This study aims to understand how ibogaine treatment may change brain activity and symptoms in people with moderate-severe opioid use disorder (OUD), as defined by the DSM-5. Ibogaine is a plant-derived compound that some studies suggest can reduce opioid cravings and withdrawal. Participants in this study will already be independently scheduled to receive legal ibogaine treatment at a licensed clinic outside of the U.S. The University of California, Irvine (UCI) research team will not provide the treatment but will conduct brain imaging, administer psychometric questionnaires, and obtain urine samples throughout the course of this study. UCI does not sponsor or financially support the ibogaine treatment in any way; all treatment costs are the sole responsibility of the participant. The main goal is to see if ibogaine changes brain function as assessed with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS), and electroencephalography (EEG). MRI/MRS will measure brain activity when participants view opioid-related images, brain connectivity at rest, and levels of brain chemicals involved in craving and substance use. EEG will measure brain wave activity. MRI/MRS/EEG will be administered across 3 study time points. In addition, participants will complete psychometric surveys related to opioid craving, withdrawal symptoms, mood, anxiety, pain, and quality of life, along with urine tests to monitor substance use and screen for pregnancy. The investigators hypothesize that after ibogaine treatment, participants will show reduced brain responses to opioid cues, changes in brain connectivity and chemistry, and improvements in self-reported cravings and other symptoms. This information may help researchers better understand how ibogaine works in the brain and whether it could play a role in future treatments for OUD.
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Change in Resting-State Functional Connectivity in Reward Circuitry
Timeframe: Baseline (Visit 1; within 2 weeks of consent) and follow-up assessments approximately 4 to 6 weeks after baseline (Visits 4 and 5).
Change in BOLD Activation to Drug Cues During Task-Based fMRI
Timeframe: Baseline (Visit 1; within 2 weeks of consent) and follow-up assessments approximately 4 to 6 weeks after baseline (Visits 4 and 5).
Change in Glutamate+Glutamine Concentration in Nucleus Accumbens
Timeframe: Baseline (Visit 1; within 2 weeks of consent) and follow-up assessments approximately 4 to 6 weeks after baseline (Visits 4 and 5).
Change in Glutamate+Glutamine Concentration in Anterior Insula
Timeframe: Baseline (Visit 1; within 2 weeks of consent) and follow-up assessments approximately 4 to 6 weeks after baseline (Visits 4 and 5).