Guanfacine to Reduce Relapse Risk in Women With Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD)

Summary

Guanfacine may preferentially reduce craving and improve cognitive control in women with Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD), compared to men. As these behaviors are related to relapse, the objectives of this study are to conduct a 10-week out-patient clinical trial to examine the effects of Guanfacine Extended Release (XR; 3mgs) versus placebo on drinking measures in women with AUD.

Timeline

Start

2017-07-12

Primary completion

2021-03-31

Completion

2021-03-31

Publications

• Background Fox HC, Morgan PT, Sinha R. Sex differences in guanfacine effects on drug craving and stress arousal in cocaine-dependent individuals. Neuropsychopharmacology. 2014 May;39(6):1527-37. doi: 10.1038/npp.2014.1. Epub 2014 Jan 7.
• Background Fox HC, Sinha R. Sex differences in drug-related stress-system changes: implications for treatment in substance-abusing women. Harv Rev Psychiatry. 2009;17(2):103-19. doi: 10.1080/10673220902899680.
• Background Heinsbroek RP, van Haaren F, Feenstra MG, Boon P, van de Poll NE. Controllable and uncontrollable footshock and monoaminergic activity in the frontal cortex of male and female rats. Brain Res. 1991 Jun 14;551(1-2):247-55. doi: 10.1016/0006-8993(91)90939-s.
• Background Cahill L. Sex-related influences on the neurobiology of emotionally influenced memory. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2003 Apr;985:163-73. doi: 10.1111/j.1749-6632.2003.tb07080.x.
• Konjusha A, Colzato L, Ghin F, Stock AK, Beste C. Auricular transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation for alcohol use disorder: A chance to improve treatment? Addict Biol. 2022 Sep;27(5):e13202. doi: 10.1111/adb.13202.

Drugs

Indications