# A Randomized Controlled Trial of Lorcaserin for the Treatment of Cannabis Use Disorder

> **NIH NIH K23** · NEW YORK STATE PSYCHIATRIC INSTITUTE DBA RESEARCH FOUNDATION FOR MENTAL HYGIENE, INC · 2021 · $195,977

## Abstract

In this resubmission application for a K23 Mentored Patient Oriented Research Career
Development Award, Dr. Christina Brezing proposes a comprehensive plan for developing into
an independent researcher capable of investigating and, ultimately, customizing pharmacologic
treatments for individuals with cannabis used disorder (CUD) with the aid of technology to
improve our assessments and treatment outcomes. CUD is a chronic relapsing-remitting illness
that impacts millions of adults in the United States. While there have been a number of
randomized controlled trials of medication treatments for CUD, none have emerged as clearly
efficacious. Impulsivity has been identified as both a predictor and consequence of CUD yet
medication treatment trials have not clearly targeted this. Dr. Brezing's proposal aims to
determine the effectiveness of lorcaserin, a serotonin 2c receptor agonist, in reducing cannabis
use and decreasing dissociable constructs of impulsivity as measured by behavioral tasks and
self-report at study visits and through ecological momentary assessments (EMA). We
hypothesize that the lorcaserin group will have greater reductions in cannabis use and
decreased impulsivity across measures as compared to placebo. The project will add to
important and growing literature on the role of impulsivity in CUD and treatment in addition to
providing a strategy for harnessing technology to make in vivo assessments during trials.
Finally, this project serves as a mechanism to gather data that will lay the groundwork for future
largerclinical trials and implementation efforts for technology in this context. While pursuing this
line of research with the expertise of her mentors (Drs. Frances Levin and Edward Nunes) and
collaborators (Dr. Valerie Voon andDr. Martina Pavlicova), Dr. Brezing will concurrently engage
in an individualized training program so as to develop in the following important areas: (1)
clinical research methodology (2) biostatistics for clinical trials (3) neurobiology and behavioral
assessments of impulsivity (4) applications of technology to the treatment of substance use
disorders, and (5) grant writing and management. This training program will build upon Dr.
Brezing's background as a board certified addiction psychiatrist who has a growing expertise in
substance use disorder treatment trials, but who has relatively little experience in fully assessing
dissociable components of impulsivity and applications of technology. The K23 award will
support an innovative and clinically relevant program of patient-oriented research, while helping
Dr. Brezing acquire critical skills that will ensure her development into an independent clinical
researcher poised to impact the field of cannabis and other substance use disorder treatment.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10201541
- **Project number:** 5K23DA045080-04
- **Recipient organization:** NEW YORK STATE PSYCHIATRIC INSTITUTE DBA RESEARCH FOUNDATION FOR MENTAL HYGIENE, INC
- **Principal Investigator:** Christina A Brezing
- **Activity code:** K23 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $195,977
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2018-08-01 → 2023-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10201541

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10201541, A Randomized Controlled Trial of Lorcaserin for the Treatment of Cannabis Use Disorder (5K23DA045080-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10201541. Licensed CC0.

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