Orexin Receptor Antagonists as Modulators of Threat Sensitivity in Individuals With Alcohol Use Disorder

Who can take part

• Age 18-65
• Participant is able to give informed consent
• Generally medically and physically healthy as confirmed by medical history
• Meet DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for current moderate or severe AUD
• Engage in heavy alcohol use defined as drinking equal or greater than 14 standard drinks per week if male and equal or greater than 7 standard drinks per week if female

Who cannot take part

• Current use of antihistamines, strong or moderate inhibitors of CYP3A liver enzymes, strong CYP3A inducers, or digoxin
• Recent psychotropic medication use in the past 2 months
• Clinically significant medical or neurological condition (e.g., liver disease, narcolepsy, complex sleep behaviors, severe hepatic impairment, COPD, severe obstructive sleep apnea)
• Current cognitive dysfunction (traumatic brain injury, mental retardation, organic mental syndrome, pervasive developmental disorder, or dementia)
• Current or past DSM-5 diagnosis of mania, schizophrenia, psychosis, suicidality, major depressive disorder, or obsessive compulsive disorder
• Current substance use disorder other than alcohol or mild cannabis use disorder
• Treatment seeking for AUD
• Currently smokes 5 or more cigarettes (or electronic equivalent) per day
• BMI equal or greater than 35
• Engage in night-shift work
• Lack of fluency in English
• Presence of ferrous-containing metal in the body
• Inability to tolerate small, enclosed spaces
• Deafness in one or both ears
• Currently pregnant (positive pregnancy test), lactating, or not agreeing to use birth control methods during the duration of the trial