Imaging brain cannabinoid receptors with PET scans in several conditions
Uses PET brain scans with OMAR to measure cannabinoid receptors in healthy people and others.
Plain-language title generated from the registry record
Registry title: Imaging Cannabinoid Receptors Using Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Scanning
Key facts
- Where
- New Haven, United StatesSee the site
Could this be for you?
Answer for yourself. This is not a decision: only the study team can say whether you can take part.
- Are you between 18 and 55 years old?
Source: NCT01730781, who can take part
Where in United States
- Connecticut Mental Health Center, Clinical Neuroscience Research UnitNew Haven, United StatesTaking people
Questions to ask the study team
- How often do I need to come in, and for how long each time?
- Are travel costs paid?
- Can I keep my own doctor?
- What happens if I want to stop?
Trial details
- Who runs it
- Yale University
- Trial code
- NCT01730781
- Record updated
- 27 April 2026
- Original description
The aim of the present study is to assess the availability of cannabinoid receptors (CB1R) in the human brain. CB1R are present in everyone's brain, regardless of whether or not someone has used cannabis. The investigators will image brain cannabinoid receptors using Positron Emission Tomography (PET) imaging and the radioligand OMAR, in healthy individuals and several conditions including 1) cannabis use disorders, 2) psychotic disorders, 3) prodrome of psychotic illness and 4) individuals with a family history of alcoholism, 5) Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder 6) Opioid Use Disorder using the PET imaging agent or radiotracer, [11C]OMAR. This will allow us to characterize the number and distribution of CB1R in these conditions. It is likely that the list of conditions will be expanded after the collection of pilot data and as new data on cannabinoids receptor function and psychiatric disorders becomes available.Read full original descriptionShow less
Characterization of CB1 Receptors Using [11-C]OMAR
The aim of the present study is to assess the availability of cannabinoid receptors (CB1R) in the human brain. CB1R are present in everyone's brain, regardless of whether or not someone has used cannabis. The investigators will image brain cannabinoid receptors using Positron Emission Tomography (PET) imaging and the radioligand OMAR, in healthy individuals and several conditions including 1) cannabis use disorders, 2) psychotic disorders, 3) prodrome of psychotic illness and 4) individuals with a family history of alcoholism, 5) Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder 6) Opioid Use Disorder using the PET imaging agent or radiotracer, [11C]OMAR. This will allow us to characterize the number and distribution of CB1R in these conditions. It is likely that the list of conditions will be expanded after the collection of pilot data and as new data on cannabinoids receptor function and psychiatric disorders becomes available.
Those in the cannabis us disorder arm of the study will have a PET scan on at least three occasions: once while smoking as usual, once after 48-hours of abstinence from cannabis, and a final time after 4 weeks of abstinence. Additional scans may be conducted within the 4 weeks and the last scan may be conducted well beyond 4 weeks. Similarly, while most schizophrenia patients may get scanned just once, a subgroup of patients may get scanned more than once. For example to tease out the effects of medications, unmedicated patients may get scanned while unmedicated and again after treatment with antipsychotic medications. Similarly prodromes may get scanned while in the prodromal stage off medications, on medications and after conversion to schizophrenia.
Inclusion: Males ages 18-55; For cannabis users:; Willing to abstain from cannabis use for four weeks; For schizophrenia:; Meets DSM-IV-TR criteria for schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder; For prodrome for psychotic illness:; Meets SIPS criteria for prodromal syndrome; For family history positive:; First degree relative with alcoholism; For Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder; Meets DSM-IV-TR criteria for PTSD; For OUD; Meets DSM-IV-TR criteria for Opioid Use Disorder.
Exclusion: Have had exposure to ionizing radiation that in combination with the study tracer would result in a cumulative exposure that exceeds recommended exposure limits; Current neuro-psychiatric illness (including cannabis dependence) or severe systemic disease. Cannabis use disorder is permitted in the cannabis dependent group. Schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder is permitted in the schizophrenia group. Psychotic symptoms are permitted in the prodromal group. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is permitted in the PTSD group and Opioid Use Disorder is permitted in the OUD group; Presence of ferromagnetic metal in the body or heart pacemaker; Are claustrophobic.