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Pregnenolone and Marijuana Dependence

The safety and scientific validity of this study is the responsibility of the study sponsor and investigators. Listing a study does not mean it has been evaluated by the U.S. Federal Government. Read our disclaimer for details.
 
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02439814
Recruitment Status : Completed
First Posted : May 12, 2015
Results First Posted : June 18, 2018
Last Update Posted : June 18, 2018
Sponsor:
Information provided by (Responsible Party):
Medical University of South Carolina

Brief Summary:
The cannabinoid delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the primary psychoactive component of marijuana. THC is believed to be a significant factor in the addictive potential associated with marijuana use. In addition, attenuated levels of endogenous endocannabinoids have been found in alcohol-dependent individuals as compared to social drinkers, suggesting that changes in the sensitivity of the endogenous endocannabinoid system play a role in the transition from recreational drug use to substance use disorders. Thus, pharmacotherapies that target the cannabinoid system may be effective strategies for reducing marijuana use and dependence. Recent preclinical data demonstrate that the neurosteroid pregnenolone (PREG) inhibits THC activation of cannabinoid receptors and decreases symptoms of marijuana intoxication. In addition, other studies show that PREG inhibits drug-seeking behavior. This pilot study will provide important preliminary data on the effect of an acute dose of PREG on cue-related craving in individuals with cannabis use disorder.

Condition or disease Intervention/treatment Phase
Marijuana Dependence Drug: Pregnenolone Other: Placebo Phase 2

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Study Type : Interventional  (Clinical Trial)
Actual Enrollment : 21 participants
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Double (Participant, Investigator)
Primary Purpose: Treatment
Official Title: Effect of Pregnenolone on Cue-reactivity in Marijuana-dependent Individuals
Study Start Date : June 2015
Actual Primary Completion Date : April 2016
Actual Study Completion Date : April 2016

Resource links provided by the National Library of Medicine

MedlinePlus related topics: Marijuana

Arm Intervention/treatment
Experimental: Pregnenolone Drug: Pregnenolone
Pregnenolone is a steroid that occurs naturally in the body, and early studies have shown that pregnenolone may block the effects of marijuana intoxication

Placebo Comparator: Placebo Other: Placebo
Inactive comparator




Primary Outcome Measures :
  1. Subjective Rating of Marijuana Craving on 1-7 Likert Scale [ Time Frame: 12:40 to 14:45 (post med administration, post Marijuana cue ]
    Change in craving from post medication administration to post active cue. Scale of 1-7 with 7 meaning the craving is most severe.



Information from the National Library of Medicine

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Ages Eligible for Study:   18 Years to 65 Years   (Adult, Older Adult)
Sexes Eligible for Study:   All
Accepts Healthy Volunteers:   No
Criteria

General Inclusion / Exclusion Criteria Inclusion Criteria

  1. Subjects must be able to provide informed consent and function at an intellectual level sufficient to allow accurate completion of all assessment instruments.
  2. Subjects must meet DSM-5 criteria for current cannabis use disorder (within the past three months). While individuals may endorse use of other substances, they must identify marijuana as their primary substance of abuse and must not meet criteria for any other substance use disorder (except nicotine) within the last 60 days. Due to the high comorbidity of marijuana and alcohol use disorder, subjects who meet criteria for mild alcohol use disorder will be included.
  3. Subjects must consent to remain abstinent from alcohol for 24 hours and other drugs of abuse (except nicotine and marijuana) for three days immediately prior to the study visit. Subjects must abstain from marijuana for 24 hours prior to the study visit. By restricting marijuana use as proposed, subjects should not be under the acute effects of marijuana.
  4. Subjects must consent to random assignment.

Exclusion Criteria

  1. Women who are pregnant, nursing or of childbearing potential and not practicing an effective means of birth control.
  2. Individuals taking exogenous gonadal steroids including estrogens, progestins and testosterone. This includes hormonal contraception and replacement therapy.
  3. Subjects with evidence of or a history of significant hematological, endocrine, cardiovascular, pulmonary, renal, gastrointestinal, neurological disease including diabetes or cancer, as these conditions may affect study outcomes.
  4. Subjects with a history of or current psychotic disorder or bipolar affective disorder as these may interfere with subjective measurements.
  5. Subjects taking any psychotropic medications, including SRI's or other antidepressants, opiates or opiate antagonists because these may affect test response. Individuals who take stimulants for treatment of ADHD will be allowed to participate.
  6. Subjects with any acute illness or fever. Individuals who otherwise meet study criteria will be rescheduled for evaluation for participation.
  7. Subjects who are unwilling or unable to maintain abstinence from alcohol and marijuana for 24 hours and other drugs of abuse (except nicotine) for three days prior to the study visit.
  8. Subjects meeting DSM-5 criteria for a substance use disorder (other than nicotine, marijuana, or alcohol) within the past 60 days.

Information from the National Library of Medicine

To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the contact information provided by the sponsor.

Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier (NCT number): NCT02439814


Locations
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United States, South Carolina
Medical University of South Carolina
Charleston, South Carolina, United States, 29403
Sponsors and Collaborators
Medical University of South Carolina
Investigators
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Principal Investigator: Aimee McRae-Clark, PharmD Medical University of South Carolina
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Responsible Party: Medical University of South Carolina
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02439814    
Other Study ID Numbers: PRO42135
First Posted: May 12, 2015    Key Record Dates
Results First Posted: June 18, 2018
Last Update Posted: June 18, 2018
Last Verified: May 2018
Additional relevant MeSH terms:
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Marijuana Abuse
Substance-Related Disorders
Chemically-Induced Disorders
Mental Disorders