Imaging Cannabinoid Receptors Using Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Scanning

Launched by YALE UNIVERSITY · Nov 15, 2012

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying the availability of cannabinoid receptors in the brain using a special imaging technique called Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scanning. Cannabinoid receptors, which everyone has in their brain, might behave differently in people with certain conditions like schizophrenia, cannabis dependence, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), opioid use disorder, and individuals with a family history of alcoholism. The researchers want to see how these receptors are distributed and how they function in these different groups, which may help improve our understanding of these conditions.

To participate in this study, men aged 18 to 55 who meet specific criteria for the conditions mentioned can join. For those with cannabis use disorder, they will need to agree to stop using cannabis for four weeks. Participants can expect to undergo multiple scans; for example, cannabis users will be scanned while using cannabis, after two days of not using it, and again after four weeks of abstinence. Additionally, some patients with schizophrenia may also be scanned multiple times to understand how their treatment affects their brain. It's important to note that people with certain medical conditions or metal implants may not be eligible for this study.

Gender

MALE

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Males ages 18-55
• * For cannabis users:
• • Willing to abstain from cannabis use for four weeks
• * For schizophrenia:
• • Meets DSM-IV-TR criteria for schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder
• * For prodrome for psychotic illness:
• • Meets SIPS criteria for prodromal syndrome
• * For family history positive:
• • First degree relative with alcoholism
• • For Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
• • Meets DSM-IV-TR criteria for PTSD
• • For OUD
• • Meets DSM-IV-TR criteria for Opioid Use Disorder
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Current neuro-psychiatric illness (including cannabis dependence) or severe systemic disease. Cannabis use disorder is permitted in the cannabis dependent group. Schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder is permitted in the schizophrenia group. Psychotic symptoms are permitted in the prodromal group. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is permitted in the PTSD group and Opioid Use Disorder is permitted in the OUD group.
• • Presence of ferromagnetic metal in the body or heart pacemaker
• • Have had exposure to ionizing radiation that in combination with the study tracer would result in a cumulative exposure that exceeds recommended exposure limits
• • Are claustrophobic