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

Medications for Opioid Use Disorder Differentially Modulate Intrinsically Photosensitive Retinal Ganglion Cell Function, Sleep, and Circadian Rhythms: Implications for Treatment (MOUD)

Who can join

Ages 18 to 80 · All sexes · Healthy volunteers welcome

Inclusion Criteria:

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

Exclusion Criteria:

1. 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;
2. acutely suicidal, manic, intoxicated, or otherwise not stable enough to provide informed consent
3. self-reported use of illicit opioids, stimulants (prescribed or illicit), or benzodiazepines/sedative/hypnotics in the past month
4. alcohol or cannabis use disorder measured as severe on The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) Checklist
5. positive on UDS for illicit opioids (e.g., morphine, oxycodone, fentanyl),stimulants, benzodiazepines/sedative/hypnotics
6. 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)
7. persons diagnosed with narcolepsy

About the study

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.

What is being tested

• Post-Illumination Pupillary Response (PIPR) (other)
• Polysomnography (other)
• Multiple Sleep Latency Test (other)
• Ecological Momentary Assessments (behavioral)
• Actigraphy (device)
• DLMO (other)

Sponsor: University of Alabama at Birmingham · Participants: 200 · Started: Jan 6, 2025

Contact the study team

• Karen Gamble, PhD · Phone: 205-975-7809
• Brionna Smith, B.S. · Phone: 205-975-7809

Official record on ClinicalTrials.gov — NCT06104280

Locations in the U.S.

Conditions

• Opioid Overdose
• Parasomnias

From ClinicalTrials.gov, data retrieved Sep 30, 2026. Each study sets its own eligibility; the study team decides who can join.