Clinical and Neurobiological Effects of Cannabis Dependence in Young Adults

Translational Center on the Clinical Neurobiology of Cannabis Addiction

The purpose of this study is to find out more about cognitive functioning in people who are cannabis dependent, relative to people who do not use cannabis, and how their brains process information after one month of not using cannabis. An additional goal is to characterize the severity of cannabis dependence using precipitated and naturalistic withdrawal with a double blind, placebo controlled, single administration of rimonabant. Research assessments occur bi-weekly throughout this 28 day study.

Cannabis Dependent Subjects:

Inclusion Criteria:

• males or females 21-30 years of age
• meets Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-IV) diagnosis of Cannabis Dependence
• willing to be abstinent for 28 days during study
• smokes < 10 cigarettes per day
• drinks < 1 (female) or < 2 (male) per day

Exclusion Criteria:

• active suicide ideation
• meets DSM-IV diagnosis for dependence on other substances other than cannabis
• significant medical disorders
• pregnant women
• meets DSM-IV diagnosis for a major Axis I disorder other than cannabis dependence
• currently taking psychoactive medication