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Longitudinal Study of Xenon-129 MRI Imaging Effects of Cannabis Smoking

Recruiting
Conditions
Cannabis Use
Marijuana Usage
Cannabis Smoking
Marijuana Smoking
Interventions
Diagnostic Test: Hyperpolarized Xenon-129 MRI of the lungs
Diagnostic Test: Computed Tomography (CT)
Diagnostic Test: Pulmonary Function Tests (PFTs)
Diagnostic Test: Six Minute Walk Test (6MWT)
Diagnostic Test: Cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET)
Diagnostic Test: Sputum analysis
Diagnostic Test: Blood analysis
Registration Number
NCT03909477
Lead Sponsor
Western University, Canada
Brief Summary

This is a longitudinal study of the long-term health impact of cannabis smoking on the lungs. Participants will be followed over a period of 3 years, and impacts of cannabis smoking on the lungs will be measured with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) using hyperpolarized xenon-129 gas, pulmonary function tests, exercise capacity, computed tomography images and questionnaires.

Detailed Description

This is a longitudinal study of the long-term lung health impact of cannabis smoking in adults using xenon-129 (129Xe) MRI over three years.

Males and females between the ages of 18 to 85 years with a history of cannabis smoking will be screened, and those who satisfy all inclusion and exclusion criteria will undergo study visits for up to 3 years, with visits every 12 ± 3 months, for a total of up to four study visits. Each study visit will include collection of patient smoking history and vital signs. At Visit 1 and 4, 129-Xe MRI, spirometry, plethysmography for airways resistance (Raw) and lung volumes, forced oscillation technique (FOT) and multiple breath nitrogen washout (MBNW) for the lung clearance index (LCI) will all be performed pre- and post-bronchodilator. Blood will be drawn for blood eosinophil count, and sputum induction will be done to measure sputum eosinophils. A CT will also be done at Robarts Research Institute, or at University Hospital, London Health Sciences Centre next door to Robarts. Visit 2 will be a telephone call to complete questionnaires. Visit 3 will include spirometry and questionnaires only. Participants 35 years of age or older will complete a six minute walk test (6MWT) for the distance walked (6MWD), pre and post oxygen saturation, perceived dyspnea (Modified Borg Scale) and perceived exertion (Borg's rating of perceived exertion). These participants will complete the St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ).

Participants under the age of 35 will complete Cardio Pulmonary Exercise Testing to assess exercise capacity, and the American Thoracic Society Questionnaire (ATSQ).

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
RECRUITING
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
200
Inclusion Criteria
  • Patient understands study procedures and is willing to participate in the study as indicated by the patient's signature
  • Provision of written, informed consent prior to any study specific procedures
  • Males and females aged 18-85
  • Current or former cannabis smoker (medicinal or recreational) with or without concurrent tobacco smoking history
  • Participant is able to perform reproducible pulmonary function testing (i.e. the 3 best acceptable spirograms have Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 second (FEV1) values that do not vary more than 150 millilitres)
  • Participant is able to perform a breathhold for 16s
  • FEV1 > 25% predicted
  • Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) > 25% predicted and >0.5 litres
Exclusion Criteria
  • Participant is, in the opinion of the investigator, mentally or legally incapacitated, preventing informed consent from being obtained, or cannot read or understand written material
  • Participant is medically unstable in the opinion of the Principal Investigator
  • Participant has a daytime room air oxygen saturation <90% while lying supine
  • Participant is unable to perform spirometry or plethysmography maneuvers
  • Patient is pregnant at time of enrolment
  • In the opinion of the investigator, patient suffers from any physical, psychological or other condition(s) that might prevent performance of the MRI, such as severe claustrophobia
  • Patient has implanted mechanically, electrically or magnetically activated device or any metal in their body, which cannot be removed, including but not limited to pacemakers, neurostimulators, biostimulators, implanted insulin pumps, aneurysm clips, bioprosthesis, artificial limb, metallic fragment or foreign body, shunt, surgical staples (including clips or metallic sutures and/or ear implants) - at the discretion of the MRI Technologist.

Study & Design

Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Study Design
Not specified
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Cannabis SmokerBlood analysisParticipants in this group will be current or former cannabis smokers
Cannabis SmokerSputum analysisParticipants in this group will be current or former cannabis smokers
Cannabis SmokerPulmonary Function Tests (PFTs)Participants in this group will be current or former cannabis smokers
Cannabis SmokerHyperpolarized Xenon-129 MRI of the lungsParticipants in this group will be current or former cannabis smokers
Cannabis SmokerComputed Tomography (CT)Participants in this group will be current or former cannabis smokers
Cannabis SmokerSix Minute Walk Test (6MWT)Participants in this group will be current or former cannabis smokers
Cannabis SmokerCardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET)Participants in this group will be current or former cannabis smokers
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Changes in airways over time3 years

Measured using Xenon-129 (129-Xe) MRI

Differences in lung ventilation in cannabis smokers compared to never-smokers and tobacco smokers3 years

Measured using 129-Xe MRI

Differences in perfusion in cannabis smokers compared to never-smokers and tobacco smokers3 years

Measured using 129-Xe MRI

Changes in parenchyma over time3 years

Measured using Xenon-129 (129-Xe) MRI

Dose-response of cannabis use to changes in parenchyma over time3 years

Measured using 129-Xe MRI

Differences in parenchyma integrity in cannabis smokers compared to never-smokers and tobacco smokers3 years

Measured using 129-Xe MRI

Differences in parenchyma between cannabis-only smokers and cannabis and tobacco smokers3 years

Measured using 129-Xe MRI

Dose-response of cannabis use to changes in airways over time3 years

Measured using 129-Xe MRI

Differences in airways between cannabis-only smokers and cannabis and tobacco smokers3 years

Measured using 129-Xe MRI

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Robarts Research Institute; The University of Western Ontario; London Health Sciences Centre

🇨🇦

London, Ontario, Canada

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