# Using event-related potentials to predict treatment outcomes in cocaine use disorder

> **NIH NIH F32** · UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS HLTH SCI CTR HOUSTON · 2021 · $68,562

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
Cocaine use disorder (CUD) is a complex, devastating disorder that is difficult to treat, emphasizing the need
to improve treatment-individual fit. The goal of this award is to prepare Dr. Soder for a career in addiction
research through both a relevant training plan and the proposed research project that aims to determine
biomarkers of treatment outcomes for CUD. Dr. Soder’s long term goal is to become an independent
researcher in a large academic or medical setting using neurocognitive measures to elucidate individual
differences that contribute to risk, maintenance, and treatment outcomes in addictions. The current proposal
builds on Dr. Soder’s prior cognitive neuroscience background by expanding her expertise in 1) research on
addicted populations and clinical trials, 2) advanced data analysis and biostatistics, and 3) activities related to
primary investigator responsibilities. The research program compliments this training plan by utilizing event-
related potentials (ERPs) to predict CUD treatment outcomes. Measuring ERPs is a practical and economical
alternative to other neuroimaging methods, as it is relatively cost-effective and can be easily implemented in a
clinical setting. Additionally, it is likely that different ERP components can map onto different key processes
required of specific treatments. The current project will use ERPs to assess cognitive, attentional, and reward
functioning to predict treatment outcomes in contingency management (CM), a validated treatment for CUD.
While CM is moderately effective, there is individual variability in achieving abstinence, suggesting that no
single treatment is likely to be appropriate for all cocaine users. Measuring ERPs can help identify both
individual and treatment characteristics that predict and explain treatment outcomes. CM specifically involves
reinforcement of non-drug related behaviors, suggesting that alterations in pleasure from non-drug behaviors
(anhedonia) and increased attention to drug cues (motivated attention) are involved in non-response to
treatment. The current project aims to investigate this by 1) testing the relationship of anhedonia (assessed by
ERPs) to treatment outcomes in CM for CUD, 2) testing the relationship of motivated attention (assessed by
ERPs) to treatment outcomes in CM for CUD, and 3) performing exploratory analyses to determine the optimal
set of ERPs to predict treatment outcomes in CM for CUD. This proposal utilizes a biomarker approach to
predict and explain why some individuals respond to CM, lays the groundwork for future studies that can test
the same ERP components across different substances and different treatments, and allows Dr. Soder to gain
the necessary training in order to apply this approach in the future to drastically improve interventions for
addictions. Ultimately, this work will lead to the development of cost-effective and accessible ways to
personalize treatment for CUD and other addictions.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10140124
- **Project number:** 5F32DA048542-02
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS HLTH SCI CTR HOUSTON
- **Principal Investigator:** Heather E Webber
- **Activity code:** F32 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $68,562
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2020-02-11 → 2022-02-10

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10140124

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10140124, Using event-related potentials to predict treatment outcomes in cocaine use disorder (5F32DA048542-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10140124. Licensed CC0.

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