Brain Imaging Study to Understand Cannabis Use Treatment in Teens Aged 14 to 17

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are studying whether brain activity linked to learning can help predict how well teenagers respond to a treatment program aimed at reducing cannabis use. This 13-week trial involves youths aged 14 to 17 with different levels of cannabis use. The study focuses on how baseline brain function during learning relates to success in a treatment called contingency management for cannabis use disorder. Participants will first undergo a brain scan fMRI while performing a learning task. Afterward, they will take part in ten weekly virtual sessions using telehealth software where they report cannabis use and provide urine samples for drug testing. Guardians will help administer these urine drug screens at home. Participants can earn prizes for staying cannabis-free, with more opportunities to win prizes after the first two sessions if they remain abstinent. After the ten sessions, participants return for an in-person visit to discuss their cannabis use symptoms and readiness to change. Throughout the study, participants will complete questionnaires about cannabis cravings and withdrawal symptoms. Researchers will measure cannabis use frequency, withdrawal, expectancy, and urine test results. The study aims to understand the connection between brain activity, cannabis use disorder symptoms, and treatment outcomes. The entire participation lasts about 13 weeks, including screening, brain imaging, ten weekly treatment sessions, and a follow-up visit.

Neuroimaging of Adolescent Cannabis Use Treatment