Clinical Trials Logo

Clinical Trial Summary

Glaucoma is among the leading causes for irreversible blindness worldwide. While lowering intraocular pressure (IOP) remains the mainstay of therapy, there are still some patients who progress despite well-controlled IOP. There is evidence from several studies that ocular blood flow and its regulation is impaired in patients with glaucoma. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) has been used in the treatment for glaucoma in some countries for several years due to its IOP lowering effect. In addition, there is also evidence that THC features neuroprotective effects and improves ocular hemodynamics. Dronabinol is a synthetic THC that is legally available in several European countries. It has the advantage that exact dosing of THC is possible in contrast to previously applied administration forms such as smoking. Due to its legal status in the past, data about the effect of THC on ocular blood flow and its regulation are sparse. In a recent study conducted in the investigators laboratory they found that single administration of dronabinol leads to a significant increase in optic nerve head (ONH) blood flow without impairing its autoregulatory capacity.The aim of the present study therefore is to investigate whether single administration of dronabinol alters optic nerve head (ONH) blood flow in patients with open angle glaucoma. In addition, other parameters for ocular blood flow will be measured, in particular retinal blood flow, retinal oxygen saturation and retinal neurovascular coupling. The study will be conducted in a parallel-group, randomized, double-masked, placebo-controlled, cross-over design. Patients will be randomized to either receive 5mg or 10mg dronabinol on one study day. Other studies investigating retinal hemodynamics or IOP after administration of THC also have used similar or slightly higher doses.


Clinical Trial Description

n/a


Study Design


Related Conditions & MeSH terms


NCT number NCT04596826
Study type Interventional
Source Medical University of Vienna
Contact
Status Recruiting
Phase Phase 2
Start date November 11, 2020
Completion date October 20, 2023

See also
  Status Clinical Trial Phase
Recruiting NCT03552562 - Measurement of Total Retinal Blood Flow and Oxygen Extraction in Patients With Diabetes and Healthy Subjects N/A
Completed NCT01692821 - Effect of Systemic Hypoxia and Hyperoxia on Retinal Oxygen Saturation Phase 4
Completed NCT03907163 - The Effect of Tetrahydrocannabinol on Ocular Hemodynamics in Healthy Subjects N/A
Recruiting NCT01746615 - Assessment of Retinal Vessel Diameters and Red Blood Velocities in Patients With BRVO and Healthy Subjects N/A