Teen cannabis and lasting changes in brain circuits that support thinking
Investigating the lasting effects of adolescent cannabinoid exposure on mesocortical development
['FUNDING_OTHER'] · UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH AT PITTSBURGH · NIH-11221404
It looks at whether THC use during the teen years changes brain cells and later thinking in adulthood.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_OTHER'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH AT PITTSBURGH (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (PITTSBURGH, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11221404 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
Researchers use a rat model where animals self-administer THC during adolescence to mimic teen cannabis use. They measure how THC changes GABA signaling and cannabinoid receptor levels in brain regions important for planning and working memory, and whether those changes differ by dose and sex. The team combines detailed brain imaging, staining of specific synapses, and adult behavioral memory tests to link cellular changes with thinking skills. Early training for the investigator includes advanced imaging methods to better visualize GABAergic synapses.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People who began regular THC or cannabis use during adolescence and now have adult difficulties with working memory or executive function would be most relevant to the questions this research addresses.
Not a fit: People without a history of adolescent cannabis exposure or whose cognitive issues come from other medical causes may not directly benefit from these findings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal how teen THC exposure leads to lasting thinking problems and point to targets for treatments or prevention.
How similar studies have performed: Previous animal and human studies link adolescent cannabis use to later cognitive problems, but the specific cell-type and circuit changes this work targets are still not well established.
Where this research is happening
PITTSBURGH, UNITED STATES
- UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH AT PITTSBURGH — PITTSBURGH, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: STRINGFIELD, SIERRA — UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH AT PITTSBURGH
- Study coordinator: STRINGFIELD, SIERRA
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.