Early phase 1Completed
Dexamethasone to Target Stress and Immune System Mechanisms Underlying Alcohol Craving
Dexamethasone to Target Stress and Immune System Changes During Early Abstinence in Individuals With Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD)
- Sponsor
- Stony Brook University (Academic or other)
- Enrolment
- 27 enrolled
- Conditions
- Alcohol Use Disorder
- Interventions
- Dexamethasone Oral; Placebo
- Ages
- adults
- Registry
- NCT05305404
From the registry
This is a double-blind, placebo-controlled, proof of concept laboratory study to recruit N=70 (35 Males / 35 Females) non-treatment seeking, heavy drinkers with alcohol use disorder (AUD). It is hypothesized that randomization to 1.5mgs dexamethasone versus placebo will decrease alcohol craving during stress by decreasing basal cortisol, increasing anti-inflammatory cytokine levels and potentially normalizing the immune response to stress.
Primary outcomes
- Alcohol craving as assessed using subjective report following stress exposure
- Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA)-axis response to stress exposure as assessed by cortisol
- HPA axis response to stress exposure as assessed by cortisol
- HPA axis response to stress exposure as assessed by Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH)