A randomised, placebo-controlled, double blind, crossover trial on the effect of a 20:1 cannabidiol: Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol medical cannabis product on neurocognition, attention, and mood

Brooke Manning; Amie C Hayley; Sarah Catchlove; Con Stough; Luke A Downey

doi:10.1016/j.euroneuro.2024.02.002

A randomised, placebo-controlled, double blind, crossover trial on the effect of a 20:1 cannabidiol: Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol medical cannabis product on neurocognition, attention, and mood

Eur Neuropsychopharmacol. 2024 May:82:35-43. doi: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2024.02.002. Epub 2024 Mar 14.

Authors

Brooke Manning¹, Amie C Hayley², Sarah Catchlove¹, Con Stough¹, Luke A Downey³

Affiliations

¹ Centre for Human Psychopharmacology, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, Australia.
² Centre for Human Psychopharmacology, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, Australia; International Council for Alcohol, Drugs, and Traffic Safety (ICADTS), Rotterdam, the Netherland; Institute for Breathing and Sleep (IBAS), Austin Health, Melbourne Australia. Electronic address: ahayley@swin.edu.au.
³ Centre for Human Psychopharmacology, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, Australia; Institute for Breathing and Sleep (IBAS), Austin Health, Melbourne Australia.

PMID: 38490083
DOI: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2024.02.002

Abstract

As cannabinoid-based medications gain popularity in the treatment of refractory medical conditions, it is crucial to examine the neurocognitive effects of commonly prescribed products to ensure associated safety profiles. The present study aims to investigate the acute effects of a standard 1 mL sublingual dose of CannEpil®, a medicinal cannabis oil containing 100 mg cannabidiol (CBD) and 5 mg Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) on neurocognition, attention, and mood. A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, within-subjects design assessed 31 healthy participants (16 female, 15 male), aged between 21 and 58 years, over a two-week experimental protocol. Neurocognitive performance outcomes were assessed using the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery, with the Profile of Mood States questionnaire, and the Bond-Lader Visual Analogue Scale used to assess subjective state and mood. CannEpil increased Total Errors in Spatial Span and Correct Latency (median) in Pattern Recognition Memory, while also increasing Efficiency Score (lower score indicates greater efficiency) relative to placebo (all p < .05). Subjective Contentedness (p < .01) and Amicability (p < .05) were also increased at around 2.5 h post dosing, relative to placebo. Drowsiness or sedative effect was reported by 23 % of participants between three to six hours post CannEpil administration. Plasma concentrations of CBD, THC, and their metabolites were not significantly correlated with any observed alterations in neurocognition, subjective state, or adverse event occurrence. An acute dose of CannEpil impairs select aspects of visuospatial working memory and delayed pattern recognition, while largely preserving mood states among healthy individuals. Intermittent reports of drowsiness and sedation underscore the inter-individual variability of medicinal cannabis effects on subjective state. (ANZCTR; ACTRN12619000932167; https://www.anzctr.org.au).

Keywords: Attention; CANTAB; Cannabidiol; Visuospatial memory; Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol.

Publication types

Randomized Controlled Trial
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Adult
Affect* / drug effects
Attention* / drug effects
Cannabidiol* / administration & dosage
Cannabidiol* / pharmacology
Cognition* / drug effects
Cross-Over Studies*
Double-Blind Method
Dronabinol* / administration & dosage
Dronabinol* / blood
Dronabinol* / pharmacology
Female
Humans
Male
Medical Marijuana / administration & dosage
Medical Marijuana / pharmacology
Middle Aged
Neuropsychological Tests
Young Adult

Substances

Dronabinol
Cannabidiol
Medical Marijuana