Cannabis Use DisorderNCT06124846
Determining the Effect of Six Weeks of Cannabis Abstinence on Fronto- Striatal fMRI Markers in Adolescents With Cannabis Use Disorder (ABSCAN)
A study testing CB-Abst and CB-Mon in people with Cannabis Use Disorder, run by University of Minnesota at 1 site in United States.
Trial summary
The goal of this study is to understand the changes in neural correlates of reward in adolescents with and without Cannabis Use Disorder (CUD). The study will collect functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data at 3 different timepoints with the primary goals of understanding striatal reward-based activation… Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 15 to 18 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Cannabis Use Disorder
- What is being tested?
- CB-Abst and CB-Mon
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 64 participants
- Where
- 1 siteUnited States
- Study dates
- 1 Apr 2024to 15 Apr 2028
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 15 to 18 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Child, Adult
Who may be able to join
- Male and female adolescents between the ages of 15 and 18 (inclusive).
- Have a parent or legal guardian who is able and willing to provide written informed consent.
- Competent and willing to provide written informed assent (participants <18) or consent (participants=18).
- Native English speaker.
- Have a parent or legal guardian who is fluent in English.
- Able to commit to 9 study visits in approximately 60 days (6 weeks).
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- Able to safely participate in the protocol and appropriate for outpatient level of care, in the opinion of the PI.
- No active psychosis or current use of antipsychotic medications.
- Participants taking psychotropic medications will be included if the medications have been stable for 6 weeks and are expected to remain stable for the duration of their study participation (i.e., through the third MRI).
- For CB-Abst (n=24) and CB-Mon (n=20) groups: at least 5 days of use per week on average in the past two months and meet DSM-V cannabis use disorder (CUD; at least Mild) criteria. Cannabis use reported within seven days of baseline visit. Positive qualitative urine toxicology test at baseline for THC. No immediate plan to discontinue cannabis use.
- For Con (n=20): no lifetime history of cannabis use. Negative qualitative urine toxicology test at baseline for THC. No immediate plans to begin cannabis use.
- For optional components (A: daily remote assessments during and/or (B) after treatment period): access to a personal device (e.g., smartphone or computer) on which to complete daily remote assessments.
Who cannot join
- Past twelve-month history of substance use disorders (except for Cannabis Use Disorder in CB-Abst and CB-Mon), assessed via semi-structured psychodiagnostics interview at baseline.
- Contraindications for MRI (ascertained via participant and parent report), including but not limited to:
- Metal implants such as surgical clips or pacemakers, or history of working with metal, unless the possibility of a metal fragment can be ruled out by recent orbital scans.
- Prior head trauma with neurological sequelae.
- Claustrophobia.
- Weight incompatible with MRI safety.
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- Pregnancy.
- Previous or current diagnosis of psychosis, cognitive disability, or bipolar disorder.
- Active suicidality.
- Taking a psychotropic medication that has not reached stability criterion (same medication type and dose for 6 weeks with no planned changes over the study period).
- Any other medical or psychiatric condition deemed serious or contraindicated for any study procedures by Dr. Tervo-Clemmens.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
Venessa Fuentes contact
United States1 site, 1 recruiting
- Recruiting
University of Minnesota
Minneapolis, Minnesota, 55414
Chris Madden, tclab@umn.edu
About this study
The goal of this study is to understand the changes in neural correlates of reward in adolescents with and without Cannabis Use Disorder (CUD). The study will collect functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data at 3 different timepoints with the primary goals of understanding striatal reward-based activation during a Monetary Incentive Delay Task and fronto-striatal fMRI resting-state functional connectivity. The study will also explore self-reported impulsivity. The long-term goal is to advance scientific understanding of neural changes associated with cannabis abstinence and inter-individual variability that cannot be otherwise measured in preexisting observational cohorts such as the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study.
This parallel intervention study will collect fMRI data in adolescents ages 15-18 years old with and without CUD at three different timepoints over the course of their intervention. Utilizing a validated paradigm, adolescents with CUD will be randomized to 6-weeks of either incentivized, biochemically verified abstinence via contingency management or monitoring with no required abstinence. Age- and sex-matched adolescents with no lifetime history of cannabis use will also complete the protocol. Participants will complete 9 study visits (3 with fMRI scans) involving urinalysis to confirm cannabis self-report and measures of impulsivity. Participants may additionally and optionally (1) complete daily remote self-report assessments of cannabis use, impulsivity, and mood throughout the 6-week treatment period, and (2) continue participation for an additional 6-week monitoring period after the treatment period, during which they complete daily remote self-report assessments of cannabis use, impulsivity, and mood.
- Conditions
- Cannabis Use Disorder
- Being tested
- CB-Abst, CB-Mon
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
CB-AbstBehavioural
incentivized, biochemically verified abstinence via contingency management
CB-MonBehavioural
monitoring with no required abstinence
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| control | No intervention | Age- and sex-matched adolescents with no lifetime history of cannabis use will also complete the protocol. |
| CB-Abst | Experimental | adolescents ages 15-18 years old with CUD use randomized to CB-Abst Receives: Behavioral: CB-Abst |
| CB-MON | Experimental | adolescents ages 15-18 years old with CUD use randomized to CB-Mon Receives: Behavioral: CB-Mon |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Brain activation during Monetary Incentive Delay Task (reward processing)
A neural measure of reward activation will be defined as the difference between reward positive vs negative feedback in the standardized Harvard Oxford Striatal atlas during the MID Task.
Measured: baseline, week3, week 6
Brain connectivity during resting-state functional neuroimaging protocol
A neural measure of reward-circuitry connectivity will be defined as the correlation values between standardized striatal and salience and orbitofrontal and salience cortical networks
Measured: baseline, week 3, week 6
Secondary outcomes (1)
Self-reported Impulsivity via UPPS-P scale
Self-reported impulsivity will be defined by Total and Premeditation (lack of), Urgency, Sensation Seeking, Perseverance (lack of) scores
Measured: baseline, weeks 1,2,3,4,5 and 6
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted9 Nov 2023
- Study start1 Apr 2024
- Primary completion15 Apr 2028 (estimated)
- Study completion15 Apr 2028 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Cannabis Use DisorderStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by University of MinnesotaThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Basic science
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Model description
- This parallel intervention study will collect fMRI data in adolescents ages 15-18 years old with and without CUD at three different timepoints over the course of their intervention. abstinence. Age- and sex-matched adolescents with no lifetime history of cannabis use will also complete the protocol.
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 64 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- University of Minnesota
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
- Investigators
- Brenden Tervo-Clemmens, PhD, Principal investigator, University of Minnesota
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06124846
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- PSYCH-2023-32396
- Status last verified
- Apr 2026
- First submitted
- 3 Nov 2023
- Last updated
- 7 Apr 2026
- Results posted
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 7 Apr 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Determining the Effect of Six Weeks of Cannabis Abstinence on Fronto- Striatal fMRI Markers in Adolescents With Cannabis Use Disorder (ABSCAN)
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06124846
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- PSYCH-2023-32396
- Conditions
- Cannabis Use Disorder
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Recruiting
- Enrolment
- 64 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- University of MinnesotaUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 1 Apr 2024 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 15 Apr 2028 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 15 Apr 2028 (estimated)
- First posted
- 9 Nov 2023 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
The goal of this study is to understand the changes in neural correlates of reward in adolescents with and without Cannabis Use Disorder (CUD). The study will collect functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data at 3 different timepoints with the primary goals of understanding striatal reward-based activation during a Monetary Incentive Delay Task and fronto-striatal fMRI resting-state functional connectivity. The study will also explore self-reported impulsivity. The long-term goal is to advance scientific understanding of neural changes associated with cannabis abstinence and inter-individual variability that cannot be otherwise measured in preexisting observational cohorts such as the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study.
This parallel intervention study will collect fMRI data in adolescents ages 15-18 years old with and without CUD at three different timepoints over the course of their intervention. Utilizing a validated paradigm, adolescents with CUD will be randomized to 6-weeks of either incentivized, biochemically verified abstinence via contingency management or monitoring with no required abstinence. Age- and sex-matched adolescents with no lifetime history of cannabis use will also complete the protocol. Participants will complete 9 study visits (3 with fMRI scans) involving urinalysis to confirm cannabis self-report and measures of impulsivity. Participants may additionally and optionally (1) complete daily remote self-report assessments of cannabis use, impulsivity, and mood throughout the 6-week treatment period, and (2) continue participation for an additional 6-week monitoring period after the treatment period, during which they complete daily remote self-report assessments of cannabis use, impulsivity, and mood.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Basic science
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 3
- Model description
- This parallel intervention study will collect fMRI data in adolescents ages 15-18 years old with and without CUD at three different timepoints over the course of their intervention. abstinence. Age- and sex-matched adolescents with no lifetime history of cannabis use will also complete the protocol.
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| control | No intervention | –Age- and sex-matched adolescents with no lifetime history of cannabis use will also complete the protocol. |
| CB-Abst | Experimental | Behavioral: CB-Abstadolescents ages 15-18 years old with CUD use randomized to CB-Abst |
| CB-MON | Experimental | Behavioral: CB-Monadolescents ages 15-18 years old with CUD use randomized to CB-Mon |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 15 to 18 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Child, Adult
Key inclusion criteria (12 listed)
- Male and female adolescents between the ages of 15 and 18 (inclusive).
- Have a parent or legal guardian who is able and willing to provide written informed consent.
- Competent and willing to provide written informed assent (participants <18) or consent (participants=18).
- Native English speaker.
- Have a parent or legal guardian who is fluent in English.
Key exclusion criteria (11 listed)
- Past twelve-month history of substance use disorders (except for Cannabis Use Disorder in CB-Abst and CB-Mon), assessed via semi-structured psychodiagnostics interview at baseline.
- Contraindications for MRI (ascertained via participant and parent report), including but not limited to:
- Previous or current diagnosis of psychosis, cognitive disability, or bipolar disorder.
- Active suicidality.
- Taking a psychotropic medication that has not reached stability criterion (same medication type and dose for 6 weeks with no planned changes over the study period).
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| CB-Abstincentivized, biochemically verified abstinence via contingency management | Behavioural | CB-Abst |
| CB-Monmonitoring with no required abstinence | Behavioural | CB-MON |
Primary outcome
Brain activation during Monetary Incentive Delay Task (reward processing)
Time frame: baseline, week3, week 6
A neural measure of reward activation will be defined as the difference between reward positive vs negative feedback in the standardized Harvard Oxford Striatal atlas during the MID Task.
Brain connectivity during resting-state functional neuroimaging protocol
Time frame: baseline, week 3, week 6
A neural measure of reward-circuitry connectivity will be defined as the correlation values between standardized striatal and salience and orbitofrontal and salience cortical networks
1 secondary outcome
Self-reported Impulsivity via UPPS-P scale
Time frame: baseline, weeks 1,2,3,4,5 and 6
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 7 Apr 2026.
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
Venessa Fuentes contact
Brenden Tervo-Clemmens, PhD principal investigator
University of Minnesota
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing CB-Abst and CB-Mon in people with Cannabis Use Disorder, run by University of Minnesota at 1 site in United States.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 12 inclusion and 11 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 7 Apr 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Venessa Fuentes (tclab@umn.edu), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Brain activation during Monetary Incentive Delay Task (reward processing) (time frame: baseline, week3, week 6). The study lists 2 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 7 Apr 2026.