NIH RePORTERrelevance policy v2
Cannabis Modulation of Outcomes Related to Opioid Use Disorder: Opioid Withdrawal, Opioid Abuse Potential and Opioid Safety
PROJECT NARRATIVE This research project will provide important public health and safety information regarding the effects of cannabis in individuals with opioid use disorder. This project will examine the manner in which both acute and repeated doses of vaporized cannabis alter the expression of opioid withdrawal, modify the abuse potential of opioids, and affect the physiological safety profile of opioids; cannabis tolerance and withdrawal will also be assessed.
NIH RePORTERrelevance policy v2
Cannabis Modulation of Outcomes Related to Opioid Use Disorder: Opioid Withdrawal, Opioid Abuse Potential and Opioid Safety
PROJECT NARRATIVE This research project will provide important public health and safety information regarding the effects of cannabis in individuals with opioid use disorder. This project will examine the manner in which both acute and repeated doses of vaporized cannabis alter the expression of opioid withdrawal, modify the abuse potential of opioids, and affect the physiological safety profile of opioids; cannabis tolerance and withdrawal will also be assessed.
NIH RePORTERrelevance policy v2
Dronabinol naltrexone treatment for opioid dependence
Project Narrative Rates of opioid dependence have increased steadily over the past several years, mostly due to an increase in illicit use of prescription analgesics. The available treatments (agonist-based or therapy-only approaches) are not suitable for all patients and have limited effectiveness. Development of an improved antagonist based approach would open it up as a viable treatment alternative for a larger population of opioid dependent individuals.
NIH RePORTERrelevance policy v2
Development of cannabinoid-opioid combination with opioid sparing and synergistic analgesic effects to prevent opioid use disorder and overdose.
Project Narrative The US is in the midst of an epidemic of opioid abuse and overdose and prescription opioids have become the “gateway drug” to opioid use disorder, heroin and illicit fentanyl use, and overdose. The development of novel therapeutics and biomedical strategies to prevent new cases of opioid misuse and addiction and to treat those with opioid use disorder are critical to address the current epidemic of opioid addiction and overdose. To achieve this goal, we propose studies that will build upon data obtained in our SBIR Phase I grant and advance the development of a fixed-dose cannabinoid-opioid combination analgesic that displays opioid sparing and synergistic analgesic effects resulting in lower risk of abuse, addiction, and overdose.
NIH RePORTERrelevance policy v2
Early cannabis use and later opioid use disorder - the role of adverse childhood experiences, genetic liability and comorbid stimulant use
We will examine the association between early onset cannabis use and opioid involvement, including OUD, in a variety of datasets, and estimate the extent to which shared genetic factors, and adverse childhood experiences contribute to their association. We also examine the role of co-occurring stimulant misuse, a common occurrence in overdoses and a strong correlate of early cannabis use. As cannabis use continues to become more accepted, understanding whether early use of cannabis motivates progression to OUD, which is contributing to the overdose epidemic, is of critical public health importance.
NIH RePORTERrelevance policy v2
Early cannabis use and later opioid use disorder - the role of adverse childhood experiences, genetic liability and comorbid stimulant use
We will examine the association between early onset cannabis use and opioid involvement, including OUD, in a variety of datasets, and estimate the extent to which shared genetic factors, and adverse childhood experiences contribute to their association. We also examine the role of co-occurring stimulant misuse, a common occurrence in overdoses and a strong correlate of early cannabis use. As cannabis use continues to become more accepted, understanding whether early use of cannabis motivates progression to OUD, which is contributing to the overdose epidemic, is of critical public health importance.
NIH RePORTERrelevance policy v2
Development of cannabinoid-opioid combination with opioid sparing and synergistic analgesic effects to prevent opioid use disorder and overdose.
Project Narrative The US is in the midst of an epidemic of opioid abuse and overdose and prescription opioids have become the “gateway drug” to opioid use disorder, heroin and illicit fentanyl use, and overdose. The development of novel therapeutics and biomedical strategies to prevent new cases of opioid misuse and addiction and to treat those with opioid use disorder are critical to address the current epidemic of opioid addiction and overdose. To achieve this goal, we propose studies that will advance the development of a cannabinoid-opioid combination analgesic that displays opioid sparing and synergistic analgesic effects resulting in lower risk of abuse, addiction, and overdose.
NIH RePORTERrelevance policy v2
Cannabidiol Effects on Craving and Relapse Prevention in Opioid Use Disorder
Project Narrative: INSYS Development Company, Inc. is committed to addressing a critical unmet need in the fight against the opioid crisis by developing a clinical program for Cannabidiol Effects on Craving and Relapse Prevention in Opioid Use Disorder. Current basic science and clinical research literature provide evidence that supports the ability of cannabidiol to decrease opioid-related cravings and anxiety, with the potential to become a key treatment option for patients recovering from opioid addiction. The goals of the proposed research program are to expand the therapeutic options and decrease the rates of morbidity and mortality in the opioid dependent population.
NIH RePORTERrelevance policy v2
Dronabinol naltrexone treatment for opioid dependence
Project Narrative Rates of opioid dependence have increased steadily over the past several years, mostly due to an increase in illicit use of prescription analgesics. The available treatments (agonist-based or therapy-only approaches) are not suitable for all patients and have limited effectiveness. Development of an improved antagonist based approach would open it up as a viable treatment alternative for a larger population of opioid dependent individuals.
NIH RePORTERrelevance policy v2
Endocannabinoid System Alterations in Opioid Use Disorder (OUD)
PROJECT NARRATIVE Given the close interaction between the endogenous opioid and cannabinoid systems and the urgent need to develop new treatments for opioid use disorder (OUD) in the US, investigating the endocannabinoid (eCB) system in OUD has significant importance to target the eCB system in OUD treatment. Increasing evidence from animal studies suggests that the eCB system, particularly cannabinoid receptor type 1 (CB1R), is suppressed in OUD, but there is no study to date on the potential alterations in eCB in OUD in humans. The aim of this proposal is to use the CB1R-specific ligand [11C]OMAR and High Resolution Research Tomography (HRRT), a PET scanner with the highest sensitivity and resolution available for human brain imaging, to assess the CB1R availability in OUD and measure plasma endocannabinoid levels (as an exploratory aim).
NIH RePORTERrelevance policy v2
Chemical biology tools for illuminating cannabinoid signaling pathways in opioid use disorder.
Project Narrative The recent surge in the use of the highly-potent synthetic opioid fentanyl has exacerbated the opioid epidemic and underscores a significant public health crisis. A potential therapeutic target for opioid use disorder lies in cannabinoid receptors, which are co-expressed with opiate receptors in the brain's reward centers and modulate opiate-associated behaviors. This proposal aims to use chemical biology to investigate cannabinoid- opiate interactions, which will pave the way for new therapeutic strategies in the fight against the intensifying opioid crisis.
NIH RePORTERrelevance policy v2
Development of cannabinoid-opioid combination with opioid sparing and synergistic analgesic effects to prevent opioid use disorder and overdose.
Project Narrative The US is in the midst of an epidemic of opioid abuse and overdose and prescription opioids have become the “gateway drug” to opioid use disorder, heroin and illicit fentanyl use, and overdose. The development of novel therapeutics and biomedical strategies to prevent new cases of opioid misuse and addiction and to treat those with opioid use disorder are critical to address the current epidemic of opioid addiction and overdose. To achieve this goal, we propose studies that will build upon data obtained in our SBIR Phase I grant and advance the development of a fixed-dose cannabinoid-opioid combination analgesic that displays opioid sparing and synergistic analgesic effects resulting in lower risk of abuse, addiction, and overdose.
NIH RePORTERrelevance policy v2
Cannabis Modulation of Outcomes Related to Opioid Use Disorder: Opioid Withdrawal, Opioid Abuse Potential and Opioid Safety
PROJECT NARRATIVE This research project will provide important public health and safety information regarding the effects of cannabis in individuals with opioid use disorder. This project will examine the manner in which both acute and repeated doses of vaporized cannabis alter the expression of opioid withdrawal, modify the abuse potential of opioids, and affect the physiological safety profile of opioids; cannabis tolerance and withdrawal will also be assessed.
NIH RePORTERrelevance policy v2
Investigating the cannabinoid receptor type 1 (CB1R) availability in individuals with opioid use disorder (OUD)
Project Narrative (Public Health Relevance Statement) Opioid use disorder (OUD) is a major public health crisis, and relapse rates remain high despite the availability of effective medications. This study will investigate how brain systems involved in stress and emotion, specifically the endocannabinoid system, contribute to relapse risk during early recovery. Findings from this research may help identify new targets for non-opioid treatments to improve outcomes for individuals with OUD.
NIH RePORTERrelevance policy v2
Cannabidiol in the treatment of opioid use disorder
Project Narrative The opioid crisis has highlighted the need for enhanced non-opioid pharmacological therapies for the treatment of opioid use disorder. The present research project will characterize the development of a patented technology with cannabidiol, a non-intoxicating compound, on pharmacokinetics, tolerability, drug craving and relapse in individuals with heroin use disorder.
NIH RePORTERrelevance policy v2
Cannabidiol in the treatment of opioid use disorder
Project Narrative The opioid crisis has highlighted the need for enhanced non-opioid pharmacological therapies for the treatment of opioid use disorder. The present research project will characterize the development of a patented technology with cannabidiol, a non-intoxicating compound, on pharmacokinetics, tolerability, drug craving and relapse in individuals with heroin use disorder.
NIH RePORTERrelevance policy v2
Endocannabinoid System Alterations in Opioid Use Disorder (OUD)
PROJECT NARRATIVE Given the close interaction between the endogenous opioid and cannabinoid systems and the urgent need to develop new treatments for opioid use disorder (OUD) in the US, investigating the endocannabinoid (eCB) system in OUD has significant importance to target the eCB system in OUD treatment. Increasing evidence from animal studies suggests that the eCB system, particularly cannabinoid receptor type 1 (CB1R), is suppressed in OUD, but there is no study to date on the potential alterations in eCB in OUD in humans. The aim of this proposal is to use the CB1R-specific ligand [11C]OMAR and High Resolution Research Tomography (HRRT), a PET scanner with the highest sensitivity and resolution available for human brain imaging, to assess the CB1R availability in OUD and measure plasma endocannabinoid levels (as an exploratory aim).
NIH RePORTERrelevance policy v2
Chemical biology tools for illuminating cannabinoid signaling pathways in opioid use disorder.
Project Narrative The recent surge in the use of the highly-potent synthetic opioid fentanyl has exacerbated the opioid epidemic and underscores a significant public health crisis. A potential therapeutic target for opioid use disorder lies in cannabinoid receptors, which are co-expressed with opiate receptors in the brain's reward centers and modulate opiate-associated behaviors. This proposal aims to use chemical biology to investigate cannabinoid- opiate interactions, which will pave the way for new therapeutic strategies in the fight against the intensifying opioid crisis.
NIH RePORTERrelevance policy v2
Development of cannabinoid-opioid combination with opioid sparing and synergistic analgesic effects to prevent opioid use disorder and overdose.
Project Narrative The US is in the midst of an epidemic of opioid abuse and overdose and prescription opioids have become the “gateway drug” to opioid use disorder, heroin and illicit fentanyl use, and overdose. The development of novel therapeutics and biomedical strategies to prevent new cases of opioid misuse and addiction and to treat those with opioid use disorder are critical to address the current epidemic of opioid addiction and overdose. To achieve this goal, we propose studies that will advance the development of a cannabinoid-opioid combination analgesic that displays opioid sparing and synergistic analgesic effects resulting in lower risk of abuse, addiction, and overdose.
NIH RePORTERrelevance policy v2
Cannabidiol and buprenorphine: A poly-pharmacy approach to treat opioid use disorder
PROJECT NARRATIVE Millions of Americans are diagnosed annually with an opioid use disorder and buprenorphine is the most widely prescribed medication assisted treatment. Although larger buprenorphine doses can improve treatment outcome, they can also produce adverse physiological effects, physical dependence, and discontinuation can result in withdrawal and increase the risk of relapse. The present study will evaluate the potential of cannabidiol as a safe, non-psychoactive, and non-addictive adjuvant treatment that enhances the effectiveness of smaller doses of buprenorphine, which could ultimately improve treatment outcomes for thousands of opioid use disorder patients.