title: Effects of daily treatment with citicoline: a double-blind, placebo-controlled study in cocaine-dependent volunteers.
abstract: Many pharmacotherapies for treating cocaine dependence are aimed at reducing drug effects, alleviating craving, and preventing relapse. We demonstrated previously that citicoline, a compound used to repair neuronal damage in stroke and brain injury, is safe in cocaine-abusing volunteers.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study assessed the effectiveness of an 8-week citicoline treatment period and 4-week follow-up in cocaine-dependent individuals.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-nine healthy nontreatment-seeking, cocaine-dependent male and female volunteers were randomized in this double-blind, placebo-controlled study, 18 of whom completed the treatment period of the study. Participants took citicoline (500 mg twice daily) or matched placebo each day and recorded the measures of craving and drug use. Participants visited the laboratory twice a week for urine screens and to attend weekly group therapy sessions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Citicoline had no effect on cocaine craving or total use.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although the current preliminary results from this small trial suggest that citicoline is not an effective treatment for heavy cocaine users, further investigation on efficacy citicoline as a treatment for substance dependence in other settings may be warranted.
authors.affiliation: Behavioral Psychopharmacology Research Laboratory, McLean Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Belmont, MA 02478, USA. slicata@mclean.harvard.edu
authors.forename: Stephanie C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Licata
authors.forename: David M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Penetar
authors.forename: Caitlin
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ravichandran
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rodolico
authors.forename: Christopher
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Palmer
authors.forename: Jeff
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Berko
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Geaghan
authors.forename: Alison
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Looby
authors.forename: Erica
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Peters
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ryan
authors.forename: Perry F
authors.initials: PF
authors.lastname: Renshaw
authors.forename: Scott E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Lukas
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D019970:Cocaine-Related Disorders / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003566:Cytidine Diphosphate Choline / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018697:Nootropic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011615:Psychotherapy, Group; D015813:Substance Abuse Detection; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy
chemical_list: D018697:Nootropic Agents; D003566:Cytidine Diphosphate Choline