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Understanding Cannabis Abstinence in Adolescents with Cannabis Use Disorder

This study is looking for adolescents aged 15-18 who have Cannabis Use Disorder (CUD) to understand how cannabis abstinence affects their brains. You would participate in either a group that tries to abstain from cannabis (CB-Abst) or a group that is monitored without required abstinence (CB-Mon). Researchers will use functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to look at brain activity related to reward processing and brain connectivity over six weeks. The goal is to learn how the brain changes during cannabis abstinence and to better understand individual differences. This study is currently recruiting 64 participants.

Study design
This is an interventional study planning to enroll 64 participants. It compares two behavioral interventions: incentivized abstinence versus monitoring without required abstinence.
What's involved
You would have fMRI scans at the beginning of the study, at week 3, and at week 6. You would also complete self-reported impulsivity questionnaires.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
Your brain activity and connectivity will be measured at baseline, week 3, and week 6.

AI-generated from the public study record. Only the study team can confirm whether you're eligible — confirm details with them before making decisions.

NCT06124846

Determining the Effect of Six Weeks of Cannabis Abstinence on Fronto- Striatal fMRI Markers in Adolescents With Cannabis Use Disorder (ABSCAN)

Recruiting
NAAges 15–18InterventionalBasic science
University of Minnesota
~64 participants
Updated 2026-04-07 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:CB-AbstCB-Mon

At a glance

Recruiting sites
1 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Brain activation during Monetary Incentive Delay Task (reward processing)
Measured over baseline, week3, week 6
+1 more outcome measured

Conditions

Cannabis Use Disorder

Explore related trials

Cannabis Use Disorder

Where it's being run

1 sites across 1 states
Minnesota1

Study leadership

  • Brenden Tervo-Clemmens, PhD · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · University of Minnesota

Who to contact

Venessa Fuentes
[email protected]
Email the study team

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Do you actually qualify for this trial?

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

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).
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.

Exclusion

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).
Any other medical or psychiatric condition deemed serious or contraindicated for any study procedures by Dr. Tervo-Clemmens.

What this trial measures

  • Brain activation during Monetary Incentive Delay Task (reward processing)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 protocolbaseline, 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