Project THOUGHT

Study Information

Project THOUGHT is a research study funded by the National Institutes of Health.  We are testing whether the excitement of specific brain regions can change cravings for opioids in individuals who recently started Buprenorphine (Suboxone) or Methadone. Participation in Project THOUGHT would involve the following: questionnaires and interviews, 10 visits to Butler Hospital in Providence, RI and 3 brain scans, all over the course of 6 months.

Compensation/Reimbursement

Participants will receive up to $625 for completing all assessments.

More Information/FAQ

Who is eligible for the study?

Participants must be between the ages of 21 and 60 and have started taking Buprenorphine (Suboxone) or Methadone within the last 30 days to be considered for the study.

How much time is involved?

To determine if you are eligible, you will first complete a screening interview that takes approximately 15 minutes. If you appear to meet study criteria, you will complete the following:

• A 45-minute intake assessment and 30-minute initial EEG.
• Five, 20-minute tDCS sessions over the course of two weeks.
• Four, 30-minute follow-up interviews at Weeks 2, 6, 12, and 24.
• Two, 30-minute follow-up EEGs at Weeks 2 and 12.

How will you excite the brain?

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation, or tDCS for short, is a noninvasive form of brain stimulation that involves a weak electrical current delivered through two electrodes that are placed on your head and held in place with an elastic net. Some participants will receive active tDCS, while others will receive a sham or placebo version of tDCS – this will be determined randomly, like the flip of a coin, and neither you nor the researchers will know which version you will receive.

What happens during the visits to Butler?

Visit #1 is the baseline intake assessment and involves completing a series of questionnaires, computer tasks, and interviews with research staff. In addition, you will undergo an electroencephalography (EEG) recording of your brain activity. For the EEG procedure, a trained technician will apply a special cap to your head that records electrical signals on your scalp. During the recording, you will then sit quietly in a chair for a few minutes and then complete a 10-minute computer task while the EEG is recording your brain activity.

Visit #s 2-6 involve 20-minute sessions of tDCS (described above). Finally, you will complete 4 follow-up interviews at Weeks 2, 6, 12, and 24 where you will again complete a series of questionnaires, computer tasks, and interviews with research staff. Follow-up EEGs will also take place at Weeks 2 and 12.

What is the goal of this study?

The goal of Project THOUGHT is to determine if tDCS is effective at reducing cravings for opiates. We use your EEG scans BEFORE the five tDCS sessions, and then compare them to a set of EEG scans taken AFTER your tDCS sessions to see if there are any differences.

Is transportation provided?

We may be able to provide transportation, depending on where you live. Please inquire with our study staff to see if you qualify!

If you’re interested in participating, complete the form above or call the research team at (401) 793-0914. You will be asked a series of questions to determine if you meet criteria for eligibility. If eligible, research staff will arrange your study appointment.