N-acetylcysteine for the Treatment of Cannabis Dependence: Working Mechanisms

• Status: Recruiting
• Trial end date: 2023-02-01
• Target enrollment: 0
• Participant gender: Male

Summary

This study investigates the effects of repeated NAC administration on glutamate concentrations in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), on neurocognitive functioning, and on neuro-inflammatory parameters in adult cannabis-dependent individuals.

• Phase: Phase 4
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers?: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Details

• Lead Sponsor: Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel
• Treatments: Acetylcysteine; N-monoacetylcystine

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

• Current DSM-IV diagnosis of cannabis dependence, >1 week detoxified and abstinent;

• Able to provide written informed consent and to comply with study procedures.

• Dutch speaking (Dutch as primary language).

Exclusion Criteria:

• Currently dependent on any substance other than cannabis, alcohol or nicotine;

• History of any major internal disease (including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, lung disease, liver or kidney disease);

• An active or any history of neurological disorder, including but not limited to seizure disorder, epilepsy, stroke, neurological disease, cognitive impairment, head trauma with prolonged loss of consciousness (>10 minutes), or migraine headaches;

• An active or a history of a psychiatric disorder including, but not limited to, depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, anxiety, or other psychiatric disorders;

• Asthma;

• Known hypersensitivity or allergy to n-acetylcysteine, or receiving chronic therapy with medication that could interact adversely with n-acetylcysteine within 30 days prior to randomization (i.e., nitroglycerin, ACE inhibitors or antihypertensive drugs, anti-coagulants);

• Exclusion criteria for MRI: having metal in the body and/or having claustrophobia