By
- Kayode Crown | kcrown@al.com
Six hundred veterans will participate in a new clinical trial to determine whether a popular prescription drug for diabetes and weight loss can treat alcohol use disorder, or AUD
Semaglutide is a GLP-1 drug that mimics a naturally occurring hormone of the same name and helps regulate appetite and blood sugar
The CRAVE trial — short for Cessation or Reduction of Alcohol Consumption in Veterans — will assign enrollees with moderate or severe alcohol use disorder to receive weekly semaglutide injections or a placebo over a six-month period
The study, which covers participants aged 18 to 80, will take place at 18 VA medical centers nationwide, according to a July 30 statement
More than 400,000 former military personnel nationwide are diagnosed with AUD, the department notes
“This clinical trial reflects medical research that VA is uniquely situated to launch, and is aimed directly at benefitting Veterans,” said VA Secretary Doug Collins. “By exploring emerging treatment options like the use of a GLP-1 for AUD, we aim to expand the tools available to help Veterans take control of their health and recovery.”
Enrollment has begun for the research, and veterans interested in participating should contact their local VA medical center or visit ClinicalTrials.gov and search for the trial
The study will be conducted at these VA medical centers:
- Ann Arbor VA Health Care System, Ann Arbor, Michigan
- Charles George VA Medical Center, Asheville, North Carolina
- Durham VA Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
- Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital, Hines, Illinois
- George E. Wahlen VA Medical Center, Salt Lake City
- Joseph Maxwell Cleland Atlanta VA Medical Center, Decatur, Georgia
- Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center, Cleveland
- Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, Houston
- Minneapolis VA Medical Center, Minneapolis
- Orlando VA Medical Center, Orlando, Florida
- Palo Alto VA Medical Center, Palo Alto, California
- Philadelphia VA Healthcare System, Philadelphia
- Portland VA Medical Center, Portland, Oregon
- Tibor Rubin VA Medical Center, Long Beach, California
- VA Greater Los Angeles Health Care System, Los Angeles
- VA North Texas Health Care System, Dallas
- VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle
- William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital, Madison, Wisconsin
