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Medications for Opioid Use Disorder Photosensitive Retinal Ganglion Cell Function, Sleep, and Circadian Rhythms: Implications for Treatment

University of Alabama at Birmingham · with National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) · NCT06104280

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Opens the official ClinicalTrials.gov record, with the study team’s contacts. Bored Studies doesn’t enroll anyone.

Key facts

Compensation
Not posted. Ask the study team before screening.
Who can join
Ages 18–80 · All sexes
Healthy volunteers
Accepted
Study type
Observational
Target enrollment
200
US sites recruiting
1
Study start
January 6, 2025
Record last updated
August 11, 2026

Status re-checked against ClinicalTrials.gov within the last 12 hours.

What the study is about

Opioid use disorder (OUD) is a treatable medical illness with three medications FDA approved for treatment. However, persons with OUD report significant sleep disturbance, even when treated with medications for opioid use disorder, leading to high rates of relapse. In this project, we will investigate a special set of photosensitive neurons in the retina as an underlying mechanism for circadian rhythm and sleep disturbance from opioid use and medications for OUD that could lead to novel intervention and improve treatment outcomes.

Being studied: Post-Illumination Pupillary Response (PIPR); Polysomnography; Multiple Sleep Latency Test; Ecological Momentary Assessments; Actigraphy; DLMO; Melatonin Suppression Test

Conditions: Opioid Use Disorder; Sleep Disturbance

Eligibility criteria

Copied from the official record. The study team makes the final decision at screening.

Show full criteria

Inclusion Criteria

  • Adults (18+)
  • prescribed one of three medications for opioid use disorder (methadone, XR-NTX, buprenorphine) or healthy control
  • stable on MOUD (no dose change) for the past month
  • positive on urine drug screen (UDS) for buprenorphine or methadone if prescribed those medications

Exclusion Criteria

  • eye disease reported by history or noted on exam including disease of the anterior and posterior segment of the eye, cataracts, retinopathy, glaucoma, cataracts, amblyopia, scotoma, color or night blindness, corneal pathologies, macular degeneration, or retinitis pigmentosa;
  • acutely suicidal, manic, intoxicated, or otherwise not stable enough to provide informed consent
  • self-reported use of illicit opioids, stimulants (prescribed or illicit), or benzodiazepines/sedative/hypnotics in the past month
  • alcohol or cannabis use disorder measured as severe on The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) Checklist
  • positive on UDS for illicit opioids (e.g., morphine, oxycodone, fentanyl),stimulants, benzodiazepines/sedative/hypnotics
  • shift workers who work outside normal 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. hours, according to the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
  • persons diagnosed with narcolepsy

Recruiting US locations

  • University of Alabama at Birmingham

    Birmingham, AL 35233

    Site contact: Brionna Smith, B.S. · 205-975-7809 · Cropseylab@uabmc.edu

Study contacts (from the official record)

  • Karen Gamble, PhD · 205-975-7809 · kcropsey@uabmc.edu
  • Brionna Smith, B.S. · 205-975-7809 · cropseylab@uabmc.edu
All sleep studies in Alabama →
Medications for Opioid Use Disorder Photosensitive Retinal… (NCT06104280) | Bored Studies