Effect of Acute Exercise on Cognitive Functions and Blood Markers of Brain Plasticity in Regular Chronic Cannabis Users

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is a complex endogenous signaling system made up of transmembrane cannabinoid receptors (CB1 and CB2 receptors), their endogenous lipid-derived ligands (the endocannabinoids - eCBs), and enzymes for ligand biosynthesis and degradation. Interestingly, exercise increase plasma AEA, one of the most famous endocannabinoid. This increase could be involved in exercise-induced neurogenesis and other beneficial exercise adaptations. Chronic cannabis use is associated with alteration of ECS activity. The aim of the study is to compare ECS response to exercise between chronic cannabis users and non-users.

Official Title
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Effect of Acute Exercise on Cognitive Functions and Blood Markers of Brain Plasticity in Regular Chronic Cannabis Users

Conditions
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Cannabis User

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: activity test


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Cannabis consumer group: Cannabis consumption > 100 times in lifetime, last exposure < 7 days, and recent exposure > 10 times in the month. Positive toxicological urine test for ∆-9-THC. Having a cannabis use disorder according to the DSM-5 (cannabis abuse disorder). Healthy group: Negative urine toxicological test for cannabis. No regular cannabis use for more than 6 months once in a lifetime. No cannabis consumption in the 6 months preceding the study. Exclusion Criteria: For all subjects : Disorders of use of other substances (alcohol, cocaine, opioid, or synthetic drugs). Alcohol consumption greater than 30g per day (averaged over one week) and/or alcohol abuse the week preceding the visit. Under medical treatment. Presence of diagnosed neurological disorders. Diagnosis of a psychotic picture entering axis I, DSM-5. Chronic progressive disease or in remission. Body mass index > 30 kg/m2 (i.e. presence of obesity).

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 35 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: Other
Allocation: Non-Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Chronic cannabis users<br> | Other: activity test<br>* Over 2 weeks, participants have to do a maximal progressive exercise and a 30 min constant exercise at 50% of maximal aerobic power<br>|
| Sham Comparator: Healthy subjects<br> | Other: activity test<br>* Over 2 weeks, participants have to do a maximal progressive exercise and a 30 min constant exercise at 50% of maximal aerobic power<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Plasma endocannabinoids levels (pmol/ml) |  | 2 weeks | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| regulating hormone of endocannabinoids (plasma levels of cortisol, ng/ml) |  | 2 weeks | 
| Blood marker of neurogenesis and neuroplasticity (plasma levels and BDNF, pg/ml) |  | 2 weeks | 
| change in cerebral muscular, oxygenation (HHB), (HbO2), (Hbtot) (arbitrary unit) |  | 2 weeks | 
| Cognitive function (selective attention, stroop test) | The stroop test can be used to measure a person's selective attention capacity | 2 weeks | 
| Oxygen consumption (VO2) (ml/min/kg) |  | 2 weeks |