Multimodal Assessment of Cannabinoid Target Engagement in Adults With Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

7809

The purpose of this research study is to test how a medication called nabilone (Cesamet) affects neurocognitive processes involved in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), including threat response, processing of fear signals, and habitual behavior. OCD is a disabling illness that affects around 2% of the population and involves recurrent intrusive thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors (compulsions) that lead to distress and/or impaired functioning. Nabilone is a synthetic form of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC, the primary psychoactive component of the cannabis plant). It acts on the brain's endocannabinoid system, which has been hypothesized to play a role in OCD symptoms. Nabilone is approved by the FDA for the treatment of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. It is not FDA-approved for treating OCD. In this study, 60 adults with OCD will receive a single dose of either nabilone or placebo. Participants will then complete a series of assessments including neuroimaging, psychophysiology (e.g., skin conductance recording), computerized behavioral tasks, and self-report measures. The information gained from this study could contribute to the development of new treatments for people with OCD and related disorders.

2022-03-01

2024-05-08

2024-05-08

Withdrawn

Early phase I

Inclusion Criteria: * Between 21-55 years of age * Physically healthy and, if female, not pregnant * Able to tolerate all study procedures * Able to provide written informed consent to participate * Right-handed * Primary diagnosis of OCD * Not taking psychotropic medications or other substances likely to interact with nabilone Exclusion Criteria: * History of any significant medical condition that may increase the risk of participation * Females who are pregnant or nursing * Current or lifetime history of psychiatric disorders other than OCD that may increase the risk of participation (e.g. lifetime psychosis or bipolar disorder) * Current substance use disorder * Positive urine toxicology or alcohol breathalyzer * Any history of adverse reaction to a cannabinoid * History of receiving cognitive behavior or exposure-based psychotherapy in the past 3 months * History of ferrous-containing metals within the body (e.g., aneurysm clips, shrapnel/retained particles) * History of claustrophobia or unable to tolerate confined spaces like an MRI

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2024-05-21