Detecting Active Cannabis Impairment From Eye Movement? Gaize Completes Clinical Trial

Gaize, Inc. announced that it has completed the world’s largest clinical trial investigating cannabis impairment. The 350-participant study used Gaize’s portable, and non-invasive testing device to investigate changes in eye movement and pupillary reflex action. The use of cannabis has grown rapidly in recent years as it has become legalized in more and more jurisdictions, and as cultural acceptance grows. However, there has historically not been a device capable of detecting active impairment from cannabis. Further, the precise characteristics of eye movement and the changes that occur as a result of of impairment has been inadequately researched.

The trial was conducted in partnership with dicentra, a contract research organization in Toronto, Canada. It included both measurements of participants prior to and after having consumed legally available cannabis. “dicentra’s role in this trial consisted of two parts,” stated Radivoje Janjic, regulatory affairs specialist, at dicentra. “First, to facilitate safe data collection using the Gaize device before and following cannabis consumption, and second, to ensure our participants were safe while being impaired and using the device”. The Gaize device is a specialized virtual reality headset with embedded eye tracking sensors. It performs a series of automated ocular motion and pupillary reflex tests while capturing high resolution eye movement data and video. This data can be evaluated using statistical and machine learning algorithms to determine active impairment from cannabis consumption.

Since THC from cannabis use can persist in the body for weeks following the last use, measuring THC concentrations in the body are not predictive of the impairment being experienced by the user. Tests like saliva, blood, and breath are only useful in determining prior consumption, as has been confirmed by numerous scientific studies. With no product currently available that can accurately detect cannabis impairment in real-time, Gaize is leading the way in providing a solution to an important safety issue.

Gaize is currently accepting reservations from law enforcement and businesses with safety-sensitive workers. The test takes about 6 minutes to complete, and requires no special training to operate. All tests are also backed by video evidence, an important feature for law enforcement. By solving the problem of a lack of a device that can check for active cannabis impairment, Gaize is paving the way for safe roads and safe workplaces.

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