Although marijuana dependence has emerged as an important disorder, little research has been done on cue-elicited reactivity as a process important in drug dependence and treating marijuana dependence. The purpose of this study is to investigate the sensitivity of marijuana cue reactivity by assessing the effects of pre-treatment Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in marijuana dependent individuals.

Condition	Intervention	Phase
Marijuana Abuse	Drug: Tetrahydrocannabinol	Phase II

Further Study Details: 

Primary Outcomes: Marijuana craving; measured throughout study

Despite the prevalence of marijuana abuse and dependence, research on the development of pharmacological treatments of marijuana-related disorders is in its infancy. The reduction of use and the prevention of relapse through the alleviation of withdrawal symptoms have been the primary targets of the research effort to date. Currently there exists a robust laboratory model to test a medication''''s efficacy in alleviating marijuana-related withdrawal symptoms, and although a number of medications have been tested using this model, none have emerged as effective. The purpose of this study is to investigate the sensitivity of marijuana cue reactivity by assessing the effects of pre-treatment Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in marijuana dependent individuals.

Participants will attend 3 sessions separated by at least 7 days in which they will be given THC pre-treatment in doses of 0, 10 mg or 20 mg. After pre-treatment with THC, participants will attend a cue exposure session where they will sit in a recliner char in the testing room. During the cue exposure session, participants will be instructed to relax while physiologic measures are collected, and respond to questionnaires regarding mood and craving for marijuana and other substances. Participants will receive neutral followed by active cues and will remain at the study site until no longer intoxicated.

Ages Eligible for Study:  21 Years   -   45 Years,  Genders Eligible for Study:  Both

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

• Meets DSM-IV criteria for marijuana dependence, unless the participant is enrolled in the control group
• Reads and writes English - Positive urine test for marijuana

Exclusion Criteria:

• DSM-IV diagnosed with a psychiatric illness
• Neurologic disease
• Cardiovascular disease - Pulmonary disease
• Systemic disease
• Currently dependent on any drug other than marijuana or nicotine
• Cognitively impaired
• Pregnant or breastfeeding
• History of a psychotic disorder

Please refer to this study by ClinicalTrials.gov identifier  NCT00218504

Michigan
      Wayne State University, Detroit,  Michigan,  48207,  United States

Study chairs or principal investigators

Leslie H Lundahl,  Principal Investigator,  Wayne State University   

Study ID Numbers:  NIDA-19236-2; R21-19236-2
Last Updated:  September 21, 2005
Record first received:  September 16, 2005
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:  NCT00218504
Health Authority: United States: Federal Government
ClinicalTrials.gov processed this record on 2005-09-27