Number: HM20021136
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Phase Ib/2a Drug-drug Interaction Study of a Combination of 45mg Dextromethorphan With 105 mg Bupropion (AUVELITY) as an Adjunctive Treatment for Buprenorphine/Naloxone for Opioid Use Disorder
Study Goal: The overall goal of this project is to collect initial human data on the effects of novel compounds on safety (interactions with an opioid drug, e.g., buprenorphine) and early efficacy signals (subjective effects on negative affect, craving, and opioid withdrawal) in OUD subjects currently in MOUD treatment with buprenorphine.
Contact(s): study4U@vcu.edu
Principal Investigator: Moeller, Frederick, G
Status: Recruiting
Compensation Available to Participants? Yes
Healthy Volunteers Accepted? No
Gender: All
Age: 18 year(s) to 65 year(s) old
Phase: I/II
CTgov: NCT05976646
IRB Number: HM20027635
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Project BETTER
Study Goal: The purpose of this study is to test new educational technology-based programs and a brochure as supplement to prenatal education from the OB MOTIVATE providers. The program provides education about common challenges that pregnant and parenting women receiving medication for opioid use disorder often face. Specifically, it addresses the transition from pregnancy to postpartum, possible neonatal withdrawal syndrome (NOWS), and interactions with child welfare.
Contact(s): study4U@vcu.edu
Principal Investigator: Martin, Caitlin
Status: Recruiting
Compensation Available to Participants? Yes
Healthy Volunteers Accepted? No
Gender: Women/Birthing People
Age: 18 years old and older
Phase: n/a
CTgov: n/a
IRB Number: HM20022131
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Postpartum Recovery
Study Goal: The goal of this study is to compare biopsychosocial factors such as pain, mood, impulsivity, and maternal-infant attachment, captured during the third trimester of pregnancy and within 6 weeks postpartum within a sample of women diagnosed with opioid use disorder.
Contact(s): study4U@vcu.edu
Principal Investigator: Martin, Caitlin
Status: Recruiting
Compensation Available to Participants? Yes
Healthy Volunteers Accepted? No
Gender: Women/Birthing People
Age: 18 years old and older
Phase: n/a
CTgov: n/a
IRB Number: HM20017030
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Project SORT
Study Goal: The goal of this study is to help the study team better understand the interaction between sleep and opioid use disorder treatment and recovery. We want to learn about patients’ beliefs and attitudes about sleep and how it impacts their treatment and recovery, the things that improve or worsen patients’ sleep, how medications affect patients’ sleep, and use their opinions about interventions intended to improve sleep.
Contact(s): study4U@vcu.edu
Principal Investigator: Martin, Caitlin
Status: Recruiting
Compensation Available to Participants? Yes
Healthy Volunteers Accepted? No
Gender: Women/Birthing People
Age: 18 year(s) to 65 year(s) old
Phase: n/a
CTgov: n/a
IRB Number: HM20023390
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ACTTION: Behavioral Phenotyping in Addictions
Study Goal: The purpose of this research study is to find out about how information collected from completing an assessment battery might be used to improve drug treatment for people who use substances such as stimulants and/or opiates. For this study we are recruiting people who use substances and also people who don’t use them.
The study includes an on-site screening visit and (if you are eligible for the study) 2-3 additional study visits spaced out over about 4-6 weeks. During the study visits you will be asked to complete interviews with our staff, fill out surveys and perform tasks on a computer or tablet, and provide urine samples for drug screening.
Contact(s): study4U@vcu.edu
Principal Investigator: Lori A. Keyser-Marcus
Status: Recruiting
Compensation Available to Participants? Yes
Healthy Volunteers Accepted? Yes
Gender: All
Age: 18 year(s) to 65 year(s) old
Phase: n/a
CTgov: n/a
IRB Number: HM20024763
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Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD)
Study Goal: The Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study SM is the largest long-term study of brain development and child health in the United States. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) funded leading researchers in the fields of adolescent development and neuroscience to conduct this ambitious project. The ABCD Research Consortium consists of a Coordinating Center, a Data Analysis, Informatics & Resource Center, and 21 research sites across the country (see map), which have invited 11,880 children ages 9-10 to join the study. Researchers will track their biological and behavioral development through adolescence into young adulthood.
Contact(s): abcdstudy@vcuhealth.org
Principal Investigator: Bjork, James M
Status: Closed for New Enrollment
Compensation Available to Participants? Yes
Healthy Volunteers Accepted? Yes
Gender: All
Age: 9 – 10 years old
Phase: n/a
CTgov ID: n/a
IRB Number: HM20007469
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Transdermal Rotigotine as Adjunct to Behavioral Therapy for Cocaine Use Disorder
Study Goal: This clinical trial is a research study that aims to investigate the effects of the drug rotigotine (Neupro®) on individuals with cocaine use disorder (CocUD). The trial follows a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 2b pilot design. Researchers want to find out if rotigotine, when combined with standard treatment (including individual or group behavioral therapy), can achieve two main goals:
- ) Reduce cocaine use: The study aims to determine if rotigotine helps in decreasing the use of cocaine among individuals with CocUD.
- ) Increase brain activity in specific areas: The trial aims to see if rotigotine can enhance brain activity in frontocortical areas. This improvement is expected to reflect better top-down cognitive control, which is essential for individuals with CocUD.
Contact(s): study4u@vcu.edu
Principal Investigator: Bjork, James M
Status: Recruiting
Compensation Available to Participants? Yes
Healthy Volunteers Accepted? No
Gender: All
Age: 25 - 65 years old
Phase: n.a.
CTgov ID: NCT05886582
IRB Number: HM20026910
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Brain signatures of decision-making in mental illness and recovery (Brain and Behavior MRI)
Study Goal: The purpose of this study is to learn more about how the brain works and the amount of effort individuals use when completing different task, and how the brain might work differently between people with a history of suicide attempts and those without. In this study you will be asked to come to the Collaborative Advanced Research Imaging facility (CARI). The first time, you come for 2-3 hours, for a private talk about how you are feeling, and to fill out some questions about what you are like and prior use of drugs, alcohol, and tobacco. You will be asked to come to the lab again, for another 2 hours for a 60-minute MRI and fill out several surveys. This study can be completed in one session if preferred.
Contact(s): dneurolab@vcu.edu
Principal Investigator: Bjork, James M
Status: Not Currently Enrolling
Compensation Available to Participants? Yes
Healthy Volunteers Accepted? No
Gender: All
Age: 18 – 60 years old
Phase: n/a
CTgov ID: n/a
IRB Number: HM20022412
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The role of neurocognition in polygenic risk for alcohol use disorder and comorbidities (Genetics of Cognition)
Study Goal: This study is currently recruiting individuals ages 30-50 with or without depression and/or anxiety. The purpose of this study is to determine if part of the reason certain genes make some people more likely to develop alcohol use disorder (AUD) is because those genes affect how people make decisions and how their brains mentally process faces and other things they see. Understanding this may help researchers develop therapies that may reduce alcohol use disorder in people who are at genetic risk. Participants in this study complete two 45-minute remote testing sessions at home within one week. Computer sessions include computer tests of concentration, attention, and decision-making, and questionnaires about your mood and alcohol use. Compensation is provided.
Contact(s): mindgenes@vcu.edu
Principal Investigator: Bjork, James M
Status: Recruiting
Compensation Available to Participants? Yes
Healthy Volunteers Accepted? Yes
Gender: All
Age: 30-50 years old
Phase: n/a
CTgov ID: n/a
IRB Number: HM20018992
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Chronic Pain and Decision Making
Study Goal: This study is currently recruiting veterans ages 40-60. We are doing this study to add to current knowledge regarding motivation in the field of chronic pain for future development of pain management treatment plans. Additionally, we hope to learn more about the cognitive processing associated with reluctance of tapering long-term opioid treatment. Participants in this study are asked to complete a 60-minute computer task session at home using a personal device. Compensation is provided.
Contact(s): cpdm@vcu.edu
Principal Investigator: Bjork, James M
Status: Recruiting
Compensation Available to Participants? Yes
Healthy Volunteers Accepted? Yes
Gender: All
Age: 40-60 years old
Phase: n/a
CTgov ID: n/a
IRB Number: HM20027111
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Brain and Behavior Markers of Depression Histories
Study Goal: This study is currently recruiting adults from 18-55. The purpose of this study is to learn more about how the brain works and the amount of effort individuals use when completing different task, and how the brain might work differently between people with a history of depression and those without. In this study you will be asked to come to the Collaborative Advanced Research Imaging facility (CARI). The first time, you come for 2-3 hours, for a private talk about how you are feeling, and to fill out some questions about what you are like and prior use of drugs, alcohol, and tobacco. You will be asked to come to the lab again, for another 4-5 hours to play some computer games and fill out several surveys. These visits can be each broken up into shorter visits if you can’t do all these things for that long all at once. You may be invited to participate in the optional MRI portion of the study which last about 2 hours.
Contact(s): dneurolab@vcu.edu
Principal Investigator: Bjork, James M
Status: Not Currently Enrolling
Compensation Available to Participants? Yes
Healthy Volunteers Accepted? Yes
Gender: All
Age: 18-55 years old
Phase: n/a
CTgov ID: n/a
IRB Number: HM20018581
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Developing Laboratory Tasks of Memory and Attention for Brain Research (ACID/FDA)
Study Goal: To develop behavioral tasks of self-control and attention that involve exposure to cues for drugs, that show difference in behavior between persons with drug problems and persons without drug problems. Such tasks could be used in clinical trials for addiction therapies, to serve as secondary outcome measures of potential improvement in drug-seeking related behavior (in addition to markers of actual drug use itself, such as urine test results).
Contact(s): dneurolab@vcu.edu
Principal Investigator: Bjork, James M
Status: Recruiting
Compensation Available to Participants? Yes
Healthy Volunteers Accepted? Yes
Gender: All
Age: 18-60 years old
Phase: n/a
CTgov ID: n/a
IRB Number: HM20011919
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Decision Neuroscience Research Respondent Registry
Study Goal: This registry is a roster of persons either with or without substance use disorder (SUD), who are interested in participating in multiple studies on the brain science of SUD. Persons enrolled in this registry are contacted about any new studies that might be able to include them.
Contact(s): dneurolab@vcu.edu
Principal Investigator: Bjork, James M
Status: Recruiting
Compensation Available to Participants? No
Healthy Volunteers Accepted? Yes
Gender: All
Age: All
Phase: n/a
CTgov ID: n/a
IRB Number: HM20018814