Investigating the Neural Correlates of Cognitive Function in Psychosis Patients and Non-Psychiatric Controls With Cannabis Use

What this study is about

Cognitive impairment is well established in people with psychosis and is associated with cannabis use. The current study will investigate the neurobiological basis of cognitive change associated with 28-days of cannabis abstinence in people with psychosis and non-psychiatric controls with cannabis use. Participants will be randomized to a cannabis abstinent group or a non-abstinent control group and will undergo magnetic resonance imaging at baseline and following 28-days of abstinence. This study will help characterize the neuropathophysiological processes underlying cognitive dysfunction associated with cannabis use and its recovery which may guide the development of novel interventions for problematic cannabis use.

Who can join (things the study team will check)

✅ You may be able to join if…

• Able to provide informed consent in English or French
• Heavy cannabis use (defined as weekly cannabis use for at six months) and/or DSM-5 diagnosis of CUD
• Have a Full-Scale IQ ≥ 75
• Meet DSM-5 criteria for a psychotic disorder (psychosis patient arm only)
• Be an outpatient receiving a stable dose of medication(s) for at least two months (psychosis patient arm only)
• Clinically stable (as measured by the PANSS-6, total score <30) (psychosis patient arm only)

🚫 You may not be able to join if…

• current SUD (other than CUD)
• MRI contraindications
• Positive urine screen for psychoactive substances other than cannabis, nicotine, or caffeine
• Current suicidal or homicidal ideation
• Head injury requiring hospitalization or loss of consciousness > 5 minutes
• Current medical diseases that requires hospitalization or regular monitoring
• Being pregnant
• DSM-5 Axis 1 diagnosis (other than CUD) (non-psychiatric controls only)
• Taking psychotropic medication

Where this trial is running

• Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Who to contact

Charlene Osei-Afrifa · (514) 761-6131 · aimh.research@gmail.com

It's completely normal to call and ask questions before deciding anything. Mention the study ID: NCT05445180.