Multimodal Assessment of Cannabinoid Target Engagement in Adults With Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Status:
Not yet recruiting
Trial end date:
2026-07-01
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
The purpose of this research study is to test how a medication called nabilone (Cesamet)
affects neurocognitive processes involved in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), including
threat response, processing of fear signals, and habitual behavior. OCD is a disabling
illness that affects around 2% of the population and involves recurrent intrusive thoughts
(obsessions) and repetitive behaviors (compulsions) that lead to distress and/or impaired
functioning. Nabilone is a synthetic form of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC, the primary
psychoactive component of the cannabis plant). It acts on the brain's endocannabinoid system,
which has been hypothesized to play a role in OCD symptoms. Nabilone is approved by the FDA
for the treatment of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. It is not FDA-approved for
treating OCD.
In this study, 60 adults with OCD will receive a single dose of either nabilone or placebo.
Participants will then complete a series of assessments including neuroimaging,
psychophysiology (e.g., skin conductance recording), computerized behavioral tasks, and
self-report measures. The information gained from this study could contribute to the
development of new treatments for people with OCD and related disorders.