Using Dronabinol to treat obstructive sleep apnea in veterans
Official title: Targeted Treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea with Dronabinol: Proof of Concept and Phase II Clinical Trial
Funded at Jesse Brown VA Medical Center · NIH-10923565 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how well Dronabinol, a cannabis-based medication, can help veterans with obstructive sleep apnea, and it aims to find out which veterans might benefit the most from this treatment.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Jesse Brown VA Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project start | March 1, 2025 |
| Project end | February 28, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| NIH project number | 1I01CX002632-01A2 |
| Project ID | NIH-10923565 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are veterans diagnosed with moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have obstructive sleep apnea or those who are not veterans may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the use of Dronabinol, a medication derived from cannabis, to treat obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in veterans. The study aims to develop a prediction model to identify which patients are most likely to benefit from Dronabinol treatment based on their sleep study results and clinical characteristics. Initially, a proof-of-concept phase will assess the medication's effectiveness, followed by a randomized controlled trial to evaluate its efficacy over a longer treatment period. The goal is to provide a non-invasive treatment option for veterans suffering from OSA.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could offer a new, effective medication for veterans with obstructive sleep apnea, improving their quality of life and reducing associated health risks.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown some success with Dronabinol in improving OSA symptoms, but this research aims to refine the approach and validate its effectiveness in a larger veteran population.
Where this research is happening
-
Jesse Brown VA Medical Center
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Prasad, Bharati — Jesse Brown VA Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Prasad, Bharati
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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.