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Understanding Opioid Relapse with fMRI

This study is looking at brain activity patterns in people who are starting treatment for opioid use disorder with methadone or buprenorphine. Researchers will use fMRI (functional magnetic resonance imaging), a special type of MRI that shows brain activity, while you complete different tasks. They want to see if certain brain patterns are linked to whether someone relapses (starts using illicit opioids again) after treatment. You might be able to join if you are 18 to 50 years old, have recently started methadone or buprenorphine treatment, and can have an MRI scan. The study will track illicit opioid use for six months after your brain scan to see if the fMRI results can predict relapse. The current recruitment status is unclear.

Study design
This is an observational study, meaning researchers will observe participants without giving new treatments. It plans to enroll 240 participants.
What's involved
You will undergo fMRI scans while performing various tasks. You will also have monthly visits for six months after your neuroimaging.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
Participants will be followed for six months after neuroimaging to track illicit opioid use.

AI-generated from the public study record. Only the study team can confirm whether you're eligible — confirm details with them before making decisions.

NCT06651333

fMRI and Opioid Abstinence

Recruiting
Not specifiedAges 18–50Observational
Yale University
~240 participants
Updated 2026-08-07 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:fMRI

At a glance

Recruiting sites
2 of 2 listed sites are recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Illicit opioid-use
Measured over At monthly visits for 6 months following neuroimaging

Conditions

Drug Use Disorder
Opioid Dependence
Opioid-Related Disorders
Opioid Use
Opioid Abuse

Explore related trials

Opioid Use Disorder

Where it's being run

2 sites across 1 states
Connecticut2

Study leadership

  • Sarah Yip, PhD, MSc · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · Yale University

Who to contact

Monica Holler
[email protected]
203-278-1107
Email the study team

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Do you actually qualify for this trial?

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

recent initiation of methadone or buprenorphine at a clinic, program, or doctor within the past year (i.e., period of time during which treatment drop-out and risk for relapse is highest);
eligibility for MRI scanning;
ability to commit to study visits.

Exclusion

current acute psychosis, mania, or suicidal ideation with intent, as assessed during screening with the SCID-5;
current intoxication or acute withdrawal at time of study visit sufficient to prevent participation based on: behavioral observation, breathalyzer, and SOWS assessment;
severe cognitive impairment as determined via trained clinical research staff through consent process and during consent quiz or as indicated by a PROMIS Cognitive Function tscore \<30 (i.e., severe impairment)
past or present history of intellectual disability, developmental disorder, or neurological disease;
head trauma with loss of consciousness \>30 min;
organ dysfunction or any unstable or untreated medical conditions that may interfere with study participation.

What this trial measures

  • Illicit opioid-useAt monthly visits for 6 months following neuroimaging

    Defined as the percent days of self-reported use of illicit opioids (assessed at monthly visits for 6-months following neuroimaging), with the exception of primary type of MOUD (i.e., methadone for methadone treated individuals, buprenorphine for buprenorphine treated individuals).