Intervention: Verucerfont
Trial phase: Phase 2
SMILES: CC[C@H](Nc1cc(C)nc2c(-c3ccc(OC)cc3C)c(C)nn12)c1nc(C)no1
Sex: Female
Age groups: Adult | Older Adult
Healthy volunteers: No
Participants at risk: 22
Group description: GSK561679 was given orally, once a day in the evening, for 21 days, at a dose of 350mg, administered as four tablets consisting of 3 x 100mg tablets plus 1 x 50mg tablet.
Eligibility criteria:
INCLUSION CRITERIA:

DSM-IV diagnosis of alcohol dependence on SCID interview (23), alcohol problems as primary complaint among substance use disorders, and alcohol use within the last month.

Female sex

Spielberger trait anxiety inventory (24) score >39.

Age 21 65 years.

Able to comprehend the consent form, and provide informed consent.

Either:

of non-childbearing potential defined as pre-menopausal (for definition, see appendix females with a documented tubal ligation or hysterectomy; or postmenopausal defined as 12 months of spontaneous amenorrhea [in questionable cases a blood sample with simultaneous follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) > 40 MlU/ml and estradiol < 40 pg/ml (<140 pmol/L) is confirmatory]; or,
of child-bearing potential, has a negative serum pregnancy test both on screening and during placebo lead-in, and agrees to one of the following methods of contraception:

i. Practices complete abstinence from intercourse two weeks prior to administration of study drug, throughout participating in the clinical trial and for two weeks following discontinuation of the study medication or,

ii. Has a male sexual partner(s) who is surgically sterilized (vasectomy with documentation of azoospermia) prior to inclusion or,

iii. Has a sexual partner(s) who is/are exclusively female or,

iv. Uses oral contraceptives (either combined or progestogen only) with single-barrier method of contraception consisting of spermicide and condom or diaphragm. Women of child-bearing potential using an oral contraceptive in combination with a single-barrier method of contraception are required to continue to use this form of contraception for 6 weeks following discontinuation of study medication.

v. Uses double-barrier contraception, specifically, a condom plus spermicide and a female diaphragm or cervical cap. The subject must be using this method for at least 2 weeks prior to the administration of the study drug, throughout the study, and 6 weeks following discontinuation of study medication or,

vi. Uses any intrauterine device (IUD) with published data showing that the highest expected failure rate is less than 1% per year. The subject must have the device inserted at least 2 weeks prior to the first Screen Visit, throughout the study, and 6 weeks following discontinuation of study medication.

EXCLUSION CRITERIA:

Investigator site personnel directly affiliated with this study and/or their immediate families. Immediate family is defined as a spouse, parent, child or sibling, whether biological or legally adopted.
Employees of GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) or immediate family of GSK employees.
Current participation in another clinical study in which the subject is or will be exposed to an investigational or non-investigational drug or device; participation in a clinical study for an illness unrelated to alcohol use within the preceding month; participation in a clinical study related to alcohol use within the preceding six months; or any previous participation in a trial involving GSK561679 or closely related compounds.
Inability or unwillingness to participate in an MR scan, including presence of ferromagnetic objects in the body that constitute a contraindication for MRI of the head, or pronounced claustrophobia
Any medical or psychiatric condition or laboratory finding other than those explicitly listed below that, in the judgment of the investigator could adversely affect subject safety or study integrity.
Schizophrenia, bipolar disease, or any past or present psychotic disorder other than one determined to be substance induced; past or present dementia, or any other disorder which has led to a cognitive impairment that in the opinion of the investigator interferes with the subject s ability to provide informed consent, or comply with study procedures. Any other psychiatric condition which at the present time requires, or in the past month has required pharmacological intervention other than standard withdrawal treatment as described in the NIAAA Assessment and Treatment Protocol.
A personality disorder which, in the investigator s judgment could lead to non-compliance with study procedures.
Subjects, who in the investigator's judgment, pose a significant suicide risk. Evidence of serious suicide risk may include any history of suicidal behavior in the last 6 months and/or any suicidal ideation of type 4 or 5 on the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS) (25) in the last 2 months.
Unlikely or unable to complete the treatment program because of impending or likely incarceration while on the protocol.
Required to receive treatment by a court of law or involuntarily committed to treatment.
Positive urine test for illegal drug use.
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection.
Peptic ulcer disease within the last 10 years, a history of an upper gastro-intestinal (GI) bleeding, or a current stool positive for occult blood (if such stool was obtained without the subject abstaining from red meat for three or more days prior, testing may be repeated once following such abstinence. If that stool is negative for occult blood by the Randomization Day the subject is considered eligible).

Any clinically significant liver disease; specifically, cirrhosis as determined by ultrasound; positive test for Hepatitis B surface antigen; positive test for Hepatitis C antibody (hepatitis C antibody positivity confirmed by testing the same sample using a highly specific immunoblot assay, or with hepatitis C RNA test on a separate frozen sample); any of the following liver function test abnormalities:

On screening: gamma glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) > 5 times the upper limit of normal (ULN), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) > 3 times ULN, alanine transaminase (ALT) > 3 times the ULN or Alkaline Phosphatase > 1.5 ULN; total bilirubin >1.5 times the ULN or direct bilirubin > 35%; Albumin below 3 g/dL; INR > 1.5;
On the day preceding active medication: Alkaline Phosphatase > ULN, AST > 2 times ULN, ALT > 2 times the ULN or GGT > 4 times the ULN, total bilirubin >1.5 times the ULN or direct bilirubin > 35%; Albumin below3 g/dL; INR > 1.5; if, on the day preceding active medication,
On the day preceding active medication, any of the liver function tests above have increased more than 1 time the ULN over the value at the screening.
Any cardiovascular condition, including uncontrolled hypertension, or ECG abnormality that, in the investigator s judgment, may pose a safety concern; specifically, ECG finding of a QTc time > 450 msec unless normalized on repeat ECG.
Subjects with known or suspected iron deficiency of unknown etiology.
Positive pregnancy test, lactating, or planning to become pregnant within 8 weeks from the start of this 4-week study.
Regular use of psychotropic medication (antidepressant, lithium, antipsychotic, anxiolytic, antiepileptic, opiates, or hypnotics), within one week, with the exception of benzodiazepines administered within the NIAAA program as part of alcohol withdrawal treatment. Fluoxetine may not have been taken within 5 weeks, and depot antipsychotics may not have been taken within 12 weeks.
Current use, or likely requirement during the study, or use of within preceding 4 weeks, of contraindicated medications as listed in Appendix III and 2 weeks for incidental use of non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
Subjects maintained on thyroid medication must have been euthyroid for at least six months.
Systemic intake of corticosteroids acutely within two weeks or chronically within the last 6 months (Topical hydrocortisone and inhaled corticosteroids are allowed).
A history of allergic reaction to, or significant adverse effects from excipients in the GSK561679 tablet (see GSK561679 Investigator Brochure).