Galantamine Effects on Cognitive Function in Marijuana Users

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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To evaluate galantamine's effects on cognitive performance in marijuana users. Galantamine, an acetylcholine esterase inhibitor, is approved for treatment of Alzheimer's disease. Current marijuana users show impaired cognitive functioning, which predicts poor treatment response to behavioral treatments in this population. Whether cognitive impairment in marijuana users will improve with medication treatment has not been evaluated. We hypothesize that galantamine, compared to placebo, will improve cognitive performance in marijuana users.Galantamine, compared to placebo, will improve working memory, verbal learning/memory and response inhibition functions in marijuana users.

Detailed Description
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To summarize, marijuana users show impaired cognitive functioning, especially in working memory and verbal learning and memory functions. Impaired cognitive functioning predicts poor treatment response in marijuana users. Whether the cognitive impairments in marijuana users improve with cholinergic enhancers has not been evaluated. In this double-blind, parallel-group study, we are proposing to evaluate galantamine's effects on cognitive performance in marijuana users. Thirty subjects will first have an adaptation session to familiarize them with the study procedures including cognitive assessment. The adaptation session will be followed by a 10-day treatment period, in which subjects will be randomized to galantamine (8 mg/day) or placebo. On Day 4 or 5 and Day 9 or10 of each treatment phase subjects will have test sessions, where a battery of cognitive tests will be administered. The cognitive test that will be administered will include the Hopkins Verbal Learning Test (HVLT) modules from the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB): the Rapid Visual Information Processing (RVIP) and the Stop Signal Test (SST). Currently this study is in data analysis with 30 completers. (April 2011)

Official Title
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Galantamine Effects on Cognitive Function in Marijuana Users

Conditions
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Memory

Intervention / Treatment
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* Drug: Placebo
* Drug: Galantamine


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Men and women between the ages of 18 and 55 who are dependent on or abuse marijuana, according to DSM-IV criteria; History of marijuana use on the average of at least twice a week over a one-month period; Current marijuana use, indicated by positive urine toxicology for marijuana; No current medical problems and normal ECG; For women, neither pregnant as determined by pregnancy screening nor breast feeding, and using acceptable birth control methods. Exclusion Criteria: Current major psychiatric illnesses including mood, psychotic, or anxiety disorders; Current dependence to other drugs of abuse or alcohol (except nicotine or marijuana dependence); History of major medical illnesses including asthma or chronic obstructive lung disease, history or current gastrointestinal ulcer, hepatic or renal impairment and cardiac rhythm disturbances or other medical conditions that the study physician deems contraindicated for the subject to be in the study; Use of other medications including a) drugs that slow heart rate (eg, beta-blockers),which may increase the risk of bradycardia and AV block and b) NSAIDs; increased potential for developing ulcers/active or occult gastrointestinal bleeding; Known allergy to galantamine

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 55 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Screening
Allocation: Non-Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Double


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Active Comparator: Galatamine<br>Galantamine is used for the treatment of mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease and various other memory | Drug: Galantamine<br>* 8mg of Galantamine<br>|
| Placebo Comparator: Sugar Pill<br>Sugar Pill | Drug: Placebo<br>* 8Mg a day of a sugar pill<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| test whether galantamine in comparison to placebo, will improve cognitive functioning and the effects of galantamine on mood. |  | two years | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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ability to learn, working memory