CTN Big South/West Node
We are committed to the delivery of evidence-based treatment for people with substance use disorders.
About the NIDA Clinical Trials Network
The NIDA Clinical Trials Network (CTN) provides an enterprise in which NIDA, treatment researchers, and community-based service providers work toward new treatment options in community-level clinical practices. The primary goal is bridging the gap between the science of treatment for substance use disorders and its practice through the study of scientifically-based interventions in real-world settings.
Who We Are
The Big South/West Node is a collaborative partnership of UT Southwestern Medical Center, UT Health Science Center, and University of California, Los Angeles.
Principal Investigators
Contact PI
Jennifer S. Potter, Ph.D., M.P.H.
Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
- Vice Dean for Research
- Associate Vice President for Public Health
- UT Health San Antonio
- Personal Twitter: @DrJSPotter
- Other Twitter: @TXMOUD
Professor of Family Medicine and Psychiatry
- Vice Chair of Research
- Department of Family Medicine
- University of California, Los Angeles
- UCLA CBAM
About the Grant
The $13.12 million Clinical Trials Network Node Grant is awarded to Big South/West Node (UG1DA020024-16). Principal Investigator Trivedi is to investigate novel interventions to improve outcomes for substance use disorders. The five-year grant includes funding for UTSW to coordinate three large multicenter treatment studies that include two pharmacological approaches and one transcranial magnetic stimulation study to assess efficacy for cocaine and methamphetamine use disorders.
What We Do
Substance use, particularly the use of stimulants and opioids in the fourth wave of the opioid epidemic, are a major public health problem. Research is needed to develop new substance use disorder treatments and to determine how to best broadly disseminate the treatments that are currently available and effective.
Researchers and treatment providers in the Clinical Trials Network’s Big South/West Node contribute their expertise to solving this crisis impacting our nation and our Southern region.
Resources for Providers
- Buprenorphine Suite of Blending Products
- CTN Dissemination Library
- CTN Studies
- CTN Webinar: The Importance of the CTN
- NIDA CTN Common Data Elements
Our Work in the News
- UTSW’s ‘Game-Changer’ in Treating Meth Addiction – D Magazine (Feb. 10, 2021)
- S. Methamphetamine Overdose Deaths Surged Over The Past Decade, Study Finds – Forbes (Jan. 21, 2021)
- Two-Drug Combo May Help Fight Meth Addiction – U.S. News & World Report (Jan. 20, 2021)
- Bupropion and Naltrexone in Methamphetamine Use Disorder – New England Journal of Medicine (Jan. 14, 2021)
- A Medical Treatment For Meth Addiction Proves Effective In New Trial –
WAMU 88.5 NPR (Jan. 14, 2021) - Naltrexone-bupropion more effective than placebo for methamphetamine use disorder – Healio News (Jan. 13, 2021)
- Finally, Medications That May Help People Addicted To Meth – WBUR (Jan. 13, 2021)
What is Substance Use Disorder?
Substance use disorder (SUD) is a condition where a person’s misuse of alcohol, illicit substances, or prescription medications leads to impairment, such as health problems, disability or problems at work, school or home. SUD can be mild, moderate, or severe.
Journal Club
Every 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month, 1pm PST/3pm CST/4pm EST
Join us in discussing the current research on substance use disorder. In our meetings we plan to address a wide range of topics and encourage all our node members to sign up to present an article that they find interesting!
Use passcode 524500 to enter the Zoom meeting. Please sign-up to schedule your presentation.
| Date | WIP | Journal Article | Speakers |
| 12/18/23 | TBD | TBD | TBD |
| 12/04/23 | TBD | TBD | TBD |
| 11/20/23 | TBD | TBD | TBD |
| 11/06/23 | TBD | TBD | TBD |
| 10/16/23 | TBD | TBD | TBD |
| 10/02/23 | TBD | TBD | TBD |
| 09/18/23 | TBD | TBD | Dr. Tara Wright & Dr. Erin Finley |
| 03/23/22 | TBD | TBD | TBD |
| 03/09/22 | TBD | TBD | TBD |
| 02/23/22 | Moms in ACTion: Facilitating Treatment Entry and Family Planning among NICU Mothers Who Use Illicit Substances | TDB | Dr. Yoly Villarreal UT Health Houston |
| 02/09/22 | Design Considerations for the CTN-0132 Ketamine for Methamphetamine Use Disorder (KMD) Study | TBD | Dr. Manish Jha UT Southwestern Medical Center |
| 01/12/22 | Engaging same-day peer vaccine ambassadors to promote COVID-19 vaccine uptake in homeless encampments and shelters: Lessons learned for harm reduction and addiction treatment | TBD | Dr. Chelsea Shover UCLA |
| 12/22/21 | Self-medication with Kratom: Results from Personal Comment Submissions | TDB | Dr. Julia Tobacyk University of Arkansas for Medical Science |