Welcome to The Tieman Center for Research
The Center conducts cutting-edge research to better understand, prevent, and treat addiction. Addiction is a complex, multi-factorial disease that affects individuals, their families, and communities. That complexity calls for a multi-pronged approach to treatment and prevention. In partnership with our colleagues at various organizations, including Penn State Hershey and the National Institutes of Health, we are exploring novel biomedical approaches to find long-lasting solutions to the public health problem of addiction.
Caron's diverse group of experienced researchers collaborate with external partners to conduct research propelled by out-of-the-box thinking.
Research Vision and Mission
Vision: Advancing knowledge and providing evidence-based solutions in the field of addiction through biomedical research and training.
Mission: Caron Treatment Centers is committed to the continued growth of knowledge of the disease of addiction and how it affects individuals and families. To this end, the Fran and Doug Tieman Center for Research is devoted to:
Highlights from Completed Research Projects
Use of a Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 (GLP-1RA) Agonist to Treat Opioid Use Disorder
Collaboration with Penn State College of Medicine, funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
Caron’s research team was part of this groundbreaking study that could lead to a potential new treatment option for opioid use disorder, especially when used in combination with existing medication-assisted treatment (MAT).
The recently completed study examined the efficacy of liraglutide as a potential medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorder. Liraglutide belongs to a class of medications called GLP-1RAs and is currently FDA-approved to treat Type II diabetes (at 1.2 mg and 1.8 mg) and obesity (at 3.0 mg). Liraglutide regulates appetite and glucose-dependent insulin secretion and slows gastric emptying. This leads to lower blood sugar levels and decreased appetite.
Researchers from Penn State Hershey Medical Center were interested in how liraglutide might also be able to decrease drug-seeking in humans. The animal model research demonstrated that acute treatment with liraglutide reduced cue- and drug-induced seeking for both heroin and fentanyl.
Caron patients with opioid use disorder who met the inclusion criteria could choose to participate in this study. This was a randomized, controlled, double-blind study with both a medication (liraglutide, up to 1.8mg/d) and placebo arm. During the 21-day study, patients completed surveys via a smartphone to measure cravings and mood so data could be captured in real time. To ensure patient health, researchers collected data on liver function, glucose, blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, and oxygen saturation.
The study found that liraglutide can be administered safely in this population. It also significantly reduced cravings compared to placebo and that reduction began with the lowest dose. In addition, it significantly reduced craving in the afternoon and evening when generally there is a rise. The group that received liraglutide in combination with medication-assisted treatment appeared to have the best results.
Penn State researchers will now try to replicate the study with a larger outpatient population. Supported by NIH grant UG3-DA050325 and a generous gift from Dr. Edward Saylor and his wife Janis. The study drug was provided by a Novo Nordisk research grant from the NNI Investigator Sponsored Studies Program. The opinions in this paper/presentation are that of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Novo Nordisk.
Current Research Projects
Please note: in cases where Caron’s participation in projects includes patients, they have elected to participate in the research and have been provided detailed information about what participation entails.
See Who's Leading Caron's Research
