Imaging Cannabinoid Receptors Using Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Scanning
| Status: | Recruiting |
|---|---|
| Conditions: | Healthy Studies, Schizophrenia, Psychiatric |
| Therapuetic Areas: | Psychiatry / Psychology, Other |
| Healthy: | No |
| Age Range: | 18 - 55 |
| Updated: | 1/12/2019 |
| Start Date: | July 2010 |
| End Date: | December 2020 |
| Contact: | Mackenzie Griffin, BS |
| Email: | mackenzie.griffin@yale.edu |
| Phone: | 203-974-7775 |
Characterization of CB1 Receptors Using [11-C]OMAR
The aim of the present study is to assess the availability of cannabinoid receptors (CB1R) in
the human brain. CB1R are present in everyone's brain, regardless of whether or not someone
has used cannabis. The investigators will image brain cannabinoid receptors using Positron
Emission Tomography (PET) imaging and the radioligand OMAR, in healthy individuals and
several conditions including 1) cannabis use disorders, 2) psychotic disorders, 3) prodrome
of psychotic illness and 4) individuals with a family history of alcoholism, using the PET
imaging agent or radiotracer, [11C]OMAR. This will allow us to characterize the number and
distribution of CB1R in these conditions. It is likely that the list of conditions will be
expanded after the collection of pilot data and as new data on cannabinoids receptor function
and psychiatric disorders becomes available.
Those in the cannabis us disorder arm of the study will have a PET scan on at least three
occasions: once while smoking as usual, once after 48-hours of abstinence from cannabis, and
a final time after 4 weeks of abstinence. Additional scans may be conducted within the 4
weeks and the last scan may be conducted well beyond 4 weeks. Similarly, while most
schizophrenia patients may get scanned just once, a subgroup of patients may get scanned more
than once. For example to tease out the effects of medications, unmedicated patients may get
scanned while unmedicated and again after treatment with antipsychotic medications. Similarly
prodromes may get scanned while in the prodromal stage off medications, on medications and
after conversion to schizophrenia.
the human brain. CB1R are present in everyone's brain, regardless of whether or not someone
has used cannabis. The investigators will image brain cannabinoid receptors using Positron
Emission Tomography (PET) imaging and the radioligand OMAR, in healthy individuals and
several conditions including 1) cannabis use disorders, 2) psychotic disorders, 3) prodrome
of psychotic illness and 4) individuals with a family history of alcoholism, using the PET
imaging agent or radiotracer, [11C]OMAR. This will allow us to characterize the number and
distribution of CB1R in these conditions. It is likely that the list of conditions will be
expanded after the collection of pilot data and as new data on cannabinoids receptor function
and psychiatric disorders becomes available.
Those in the cannabis us disorder arm of the study will have a PET scan on at least three
occasions: once while smoking as usual, once after 48-hours of abstinence from cannabis, and
a final time after 4 weeks of abstinence. Additional scans may be conducted within the 4
weeks and the last scan may be conducted well beyond 4 weeks. Similarly, while most
schizophrenia patients may get scanned just once, a subgroup of patients may get scanned more
than once. For example to tease out the effects of medications, unmedicated patients may get
scanned while unmedicated and again after treatment with antipsychotic medications. Similarly
prodromes may get scanned while in the prodromal stage off medications, on medications and
after conversion to schizophrenia.
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
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.
- 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
We found this trial at
1
site
New Haven, Connecticut 06519
Principal Investigator: Deepak C D'Souza, MD
Phone: 203-974-7775
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