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Cannabis Use DisorderPhase 2NCT02132832

Buspirone, Stress, and Attentional Bias to Marijuana Cues

A Phase 2 study testing Buspirone in people with Cannabis Use Disorder, run by The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston at 1 site in United States.

Completed

Finished. The study has ended and is not enrolling. Results may be posted on the official record.

Official record
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Trial summary

This project has two primary goals. The first goal is to further scientific understanding about marijuana abuse by examining two recognized factors in marijuana use and relapse: (1) stress/anxiety and (2) atypical reactivity to marijuana-related stimuli (e.g., attentional bias). Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 to 45 years
Conditions the study is for
Cannabis Use Disorder
What is being tested?
Buspirone
Type of treatment
Pill or oral medicine
Could I receive a placebo?
Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
How many people
45 participants
Where
1 siteUnited States
Study dates
Jun 2013to Mar 2016
Phase
Phase 2
Are there results?
Yes, posted in the registrySummary in the doctors' view

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 18 to 45 years
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Adult

Who may be able to join

  • Marijuana substance use disorder based on a score of ≥ 13 on the Cannabis Use Disorders Identification Test - Revised (CUDIT-R)
  • a score of ≥ 4 on the Cannabis Abuse Screening Test (CAST)
  • meeting criteria for a marijuana substance use disorder based on the Structured Clinical Interview for the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders IV (DSM-IV)

Who cannot join

  • Current DSM-IV Axis I disorder other than marijuana use disorder
  • serious medical illness requiring ongoing medical treatment, which could affect the central nervous system, or any other medical contraindication (e.g., renal, cardiovascular, pulmonary, blood) as determined by medical screening
  • a positive pregnancy test or breast feeding (females)
  • concomitant use of prescription medications that could affect the central nervous system
  • active suicidal ideation or Beck Depression Inventory II score greater than 19
  • positive urine drug screen for drugs other than marijuana or positive breath alcohol screen
Show all 9Show fewer
  • Shipley-2 test of cognitive aptitude score outside 2 SD units of the published composite score average
  • smoking > 10 nicotine cigarettes per day / Fagerstrom Score > 4
  • taking meds known to have significant drug interactions with buspirone.

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country.

United States1 site
  • University of Texas Health Science Center - Houston

    Houston, Texas, 77030

Other trials in United States

About this study

This project has two primary goals. The first goal is to further scientific understanding about marijuana abuse by examining two recognized factors in marijuana use and relapse: (1) stress/anxiety and (2) atypical reactivity to marijuana-related stimuli (e.g., attentional bias). The second goal is to attenuate the influence of stress/anxiety and attentional bias to marijuana stimuli via administration of buspirone.

Buspirone is uniquely suited to this project because it has effects on neurotransmitter systems known to modulate both stress/anxiety and attentional bias.

Read the detailed description

For nearly 40 years marijuana has remained the most widely used illicit drug in the US, with more than 50% of first-time users < age 18. Marijuana accounts for ≈ 60% of illicit substance use disorders (SUD) in the US, bearing by percent the largest US public health burden among illicit substances. Across preclinical, human laboratory, and clinical interview data, there is compelling evidence that the phenomenon of cue reactivity is related to drug seeking and relapse. Attentional bias is a measurable component of cue reactivity, and can be operationally defined as differential attention (e.g., reaction time difference) towards drug-related stimuli vs. neutral stimuli. This phenomenon has been demonstrated in SUD populations across many classes of abused drugs, including alcohol, nicotine, stimulants, opiates, and - importantly - marijuana. Cue reactivity and attentional bias are exacerbated by acute and chronic stress and anxiety. Notably, stress is a well-documented predictor of marijuana abuse and marijuana relapse. Therapeutic interventions that attenuate attentional bias to marijuana cues are a potentially important component in the treatment of marijuana SUD. Due to the well-documented association with stress, an intervention that simultaneously addresses both stress and attentional bias could be uniquely efficacious. Currently, few pharmacotherapies exist for marijuana SUD, and none are presently known to address attentional bias to marijuana cues. This application will explore the potential of the anxiolytic buspirone to modify attentional bias and stress. Buspirone is a unique compound marked by modulation of both serotonin (5-HT1A) and dopamine D3 receptors. Importantly, the 5-HT1A receptor is known to play a key role in stress related anxiety, and preclinical work indicates that D3 antagonists significantly decrease cue reactivity to a number of abused drugs. This combination of effects suggests buspirone may be advantageous in targeting both stress and attentional bias as factors that contribute to problem marijuana use.

Accordingly, this project seeks to examine the effects of chronic buspirone administration on attentional bias and stress/anxiety in marijuana SUD. Using laboratory-based methodologies sensitive to attentional bias towards marijuana cues and well validated measures of stress and anxiety, we will examine if buspirone's unique mechanism of action will (a) produce an attenuation of attentional bias to marijuana cues, and (b) be most pronounced under conditions in which attentional bias is related to high levels of stress and anxiety.

Being tested
Buspirone, Placebo
Keywords
marijuana, attentional bias, stress, buspirone
Medical subject headings
Marijuana Abuse

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • BuspironeDrug

    Buspirone is an anxiolytic compound marked by modulation of both 5-HT1A and D3 receptors. Buspirone is administered orally twice per day (9:00 AM and 6:00 PM) for 3 weeks. 10 mg buspirone is administered on days 1-4, then the dose is increased by 10 mg every 3 days to a maximum of 40 mg buspirone on days 10-19.

  • PlaceboDrug

    Also called corn starch

    Placebo is administered orally twice per day (9:00 AM and 6:00 PM) for 3 weeks.

Study groups in NCT02132832
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
BuspironeExperimentalBuspirone is administered orally twice per day (9:00 AM and 6:00 PM) for 3 weeks. 10 mg buspirone is administered on days 1-4, then the dose is increased by 10 mg every 3 days to a maximum of 40 mg buspirone on days 10-19.
Receives: Drug: Buspirone
PlaceboPlacebo comparatorPlacebo is administered orally twice per day (9:00 AM and 6:00 PM) for 3 weeks.
Receives: Drug: Placebo

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Attentional Bias to Marijuana Specific Stimuli Measured Via Analysis of Eye Movements

    Eye movements are analyzed using a MiraMetrix S2 Eyetracker. This outcome measure reports a ratio: [(number of anti-saccade errors with marijuana-related images) divided by (total number of anti-saccade errors with marijuana-related images or neutral images)]. Anti-saccade errors are when the subject fails to inhibit fixation onto the image.

    Measured: week 1

  2. Attentional Bias to Marijuana Specific Stimuli Measured Via Analysis of Eye Movements

    Eye movements are analyzed using a MiraMetrix S2 Eyetracker. This outcome measure reports a ratio: [(number of anti-saccade errors with marijuana-related images) divided by (total number of anti-saccade errors with marijuana-related images or neutral images)]. Anti-saccade errors are when the subject fails to inhibit fixation onto the image.

    Measured: week 2

  3. Attentional Bias to Marijuana Specific Stimuli Measured Via Analysis of Eye Movements

    Eye movements are analyzed using a MiraMetrix S2 Eyetracker. This outcome measure reports a ratio: [(number of anti-saccade errors with marijuana-related images) divided by (total number of anti-saccade errors with marijuana-related images or neutral images)]. Anti-saccade errors are when the subject fails to inhibit fixation onto the image.

    Measured: week 3

  4. Stress as Assessed by the Perceived Stress Scale

    The Perceived Stress Scale is a 10 item scale that was developed to measure the degree to which individuals appraise their life as stressful and has been widely used in health studies. The scale has a 5-point Likert response format. The total score is calculated by summing responses. The questions are general in nature and relatively content free with regard to specific population groups. The range of scores is 0-40, with 40 indicating the most stress.

    Measured: week 1

  5. Stress as Assessed by the Perceived Stress Scale

    The Perceived Stress Scale is a 10 item scale that was developed to measure the degree to which individuals appraise their life as stressful and has been widely used in health studies. The scale has a 5-point Likert response format. The total score is calculated by summing responses. The questions are general in nature and relatively content free with regard to specific population groups. The range of scores is 0-40, with 40 indicating the most stress.

    Measured: week 2

  6. Stress as Assessed by the Perceived Stress Scale

    The Perceived Stress Scale is a 10 item scale that was developed to measure the degree to which individuals appraise their life as stressful and has been widely used in health studies. The scale has a 5-point Likert response format. The total score is calculated by summing responses. The questions are general in nature and relatively content free with regard to specific population groups. The range of scores is 0-40, with 40 indicating the most stress.

    Measured: week 3

  7. Anxiety as Assessed by the Zung Self-Rated Anxiety Scale

    The Zung Self-Rated Anxiety Scale is a widely-used 20 item scale that is scored on a Likert-type scale of 1-4, with 15 questions concerning increasing anxiety levels and five questions concerning decreasing anxiety levels. The scale focuses on the most common general anxiety symptoms and means of coping with stressors that produce anxiety. The range of scores is 20-80:

    • 20-44 Normal Range
    • 45-59 Mild to Moderate Anxiety Levels
    • 60-74 Marked to Severe Anxiety Levels
    • 75-80 Extreme Anxiety Levels

    Measured: week 1

  8. Anxiety as Assessed by the Zung Self-Rated Anxiety Scale

    The Zung Self-Rated Anxiety Scale is a widely-used 20 item scale that is scored on a Likert-type scale of 1-4, with 15 questions concerning increasing anxiety levels and five questions concerning decreasing anxiety levels. The scale focuses on the most common general anxiety symptoms and means of coping with stressors that produce anxiety. The range of scores is 20-80:

    • 20-44 Normal Range
    • 45-59 Mild to Moderate Anxiety Levels
    • 60-74 Marked to Severe Anxiety Levels
    • 75-80 Extreme Anxiety Levels

    Measured: week 2

  9. Anxiety as Assessed by the Zung Self-Rated Anxiety Scale

    The Zung Self-Rated Anxiety Scale is a widely-used 20 item scale that is scored on a Likert-type scale of 1-4, with 15 questions concerning increasing anxiety levels and five questions concerning decreasing anxiety levels. The scale focuses on the most common general anxiety symptoms and means of coping with stressors that produce anxiety. The range of scores is 20-80:

    • 20-44 Normal Range
    • 45-59 Mild to Moderate Anxiety Levels
    • 60-74 Marked to Severe Anxiety Levels
    • 75-80 Extreme Anxiety Levels

    Measured: week 3

  10. Stress as Assessed by the Visual Analogue Stress Scale-Current (VASS-C)

    With the Visual Analogue Stress Scale - Current (VASS-C), current stress level is ranked on a 0 - 10 visual analog scale, with 0 as no stress and 10 as extreme stress, cued by the question "Please rate your current stress level."

    Measured: week 1

  11. Stress as Assessed by the Visual Analogue Stress Scale-Current (VASS-C)

    With the Visual Analogue Stress Scale - Current (VASS-C), current stress level is ranked on a 0 - 10 visual analog scale, with 0 as no stress and 10 as extreme stress, cued by the question "Please rate your current stress level."

    Measured: week 2

  12. Stress as Assessed by the Visual Analogue Stress Scale-Current (VASS-C)

    With the Visual Analogue Stress Scale - Current (VASS-C), current stress level is ranked on a 0 - 10 visual analog scale, with 0 as no stress and 10 as extreme stress, cued by the question "Please rate your current stress level."

    Measured: week 3

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted7 May 2014 (estimated)
  2. Study startJun 2013
  3. Primary completionMar 2016
  4. Study completionMar 2016

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase 2
Primary purpose
Basic science
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Masking
Triple blind
Who is masked
Participant, Investigator, Outcomes assessor
Enrolment
45 participants (actual)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT02132832
Sponsor's protocol ID
buspirone, stress, marijuana
Other IDs
R21DA034825
Status last verified
May 2017
First submitted
5 May 2014
Last updated
2 Jun 2017
Data monitoring committee
Yes
FDA-regulated drug
Yes
FDA-regulated device
No

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A Phase 2 study testing Buspirone in people with Cannabis Use Disorder, run by The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston at 1 site in United States.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 3 inclusion and 9 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 2 Jun 2017. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 1 site in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. Some participants in this study may receive a placebo. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

What does this phase mean?

Phase 2 studies give the treatment to a larger group to see whether it has the intended effect and to keep checking safety.

Not every study follows the same path, and some studies (observational studies, device studies) have no phase.

Are results available for this study?

Yes. Results are posted in the registry (first posted 7 Apr 2017). A summary is in the For doctors view, and the full results are on ClinicalTrials.gov.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Attentional Bias to Marijuana Specific Stimuli Measured Via Analysis of Eye Movements (time frame: week 1). The study lists 12 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 2 Jun 2017.

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