Neural and Psychiatric Consequences of Cannabis Use in Adolescents

Launched by UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI · Apr 15, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying how cannabis use affects brain function in adolescents who are dealing with depression. The researchers want to understand if and how cannabis impacts mental health in this age group. They are currently looking for participants aged between 13 to 20 years who have used cannabis frequently—specifically, those who have used it on at least 15 days in the past month and have a positive test for the active ingredient in cannabis, THC. In addition, participants must show signs of depression according to specific scoring criteria.

To participate, individuals must not have certain medical conditions that could interfere with the study, such as claustrophobia or other neurological illnesses. Participants will undergo brain scans (MRI) to help researchers gather information on how cannabis is affecting their brains. It’s important to note that while the study aims to include those with self-harm thoughts or actions, any participant at immediate risk will be removed from the study for their safety. If you or someone you know fits this description and is interested in learning more, this could be a great opportunity to contribute to important research on cannabis and mental health in young people.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Cannabis users 1) the study team will require majority of adolescents with cannabis use to have a significant cannabis use (self-reported use on ≥15 of the prior 30 days and positive tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) urine toxicology).
• • Depression Positive
• • 1) participants with subthreshold depression, defined as a raw severity score of ≥30 on the Children's Depression Rating Scale-Revised (CDRS-R, for ages 14-17) and as a raw severity score of ≥12 on the Montgomery Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS, for ages 18-20)
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • 1. MRI contraindications such as claustrophobia, metallic ink tattoos, orthodontic braces, or pacemakers
• • 2. positive pregnancy tests
• • 3. neurological illnesses and medical conditions such as unique pain syndromes (e.g. multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis)
• • 4. estimated full-scale Intelligence Quotient (IQ) ≤80 to ensure that participants have the ability to understand the study112
• • 5. current Substance Use Disorder (SUD) other than cannabis or nicotine.
• • 6. certified for or self-reported medical cannabis use, or intent to become certified
• • 7. current stimulant use (methamphetamine or cocaine) by self-report or urine toxicology
• • 8. oral contraceptives will be allowed and controlled for in order to maximize recruitment of older adolescents.
• Depressed THC non-users:
• • 1. psychotropic medication-free for \>1 month (or \>3 months for medications with a long half- life such as fluoxetine) prior to study enrollment.
• • 2. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual 5 (DSM-5) diagnoses of bipolar disorder, psychotic disorders, autism spectrum all non-cannabis substance-related disorders will be exclusionary.
• • 3. Self-injurious acts (e.g. cutting) and suicidal ideations (SI) without a specific as passive SI) are common in adolescent depression and will be allowed. constitutes an imminent risk to self or others (defined as active SI), the withdrawn from the study and emergency procedures will be initiated immediately,