Gabapentin for Bipolar Disorder and Cannabis Use
Gabapentin for Restoring GABA/glutamate Homeostasis in Co-occurring Bipolar and Cannabis Use Disorders: A Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled, Parallel-group, Clinical MRI Study
This project is looking at whether gabapentin can help people who have both bipolar disorder and cannabis use disorder by balancing important brain chemicals.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Medical University of South Carolina NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Charleston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11099972 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Many people with bipolar disorder also struggle with cannabis use disorder, and this combination often leads to worse health outcomes. Current treatments for this co-occurring condition are not very effective, and there haven't been many dedicated medication options. This project aims to see if gabapentin, a medication, can help by rebalancing brain chemicals like GABA and glutamate, which are thought to be disrupted in these conditions. Researchers will compare gabapentin to a placebo in a clinical setting, using MRI scans to observe brain changes.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be individuals diagnosed with both bipolar disorder and cannabis use disorder.
Not a fit: Patients who do not have both bipolar disorder and cannabis use disorder would likely not receive direct benefit from this specific treatment approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could provide a much-needed treatment option to improve mood and reduce cannabis use for individuals living with both bipolar disorder and cannabis use disorder.
How similar studies have performed: A previous smaller study found that gabapentin was associated with changes in brain chemicals and improvements in cannabis use and mood symptoms in this patient group.
Where this research is happening
Charleston, United States
- Medical University of South Carolina — Charleston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Prisciandaro, James Joseph — Medical University of South Carolina
- Study coordinator: Prisciandaro, James Joseph
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.