PK/PD of Oral and Vaporized Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in Older Adults
- Conditions
- Pain, ToleranceOral vs Vaporized THCAbuse Liability
- Interventions
- Drug: 4mg Purified THC in an ethanolic solutionDrug: 2mg Purified THC in an ethanolic solutionDrug: Placebo
- Registration Number
- NCT05906511
- Lead Sponsor
- Yale University
- Brief Summary
The overarching goal of this double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study is to characterize the pharmacokinetic (PK) and pharmacodynamic (PD) effects of the main analgesic and psychoactive constituent of cannabis, delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), among older adults - the fastest growing population of cannabis consumers, and the most likely age cohort to use cannabinoids to relieve pain. The research will proceed with a sub-study, randomizing 20 men and women aged 65 years or older, to two doses focusing on oral THC administration and a sub-study randomizing 20 men and women aged 65 years or older, to two doses focusing on vaporized THC administration.
- Detailed Description
This is a double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study, commencing with an oral THC Sub-Study. Following the completion of this sub-study, the Primary Study will commence.
Oral THC Sub-Study: 20 men and women aged 65 years or older, will be randomized to two doses of oral THC (5 mg and 10 mg). Across three, 8-hour test sessions, participants will receive a random sequence of 3 conditions: 5 mg oral THC; 10 mg oral THC; oral placebo.
Primary Study: 20 men and women aged 65 years or older will be randomized to two doses of vaporized THC (2 mg and 4 mg). Across three 8-hour test sessions, participants will receive a random sequence of 3 conditions: 2 mg vaporized THC; 4 mg vaporized THC; and vaporized placebo.
For both the Oral and Vaporized THC Sub-Studies, blood samples will be regularly collected from an intravenous line, up to 8 hours post-dose, and at 24 hours post-dose, to assess the PK of THC and its phase I and II metabolites. PD effects of THC on pain will be measured with Quantitative Sensory Testing (QST), a psychophysical technique used to reliably measure pain sensitivity and investigate pain modulatory mechanisms. The abuse liability of THC will be measured using an established drug reinforcement paradigm. General adverse, cardiovascular, and cognitive/psychomotor effects of THC will be thoroughly assessed with behavioral, physiological, and neuropsychological methods.
Recruitment & Eligibility
- Status
- RECRUITING
- Sex
- All
- Target Recruitment
- 20
- Healthy male and female participants aged 65 ≥ years old
- Prior exposure to THC or cannabis least once in the last 10 years; 1-10 times in the last 20 years; or more than 20 times in their lifetime
- Capable of providing informed consent in English.
- Meeting DSM-5 criteria for psychiatric/substance use disorders (SUD) other than tobacco use disorder, within the last year
- Current use of cannabinoid products, as evidenced by a urine drug screen
- Having a history of treatment for cannabis use disorder
- History of intent or current intent of abstaining from cannabis use
- Clinically significant medical disorders (e.g. liver/kidney dysfunction, immunosuppressing conditions, history or presence of epilepsy, seizures, head trauma with loss of consciousness)
- Medical conditions that increase the risk of respiratory problems (e.g. COPD, asthma, recuring bronchitis, reactive airway disorder)* (does not apply to the Oral THC Sub-Study)
- History of environmental sensitivities (e.g. bronchospastic allergies, multiple chemical sensitivities) or other airway sensitivities that require the use of an epi pen*(does not apply to the Oral THC Sub-Study)
- Neurological conditions that may change the response to nociceptive stimuli (e.g., stroke, neuropathy), or that lead to loss of balance, evidenced by a neuro-sensory exam
- Contraindications for exposure to nociceptive stimuli, such as untreated hypertension
- Current regular use of drugs known to affect pain, or that are prominent inducers or inhibitors of CYP2C9, CYP3A4, or UGTA19 (e.g., carbamazepine, valproate, fluvoxamine, and paroxetine)
- Major neurocognitive disorders precluding participation, evidenced by a clinical exam
- Abnormal EKG, arrythmia, vasospastic disease, chronic heart failure, or presence of a pacemaker
- Elevation of liver enzymes (ALT, AST) 2x the normal limit or higher
- Personal or family history of primary psychotic disorders, or mood disorders with psychotic features
- Current suicidal ideation
- Allergy or serious adverse reactions to sesame oil, THC, or cannabis
- Having received any drug as part of a research study within 30 days prior to receiving the study medication in the current study.
Study & Design
- Study Type
- INTERVENTIONAL
- Study Design
- CROSSOVER
- Arm && Interventions
Group Intervention Description Dronabinol 5mg Dronabinol 5 MG Dronabinol 5 mg Vaporized THC 4mg 4mg Purified THC in an ethanolic solution Vaporized THC 4 mg Dronabinol 10mg Dronabinol 10 MG Dronabinol 10 mg Vaporized THC 2mg 2mg Purified THC in an ethanolic solution Vaporized THC 2mg Placebo Placebo Masked oral placebo or vaporized saline
- Primary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method Peak concentration (Cmax) Up to 8 hours Serial blood samples will be collected for plasma levels of THC; its phase I metabolite 11-hydroxy-THC (OH-THC); phase II metabolite 11-nor-9-carboxy-THC (THC-COOH); and THC-COOH glucuronide. For THC and all other analytes, the peak concentration (Cmax) will be derived using a linear noncompartmental analysis.
Area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC0-8h) Up to 8 hours Serial blood samples will be collected for plasma levels of THC; its phase I metabolite 11-hydroxy-THC (OH-THC); phase II metabolite 11-nor-9-carboxy-THC (THC-COOH); and THC-COOH glucuronide. For THC and all other analytes, the area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC0-8h) will be derived using a linear noncompartmental analysis.
Nociception Up to 8 hours Multimodal quantitative sensory testing (QST) will be used ensure that various types of afferent fibers are engaged, so that the analgesic efficacy of THC can be comprehensively investigated. A composite pain sensitivity measure as a Z-score (ranging from -1 to +1) will be derived from the QST battery, with greater scores indicating a higher sensitivity to pain.
Abuse Liability Up to 8 hours A modified Multiple-Choice Procedure (MPC) will be used to measure abuse liability. The MCP was developed and validated by Roland Griffiths to efficiently assess drug reinforcement - including cannabinoid-induced reinforcement. In each of the 6 experimental sessions, participants will choose between forfeiting or receiving escalating sums of money, on a scale of values between -$20.00 and $20.00; or re-receiving the study medication assigned for that day. The primary outcome will be the crossover point, the value at which the participant chooses money rather than the study medication, which will be determined for each session.
Time to attain Cmax concentration (Tmax) Up to 8 hours Serial blood samples will be collected for plasma levels of THC; its phase I metabolite 11-hydroxy-THC (OH-THC); phase II metabolite 11-nor-9-carboxy-THC (THC-COOH); and THC-COOH glucuronide. For THC and all other analytes, the time to attain Cmax concentration (Tmax) will be derived using a linear noncompartmental analysis.
- Secondary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method
Trial Locations
- Locations (1)
VA Connecticut Healthcare System
🇺🇸West Haven, Connecticut, United States