PROMETA Treatment Program rapidly reduces cravings for methamphetamine subjects: Study

Hythiam, Inc. (NASDAQ:HYTM) announced today that the results of a double-blind, placebo-controlled study on the impact of the medical component of the PROMETA^® Treatment Program on methamphetamine dependent subjects were published in the Journal of Psychopharmacology, a peer-reviewed, international journal that publishes original research and review articles on preclinical and clinical aspects of psychopharmacology. The journal provides a forum for researchers and practicing clinicians on the effects of drugs on animal and human behavior, and the mechanisms underlying these effects. The article was recently released and is titled, “A Controlled Trial of Flumazenil and Gabapentin for Initial Treatment of Methylamphetamine Dependence,” Urschel III, Harold C., Hanselka, Larry L., and Baron, Michael, J Psychopharmacol OnlineFirst, November 25, 2009, doi:10.1177/0269881109349837. The results of the 30-day study were analyzed on an intent-to-treat basis that included all randomized participants, and missing days were counted as positive for methamphetamine use. The final data demonstrated that the medical component of the PROMETA Treatment Program achieved a statistically significant reduction in the combined craving score for methamphetamine when compared to placebo, and that craving was a significant predictive factor for subsequent drug use. The results are the first to be published in a peer-reviewed scientific journal from a double-blind, placebo-controlled study conducted to assess the impact of the PROMETA Treatment Program on methamphetamine dependence.

“This publication of a double-blind, placebo-controlled study on the PROMETA Treatment Program in a peer-reviewed journal continues to provide validation for the use of the PROMETA Treatment Program, especially in the context of an integrated treatment program like our Catasys solution”

“This publication of a double-blind, placebo-controlled study on the PROMETA Treatment Program in a peer-reviewed journal continues to provide validation for the use of the PROMETA Treatment Program, especially in the context of an integrated treatment program like our Catasys solution,” said Dr. Gary Ingenito, Hythiam’s Senior Vice President of Scientific Affairs. “The results of this study demonstrate how the PROMETA Treatment Program rapidly reduces cravings in a significant manner for methamphetamine subjects. The results are meaningful because there is an important relationship between cravings and use that has been previously established in the literature. We look forward to additional publications of results from other completed double-blind studies in peer-reviewed journals.”