Tirzepatide s Dopaminergic Effects in Alcohol Use Disorders (AUD)

Summary

Background:

Glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) agonist drugs are used to treat diabetes and aid weight loss. They may also help reduce cravings for drugs and alcohol. Researchers want to know if a GLP-1 drug (tirzepatide) can lessen the urge to drink in people with alcohol use disorder (AUD).

Objective:

To learn how the brains of people with AUD respond to a GLP-1 drug.

Eligibility:

People aged 21 to 65 years with AUD who are non-treatment seeking. They must be enrolled in protocol 14-AA-0181. Healthy volunteers are also needed.

Design:

This study consists of Part 1 and Part 2.

Part 1 (Imaging Procedures): Five healthy volunteers will undergo 2 to 3 combined positron emission tomography/magnetic resonance imaging (PET/MRI) scans, with an interval of 2 to 3 weeks between scans. For each scan, a radioactive substance (tracer) will be administered intravenously. Participants will undergo PET/MRI scanning to assess brain activity during resting state. Methylphenidate (Ritalin) will be administered during each scan. Each imaging session will last approximately 2 hours. Tirzepatide and placebo will not be administered in Part 1. Participants with alcohol use disorder (AUD) are not included in Part 1. The purpose of this part of the study is to assess test/retest reproducibility of the PET/MRI combined scan measures.

Part 2 (Randomization to Tirzepatide \& Placebo): Participants will be randomized to receive either Tirzepatide or Placebo first. Healthy Volunteers and AUD participants will receive both treatments in a crossover design. Tirzepatide and placebo will be administered via subcutaneous injection (under the skin) once weekly for 2 to 3 weeks. This treatment period will be followed by 2 to 3 PET/MRI combined imaging scans described in the next paragraph. After a washout interval of approximately 2 to 3 weeks, participants will cross over to the alternate treatment (tirzepatide or placebo), administered once weekly for 2 to 3 weeks. This second treatment period will be followed by an additional 2 to 3 PET/MRI scans. Participants may receive up to 3 doses of tirzepatide and 3 doses of placebo.

Part 2 (Imaging Procedures): Healthy Volunteers and participants with an AUD will undergo PET/MRI scans at two time points: following tirzepatide administration and following placebo administration. For each scan a radioactive substance (tracer) will be administered intravenously. Brain activity will be measured during PET/MRI acquisition during resting state. Methylphenidate will be administered during 1 of the scans at each time point. Each imaging session will last approximately 2 hours. Participants will wear a device to track their activity for at least 1 week before each set of scans. They will have tests of their thinking, memory, and attention.

Conditions

• Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD)

Interventions

DRUG

Tirzepatide

Drug approved for diabetes administered SQ. Subject is blind to drug.

DRUG

Placebo

Placebo will be normal saline administered SQ. Subject is blind to drug.

DRUG

[11C]raclopride plus drug

Radiotracer injection of \[11C\]raclopride during combined PET/MR scan to measure striatal dopamine release (Methylphenidate 0.25 mg/kg injected 45 minutes post radiotracer injection). Subject is not blind to this drug during scan.

DRUG

[11C]NNC-112

\[11C\]NNC-112 PET/MR or PET/CT scan obtained without any drug intervention to measure dopamine D1 receptors.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)

  lead NIH

Principal Investigators

• Nora D Volkow Adler, M.D. · National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

BASIC_SCIENCE

Masking

DOUBLE

Model

CROSSOVER

Eligibility

Min Age

21 Years

Max Age

65 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2026-05-19

Primary Completion

2031-12-31

Completion

2031-12-31

FDA Drug

Yes

Countries

• United States

Study Locations