Choices4Health: Intervention to Prevent Substance-exposed Pregnancy
Prenatal Alcohol ExposurePrenatal Tobacco Exposure1 moreThis is a 4-year randomized, controlled study to test the efficacy of the CHOICES4Health-T (C4H-T) delivered by a computerized tablet, CHOICES4Health-C (C4H-C), delivered by a counselor, and brief advice (BA), on reducing preconception substance-exposed pregnancy risk (i.e. drinking below risk levels; tobacco and marijuana cessation; effective contraception use) among women (aged 18-44) presenting to the 13 primary care clinics that serve adults within the Harris Health System. Given the natural fit between contraceptive and HIV prevention counseling the CHOICES4Health interventions will also target HIV sexual risk behaviors.
Detection of Cannabis Impairment With an Eye Tracker
Cannabis IntoxicationCannabis is one of the widely used psychoactive substances in the world. With increasing legalization, the prevalence of driving under the influence of cannabis will undoubtedly rise. At present, roadside detection of cannabis intoxication is largely dependent on drug recognition experts who rely on changes in eye movements when impaired. In this regard, use of eye trackers can help to detect impairment in drivers. The purpose of the present study is to determine the feasibility of the use of eye trackers in detecting impairment in participants who smoked a cannabis cigarette.
Brief Voluntary Alcohol and Drug Intervention for Middle School Youth
Alcohol DrinkingCigarette Smoking1 moreWe are currently working in 16 middle schools across Los Angeles, Santa Monica and Torrance to test out a voluntary after school program called Project CHOICE, which focuses on helping students decrease their alcohol and drug use. We are conducting surveys in all schools over three years and providing the intervention in 8 schools in the 2008-2009 school year and in the other 8 schools in the 2011-2012 school year. This is a program we have provided before in middle schools and we found that it was effective in curbing alcohol and drug use among students who voluntarily attended and among all students at the intervention school.
Galantamine Effects on Cognitive Function in Marijuana Users
MemoryTo evaluate galantamine's effects on cognitive performance in marijuana users. Galantamine, an acetylcholine esterase inhibitor, is approved for treatment of Alzheimer's disease. Current marijuana users show impaired cognitive functioning, which predicts poor treatment response to behavioral treatments in this population. Whether cognitive impairment in marijuana users will improve with medication treatment has not been evaluated. We hypothesize that galantamine, compared to placebo, will improve cognitive performance in marijuana users.Galantamine, compared to placebo, will improve working memory, verbal learning/memory and response inhibition functions in marijuana users.
Using Implementation Intentions to Reduce Cannabis Use
Cannabis UseThe study will recruit frequent users of cannabis (defined at least fortnightly use) and randomize them either to: (1) form implementation intentions by linking situations in which they are tempted to use cannabis with strategies to avoid using cannabis in those situations by using a volitional help sheet, or (2) to consider the situations in which they are tempted to use cannabis alongside possible strategies to avoid using it as presented in the volitional help sheet but not to form implementation intentions. The effects on self-reported cannabis use will be assessed 1 month post-intervention. Predictors of cannabis reduction will also be examined.
Pharmacokinetic and Pharmacodynamic Effects of Passive Cannabis Inhalation
Cannabis ToxicologyThis primary aim of this study is to assess the effects of passive (second-hand) inhalation of cannabis smoke on toxicological analysis of "native" oral fluid (saliva), urine and blood specimens. The results of this study will help inform the validity of oral fluid as a biomarker of cannabis exposure and to determine whether, and for how long, passive inhalation of cannabis smoke could result in a positive toxicology result.
An Exercise App to Reduce Young Adults' MJ Use
Marijuana SmokingCurrently, marijuana (MJ) is the most popular illicit drug, but there are few effective interventions to help young adults (age 18 to 25 years) to reduce their MJ intake. In this study, we will develop and initially test a smart phone app designed to promote exercise/physical activity as a positive alternative to MJ use. The app will be tested in an efficacy study in which MJ users are randomly to either receive personalized feedback about MJ use + use the exercise app or personalized feedback only. The results will contribute to knowledge about exercise/physical activity as a strategy for reducing young adults' MJ use and problems.
Pilot Study Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) in Cannabis Craving
Cannabis UseBackground: Cannabis, also known as marijuana, is a commonly abused drug. There is no approved medication to treat cannabis addiction. The desire to use cannabis often increases when seeing others use it or seeing pictures of it. Researchers are interested in determining which parts of the brain are active when looking at pictures associated with cannabis. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) uses magnetic pulses to stimulate the brain. These pulses can change activity in parts of the brain. Researchers are interested in determining whether rTMS can decrease activity in the parts of the brain that respond to cannabis, and thereby lessen cravings for cannabis. Objectives: - To determine whether transcranial magnetic stimulation can lower craving for cannabis when people who use cannabis are shown images that increase craving. Eligibility: - Individuals 18 years of age and older who are physically healthy and currently use cannabis (at least 3 times weekly for the past 2 years). Design: The study will involve eight visits over 3 weeks, with each visit lasting 1 to 2 hours. Participants will have an initial assessment about cannabis use and provide blood and urine samples before beginning the study. Participants will have three magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) brain scans. The first MRI scan will look at the structure of the brain at rest. During the other two scans, participants will look at images related to and not related to cannabis use. The rTMS sessions (with either actual TMS or inactive [sham] TMS) will be held daily for 5 consecutive days. During these testing visits, researchers will ask questions related to drug use and craving, and collect urine and breath samples for further study. Participants will have two follow-up visits, 1 week and 2 weeks after the rTMS sessions, to evaluate memory and mood, and one final MRI brain scan at the end of the study.
The Effects of Marijuana on Orientation and Motor Coordination and Brain Metabolism in Regular Smokers...
Marijuana DependenceThis study investigates the effects of 17mg and 13mg Delta THC on orientation and motor coordination and brain metabolic activity in regular users of marijuana. Subjects were tested twice, after smoking cigarettes with marijuana and after smoking cigarettes without marijuana.On both occasions they performed on a virtual reality maze task. They were afterwards scanned in Positron Emission Tomography (PET) with Fluoro-deoxy-glucose (FDG).
Biofeedback for Adolescent Cannabis Use Disorder
Adolescent Cannabis Use DisorderThe aims of this study are: 1) to estimate the effect size of HRV biofeedback for stress in adolescents undergoing cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for cannabis use disorder (primary outcome: Perceived Stress Scale) and 2) to estimate the effect size of HRV biofeedback for cannabis use in adolescents undergoing CBT for cannabis use disorder (primary outcome: number of days used cannabis in the past 30 days).