Determining the Effect of Six Weeks of Cannabis Abstinence on Fronto- Striatal fMRI Markers in Adolescents With Cannabis Use Disorder (ABSCAN)
Trial Parameters
Brief Summary
The goal of this study is to understand the changes in neural correlates of reward in adolescents with and without Cannabis Use Disorder (CUD). The study will collect functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data at 3 different timepoints with the primary goals of understanding striatal reward-based activation during a Monetary Incentive Delay Task and fronto-striatal fMRI resting-state functional connectivity. The study will also explore self-reported impulsivity. The long-term goal is to advance scientific understanding of neural changes associated with cannabis abstinence and inter-individual variability that cannot be otherwise measured in preexisting observational cohorts such as the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study. This parallel intervention study will collect fMRI data in adolescents ages 15-18 years old with and without CUD at three different timepoints over the course of their intervention. Utilizing a validated paradigm, adolescents with CUD will be randomized to 6-weeks of either incentivized, biochemically verified abstinence via contingency management or monitoring with no required abstinence. Age- and sex-matched adolescents with no lifetime history of cannabis use will also complete the protocol. Participants will complete 8 study visits (3 with fMRI scans) involving urinalysis to confirm cannabis self-report and measures of impulsivity. Participants may additionally and optionally (1) complete daily remote self-report assessments of cannabis use, impulsivity, and mood throughout the 6-week treatment period, and (2) continue participation for an additional 6-week monitoring period after the treatment period, during which they complete daily remote self-report assessments of cannabis use, impulsivity, and mood.
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Male and female adolescents between the ages of 15 and 18 (inclusive). * Have a parent or legal guardian who is able and willing to provide written informed consent. * Competent and willing to provide written informed assent (participants \<18) or consent (participants=18). * Native English speaker. * Have a parent or legal guardian who is fluent in English. * Able to commit to 8 study visits in approximately 60 days (6 weeks). * Able to safely participate in the protocol and appropriate for outpatient level of care, in the opinion of the PI. * No active psychosis or current use of antipsychotic medications. * Participants taking psychotropic medications will be included if the medications have been stable for 6 weeks and are expected to remain stable for the duration of their study participation (i.e., through the third MRI). * For CB-Abst (n=24) and CB-Mon (n=20) groups: at least 5 days of use per week on average in the past two months and meet DSM-V cannabis us