Dr. Jan Gryczynski Receives a UM1 Subaward
FRI is pleased to announce that Dr. Jan Gryczynski has received a UM1 subaward for his project titled “GLP-1 Outcomes with people Using Psychoactive Substances (GLOW-UPS): a multi-stage, multi-site trial among persons involved in the criminal-legal system”, with MPIs Dr. Joshua Lee (New York University), Lisa Marsch (Dartmouth University), and Sandra Springer (Yale University). Co-Investigators at FRI include Drs. Anjalee Sharma and Mishka Terplan.
Funded under the Justice Community Opioid Innovation Network (JCOIN) 2.0 initiative, GLOW-UPS is focused on glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1) medications and their potential utility for addressing substance use disorders (SUD) among individuals involved in the criminal-legal system. As GLP-1 for SUD indications and GLP-1 research in correctional systems represents early stage research, this project will proceed using a multi-stage approach.
The first stage is a mixed-methods Feasibility/Acceptability study focused on protocol development through qualitative and quantitative data gathering. Stage1 includes surveys and qualitative interviews with incarcerated persons, persons with lived experience, and department of correction (DOC) health providers and leadership surrounding interest, adoption and optimal protocols for GLP-1 for currently approved indications (DM2/overweight/obesity/other) and substance use disorder (SUD). Open questions include prevalence of medical conditions for which GLP is approved and co-occurring SUD among incarcerated individuals, correctional health and security delivery capacities, drug costs and GLP-1 formulations in corrections, transitional care models and pre- vs. post-release GLP-1 initiation, telehealth supports, self- vs. in-clinic administration, and tolerability and side effects.
This research will inform the second Stage of the study, a delayed onset effectiveness-implementation randomized clinical trial of GLP-1, tentatively among pre-release adults (age 18 and older) with DSM-5 SUD (opioid, stimulant, alcohol, nicotine, cannabis, in a to be determined combination), followed post-release for SUD outcomes (to be determined: cravings, overdose, treatment retention, return to use) and medical outcomes (weight, glucose control).