Recent data suggest that the cannabinoid-system is involved in stress regulation and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Low endocannabinoid signaling has been found in PTSD patients and might even present a precondition to develop PTSD after trauma. The aim of the current project is to investigate the impact of an activation of the cannabinoid system with an exogenous cannabinoid (dronabinol, i.e., delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol) on fear conditioning.
Recent data suggest that the cannabinoid-system is involved in stress regulation and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Low endocannabinoid signaling has been found in PTSD patients and might even present a precondition to develop PTSD after trauma. In consequence, increased endocannabinoid signaling during acquisition and consolidation of traumatic events might be a promising approach to prevent the development of PTSD. The aim of the current project is to investigate the impact of an activation of the cannabinoid system with an exogenous cannabinoid (dronabinol, i.e., delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol) on tfear conditioning in patients with PTSD and healthy controls.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
OTHER
Masking
DOUBLE
Enrollment
192
single administration of 2.5mg Dronabinol oral (oily solution)
single administration of placebo oral (oily solution)
Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin
Berlin, Germany
Charite University
Berlin, Germany
extinction learning
extinction learning in fear conditioning paradigm: skin conductance reaction
Time frame: 30 minutes
empathy
cognitive and emotional empathy: number of correct answers \& rating of own emotional state
Time frame: 15 minutes
Probabilistic Reversal Learning Task
learning and cognitive flexibility: reaction times
Time frame: 15 minutes
selective attention
emotional dot-probe task: attentional bias index
Time frame: 10 minutes
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