Understanding how brain markers relate to cannabis use in adolescents
Official title: Leveraging complementary big data methods and patient intervention designs to optimize neural markers of adolescent cannabis use
Funded at University of Minnesota · NIH-10916449 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how cannabis use affects the brains of teenagers to find clues that could help create better treatments for those dealing with cannabis use issues.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Minnesota NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Minneapolis, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $195,542 |
| NIH project number | 5K23DA057486-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10916449 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adolescents aged 12 to 21 who are experiencing issues related to cannabis use or are at risk for cannabis use disorder.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not adolescents or those who do not use cannabis may not receive any benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the relationship between brain activity and cannabis use among adolescents, aiming to identify neural markers that could help in developing effective interventions. By utilizing advanced neuroimaging techniques like functional MRI (fMRI) and analyzing large datasets from studies such as the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) study, the research seeks to clarify how these brain markers are influenced by cannabis use and other factors. The goal is to enhance treatment strategies for adolescents struggling with cannabis use disorder (CUD) by understanding the underlying neural mechanisms.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective interventions for adolescents with cannabis use disorder, improving their chances of sustained abstinence.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research using neuroimaging techniques has shown promise in understanding substance use disorders, indicating that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Minnesota
Minneapolis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Tervo-Clemmens, Brenden Craig — University of Minnesota
- Study coordinator: Tervo-Clemmens, Brenden Craig
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Hemp-derived CBD for reducing cannabis use in high-THC concentrate users
A randomized, placebo-controlled trial tests whether hemp-derived CBD can help adults who mainly use high-potency cannabis concentrates reduce their cannabis use.
-
Understanding how minority stress affects cannabis use in sexual minorities
A research project follows young adult sexual minorities to see how daily stress and coping help explain cannabis use and related problems.
-
Terminal cannabinoid CB1 receptor changes in schizophrenia and cannabis use
This grant studies how cannabis use and schizophrenia together affect a brain receptor (CB1) and what that could mean for memory and symptoms.
-
Cannabis policies and prenatal cannabis use: how laws affect moms and babies
This grant studies how changes in recreational cannabis laws influence cannabis use during pregnancy and health outcomes for mothers and children.
-
Genetic, Social, and Environmental Factors Shaping Early Cannabis Use in Youth
A study with young people will look at how genes, surroundings, and behavior come together to predict who might start using cannabis early and how to prevent it.
-
Cannabis use and how young adults feel about its effects
This grant helps a researcher study how young adults experience cannabis, including both positive and negative effects, and how these feelings relate to use patterns.
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.