Driving is a set of complex tasks and requires use of multiple cognitive domains, including
attention, planning, and memory. In laboratory studies, the main psychoactive component in
cannabis, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), was shown to impair short-term memory,
attention, reaction time, tracking, and coordination, resulting, for instance, in
significantly more deviations from the lane and increased break latency. Surveys and
epidemiological studies suggest that cannabis consumption is associated with increased risks
of collision.
The current study aims to evaluate individual driving behavior and performance on various
neurocognitive tests and their correlated neural networks while under the influence of
cannabis and while sober. The investigators will use the STISIM driving simulator, which is
fully MRI compatible, to study brain activation, while participants are performing various
driving maneuvers.
The goals of the study are:
1. identify driving performance and patterns in brain activation associated with cannabis
exposure and compare them to brain patterns of the same participants while sober;
2. compare participant's performance on cognitive tasks while under the influence of
cannabis and sober;
3. look for correlations between concentration of cannabinoids in the participants' blood
and their driving performance and performance on cognitive tasks;
4. correlate demographic variables and personal history (e.g. tolerance to drug) with
performance and brain activation while driving under the influence of cannabis.
Phase:
Phase 1
Details
Lead Sponsor:
St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto Unity Health Toronto