Gabapentin for Restoring GABA/Glutamate Homeostasis in Co-occurring Bipolar and Cannabis Use Disorders

Exclusion Criteria

• •1. A primary psychiatric diagnosis other than BD (e.g., Schizophrenia)
• •2. Meet DSM-5 criteria for moderate or severe substance use disorder (other than cannabis or tobacco) within the past 60 days
• •3. Any uncontrolled neurological condition (e.g., epilepsy) that could confound the results of the study
• •4. Any history of brain injury with loss of consciousness greater than 5 minutes
• •5. Any history of mental retardation, dementia, or recent electroconvulsive therapy (in the past 3 months)
• •6. Any uncontrolled medical condition that may adversely affect the conduct of the study or jeopardize the safety of the participant
• •7. Hepatocellular disease as indicated by plasma levels of liver transaminases (aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase) greater than 3 times the normal range
• •8. Renal insufficiency as indicated by plasma levels of creatinine greater than 2 times the normal range
• •9. Concomitant use of medications that could interfere with glutamatergic/GABAergic transmission (e.g., benzodiazepines, ceftriaxone, riluzole, memantine, ketamine, topiramate, vigabatrin), due to potential confounding effects
• •10. Concomitant use of opioid medications, benzodiazepines, barbiturates, chloral hydrate, sodium oxybate, or any other medication deemed to be hazardous if taken with gabapentin
• •11. Azelastine, orphenadrine, oxomemazine, paraldehyde, and thalidomide are generally contraindicated in patients taking gabapentin; as such, individuals taking these medications will be excluded
• •12. Women of childbearing potential who are pregnant, lactating, or refuse adequate forms of contraception
• •13. Current suicidal or homicidal risk
• •14. Baseline scores greater than 35 on the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale or greater than 25 on the Young Mania Rating Scale
• •15. Has taken gabapentin in the last month or experienced adverse effects/allergic reaction (e.g., angioedema) from it at any time
• •16. Significant claustrophobia and/or past negative experiences with MRI
• •17. Presence of non-MRI safe materials in the body (e.g., ferrous metal implants, pacemaker)