Pilot Study of a Multi-System Analysis of Opioid Receptor Binding

The purpose of this research is to learn more about mu opioid receptor (MOR) binding in the brain and body.

• Cohort 1: Subjects with a lifetime diagnosis of Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) on a stable dosage of buprenorphine or methadone for medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for at least four weeks prior to the screening visit
  
• Cohort 2: Subjects with a lifetime history of OUD, but not current OUD who have not received MAT for OUD during the 12 months prior to screening
  
• Cohort 3:  Subjects without a lifetime history of OUD
  

In this study, we examine the distribution of a kind of receptor that binds opioids (opioids are chemicals that are either produced normally by the body or taken as medications, like morphine or codeine, which are prescribed by doctors to reduce pain). These opioid receptors, which are widely distributed in the brain and other organs, such as the intestines, are involved in the experience of reward, and they play a role in reducing pain. We will study this using a type of Positron Emission Tomography (PET/CT) scan using a radioactive imaging drug called [11C]carfentanil that binds to this type of receptor.

[11C]carfentanil is an experimental  radioactive imaging drug used in PET imaging  to measure mu-opioid receptors (MORs) in various organs in the body, including the brain. [11C]carfentanil has not yet been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use except in a research study. The use of [[11C]carfentanil in this study is allowed under an Investigational New Drug Application approved by the FDA.