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Brain Imaging Study of Cannabis for PTSD in Veterans

This observational study is looking at how cannabis affects the brains of U.S. military veterans with PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder). It's an add-on to an ongoing study that tests different combinations of THC and CBD. Up to 100 veterans will have brain scans before and after 12 weeks of cannabis use. The scans will measure brain inflammation using a tracer called 1-(2-[+F]fluoroethyl)-L-tryptophan (DRUG) and brain activity (BOLD fMRI response). Researchers hope to link these brain changes to improvements in PTSD symptoms, suicidal thoughts, and quality of life. This could help identify which veterans benefit most from cannabis treatments and lead to more personalized care. You must be 19 to 69 years old and already participating in the parent study (NCT06381180) to join.

Study design
This is an observational study involving up to 100 participants from a larger parent study. It is not specified if it is randomized or blinded.
What's involved
You would undergo two brain imaging assessments: one at the start and one after 12 weeks of cannabis administration.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
Brain imaging assessments are measured at baseline and at least 12 weeks after baseline.

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

NCT07222306

Cannabis, Neuroinflammation, and Suicidal Ideation: A Supplemental Brain Imaging Study

Enrolling by Invitation
Not specifiedAges 19–69Observational
Wayne State University
~100 participants
Updated 2026-08-06 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:1-(2-[+F]fluoroethyl)-L-tryptophan

At a glance

Recruiting sites
0 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
[18F]FETrp K-complex
Measured over Baseline and follow-up (at least 12 weeks after baseline)
+1 more outcome measured

Conditions

PTSD
Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviors
PTSD Symptoms
Depressive Symptoms

Explore related trials

DepressionPost-Traumatic Stress DisorderSuicidal Ideation

NCT07222306

Where you'd take part

This study runs at 1 site. They're the same protocol — you choose where, and that choice sets who your contact draft is addressed to.

  • Tolan Park Medical Building

    Detroit, Michiganno site contact published

Sites open and close at different times, so the status above is per site — it can differ from the study's overall status.

Study leadership

  • Eric Woodcock · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · Wayne State University
  • Hilary Marusak, PhD · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · Wayne State University

Who to contact

This trial hasn't published a contact. View it on ClinicalTrials.gov

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

Eligible for, and provided written informed consent to participate in, the Parent Study (NCT06381180) and to be contacted regarding 'future research studies.'
Able/willing to provide written informed consent to participate in the Neuroimaging Study.

Exclusion

Contraindications for MRI scanning include, but are not limited to: as braces, pacemaker, implanted metal (self-report MR screening form and ferromagnetic detectors) or medical conditions that prevent comfortable MRI scanning procedures, e.g., inability to lay supine for 60 minutes, claustrophobia, or body weight \> 275lbs.
Contraindications for PET \[18F\]FETrp imaging include, but are not limited to: chronic medical conditions that alter radiotracer pharmacokinetic properties, e.g, Diabetes I/II (or uncontrolled glucose levels \[\>200mg/dl non-fasting\]), abnormal BMI (\<18.5 or \> 35kg/m2), autoimmune diseases, or other chronic inflammatory conditions, or take medications (3+ days/week) that will alter radiotracer binding, e.g., glucose stabilizing medications, proton-pump inhibitors, or anti-inflammatory agents, or have medical conditions that prevent comfortable PET scanning procedures, e.g., inability to lay supine for \~75 minutes, tolerate a radial vein catheter and up to 35ml of whole blood drawn, or body weight \> 275lbs.

What this trial measures

  • [18F]FETrp K-complexBaseline and follow-up (at least 12 weeks after baseline)

    To quantify kynurenine uptake rate, a Patlak graphical analysis will be performed using the image-derived input function and the dynamic brain emission data. This method yields the unidirectional uptake rate constant, K-complex, in each brain region of interest. Outcome analyses will investigate associations with clinical symptoms and cognitive function at baseline, as longitudinal changes from baseline to follow-up with inter-group differences between dose conditions of particular interest.

  • BOLD fMRI responseBaseline and follow-up (at least 12 weeks after baseline)

    BOLD fMRI response will be isolated by contrasting activation to the contrast Go/No-Go \> Rest for the inhibitory control task, iI \> cI for the emotion regulation task, and reward \> loss for the reward task.