Safety and Preliminary Efficacy of Bilateral Nucleus Accumbens-Targeted Low-Intensity Focused Ultrasound Neuromodulation Using ExAblate 4000 Type 2.1 in Patients With Stimulant Use Disorder: A Single-Center, Prospective, Single-Arm, Open-Label, Investigator-Initiated Feasibility Trial
Safety and Preliminary Efficacy of Bilateral Nucleus Accumbens-Targeted Low-Intensity Focused Ultrasound Neuromodulation Using ExAblate 4000 Type 2.1 in Patients With Stimulant Use Disorder: A Single-Center, Prospective, Single-Arm, Open-Label, Investigator-Initiated Feasibility Trial
The purpose of this clinical trial is to evaluate the initial safety and efficacy of the ExAblate Model 4000 Type 2.1 surgical device for nucleus accumbens (NAc) neuromodulation in patients with psychostimulant use disorder (PUD).
This prospective, single-center, single-arm, open-label feasibility trial is designed to evaluate the safety and preliminary efficacy of nucleus accumbens (NAc)-targeted neuromodulation using the ExAblate 4000 Type 2.1 system in patients with psychostimulant use disorder (PUD).
Potential participants with PUD who are receiving standard treatment for substance use disorder will be informed about the study and invited to participate. Individuals who voluntarily provide written informed consent will undergo screening assessments to determine eligibility according to the predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Eligible participants will then be enrolled in the study.
At Visit 2, participants will undergo focused ultrasound neuromodulation targeting the bilateral NAc using the ExAblate 4000 Type 2.1 system. The procedure will be performed under magnetic resonance imaging guidance. Following completion of the procedure, participants will be clinically observed for at least 2 hours and assessed for any procedure- or device-related adverse events. Participants who discontinue the study because of an adverse event will continue to be followed as clinically appropriate until the event has resolved or stabilized, or until the investigator determines that further follow-up is no longer necessary.
Participants will return for follow-up assessments at Visit 3 (Day 7 ± 2), Visit 4 (Day 30 ± 7), Visit 5 (Day 90 ± 7), and Visit 6 (Day 180 ± 7) after the focused ultrasound procedure. Safety assessments will include monitoring for adverse events and clinically relevant neurological or medical changes. Efficacy assessments will include urine toxicology testing for psychostimulant and illicit drug use, assessment of time to relapse, evaluation of substance craving, psychiatric and behavioral assessments related to mood, anxiety, attention, and impulsivity, and assessment of cognitive function. Functional magnetic resonance imaging, including a drug-cue reactivity paradigm, will also be performed at predefined study time points to evaluate longitudinal changes in neural responses associated with drug craving.
All participants will complete the final study evaluation at Visit 6 (Day 180 ± 7). Participants with unresolved adverse events may continue to be followed beyond the final scheduled visit when considered clinically necessary by the investigator.
Inclusion Criteria:
Adults between the ages of 19 and 60
Subject is diagnosed with a DSM-5 psychostimulant* use disorder (PUD) by a board certified psychiatrist.
*Psychostimulants: Methamphetamine, cocaine, and other stimulants
Subject is currently receiving standard substance use disorder inpatient treatment or an intensive outpatient program
Subject has been off psychostimulants and other illicit drugs, confirmed via urine toxicology screen
Subject has not regularly used illegal drugs other than psychostimulants more than once a month in the past six months
The NAc is apparent on MRI such that treatment targeting can be performed directly (visible on MRI) and indirectly (using other anatomical structures for measurements)
Subject is able to communicate sensations during the investigational procedure
Subject has made a voluntary decision to participate in this clinical trial and has given written consent.
Subject is willing to comply to the protocol
Exclusion Criteria:
Subject with standard contraindication for MR imaging, such as non-MRI compatible implanted metallic devices.
Subject with known allergies to the MRI contrast agent gadolinium (Gadovist®) or contraindication (such as untreated hypokalemia).
Subject who are unable or unwilling to tolerate the required prolonged stationary position during treatment (approximately 2-3 hours)
More than 30% of the skull area traversed by the sonication pathyway is covered by scars, scalp disorder (e.g., eczema), or atrophy of the scalp.
Subject with implanted objects in the skull or brain
Subject diagnosed with advanced kidney disease or on dialysis
Subjet with impaired renal function with estimated glomerular filtration rate less than 30 mL/min/1.73 m 2
Subject with known unstable cardiac status or severe hypertension including:
Subject has a history of abnormal bleeding or coagulopathy
Subject is receiving anticoagulant (e.g., warfarin) or antiplatelet (e.g., aspirin) therapy within one week of focused ultrasound procedure or drugs known to increase risk of hemorrhage (e.g., Avastin) within one month of focused ultrasound procedure
Subject has blood coagulation test results outside the normal range
Subject with cerebrovascular disease as determined by MRI according to Fazekas score
Subject with a past or current diagnosis of schizophrenia, psychotic disorder, bipolar disorder, or untreated depression other than one determined to be substance induced
Score of greater than 17 on the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D) or increased risk of suicide based on any positive response regarding passive or active suicidal ideation with or without intent over the past 3 months or lifetime history of active suicidal ideation with intent on the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS) at baseline
Diagnosis of dementia or any other disorder which has led to a clinically significant cognitive impairment (assessed via NIHTB-CB)
Subject with brain tumors
Subject with chronic pulmonary disorders e.g. severe emphysema, pulmonary vasculitis, or other casues of reduced pulmonary vascular cross-sectional area.
Any known CNS infection or infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
Subject who has had deep brain stimulation or a prior stereostatic ablation of the NAc, basal ganglia, or thalamus
Subject who has been administered botulinum toxins into to the arm, neck, or face for 5 months prior to baseline
Subject unwilling to refrain from using illicit drugs while participating in this clinical trial
Subject is pregnant or nursing women
For women of childbearing potential*, who do not agree to use clinically appropriate contraception** for the duration of the clinical trial
*Definition of women of childbearing age: means women who have experienced menarche, have not been surgically sterilized (hysterectomy or bilateral oophorectomy), or are not post-menopausal, defined as amenorrhea for 12 months or more for no other reason.
**Clinically appropriate contraception: defined as "[intrauterine device (e.g., Loop, Mirena), chemical barrier method (spermicide), or subdermal implantable contraceptive device (e.g., Implanon)] + physical barrier method (male or female)" for women, tubal surgery, or laparoscopic contraception (a type of tubal ligation).
Other, if the investigator determines that participation in the clinical trial is inappropriate ethically or because it may affect the outcome of the clinical trial