Randomised, Double-blind, Placebo Controlled Trial Of Lithium Carbonate For The Management Of Human Cannabis Withdrawal
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$523,509.00
Summary
This project aims to help dependent cannabis users stop using cannabis by exploring the safety and effectiveness of lithium in reducing the severity of withdrawal that occurs on cessation of use. Participants will be admitted to an inpatient drug treatment unit (Sydney or Lismore) for 7 days and will be randomly assigned to receive either lithium or placebo. Participants receiving lithium are expected to have less severe withdrawal and higher rates of abstinence from cannabis at follow-up.
Cannabis Withdrawal Among Indigenous Inmates In North Queensland
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$285,920.00
Summary
In withdrawal, many Indigenous cannabis users ‘stress out’ leading to violence and self harm. Among Indigenous prisoners in a north Queensland corrective centre, 69% have been cannabis users and 57% of these suffered ‘stressing out’. We will investigate and address cannabis withdrawal symptoms by documenting their onset and severity and by devising culturally acceptable, low-cost resources and support to assist new inmates to manage ‘stressing out’.
Vulnerability Markers In The Association Between Cannabis And Schizophrenia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$515,764.00
Summary
Understanding the conditions that confer vulnerability to the triggering of schizophrenia by cannabis use is key to preventing transition to psychosis in up to 14% of cases. This project will examine the long- and short-term effects of different cannabis compounds on specific vulnerability markers of brain chemical abnormalities in cannabis users from the general community.
The Relationship Between Cannabis Use And Symptoms And Relapse In Psychosis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$169,604.00
Summary
Cannabis is increasingly widely used and abused by young people. Use in young people with schizophrenia is even more extensive. There is some suggestion that this drug use is a result of their illness, ie to reduce unpleasant symptoms or feelings. Equally the drug may contribute to their psychosis. This study aims to assess the degree to which psychosis may be caused by cannabis use in vulnerable young people.
A Multisite Randomised Controlled Trial Of The Adolescent Cannabis Check-up
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$211,250.00
Summary
Recent Australian surveys cannabis use is more common than tobacco use among 14-19 year old (24.6% vs. 20.2%). More than 200,000 14-19 year olds have used cannabis in the last month and 7.1% report daily use. The population prevalence of cannabis dependence increases throughout adolescence, with a rate of 30% among those who use cannabis more than five times per year. Although experimentation is a normal part of adolescent development, regular cannabis use by young people exposes them to the neg ....Recent Australian surveys cannabis use is more common than tobacco use among 14-19 year old (24.6% vs. 20.2%). More than 200,000 14-19 year olds have used cannabis in the last month and 7.1% report daily use. The population prevalence of cannabis dependence increases throughout adolescence, with a rate of 30% among those who use cannabis more than five times per year. Although experimentation is a normal part of adolescent development, regular cannabis use by young people exposes them to the negative effects of cannabis at a time of rapid development and transitions in life roles. There have been no studies reported of interventions suitable for adolescents with cannabis problems who are not seeking treatment but are causing great concern for their families, schools and communities. The Adolescent Cannabis Check-up (ACCU) fills this serious gap by providing adolescents with an opportunity to objectively assess their cannabis use and develop strategies for change in a non-judgemental environment. The ACCU is a 2 session intervention: assessment and a follow-up session of personalised feed-back and brief skills-based therapy. Recruitment may be either direct or via a concerned family member. This novel approach provides parents with telephone coaching, and supporting booklets, on techniques to encourage their young person to participate. A feasibility study of 80 families has found more than 50% were able to do so. That study of 55 adolescents found a significant reduction in levels of cannabis use and an abstinence rate of 24.2% 3 months following participation in the ACCU. This project wll involve a multi-site RCT to compare the impact of the ACCU with a delayed treatment control group, on levels of cannabis use, dependence, and cannabis-related problems. This project would fill a gap in treatment service models and involve families in an initiative to assist young people to develop motivation and skills to abstain from problematic cannabis use.Read moreRead less
Quantifying The Neurocognitive Impact Of Cannabis Across The Life Span: The Evolution Of Memory Deficits.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$516,572.00
Summary
Cannabis is the most widely used illicit substance, and its use is particularly prevalent during adolescence and young adulthood. Adolescence is also a period when the brain undergoes significant structural and functional change, and there is growing evidence that the brain may be particularly vulnerable to the effects of addictive substances during this developmental stage. There is increasing evidence that long term or heavy use of cannabis impairs learning and memory. It is thought that the c ....Cannabis is the most widely used illicit substance, and its use is particularly prevalent during adolescence and young adulthood. Adolescence is also a period when the brain undergoes significant structural and functional change, and there is growing evidence that the brain may be particularly vulnerable to the effects of addictive substances during this developmental stage. There is increasing evidence that long term or heavy use of cannabis impairs learning and memory. It is thought that the continued bombardment of the brain s own natural cannabis-like neurotransmitter system by the active chemicals within cannabis disrupts critical aspects of brain function. This research seeks to improve our understanding of the way that cannabis use affects memory and how these problems might develop or worsen from adolescence to adulthood. This project will investigate memory processes in cannabis users using functional brain imaging techniques. This will allow identification of regions of the brain that are not working efficiently when cannabis users attempt to memorise and recall words from a list and recognise patterns. The project will examine how different levels of cannabis use (long term vs. short term and heavy vs. light) may affect brain function during learning and memory, and determine if the observed memory problems depend upon the age at which cannabis use began and the gender of the user. The findings from this research will substantially contribute to our understanding of the ways in which cannabis use affects brain function and potentially triggers serious psychiatric disorders, such as schizophrenia. The findings will contribute to guidelines regarding hazardous levels of cannabis use within adolescent and adult populations, and will inform debate, policy, education and treatment.Read moreRead less
Determining The Cognitive Sequelae Of Adolescent Cannabis Use: A Longitudinal Cohort Study.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$259,731.00
Summary
Adult cannabis users have problems with memory and attention, but it is not known to what extent these cognitive deficits relate to premorbid intellectual functioning or underlying personality features. Further, it is not known to what extent cannabis use during adolescence (when the brain is still developing), may lead to greater cognitive impairment. This study will directly address these questions utilising a large sample of adolescents followed since entry to high school.
A Randomised Controlled Trial Of N-acetylcysteine For The Treatment Of Alcohol Use Disorder
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,294,923.00
Summary
We urgently require new treatment strategies. Alcohol misuse is a leading cause of preventable death yet treatment options are limited. We will undertake the first human trial of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) for the management of alcohol use disorder (NAC-AUD). The NAC-AUD project will evaluate the efficacy and cost-efficacy of NAC to reduce alcohol consumption. The results will generate high level clinical evidence for a safe new treatment for a common life threatening disease.
Defining The Clinical Role Of Topiramate In The Treatment Of Alcohol Dependence In Australia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$718,836.00
Summary
We urgently require new strategies for the treatment of alcohol dependence. The effectiveness of currently approved alcohol medications is limited. Emerging data suggests that topiramate has robust effectiveness and that better medicine selection is possible for patients based on their genotype. We propose to conduct a double-blind randomised controlled trial to examine the clinical and cost effectiveness of topiramate using a genetically based personalised approach.