The purpose of this study is to find out more about cognitive functioning in people who are cannabis dependent, relative to people who do not use cannabis, and how their brains process information after one month of not using cannabis. An additional goal is to characterize the severity of cannabis dependence using precipitated and naturalistic withdrawal with a double blind, placebo controlled, single administration of rimonabant. Research assessments occur bi-weekly throughout this 28 day study.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
DIAGNOSTIC
Masking
TRIPLE
Enrollment
66
double blind, placebo controlled, single 90 mg dose
matched placebo
The Scripps Research Institute
La Jolla, California, United States
Withdrawal Symptom Severity on the Marijuana Withdrawal Checklist (MWC) at 28 Days Following Single Dose Administration of Rimonabant or Placebo, or Commencement of Monitoring, During the Double-Blind Period
The MWC is a 28-item instrument that is used to assess the severity of frequently reported cannabis withdrawal symptoms. Each item on the measure is recorded as a severity rating between 0-3 where a zero indicates not present and a three indicates severe. The severity rating of each item was summed to obtain a single marijuana withdrawal severity score ranging between 0- 84. A lower score indicates less severe withdrawal.
Time frame: Day 28
Plasma Norepinephrine
Blood samples were obtained and plasma concentrations were determined using validated enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) techniques at 28 days following single dose administration of rimonabant or placebo, or commencement of monitoring, during the double-blind period.
Time frame: Day 28
Plasma Cortisol
Blood samples were obtained and plasma concentrations were determined using validated enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) techniques at 28 days following single dose administration of rimonabant or placebo, or commencement of monitoring, during the double-blind period.
Time frame: Day 28
Change From Day 0 in Performance on the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Batteries Spatial Working Memory (CANTAB SWM) Strategy Score at Day 28
The CANTAB SWM task is a validated computer-based testing instrument assessing the memory component of executive function. Strategy Score is an estimate of use of the most efficient strategy to complete the task. Scores range from 8-56; higher scores equate to poor use of the most efficient strategy. Change = (Day 28 Score - Day 0 Score). A more negative result indicates greater improvement.
Time frame: Day 0 and Day 28
Change From Day 0 in Performance on the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Batteries Spatial Working Memory (CANTAB SWM) Total Errors at Day 28
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The CANTAB SWM task is a validated computer-based testing instrument assessing the memory component of executive function. Total Errors are a measure of performance and are unbounded. Change = (Day 28 Score - Day 0 Score). A more negative result indicates greater improvement.
Time frame: Day 0 and Day 28
Change From Day 0 in Performance on the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Batteries Spatial Working Memory (CANTAB SWM) Mean Time To First Response at Day 28
The CANTAB SWM task is a validated computer-based testing instrument assessing the memory component of executive function. Mean Time To First Response is a measure of latency and is unbounded. Change = (Day 28 Time - Day 0 Time). A more negative result indicates greater improvement.
Time frame: Day 0 and Day 28