How cannabis use affects brain development and behavior in adolescents
Official title: Cognitive flexibility and reward motivation in adolescent cannabis use: An investigation of neurobehavioral mechanisms and intrinsic resting state connectivity.
Funded at Emma Pendleton Bradley Hospital · NIH-10802444 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how using cannabis during the teenage years affects thinking, motivation, and brain connections, and it's for teens aged 14 to 17 who either use cannabis or don’t, to help us understand the potential risks of cannabis on their developing brains.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Emma Pendleton Bradley Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Riverside, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | April 1, 2021 |
| Project end | March 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $196,776 |
| NIH project number | 5K23DA050911-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-10802444 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adolescents aged 14 to 17 who are engaged in cannabis use or are typically developing without cannabis use.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not adolescents or those who do not use cannabis may not receive direct benefits from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the impact of cannabis use during adolescence on cognitive flexibility, reward motivation, and brain connectivity. By comparing adolescents who use cannabis with those who do not, the study aims to understand how cannabis disrupts normal brain development and influences behavior. The research will involve collecting data on symptoms, brain circuits, and behaviors from participants aged 14 to 17. The goal is to identify the neurobehavioral mechanisms that contribute to the risks associated with adolescent cannabis use.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved prevention and treatment strategies for adolescents at risk of substance use disorders.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that understanding the neurobehavioral mechanisms of substance use in adolescents can lead to significant advancements in treatment and prevention, suggesting this approach has potential for success.
Where this research is happening
-
Emma Pendleton Bradley Hospital
Riverside, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Thomas, Sarah Ann — Emma Pendleton Bradley Hospital
- Study coordinator: Thomas, Sarah Ann
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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.