Examining the Role of Tolerance on Dose-dependent Effects of Acute THC on Oculomotor and Cognitive Performance

Trial statusNot yet recruiting
Trial phasePhase 1
Trial typeInterventional
Biological sexAll
Age18-60
SponsorJohns Hopkins University

About this trial

The purpose of this research is to determine the extent to which oculomotor function accurately detects THC-impairment, if cannabis use experience impacts this detection threshold, and to examine how the oculomotor index corresponds to a measure of sustained attention. A double-blind, placebo-controlled, within-subjects crossover design will be used to examine the dose-effects of THC (0, 5mg, 30mg) on oculomotor performance tasks and a sustained attention task in frequent and infrequent cannabis users. Results from the study will advance the investigators' understanding of the effect of THC and cannabis use frequency on oculomotor function and sustained attention, and will directly inform the validity of the investigators' oculomotor platform for identifying acute THC- induced impairment in frequent and infrequent users.

Eligibility criteria

Qualifiers

Inclusion criteria: Healthy non-treatment seeking adults (age 18 to 60, N = 40) who report

(a) infrequent cannabis use defined as at least one reported use in the past year with a negative THC urine toxicology at baseline, or

(b) report frequent cannabis use defined as > 5 days per week for > 1 year with a positive THC urine toxicology at baseline.

Disqualifiers

(1) meet DSM-V criteria for substance use disorders other than tobacco, cannabis, or caffeine,

(2) are currently receiving or interested in immediately receiving behavioral treatment or medication for cannabis cessation,

(3) current use of any medications that could affect study outcomes,

(4) test positive for drugs of abuse (other than cannabis) and/or breath alcohol test at study admission,

Trial design

Treatments tested in this trial

  • Cannabis

Treatment groups

40 Participants
are divided into 3 treatment groups

Locations

1
Johns Hopkins Behavioral Pharmacology Research Unit21224, BaltimoreMaryland, United States

Sponsors and collaborators

Johns Hopkins University

Lead sponsor

National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)

Collaborator