Exercise Facilitation of Adolescent Fear Extinction, Frontolimbic Circuitry, and Endocannabinoids

Launched by WAYNE STATE UNIVERSITY · Mar 5, 2024

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying how exercise can help teenagers better manage their fears and anxiety. Researchers believe that physical activity might improve how the brain processes fear and anxiety by enhancing certain brain functions and the endocannabinoid system, which plays a role in regulating mood and stress. The goal is to find effective treatments for adolescents dealing with anxiety, particularly since anxiety often starts during these teenage years.

To participate, teens aged 14-17 who are in good health and speak English may be eligible. They will need permission from a parent or guardian to join. Participants will take part in study visits and exercises, helping researchers learn more about the relationship between exercise, brain activity, and fear regulation. It’s important to note that certain health conditions or recent substance use could prevent someone from taking part. Overall, this research aims to improve understanding and treatment options for anxiety in young people.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • 1. Provision of signed and dated informed consent form
• • 2. Stated willingness to comply with all study procedures and available for the duration of the study
• • 3. 14-17 years of age upon enrollment
• • 4. Right-handed
• • 5. In good general health as evidenced by medical history
• • 6. Adolescent and parent/guardian are English-speaking, as study assessments are in English
• • 7. Availability of a parent or legal guardian who is willing to provide consent and attend all study visits
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • 1. Traumatic brain injury with ongoing symptoms
• • 2. Sensory (e.g., hearing) or physical (e.g., motor, balance) impairment or significant developmental delay
• • 3. MRI participants: MRI contraindication (e.g., braces, implants, claustrophobia)
• • 4. Any condition that would contraindicate blood draws (e.g., hemophilia, sickle cell)
• • 5. Past or current diagnosis or presence of likely neurological disorder (e.g., epilepsy), psychotic disorder (e.g., schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder), or bipolar disorder
• • 6. Severe/unstable medical condition (e.g., diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis)
• • 7. Current (past 1-month) use of cannabis or cannabinoid products including CBD unless willing to stop for at least 4 weeks prior to entering the study
• • 8. Currently pregnant, lactating, or positive pregnancy test at screening visit
• • 9. Current homicidal thoughts or suicide attempt in the past year
• • 10. Current suicidal thoughts requiring immediate intervention
• • 11. Concurrent use (past 6 weeks) of oral contraceptives
• • 12. Diagnosed or probable substance use disorder (past 1-month)
• • 13. Positive drug test at baseline visit (e.g., THC, cocaine)
• • 14. Moderate/severe drug or alcohol use in the past 8 weeks
• • 15. Current or recent (past 1-month) COVID-19 diagnosis or febrile illness
• • 16. Treatment with investigational drug or intervention (past 1-month)
• • 17. Current smoker, vaper, or tobacco or nicotine use (past 1-month)
• • 18. Ongoing exposure to abuse