Alcohol

A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial of Lamotrigine in Individuals with Bipolar Disorder and Comorbid Alcohol Dependence
The purpose of this study is to learn whether Lmotrigine (also called Lamictal) is safe and effective in the treatment of alcohol dependence in adults who also have bipolar disorder. This study also will investigate if levels of cognitive functioning (e.g. reasoning, thinking) are related to the presence of bipolar disorder and alcohol dependence, alcohol dependence alone, bipolar disorder alone, or the presence of any psychiatric condition. If you use alcohol, have problems with manic depression (bipolar disorder), or both you may be eligible to participate. There are a total of 15 research visits that will take place over the course of 18 weeks. Study medication will be provided at no charge and compensation is available. Recruitment Contact:  Delisa, 843-792-0572 or browdg@musc.edu

Cocaine

A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial of N-acetylcysteine for Cocaine Relapse Prevention
The goal of the proposed study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of N-acetylcysteine in preventing relapse in cocaine dependent individuals who have achieved abstinence after receiving residential treatment. Recruitment Contact:  Kristina Huebner, 843-792-1901 or huebnerk@musc.edu

Treatment Implications of Beta-blockade effects on memory for cocaine craving
This research study will look at the potential an untested medication has to reduce cocaine cravings in people who are cocaine dependent. It is hoped that the results of this study will lead to a medication that can be used during treatment for cocaine dependence and that it may even be used for other substance addictions. Recruitment Contact:  Tara Abbott / Project Coordinator, 843-792-2286 or abbottt@musc.edu

Oxytocin in Cocaine Dependence
Stress is likely involved in relapse to cocaine use. This project will investigate the role oxytocin may play in the stress response in cocaine-dependent men and women and examine how oxytocin may impact brain activity in individuals exposed to cocaine-related cues. Recruitment Contact: Lisa Nunn, 843-792-0476 or jenkinli@musc.edu

Depression/Pain/Postpartum Depression

National Network of Depression Centers Clinical Care Registry
This study aims to establish a patient registry, collecting data in patients with mood disorders who are treated in routine clinical care at the participating centers in the National Network of Depression Centers (NNDC). Participants will be followed during the course (s) of their treatment. Data will be uploaded into the NNDC Data Coordinating Center database. Recruitment Contact:  Constance Guille, 843-792-6190 or guille@musc.edu  

Effect of perceived stimulus control on pain perception in healthy and depressed adults
The purpose of this study is to first investigate differences in healthy and depressed participants in the effects of perceived controllability on pain perception. Next we will determine if Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) moderates perceived controllability on pain perception in those undergoing TMS treatment for depression. The study will help us to better understand the role of perceived control in depression as well as increase our understanding of the mechanism of action of TMS for the treatment of depression. Recruitment Contact:  Constance Guille, 843-792-6190 or guille@musc.edu  

The Identification of Biological Markers of Postpartum Depression
Postpartum depression (PPD) is a debilitating mood disorder that occurs in 15-20% of childbearing women. Although several psychosocial risk factors for PPD have been identified, a substantial proportion of the risk for the disorder remains unexplained and biological contributors are unclear. The identification of biological markers in PPD will substantially improve our ability to detect and intervene prior to the onset of the disease, uncover novel disease pathways and ultimately, produce better treatments for patients suffering from PPD. The purpose of the study is to identify biological markers of PPD. Recruitment Contact:  Constance Guille, 843-792-6190 or guille@musc.edu  

Marijuana

Vilazodone Treatment for Marijuana Dependence
This 8-week treatment study is investigating the effectiveness of the medication vilazodone in reducing marijuana use in people who frequently use marijuana.  A contingency management intervention and motivational enhancement therapy sessions are incorporated to encourage study engagement and retention.   Recruitment contact: Amanda Wagner, 843-792-0484 or wagne@musc.edu

Buspirone Treatment for Marijuana Dependence
This 12-week treatment study is investigating the effectiveness of the medication buspirone in reducing marijuana use in people who frequently use marijuana.  A contingency management intervention and motivational enhancement therapy sessions are incorporated to encourage study engagement and retention. Recruitment contact: Amanda Wagner, 843-792-0484 or wagne@musc.edu

Effect of Oxytocin on Craving and Therapy Response in Marijuana-Dependent Individuals
This non-treatment study is investigating the impact of intranasal oxytocin on therapy effectiveness, drug craving, and marijuana use outcomes following a brief, one-time therapy intervention. Recruitment contact: Amanda Wagner, 843-792-0484 or wagne@musc.edu

PTSD & Substance Abuse

Exploring Sex Differences in the Neural Correlates of PTSD: Impact of Oxytocin
The purpose of the study is to examine the impact of oxytocin administration on brain activity to aversive social cues in men and women with PTSD associated with childhood trauma and men and women without PTSD but who also have a significant history of childhood trauma. Recruitment contact: Max Owens, 843-792-8938 or owema@musc.edu

Treatment Implications of Trauma Memory Modulation for PTSD & Alcohol Dependence
Researchers at MUSC are looking for individuals who have been victims of violent crime and/or sexual assault and drink alcohol regularly. You may benefit from participating in a research study. This will require one overnight stay, and a follow up. This is a medication study. Compensation will be provided. 18 years or older please. Recruitment Contact:  Tara Abbott/ Project Coordinator, 843-792-2286 or abbottt@musc.edu  

IntegratedTreatment of OEF/OIF Veterans with PTSD and Substance Use
Are you an OEF/OIF Veteran or Service Member?  Did you serve in the Iraq or Afghanistan or support those operations? If so, did you experience or witness a traumatic event, such as combat or a serious injury? Do you find that you are still affected by the event? For example, do you notice that you feel jumpy or irritable? Do you avoid situations that remind you of what happened, or have nightmares or unwanted memories? And do you find that you drink alcohol or use drugs to help cope with how the trauma has affected you? If so, you may be eligible to participate in a MUSC clinical trial testing a new therapy. You will be compensated for your time and information is kept strictly confidential. Transportation to appointments may be available. Recruitment Contact:  Frank Beylotte, 843-792-2522

Smoking

A Randomized Controlled Trial of Varenicline for Adolescent Smoking Cessation
This is a placebo-controlled smoking cessation treatment study for adolescents ages 14-21. After assessment and inclusion into the study, participants will be randomized to receive a 12-week double blind course of varenicline or placebo. All participants will concurrently participate in a contingency management (CM) intervention, specifically designed to reinforce participant retention. Recruitment Contact:  Christine Horne, 843-792-5807 or hornechr@musc.edu

Gender-Sex Hormone interface with craving and stress-related changes in smoking
During a 2-week period, nicotine dependent participants will use the newly developed and validated Cue Reactivity Ecological Momentary Assessment (CREMA) software implemented on a widely available personal digital assistant (iPhone) to provide real-time responses to smoking-related and neutral picture cues presented multiple times daily in their natural environment. Recruitment Contact:  Christine Horne, 843-792-5807 or hornechr@musc.edu

Menstrual cycle effects on smoking cessation and cue reactivity
This study is investigating the impact of short-term ovarian hormone fluctuation on females as they try to quit smoking with the aid of either transdermal nicotine patch (TNP) or varenicline. Each participant will receive a standardized impulsivity evaluation and a laboratory-based cue reactivity assessment before the initiation of smoking cessation. Progesterone and estrogen levels will be measured at each of nine visits, thereby providing an index of reproductive hormone variation over the course of each participant's quit attempt. Subjects will be randomized to receive one of two active pharmacotherapeutic interventions for smoking cessation: TNP vs. varenicline in a randomized, single-blind, double dummy design. This project will provide important information about: a) the impact of ovarian hormone levels on smoking cessation outcomes, b) the relationship between smoking cue reactivity and smoking cessation, and c) comparison between a new pharmacotherapeutic agent and TNP in women. Recruitment Contact:  Christine Horne, 843-792-5807 or hornechr@musc.edu