Cannabinoids and Traumatic Brain Injury: A Randomized, Placebo Controlled Trial (2022)

Kent Hutchison, PhD
Institute of Cognitive Science Affiliated Faculty & Professor, University of Colorado Boulder

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) represents a major public health burden due to chronic neuropsychiatric sequelae (emotional, physical and cognitive) that negatively affect vocational activities, interpersonal relationships and independent living. Responses of these chronic symptoms to any particular treatment are both variable and, too often, suboptimal. As a result, persons with TBI are frequently prescribed numerous therapies which may or may not be efficacious. Cannabinoids (both CBD and THC) have gained significant public attention as a potential alternative treatment for TBI sequelae. However, the growing perception of the efficacy of cannabinoids for TBI and related pain, mood, and anxiety disorders can be directly contrasted with the limited scientific evidence. Moreover, due to complex regulatory requirements, many individuals use medical cannabis on an “off-label” basis without the appropriate scientific controls to establish efficacy. This project will identify the potential therapeutic effects associated with widely available cannabinoid formulations on TBI-related deficits in cognitive function and self-reported anxiety, depression, sleep, and pain. The proposed study relies on a gold-standard methodology and maximizes the generalizability of findings, despite the current regulatory environment for cannabis research.

More FY23 Research

Edible Roulette or a Sure Bet? Evaluating Testing Standards and Consistency in Colorado’s Edible Products (2024)

Duncan Mackie, PhD,
Director of Pharmacology & Experimental Therapeutics, MedPharm Holdings

Cinnamon Bidwell, PhD,
Institute of Cognitive Science Faculty, Assistant Professor, University of Colorado Boulder

...

Cannabinoids and Traumatic Brain Injury: A Randomized, Placebo Controlled Trial (2022)

Kent Hutchison, PhD
Institute of Cognitive Science Affiliated Faculty & Professor, University of Colorado Boulder

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) represents a major public health burden due...

Potential Health Effects of Heavy Metals in Cannabis Flower, Concentrates, Vape Devices, and Vape Emissions (2022)

Mike Van Dyke, PhD
Associate Professor, Center for Health, Work, and Environment, Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus

Inhalation exposure to...

Examining the adaptive roles of plant defensive chemistry on pest resistance in Cannabis sativa (2022)

Punya Nachappa, PhD
Associate Professor, Entomology, Department of Agricultural Biology, Colorado State University

Understanding how plants respond to insect herbivores can provide new insights into plant-insect...

Isolation and Pharmacological Evaluation of Phytocannabinoids for Alzheimer’s Disease (2022)

Duncan Mackie, PhD,
Director of Pharmacology & Experimental Therapeutics, MedPharm Holdings

Cinnamon Bidwell, PhD,
Institute of Cognitive Science Faculty, Assistant Professor, University of Colorado Boulder

...

Preventative and treatment effects of broad-spectrum cannabidiol (CBD) in a rat model of comorbid autism and epilepsy: A mechanistic study (2022)

Christopher Lowry, PhD
Associate Professor, Integrative Physiology, University of Colorado Boulder

Over 50% of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) show sub-clinical epileptic spikes by adolescence...