Biobehavioral Effects of Topiramate on Cannabis-Related Outcomes in Adolescents
Status:
Completed
Trial end date:
2012-05-01
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
Cannabis use is a significant public health concern that disproportionately affect youth.
Although promising psychosocial interventions are being developed, most youth do not benefit
from these interventions alone. Given the clinical demand for effective treatments, the
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) identified the critical need for data on the
tolerability and potential efficacy of medications in adolescents. The purpose of this
two-year study is to test if and how topiramate, a medication under intense study for
treating several drugs of abuse, reduces cannabis use among teenagers. To this end, the
investigators will randomize 56 nontreatment-seeking regular cannabis users (15 or 20 years
old) to receive topiramate or placebo for 6 weeks. Youth will monitor their cannabis use for
the 6-week period using handheld electronic diaries and complete assessments of reactivity to
cannabis-related cues.