Neuroscience of Marijuana Impaired Driving
| Status: | Recruiting |
|---|---|
| Conditions: | Psychiatric |
| Therapuetic Areas: | Psychiatry / Psychology |
| Healthy: | No |
| Age Range: | 18 - 40 |
| Updated: | 2/7/2018 |
| Start Date: | October 2016 |
| Contact: | Catherine Boyle |
| Email: | catherine.boyle@hhchealth.org |
| Phone: | 860-545-7548 |
Marijuana is one of the most widely used substances. However, marijuana intoxication is not
fully understood in relation to driving. This study will help the investigators learn more
about the potential impairments related to marijuana intoxicated driving. A combination of
MRI and neuropsychological tests (which are computer and paper/pencil tasks) will be used to
measure intoxication and impairment. This study will also assess levels of marijuana in blood
and saliva samples. This study takes place in Hartford, Connecticut.
fully understood in relation to driving. This study will help the investigators learn more
about the potential impairments related to marijuana intoxicated driving. A combination of
MRI and neuropsychological tests (which are computer and paper/pencil tasks) will be used to
measure intoxication and impairment. This study will also assess levels of marijuana in blood
and saliva samples. This study takes place in Hartford, Connecticut.
Cannabis is a commonly abused drug whose use cuts across social class, is linked to cognitive
impairment, and may be a major contributor to intoxication-related accidents - either alone
or with alcohol. However, cannabis intoxication is little studied in relation to driving
compared to alcohol. Not only does the current NHTSA Strategic Plan for Behavioral Research
prioritize understanding how drugs other than alcohol contribute to traffic crashes, it has
recently become more pressing to understand the effects of cannabis because of increasing
rates of legalized medical and/or recreational use, that will likely result in more cannabis
intoxicated drivers. Social and legal policy will be unable to effectively address the many
concerns about driving safety raised by more frequent and widespread use of cannabis without
new research to better determine the parameters within which cannabis use does, or does not,
increase automobile accident risk. The purpose of this study is to better describe specific,
driving-related cognitive impairments caused by acute cannabis intoxication, their
persistence over time, underlying functional brain anatomy, and relationship to performance
on a state-of the art validated simulated driving task in which the investigators have prior
experience. In a randomized, counterbalanced, double-blinded fashion, the investigators will
administer two cannabis doses and placebo of smoked cannabis (paced inhalation using a
vaporizer) to 48 regular cannabis users and 48 occasional cannabis users on 3 separate
occasions. Following cannabis dosing cognitive and driving impairment will be assessed
longitudinally for several hours using a combination of fMRI and neuropsychological tests, to
clarify relationships between subjective and objective measures of intoxication and of
impairment, that include expert assessment of THC and its metabolite levels in blood and
saliva. This study takes place in Hartford, Connecticut.
impairment, and may be a major contributor to intoxication-related accidents - either alone
or with alcohol. However, cannabis intoxication is little studied in relation to driving
compared to alcohol. Not only does the current NHTSA Strategic Plan for Behavioral Research
prioritize understanding how drugs other than alcohol contribute to traffic crashes, it has
recently become more pressing to understand the effects of cannabis because of increasing
rates of legalized medical and/or recreational use, that will likely result in more cannabis
intoxicated drivers. Social and legal policy will be unable to effectively address the many
concerns about driving safety raised by more frequent and widespread use of cannabis without
new research to better determine the parameters within which cannabis use does, or does not,
increase automobile accident risk. The purpose of this study is to better describe specific,
driving-related cognitive impairments caused by acute cannabis intoxication, their
persistence over time, underlying functional brain anatomy, and relationship to performance
on a state-of the art validated simulated driving task in which the investigators have prior
experience. In a randomized, counterbalanced, double-blinded fashion, the investigators will
administer two cannabis doses and placebo of smoked cannabis (paced inhalation using a
vaporizer) to 48 regular cannabis users and 48 occasional cannabis users on 3 separate
occasions. Following cannabis dosing cognitive and driving impairment will be assessed
longitudinally for several hours using a combination of fMRI and neuropsychological tests, to
clarify relationships between subjective and objective measures of intoxication and of
impairment, that include expert assessment of THC and its metabolite levels in blood and
saliva. This study takes place in Hartford, Connecticut.
Inclusion Criteria:
- Must have a current driver's license
- Have used marijuana before
- Right handed
Exclusion Criteria:
- Females who are pregnant or breast feeding
- Unable or unsafe to have an MRI
- Any serious medical, or neurological disorder
- Any psychiatric disorder
- No major head traumas
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