Cannabidiol for brain inflammation in chronic low back pain with depression
Evaluation of Cannabidiol for Reduction of Brain Neuroinflammation
See if cannabidiol (CBD) can lower brain inflammation and help reduce pain and depressive symptoms in people with chronic low back pain.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts General Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11195822 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would join a study for adults who have chronic low back pain and mild-to-moderate depression. Participants receive cannabidiol (CBD) while researchers track brain inflammation using TSPO imaging and measure pain and mood over time. The plan builds on animal work showing CBD reduces neuroinflammation and on prior observations that people with chronic low back pain can have elevated TSPO. If eligible, you would come to Massachusetts General Hospital for imaging scans and follow-up visits.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults with chronic low back pain and mild-to-moderate depressive symptoms who can travel to Boston and are willing to take CBD are ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People whose pain or depression are not driven by neuroinflammation, those with severe psychiatric illness, pregnant people, or those who cannot take CBD may not benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, CBD could reduce brain inflammation linked to pain and depression, potentially easing symptoms for people with chronic low back pain.
How similar studies have performed: Animal studies show CBD can reduce neuroinflammation and improve pain and mood, and small human psychiatric studies are encouraging, but large rigorous trials in chronic low back pain are still limited.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Massachusetts General Hospital — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Loggia, Marco Luciano — Massachusetts General Hospital
- Study coordinator: Loggia, Marco Luciano
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.