Sex Differences in Attentional Bias in Marijuana-dependent Individuals

Sex Differences in Attentional Bias and Cognitive Functioning in Response to Stress in Marijuana-dependent Individuals

The purpose of this study is to explore sex differences in cognitive functioning and responses to marijuana-related items, and to determine whether stress impacts these measures.

Hypothesis 1: Attentional bias will be greater for marijuana cues in male marijuana-dependent subjects relative to female marijuana-dependent or non-dependent male controls.

Hypothesis 2: Marijuana-dependent females will exhibit greater stress-induced changes in attentional bias and cognitive functioning than marijuana-dependent males.

Ample evidence implicates both environmental cues and negative affective states in maintaining drug use or triggering relapse. However, although 'craving' is believed to drive continued drug use, it is not well understood how cognitive processes influence craving and relapse, nor how they may differ between the sexes. Therefore, the goal of this study protocol is to provide insight into sex differences in the cognitive aspects of drug craving and to assess the impact of stress on attentional bias for drug-related cues as well as on the availability of cognitive resources.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Inclusion criteria will include subjects between the ages of 18-65 who meet full DSM-IV criteria for marijuana dependence and non-dependent controls.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Exclusion criteria will include medications that may affect cognitive or HPA-axis functioning
• Current depression
• Bipolar disorder
• Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
• History of psychosis
• Suicidal or homicidal intent
• Significant cognitive deficits
• Dependence on any substance other than marijuana, nicotine, or caffeine.