Endocannabinoids, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Memory, Reward, Tetrahydrocannabinol
Conditions
Keywords
tetrahydrocannabinol, memory, reward, magnetic resonance imaging, endocannabinoids
Brief summary
The purpose of this study is to determine whether THC, the main psychoactive ingredient in cannabis, affects functional brain systems underlying memory and reward.
Detailed description
Cannabis is by far the most frequently used illicit drug worldwide and has significant effects on memory. Further, cannabis has an addictive potential. These effects are mediated by an action of THC, the main psychoactive ingredient of cannabis, on cannabinoid CB1 receptors. These receptors are particularly highly expressed in brain regions involved in memory and reward. Therefore, in this study we will investigate the acute effects of THC on functional brain systems underlying memory and reward. We will visualize these effects using the latest non-invasive imaging technique: pharmacological MRI (phMRI).
Interventions
DRUGDelta9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)
inhalation of 6 mg liquid THC, vaporized by means of a Volcano vaporizer
Sponsors
Center for Human Drug Research
Leiden University Medical Center
TI Pharma
UMC Utrecht
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
CROSSOVER
Primary purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Masking
QUADRUPLE (Subject, Caregiver, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
MALE
Age
18 Years to 45 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* History of mild cannabis use for at least one year (\<1/week and ≥ 4/year) * History without psychotic experiences after cannabis use * Age between 18 and 45 years * Right-handedness, assessed with the Edinburgh Handedness Inventory * Written informed consent of the subject
Exclusion criteria
* Any clinical significant abnormality of any clinical laboratory test, including urinary drug screening * Impaired physical health evaluated by medical history, physical (including neurological) examination and screening laboratory tests * History of clinically significant psychiatric or neurological illness * History of clinically significant psychiatric or neurological illness in first- or second-degree relatives * History of alcohol and/or drug abuse (DSM-IV criteria) * Body Mass Index (B.M.I.) \<18 kg/m2 or \>28 kg/m2 * Paranoid ideation or psychoticism on SCL-90 * Any subject who received any investigational medication within 90 days prior to the start of the study or who is scheduled to receive an investigational drug * The use of any medication within three weeks prior to the start of the study, except for paracetamol * Positive HIV or Hepatitis B/C test * Blood donation within 3 months before the start of the study * Claustrophobia * Metal objects in or around the body (braces, pacemaker, metal fragments)
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| The main study parameter is the blood oxygen level dependent (BOLD) signal. | 4 months |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| Behavioral parameters (two VAS questionnaires) | 4 months |
| Cerebral blood flow (ASL) | 4 months |
| Concentration of plasma THC and its main metabolites | 4 months |
| Performance on neuropsychological tests | 4 months |
Countries
Netherlands
Outcome results
None listed