Smartphone test to detect pupil changes after cannabis use

An Open Label Pilot Study Evaluating the Efficacy of a Smart Phone-based Test on Measuring Pupillary Light Reflex Alterations Following Cannabis Use Healthy in Adults

This project will test whether the SOBEREYE OPTOVERA smartphone app can detect pupil response changes after cannabis use in healthy adults.

Quick facts

• Phase: Not applicable
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 20 (estimated)
• Ages: 21 Years and up
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: Sobereye Inc. (Industry-sponsored)
• Drugs / interventions: chemotherapy, radiation
• Locations: 1 site (London, Ontario)
• Trial ID: NCT06967051 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This open-label, single-site study compares a smartphone-based pupillometry tool (SOBEREYE OPTOVERA) with a clinical pupillometer to detect pupillary light reflex (PLR) changes after controlled oral tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) dosing. Healthy adults aged 21 and older receive either a 10 mg or 25 mg oral THC dose and complete repeated PLR measurements throughout the study day using both the smartphone test and a pupillometer. Data will be analyzed to determine whether the smartphone app detects the same PLR alterations as the clinical device and to characterize timing and magnitude of changes after dosing. The protocol includes in-person visits at the clinical site for dosing and device comparisons.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are healthy adults aged 21 or older who can safely ingest 10 mg or 25 mg oral THC, agree to repeated pupil testing, and meet contraception requirements if of child-bearing potential.

Not a fit: People with eye disorders or conditions or medications that affect pupil response, pregnant individuals, or those unwilling/unable to take THC or follow contraception rules are unlikely to benefit from participation.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, a validated smartphone PLR test could offer a portable, low-cost way to detect cannabis-related pupil changes for clinical monitoring or field screening.

How similar studies have performed: Prior work shows conventional pupillometry can detect drug-induced pupil effects, but smartphone-based pupillometry is relatively new and has limited validation against clinical devices.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Males and females 21 years of age or older
2. Females not of child-bearing potential, defined as those who have undergone a sterilization procedure (e.g. hysterectomy, bilateral oophorectomy, bilateral tubal ligation, complete endometrial ablation) or have been post-menopausal for at least 1 year prior to screening Or,

   Individuals of child-bearing potential must have a negative baseline urine pregnancy test and agree to use a medically approved method of birth control for the duration of the study. All hormonal birth control must have been in use for a minimum of three months. Acceptable methods of birth control include:
   1. Hormonal contraceptives including oral contraceptives, hormone birth control patch (Ortho Evra), vaginal contraceptive ring (NuvaRing), injectable contraceptives (Depo-Provera, Lunelle), or hormone implant (Norplant System)
   2. Double-barrier method
   3. Intrauterine devices
   4. Non-heterosexual lifestyle and agrees to use contraception if planning on changing to heterosexual partner(s)
   5. Vasectomy of partner at least 6 months prior to screening
   6. Abstinence and agrees to use contraception if planning on becoming sexually active during the study
3. Self-reported cannabis users based on the Cannabis Use Questionnaire who are familiar and experienced with THC's acute psychoactive effects from the doses and route of administration to be used in this study without previous severe adverse reactions after cannabis ingestion
4. Self-reported cannabis use at least 3x per month but no more than 3x per week
5. Agrees to abstain from cannabis use for 3 days prior to study visit
6. Willingness to complete all assessments associated with the study and agrees to safe transportation home
7. Provided voluntary, written, informed consent to participate in the study

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Individuals who are pregnant, breast feeding or planning to become pregnant during the study
2. Allergy, sensitivity, intolerance, or dietary restriction preventing consumption study products
3. Current and ongoing neurological or ophthalmological issue that could affect the retina (blindness, glaucoma, dry eyes, retinal diseases, pupil abnormalities, cataracts, sensitivity to bright lights)
4. History of surgery on eyes or retinas except for laser corneal surgery
5. Current or history of psychological disorders (e.g., schizophrenia and psychosis)
6. Current or history of any significant diseases of the gastrointestinal tract as assessed by the QI
7. Type I or Type II diabetes with diabetic retinopathy
8. Unstable metabolic disease or chronic diseases as assessed by the QI
9. Unstable hypertension. Treatment on a stable dose of medication for at least 3 months will be considered by the QI (see below)
10. Significant cardiovascular event in the past 6 months. Participants with no significant cardiovascular event on stable medication may be included after assessment by the QI on a case-by-case basis
11. History of or current diagnosis with kidney and/or liver diseases as assessed by the QI on a case-by-case basis, with the exception of history of kidney stones in participants who are symptom free for 6 months
12. Self-reported confirmation of current or pre-existing thyroid condition. Treatment on a stable dose of medication for at least 3 months will be considered by the QI
13. Major surgery in the past 3 months or individuals who have planned surgery during the course of the study. Participants with minor surgery will be considered on a case-by-case basis by the QI
14. Cancer, except skin basal cell carcinoma completely excised with no chemotherapy or radiation with a follow up that is negative. Volunteers with cancer in full remission for more than five years after diagnosis are acceptable
15. Individuals with an unstable autoimmune disease
16. Self-reported confirmation of a HIV-, Hepatitis B- and/or C-positive diagnosis as assessed by the QI
17. Alcohol or drug abuse within the last 12 months
18. Impairment from illicit drugs or alcohol during their study visit, as assessed by the QI or Sub-Investigator
19. Alcohol intake average of \>2 standard drinks per day as assessed by the QI
20. Current use of prescribed and/or over-the-counter (OTC) medications, supplements, and/or consumption of food/drinks that may impact the efficacy and/or safety of the investigational product (see below)
21. Participation in other research studies 30 days prior to baseline, as assessed by the QI
22. Individuals who are cognitively impaired and/or who are unable to give informed consent
23. Any other condition or lifestyle factor, that, in the opinion of the QI, may adversely affect the participant's ability to complete the study or its measures or pose significant risk to the participant

Where this trial is running

London, Ontario

• KGK Science Inc. — London, Ontario, Canada (Recruiting)

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: David Crowley, MD — KGK Science Inc.
• Study coordinator: Erin Lewis, PhD

Conditions Cannabis Intoxication; Drug Effects; Pupillometer; Cannabis Use; SOBEREYE; OPTOVERA; Pupillary Light Reflex