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Stasiłowicz-Krzemień A, Nogalska W, Maszewska Z, Maleszka M, Dobroń M, Szary A, Kępa A, Żarowski M, Hojan K, Lukowicz M, Cielecka-Piontek J. The Use of Compounds Derived from Cannabis sativa in the Treatment of Epilepsy, Painful Conditions, and Neuropsychiatric and Neurodegenerative Disorders. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:5749. [PMID: 38891938 PMCID: PMC11171823 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25115749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2024] [Revised: 05/20/2024] [Accepted: 05/23/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Neurological disorders present a wide range of symptoms and challenges in diagnosis and treatment. Cannabis sativa, with its diverse chemical composition, offers potential therapeutic benefits due to its anticonvulsive, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective properties. Beyond cannabinoids, cannabis contains terpenes and polyphenols, which synergistically enhance its pharmacological effects. Various administration routes, including vaporization, oral ingestion, sublingual, and rectal, provide flexibility in treatment delivery. This review shows the therapeutic efficacy of cannabis in managing neurological disorders such as epilepsy, neurodegenerative diseases, neurodevelopmental disorders, psychiatric disorders, and painful pathologies. Drawing from surveys, patient studies, and clinical trials, it highlights the potential of cannabis in alleviating symptoms, slowing disease progression, and improving overall quality of life for patients. Understanding the diverse therapeutic mechanisms of cannabis can open up possibilities for using this plant for individual patient needs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Stasiłowicz-Krzemień
- Department of Pharmacognosy and Biomaterials, Faculty of Pharmacy, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Rokietnicka 3, 60-806 Poznan, Poland; (A.S.-K.)
| | - Wiktoria Nogalska
- Department of Pharmacognosy and Biomaterials, Faculty of Pharmacy, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Rokietnicka 3, 60-806 Poznan, Poland; (A.S.-K.)
| | - Zofia Maszewska
- Department of Pharmacognosy and Biomaterials, Faculty of Pharmacy, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Rokietnicka 3, 60-806 Poznan, Poland; (A.S.-K.)
| | - Mateusz Maleszka
- Department of Pharmacognosy and Biomaterials, Faculty of Pharmacy, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Rokietnicka 3, 60-806 Poznan, Poland; (A.S.-K.)
| | - Maria Dobroń
- Department of Pharmacognosy and Biomaterials, Faculty of Pharmacy, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Rokietnicka 3, 60-806 Poznan, Poland; (A.S.-K.)
| | - Agnieszka Szary
- Department of Pharmacognosy and Biomaterials, Faculty of Pharmacy, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Rokietnicka 3, 60-806 Poznan, Poland; (A.S.-K.)
| | - Aleksandra Kępa
- Department of Pharmacognosy and Biomaterials, Faculty of Pharmacy, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Rokietnicka 3, 60-806 Poznan, Poland; (A.S.-K.)
| | - Marcin Żarowski
- Department of Developmental Neurology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Przybyszewski 49, 60-355 Poznan, Poland;
| | - Katarzyna Hojan
- Department of Occupational Therapy, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Swięcickiego 6, 61-847 Poznan, Poland;
- Department of Rehabilitation, Greater Poland Cancer Centre, Garbary 15, 61-866 Poznan, Poland
| | - Malgorzata Lukowicz
- Department of Rehabilitation, Centre of Postgraduate Medical Education, Konarskiego 13, 05-400 Otwock, Poland;
| | - Judyta Cielecka-Piontek
- Department of Pharmacognosy and Biomaterials, Faculty of Pharmacy, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Rokietnicka 3, 60-806 Poznan, Poland; (A.S.-K.)
- Department of Pharmacology and Phytochemistry, Institute of Natural Fibres and Medicinal Plants, Wojska Polskiego 71b, 60-630 Poznan, Poland
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Johansson J, Ericsson M, Axelsson J, Bjerkén SA, Virel A, Karalija N. Amphetamine-induced dopamine release in rat: Whole-brain spatiotemporal analysis with [ 11C]raclopride and positron emission tomography. J Cereb Blood Flow Metab 2024; 44:434-445. [PMID: 37882727 PMCID: PMC10870964 DOI: 10.1177/0271678x231210128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2023] [Revised: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 10/01/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023]
Abstract
Whole-brain mapping of drug effects are needed to understand the neural underpinnings of drug-related behaviors. Amphetamine administration is associated with robust increases in striatal dopamine (DA) release. Dopaminergic terminals are, however, present across several associative brain regions, which may contribute to behavioral effects of amphetamine. Yet the assessment of DA release has been restricted to a few brain regions of interest. The present work employed positron emission tomography (PET) with [11C]raclopride to investigate regional and temporal characteristics of amphetamine-induced DA release across twenty sessions in adult female Sprague Dawley rats. Amphetamine was injected intravenously (2 mg/kg) to cause displacement of [11C]raclopride binding from DA D2-like receptors, assessed using temporally sensitive pharmacokinetic PET model (lp-ntPET). We show amphetamine-induced [11C]raclopride displacement in the basal ganglia, and no changes following saline injections. Peak occupancy was highest in nucleus accumbens, followed by caudate-putamen and globus pallidus. Importantly, significant amphetamine-induced displacement was also observed in several extrastriatal regions, and specifically in thalamus, insula, orbitofrontal cortex, and secondary somatosensory area. For these, peak occupancy occurred later and was lower as compared to the striatum. Collectively, these findings demonstrate distinct amphetamine-induced DA responses across the brain, and that [11C]raclopride-PET can be employed to detect such spatiotemporal differences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jarkko Johansson
- Department of Radiation Sciences, Diagnostic Radiology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
- Umeå Center for Functional Brain Imaging (UFBI), Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | | | - Jan Axelsson
- Umeå Center for Functional Brain Imaging (UFBI), Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
- Department of Radiation Sciences, Radiation Physics, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Sara af Bjerkén
- Department of Integrative Medical Biology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
- Department of Clinical Science, Neurosciences, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Ana Virel
- Department of Integrative Medical Biology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Nina Karalija
- Umeå Center for Functional Brain Imaging (UFBI), Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
- Department of Integrative Medical Biology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
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3
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Lee J. Tetrahydrocannabinol and dopamine D1 receptor. Front Neurosci 2024; 18:1360205. [PMID: 38419666 PMCID: PMC10899378 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2024.1360205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Dopamine is a hormone that is released by the adrenal gland and influences motor control and motivation. Dopamine is known to have 5 receptors which are D1, D2, D3, D4 and D5, which are further categorized into 2 families: D1 family and D2 family. The D1 family is known to play a role in motivation and motor control whereas the D2 family is known to affect attention and sleep. THC, a type of cannabinoid, can lead to feelings of euphoria, anxiety, fear, distrust, or panic. THC is known to affect dopamine in regions such as the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), and plays a role in fundamental cognitive processes. Although there is a vast amount of research between the relationship of THC on dopamine, there continues to be limited research in relation to THC on dopamine receptors. The D1 receptor plays a role in several essential functions, such as memory, attention, impulse control, regulation of renal function, and locomotion. Accordingly, this review is intended to summarize the relationship between THC and D1 receptors, highlighting key gaps in the literature and avenues for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiwon Lee
- Department of Psychology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, United States
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4
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Dopamine D2/3 Receptor Availabilities in Striatal and Extrastriatal Regions of the Adult Human Brain: Comparison of Four Methods of Analysis. Neurochem Res 2022; 48:1517-1530. [PMID: 36525123 DOI: 10.1007/s11064-022-03825-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2022] [Revised: 10/30/2022] [Accepted: 11/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Values of binding potentials (BPND) of dopamine D2/3 receptors differ in different regions of the brain, but we do not know with certainty how much of this difference is due either to different receptor numbers, or to different affinities of tracers to the receptors, or to both. We tested the claim that both striatal and extrastriatal dopamine D2/3 receptor availabilities vary with age in vivo in humans by determining the values of BPND of the specific radioligand [11C]raclopride. We determined values of BPND in striatal and extrastriatal volumes-of-interest (VOI) with the same specific receptor radioligand. We estimated values of BPND in individual voxels of brains of healthy volunteers in vivo, and we obtained regional averages of VOI by dynamic positron emission tomography (PET). We calculated average values of BPND in caudate nucleus and putamen of striatum, and in frontal, occipital, parietal, and temporal cortices of the forebrain, by means of four methods, including the ERLiBiRD (Estimation of Reversible Ligand Binding and Receptor Density) method, the tissue reference methods of Logan and Logan-Ichise, respectively, and the SRTM (Simplified Reference Tissue Method). Voxelwise generation of parametric maps of values of BPND used the multi-linear regression version of SRTM. Age-dependent changes of the binding potential presented with an inverted U-shape with peak binding potentials reached between the ages of 20 and 30. The estimates of BPND declined significantly with age after the peak in both striatal and extrastriatal regions, as determined by all four methods, with the greatest decline observed in posterior (occipital and parietal) cortices (14% per decade) and the lowest decline in caudate nucleus (3% per decade). The sites of the greatest declines are of particular interest because of the clinical implications.
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van Hooijdonk CF, Drukker M, van de Giessen E, Booij J, Selten JP, van Amelsvoort TA. Dopaminergic alterations in populations at increased risk for psychosis: a systematic review of imaging findings. Prog Neurobiol 2022; 213:102265. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2022.102265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2021] [Revised: 03/09/2022] [Accepted: 03/16/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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Ramaekers JG, Theunissen EL, van Ruitenbeek P, Mason NL. Cannabis Use and Neuroadaptation: A Call for Δ 9 -Tetrahydrocannabinol Challenge Studies. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:870750. [PMID: 35492732 PMCID: PMC9046729 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.870750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2022] [Accepted: 02/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Currently, the assessment of the neurobehavioral consequences of repeated cannabis use is restricted to studies in which brain function of chronic cannabis users is compared to that of non-cannabis using controls. The assumption of such studies is that changes in brain function of chronic users are caused by repeated and prolonged exposure to acute cannabis intoxication. However, differences in brain function between chronic cannabis users and non-users might also arise from confounding factors such as polydrug use, alcohol use, withdrawal, economic status, or lifestyle conditions. We propose a methodology that highlights the relevance of acute Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) dosing studies for a direct assessment of neuroadaptations in chronic cannabis users. The approach includes quantification of neurochemical, receptor, and functional brain network changes in response to an acute cannabis challenge, as well as stratification of cannabis using groups ranging from occasional to cannabis-dependent individuals. The methodology allows for an evaluation of THC induced neuroadaptive and neurocognitive changes across cannabis use history, that can inform neurobiological models on reward driven, compulsive cannabis use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johannes G Ramaekers
- Department of Neuropsychology and Psychopharmacology, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Eef L Theunissen
- Department of Neuropsychology and Psychopharmacology, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Peter van Ruitenbeek
- Department of Neuropsychology and Psychopharmacology, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Natasha L Mason
- Department of Neuropsychology and Psychopharmacology, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
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Shokri-Kojori E, Naganawa M, Ramchandani VA, Wong DF, Wang GJ, Volkow ND. Brain opioid segments and striatal patterns of dopamine release induced by naloxone and morphine. Hum Brain Mapp 2021; 43:1419-1430. [PMID: 34873784 PMCID: PMC8837588 DOI: 10.1002/hbm.25733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2021] [Revised: 11/10/2021] [Accepted: 11/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Opioid receptors are expressed throughout the brain and play a major role in regulating striatal dopamine (DA) release. Clinical studies have shown that naloxone (NAL, a nonspecific opioid antagonist) in individuals with opioid use disorder and morphine (MRP, a nonspecific opioid agonist) in healthy controls, resulted in DA release in the dorsal and ventral striatum, respectively. It is not known whether the underlying patterns of striatal DA release are associated with the striatal distribution of opioid receptors. We leveraged previously published PET datasets (collected in independent cohorts) to study the brain‐wide distribution of opioid receptors and to compare striatal opioid receptor availability with striatal DA release patterns. We identified three major gray matter segments based on availability maps of DA and opioid receptors: striatum, and primary and secondary opioid segments with high and intermediate opioid receptor availability, respectively. Patterns of DA release induced by NAL and MRP were inversely associated and correlated with kappa (NAL: r(68) = −0.81, MRP: r(68) = 0.54), and mu (NAL: r(68) = −0.62, MRP: r(68) = 0.46) opioid receptor availability. Kappa opioid receptor availability accounted for a unique part of variance in NAL‐ and MRP‐DA release patterns (ΔR2 >0.14, p <.0001). In sum, distributions of opioid receptors distinguished major cortical and subcortical regions. Patterns of NAL‐ and MRP‐induced DA release had inverse associations with striatal opioid receptor availability. Our approach provides a pattern‐based characterization of drug‐induced DA targets and is relevant for modeling the role of opioid receptors in modulating striatal DA release.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ehsan Shokri-Kojori
- Laboratory of Neuroimaging, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Mika Naganawa
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Vijay A Ramchandani
- Human Psychopharmacology Laboratory, Division of Intramural Clinical and Biological Research, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Dean F Wong
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Gene-Jack Wang
- Laboratory of Neuroimaging, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Nora D Volkow
- Laboratory of Neuroimaging, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
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8
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Korkki SM, Papenberg G, Karalija N, Garrett DD, Riklund K, Lövdén M, Lindenberger U, Nyberg L, Bäckman L. Fronto-striatal dopamine D2 receptor availability is associated with cognitive variability in older individuals with low dopamine integrity. Sci Rep 2021; 11:21089. [PMID: 34702857 PMCID: PMC8548594 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-00106-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2021] [Accepted: 09/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Within-person, moment-to-moment, variability in behavior increases with advancing adult age, potentially reflecting the influence of reduced structural and neurochemical brain integrity, especially that of the dopaminergic system. We examined the role of dopamine D2 receptor (D2DR) availability, grey-, and white-matter integrity, for between-person differences in cognitive variability in a large sample of healthy older adults (n = 181; 64-68 years) from the Cognition, Brain, and Aging (COBRA) study. Intra-individual variability (IIV) in cognition was measured as across-trial variability in participants' response times for tasks assessing perceptual speed and working memory, as well as for a control task of motor speed. Across the whole sample, no associations of D2DR availability, or grey- and white-matter integrity, to IIV were observed. However, within-person variability in cognition was increased in two subgroups of individuals displaying low mean-level cognitive performance, one of which was characterized by low subcortical and cortical D2DR availability. In this latter group, fronto-striatal D2DR availability correlated negatively with within-person variability in cognition. This finding suggests that the influence of D2DR availability on cognitive variability may be more easily disclosed among individuals with low dopamine-system integrity, highlighting the benefits of large-scale studies for delineating heterogeneity in brain-behavior associations in older age.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saana M. Korkki
- grid.10548.380000 0004 1936 9377Aging Research Center, Karolinska Institute and Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Goran Papenberg
- grid.10548.380000 0004 1936 9377Aging Research Center, Karolinska Institute and Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Nina Karalija
- grid.12650.300000 0001 1034 3451Department of Radiation Sciences, Diagnostic Radiology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden ,grid.12650.300000 0001 1034 3451Umeå Center for Functional Brain Imaging, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Douglas D. Garrett
- grid.419526.d0000 0000 9859 7917Center for Lifespan Psychology, Max Planck Institute for Human Development, Berlin, Germany ,grid.4372.20000 0001 2105 1091Max Planck UCL Centre for Computational Psychiatry and Ageing Research, Berlin, Germany
| | - Katrine Riklund
- grid.12650.300000 0001 1034 3451Department of Radiation Sciences, Diagnostic Radiology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden ,grid.12650.300000 0001 1034 3451Umeå Center for Functional Brain Imaging, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Martin Lövdén
- grid.8761.80000 0000 9919 9582Department of Psychology, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Ulman Lindenberger
- grid.419526.d0000 0000 9859 7917Center for Lifespan Psychology, Max Planck Institute for Human Development, Berlin, Germany ,grid.4372.20000 0001 2105 1091Max Planck UCL Centre for Computational Psychiatry and Ageing Research, Berlin, Germany
| | - Lars Nyberg
- grid.12650.300000 0001 1034 3451Department of Radiation Sciences, Diagnostic Radiology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden ,grid.12650.300000 0001 1034 3451Umeå Center for Functional Brain Imaging, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden ,grid.12650.300000 0001 1034 3451Department of Integrative Medical Biology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Lars Bäckman
- grid.10548.380000 0004 1936 9377Aging Research Center, Karolinska Institute and Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
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Danielsson K, Stomberg R, Adermark L, Ericson M, Söderpalm B. Differential dopamine release by psychosis-generating and non-psychosis-generating addictive substances in the nucleus accumbens and dorsomedial striatum. Transl Psychiatry 2021; 11:472. [PMID: 34518523 PMCID: PMC8438030 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-021-01589-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2021] [Revised: 08/16/2021] [Accepted: 08/26/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Schizophrenia is associated with three main categories of symptoms; positive, negative and cognitive. Of these, only the positive symptoms respond well to treatment with antipsychotics. Due to the lack of effect of antipsychotics on negative symptoms, it has been suggested that while the positive symptoms are related to a hyperdopaminergic state in associative striatum, the negative symptoms may be a result of a reduced dopamine (DA) activity in the nucleus accumbens (nAc). Drug abuse is common in schizophrenia, supposedly alleviating negative symptomatology. Some, but not all, drugs aggravate psychosis, tentatively due to differential effects on DA activity in striatal regions. Here this hypothesis was tested in rats by using a double-probe microdialysis technique to simultaneously assess DA release in the nAc and associative striatum (dorsomedial striatum; DMS) following administration of the psychosis-generating substances amphetamine (0.5 mg/kg), cocaine (15 mg/kg) and Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC, 3 mg/kg), and the generally non-psychosis-generating substances ethanol (2.5 g/kg), nicotine (0.36 mg/kg) and morphine (5 mg/kg). The data show that amphetamine and cocaine produce identical DA elevations both in the nAc and DMS, whereas nicotine increases DA in nAc only. Ethanol and morphine both increased DMS DA, but weaker and in a qualitatively different way than in nAc, suggesting that the manner in which DA is increased might be important to the triggering of psychosis. THC elevated DA in neither region, indicating that the pro-psychotic effects of THC are not related to DA release. We conclude that psychosis-generating substances affect striatal DA release differently than non-psychosis-generating substances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Klara Danielsson
- Addiction Biology Unit, Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
| | - Rosita Stomberg
- grid.8761.80000 0000 9919 9582Addiction Biology Unit, Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Louise Adermark
- grid.8761.80000 0000 9919 9582Addiction Biology Unit, Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden ,grid.8761.80000 0000 9919 9582Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Mia Ericson
- grid.8761.80000 0000 9919 9582Addiction Biology Unit, Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Bo Söderpalm
- grid.8761.80000 0000 9919 9582Addiction Biology Unit, Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden ,grid.1649.a000000009445082XBeroendekliniken, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
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10
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Shokri-Kojori E, Wang GJ, Volkow ND. Naloxone precipitated withdrawal increases dopamine release in the dorsal striatum of opioid dependent men. Transl Psychiatry 2021; 11:445. [PMID: 34471102 PMCID: PMC8410787 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-021-01548-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2021] [Revised: 07/22/2021] [Accepted: 08/03/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Dopamine (DA) neurotransmission is critical in the neurobiology of reward and aversion, but its contribution to the aversive state of opioid withdrawal remains unknown in humans. To address this, we used updated voxelwise methods and retrospectively analyzed a [11C]raclopride-PET dataset to measure D2/3 receptor availability and relative cerebral blood flow (R1) in male opioid use disorder (OUD) participants (n = 10) during placebo and acute opioid withdrawal conditions. We found that acute withdrawal precipitated by the opioid antagonist naloxone significantly increased dorsal striatal DA release in OUD participants (pFWE < 0.05). Net changes in striatal DA were significantly correlated with a subjective index of withdrawal aversion such that greater DA increases were associated with more aversive responses (r(8) = 0.82, p < 0.005). Withdrawal also affected brain function, as indexed by increases in relative cerebral blood flow in the insula and putamen (pFWE < 0.05). Our findings are different from preclinical studies that have primarily reported decreases in ventral striatal DA during naloxone precipitated withdrawal, whereas this effect was not significant in OUD participants (p = 0.79). In sum, we provide evidence for the contribution of increases in dorsal striatal DA to the aversive state of naloxone precipitated withdrawal in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ehsan Shokri-Kojori
- Laboratory of Neuroimaging, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
| | - Gene-Jack Wang
- grid.94365.3d0000 0001 2297 5165Laboratory of Neuroimaging, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD USA
| | - Nora D. Volkow
- grid.94365.3d0000 0001 2297 5165Laboratory of Neuroimaging, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD USA
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Kesner AJ, Lovinger DM. Cannabis use, abuse, and withdrawal: Cannabinergic mechanisms, clinical, and preclinical findings. J Neurochem 2021; 157:1674-1696. [PMID: 33891706 PMCID: PMC9291571 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.15369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2020] [Revised: 04/12/2021] [Accepted: 04/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Cannabis sativa is the most widely used illicit drug in the world. Its main psychoactive component is delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), one of over 100 phytocannabinoid compounds produced by the cannabis plant. THC is the primary compound that drives cannabis abuse potential and is also used and prescribed medically for therapeutic qualities. Despite its therapeutic potential, a significant subpopulation of frequent cannabis or THC users will develop a drug use syndrome termed cannabis use disorder. Individuals suffering from cannabis use disorder exhibit many of the hallmarks of classical addictions including cravings, tolerance, and withdrawal symptoms. Currently, there are no efficacious treatments for cannabis use disorder or withdrawal symptoms. This makes both clinical and preclinical research on the neurobiological mechanisms of these syndromes ever more pertinent. Indeed, basic research using animal models has provided valuable evidence of the neural molecular and cellular actions of cannabis that mediate its behavioral effects. One of the main components being central action on the cannabinoid type-one receptor and downstream intracellular signaling related to the endogenous cannabinoid system. Back-translational studies have provided insight linking preclinical basic and behavioral biology research to better understand symptoms observed at the clinical level. This narrative review aims to summarize major research elucidating the molecular, cellular, and behavioral manifestations of cannabis/THC use that play a role in cannabis use disorder and withdrawal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew J. Kesner
- Laboratory for Integrative NeuroscienceNational Institute on Alcohol Abuse and AlcoholismCenter on Compulsive BehaviorsNational Institutes of HealthBethesdaMDUSA
| | - David M. Lovinger
- Laboratory for Integrative NeuroscienceNational Institute on Alcohol Abuse and AlcoholismCenter on Compulsive BehaviorsNational Institutes of HealthBethesdaMDUSA
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12
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Ek J, Jacobs W, Kaylor B, McCall WV. Addiction and Sleep Disorders. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2021; 1297:163-171. [PMID: 33537944 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-61663-2_12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Shared neurophysiology of addiction and sleep disorders results in a bidirectional interplay. Diagnosing and treating primary sleep disorders, particularly in adolescents, can prevent the development of addiction in susceptible individuals. Addressing sleep issues in early recovery, and throughout maintenance, can prevent relapse. Cannabis use for insomnia shows mixed results; assisting with onset sleep latency in early use, this subsides with chronic use and holds addiction risk. Insomnia is a primary complaint of cannabis withdrawal syndrome and a primary cause of relapse in cannabis use disorder. An ideal sleep aid would prevent relapse and have low abuse potential. Pharmaceutical and behavioral options include suvorexant, mirtazapine, trazodone, and aerobic exercise, but clinical trials are lacking to demonstrate efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan Ek
- Division of Addiction Medicine, Augusta University-Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, GA, USA.
| | - William Jacobs
- Division of Addiction Medicine, Augusta University-Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, GA, USA
| | - Brett Kaylor
- Division of Addiction Medicine, Augusta University-Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, GA, USA
| | - W Vaughn McCall
- Division of Addiction Medicine, Augusta University-Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, GA, USA
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13
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Freiburghaus T, Svensson JE, Matheson GJ, Plavén-Sigray P, Lundberg J, Farde L, Cervenka S. Low convergent validity of [ 11C]raclopride binding in extrastriatal brain regions: A PET study of within-subject correlations with [ 11C]FLB 457. Neuroimage 2020; 226:117523. [PMID: 33144221 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2020.117523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2020] [Revised: 10/24/2020] [Accepted: 10/26/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Dopamine D2 receptors (D2-R) in extrastriatal brain regions are of high interest for research in a wide range of psychiatric and neurologic disorders. Pharmacological competition studies and test-retest experiments have shown high validity and reliability of the positron emission tomography (PET) radioligand [11C]FLB 457 for D2-R quantification in extrastriatal brain regions. However, this radioligand is not available at most research centers. Instead, the medium affinity radioligand [11C]raclopride, which has been extensively validated for quantification of D2-R in the high-density region striatum, has been applied also in studies on extrastriatal D2-R. Recently, the validity of this approach has been questioned by observations of low occupancy of [11C]raclopride in extrastriatal regions in a pharmacological competition study with quetiapine. Here, we utilise a data set of 16 healthy control subjects examined with both [11C]raclopride and [11C]FLB 457 to assess the correlation in binding potential (BPND) in extrastriatal brain regions. BPND was quantified using the simplified reference tissue model with cerebellum as reference region. The rank order of mean regional BPND values were similar for both radioligands, and corresponded to previously reported data, both post-mortem and using PET. Nevertheless, weak to moderate within-subject correlations were observed between [11C]raclopride and [11C]FLB 457 BPND extrastriatally (Pearson's R: 0.30-0.56), in contrast to very strong correlations between repeated [11C]FLB 457 measurements (Pearson's R: 0.82-0.98). In comparison, correlations between repeated [11C]raclopride measurements were low to moderate (Pearson's R: 0.28-0.75). These results are likely related to low signal to noise ratio of [11C]raclopride in extrastriatal brain regions, and further strengthen the recommendation that extrastriatal D2-R measures obtained with [11C]raclopride should be interpreted with caution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tove Freiburghaus
- Centre for Psychiatry Research, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet and Stockholm Health Care Services, Region Stockholm, Stockholm SE -171 76, Sweden.
| | - Jonas E Svensson
- Centre for Psychiatry Research, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet and Stockholm Health Care Services, Region Stockholm, Stockholm SE -171 76, Sweden
| | - Granville J Matheson
- Centre for Psychiatry Research, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet and Stockholm Health Care Services, Region Stockholm, Stockholm SE -171 76, Sweden
| | - Pontus Plavén-Sigray
- Centre for Psychiatry Research, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet and Stockholm Health Care Services, Region Stockholm, Stockholm SE -171 76, Sweden; Neurobiology Research Unit, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Johan Lundberg
- Centre for Psychiatry Research, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet and Stockholm Health Care Services, Region Stockholm, Stockholm SE -171 76, Sweden
| | - Lars Farde
- Centre for Psychiatry Research, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet and Stockholm Health Care Services, Region Stockholm, Stockholm SE -171 76, Sweden
| | - Simon Cervenka
- Centre for Psychiatry Research, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet and Stockholm Health Care Services, Region Stockholm, Stockholm SE -171 76, Sweden
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14
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Chetia S, Borah G. Δ 9-Tetrahydrocannabinol Toxicity and Validation of Cannabidiol on Brain Dopamine Levels: An Assessment on Cannabis Duplicity. NATURAL PRODUCTS AND BIOPROSPECTING 2020; 10:285-296. [PMID: 32860199 PMCID: PMC7520491 DOI: 10.1007/s13659-020-00263-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2020] [Accepted: 08/23/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) of cannabis is the main psychoactive component which is a global significant concern to human health. Evaluation on THC reported its drastic effect on the brain dopaminergic (DAergic) system stimulating mesolimbic DA containing neurons thereby increasing the level of striatal DA. Cannabidiol (CBD), with its anxiolytic and anti-psychotic property, is potent to ameliorate the THC-induced DAergic variations. Legal authorization of cannabis use and its analogs in most countries led to a drastic dispute in the elicitation of cannabis products. With a recent increase in cannabis-induced disorder rates, the present review highlighted the detrimental effects of THC and the effects of CBD on THC induced alterations in DA synthesis and release. Alongside the reported data, uses of cannabis as a therapeutic medium in a number of health complications are also being briefly reviewed. These evaluated reports led to an anticipation of additional research contradictory to the findings of THC and CBD activity in the brain DAergic system and their medical implementations as therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Swapnali Chetia
- Department of Zoology, Rajiv Gandhi University, Rono Hills, Doimukh, Arunachal Pradesh, 791112, India.
| | - Gaurab Borah
- Department of Zoology, Rajiv Gandhi University, Rono Hills, Doimukh, Arunachal Pradesh, 791112, India
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15
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Karalija N, Jonassson L, Johansson J, Papenberg G, Salami A, Andersson M, Riklund K, Nyberg L, Boraxbekk CJ. High long-term test-retest reliability for extrastriatal 11C-raclopride binding in healthy older adults. J Cereb Blood Flow Metab 2020; 40:1859-1868. [PMID: 31506011 PMCID: PMC7446562 DOI: 10.1177/0271678x19874770] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
In vivo dopamine D2-receptor availability is frequently assessed with 11C-raclopride and positron emission tomography. Due to low signal-to-noise ratios for 11C-raclopride in areas with low D2 receptor densities, the ligand has been considered unreliable for measurements outside the dopamine-dense striatum. Intriguingly, recent studies show that extrastriatal 11C-raclopride binding potential (BPND) values are (i) reliably higher than in the cerebellum (where D2-receptor levels are negligible), (ii) correlate with behavior in the expected direction, and (iii) showed good test-retest reliability in a sample of younger adults. The present work demonstrates high seven-month test-retest reliability of striatal and extrastriatal 11C-raclopride BPND values in healthy, older adults (n = 27, age: 64-78 years). Mean 11C-raclopride BPND values were stable between test sessions in subcortical nuclei, and in frontal and temporal cortices (p > 0.05). Across all structures analyzed, intraclass correlation coefficients were high (0.85-0.96), absolute variability was low (mean: 4-8%), and coefficients of variance ranged between 9 and 25%. Furthermore, regional 11C-raclopride BPND values correlated with previously determined 18F-fallypride BPND values (ρ = 0.97 and 0.92 in correlations with and without striatal values, respectively, p < 0.01) and postmortem determined D2-receptor densities (including striatum: ρ = 0.92; p < 0.001; excluding striatum: ρ = 0.75; p = 0.067). These observations suggest that extrastriatal 11C-raclopride measurements represent a true D2 signal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nina Karalija
- Department of Radiation Sciences, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden.,Umeå Center for Functional Brain Imaging (UFBI), Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Lars Jonassson
- Umeå Center for Functional Brain Imaging (UFBI), Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden.,Department of Integrative Medical Biology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Jarkko Johansson
- Department of Radiation Sciences, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden.,Umeå Center for Functional Brain Imaging (UFBI), Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Goran Papenberg
- Aging Research Center, Karolinska Institutet and Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Alireza Salami
- Department of Radiation Sciences, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden.,Umeå Center for Functional Brain Imaging (UFBI), Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden.,Department of Integrative Medical Biology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden.,Aging Research Center, Karolinska Institutet and Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden.,Wallenberg Centre for Molecular Medicine, Lund, Sweden
| | - Micael Andersson
- Umeå Center for Functional Brain Imaging (UFBI), Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden.,Department of Integrative Medical Biology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Katrine Riklund
- Department of Radiation Sciences, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden.,Umeå Center for Functional Brain Imaging (UFBI), Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Lars Nyberg
- Department of Radiation Sciences, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden.,Umeå Center for Functional Brain Imaging (UFBI), Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden.,Department of Integrative Medical Biology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Carl-Johan Boraxbekk
- Department of Radiation Sciences, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden.,Umeå Center for Functional Brain Imaging (UFBI), Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden.,Danish Research Center for Magnetic Resonance, Center for Functional and Diagnostic Imaging and Research, Copenhagen University Hospital, Hvidovre, Denmark
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16
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Millea TP. Smoke and Mirrors: The Recreational Marijuana Debate. LINACRE QUARTERLY 2020; 87:254-258. [PMID: 32699434 DOI: 10.1177/0024363920916284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The increasingly widespread legalization of recreational marijuana should raise concerns regarding the societal and medical impact of its use. The relative cultural acceptance for its use should be counterbalanced with an honest and scientific review of the adverse impacts. This article provides a synopsis of recent studies that point to significant concerns from medical and psychiatric viewpoints. Summary With the increasing number of states that have legalized the use of recreational marijuana, concerns regarding its negative effects are necessary. There is growing scientific evidence that the use of marijuana for recreational purposes has a wide variety of negative health effects, both physical and psychiatric.
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17
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Abstract
Given the aging Baby Boomer generation, changes in cannabis legislation, and the growing acknowledgment of cannabis for its therapeutic potential, it is predicted that cannabis use in the older population will escalate. It is, therefore, important to determine the interaction between the effects of cannabis and aging. The aim of this report is to describe the link between cannabis use and the aging brain. Our review of the literature found few and inconsistent empirical studies that directly address the impact of cannabis use on the aging brain. However, research focused on long-term cannabis use points toward cumulative effects on multimodal systems in the brain that are similarly affected during aging. Specifically, the effects of cannabis and aging converge on overlapping networks in the endocannabinoid, opioid, and dopamine systems that may affect functional decline particularly in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex, which are critical areas for memory and executive functioning. To conclude, despite the limited current knowledge on the potential interactive effects between cannabis and aging, evidence from the literature suggests that cannabis and aging effects are concurrently present across several neurotransmitter systems. There is a great need for future research to directly test the interactions between cannabis and aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hye Bin Yoo
- Center for BrainHealth, School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Jennifer DiMuzio
- Center for BrainHealth, School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Francesca M Filbey
- Center for BrainHealth, School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas, Dallas, Texas, USA
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18
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Vapor Cannabis Exposure Promotes Genetic Plasticity in the Rat Hypothalamus. Sci Rep 2019; 9:16866. [PMID: 31728018 PMCID: PMC6856070 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-53516-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2019] [Accepted: 10/29/2019] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
It is well established that cannabis use promotes appetite. However, how cannabis interacts with the brain’s appetite center, the hypothalamus, to stimulate feeding behavior is unknown. A growing body of evidence indicates that the hypothalamic transcriptome programs energy balance. Here, we tested the hypothesis that cannabis targets alternative polyadenylation (APA) sites within hypothalamic transcripts to regulate transcriptomic function. To do this, we used a novel cannabis vapor exposure model to characterize feeding in adult male Long Evans rats and aligned this behavioral response with APA events using a Whole Transcriptome Termini Sequencing (WTTS-Seq) approach as well as functional RNA abundance measurements with real-time quantitative polymerase chain reactions. We found that vapor cannabis exposure promoted food intake in free-feeding and behaviorally sated rats, validating the appetite stimulating properties of cannabis. Our WTTS-Seq analysis mapped 59 unique cannabis-induced hypothalamic APAs that occurred primarily within exons on transcripts that regulate synaptic function, excitatory synaptic transmission, and dopamine signaling. Importantly, APA insertions regulated RNA abundance of Slc6a3, the dopamine transporter, suggesting a novel genetic link for cannabis regulation of brain monoamine function. Collectively, these novel data indicate that a single cannabis exposure rapidly targets a key RNA processing mechanism linked to brain transcriptome function.
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19
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Validity and reliability of extrastriatal [11C]raclopride binding quantification in the living human brain. Neuroimage 2019; 202:116143. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2019.116143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2019] [Revised: 07/26/2019] [Accepted: 08/28/2019] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
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20
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He Y, de Witte LD, Schubart CD, Van Gastel WA, Koeleman BPC, de Jong S, Ophoff RA, Hol EM, Boks MP. Liprin alfa 2 gene expression is increased by cannabis use and associated with neuropsychological function. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol 2019; 29:643-652. [PMID: 30879928 DOI: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2019.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2018] [Revised: 01/13/2019] [Accepted: 03/02/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
The relation of heavy cannabis use with decreased neuropsychological function has frequently been described but the underlying biological mechanisms are still largely unknown. This study investigates the relation of cannabis use with genome wide gene expression and subsequently examines the relations with neuropsychological function. Genome-wide gene expression in whole blood was compared between heavy cannabis users (N = 90) and cannabis naïve participants (N = 100) that were matched for psychotic like experiences. The results were validated using quantitative real-time PCR. Psychotic like experiences were assessed using the Comprehensive Assessment of Psychotic Experiences (CAPE). Neuropsychological function was estimated using four subtasks of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS). Subsequent in vitro studies in monocytes and a neuroblastoma cell line investigated expression changes in response to two major psychotropic components of cannabis; tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). mRNA expression of Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase Receptor Type F Polypeptide-Interacting-Protein Alpha-2 (PPFIA2) was significantly higher in cannabis users (LogFold Change 0.17) and confirmed by qPCR analysis. PPFIA2 expression level was negatively correlated with estimated intelligence (B=-22.9, p = 0.002) also in the 100 non-users (B=-28.5, p = 0.037). In vitro exposure of monocytes to CBD led to significant increase in PPFIA2 expression. However, exposure of monocytes to THC and neuroblastoma cells to THC or CBD did not change PPFIA2 expression. Change in PPFIA2 gene expression in response to cannabinoids is a putative mechanism by which cannabis could influence neuropsychological functions. The findings warrant further exploration of the role of PPFIA2 in cannabis induced changes of neuropsychological function, particularly in relation to CBD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yujie He
- Department of Psychiatry, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, The Netherlands; Department of Translational Neuroscience, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, The Netherlands
| | - Lot D de Witte
- Department of Psychiatry, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, The Netherlands; Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, USA
| | - Chris D Schubart
- Ter Gooi Hospital, Department of Psychiatry, Blaricum, The Netherlands
| | | | - Bobby P C Koeleman
- Department of Medical Genetics, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht University, The Netherlands
| | - Simone de Jong
- MRC Social, Genetic & Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, UK
| | - Roel A Ophoff
- UCLA Center for Neurobehavioral Genetics, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Elly M Hol
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, The Netherlands; Neuroimmunology, Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, An institute of the royal academy of arts and sciences, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Marco P Boks
- Department of Psychiatry, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, The Netherlands.
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21
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Zehra A, Burns J, Liu CK, Manza P, Wiers CE, Volkow ND, Wang GJ. Cannabis Addiction and the Brain: a Review. FOCUS: JOURNAL OF LIFE LONG LEARNING IN PSYCHIATRY 2019; 17:169-182. [PMID: 32021587 DOI: 10.1176/appi.focus.17204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
(©Zehra A, Liuck, Manza P, Wiers CE, Volkow ND Wergh J, 2018. Reprinted with permission from Journal of Neuroimmune Pharmacology (2018) 13:438-452).
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22
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Cohen K, Weizman A, Weinstein A. Modulatory effects of cannabinoids on brain neurotransmission. Eur J Neurosci 2019; 50:2322-2345. [DOI: 10.1111/ejn.14407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2018] [Revised: 03/06/2019] [Accepted: 03/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Koby Cohen
- Department of Behavioral Science Ariel University Science Park 40700 Ariel Israel
| | | | - Aviv Weinstein
- Department of Behavioral Science Ariel University Science Park 40700 Ariel Israel
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23
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Dopaminergic Mechanisms Underlying Normal Variation in Trait Anxiety. J Neurosci 2019; 39:2735-2744. [PMID: 30737306 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.2382-18.2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2018] [Revised: 01/03/2019] [Accepted: 01/29/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Trait anxiety has been associated with altered activity within corticolimbic pathways connecting the amygdala and rostral anterior cingulate cortex (rACC), which receive rich dopaminergic input. Though the popular culture uses the term "chemical imbalance" to describe the pathophysiology of psychiatric conditions such as anxiety disorders, we know little about how individual differences in human dopamine neurochemistry are related to variation in anxiety and activity within corticolimbic circuits. We addressed this issue by examining interindividual variability in dopamine release at rest using [11C]raclopride positron emission tomography (PET), functional connectivity between amygdala and rACC using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), and trait anxiety measures in healthy adult male and female humans. To measure endogenous dopamine release, we collected two [11C]raclopride PET scans per participant. We contrasted baseline [11C]raclopride D2/3 receptor binding and D2/3 receptor binding following oral methylphenidate administration. Methylphenidate blocks the dopamine transporter, which increases extracellular dopamine and leads to reduced [11C]raclopride D2/3 receptor binding via competitive displacement. We found that individuals with higher dopamine release in the amygdala and rACC self-reported lower trait anxiety. Lower trait anxiety was also associated with reduced rACC-amygdala functional connectivity at baseline. Further, functional connectivity showed a modest negative relationship with dopamine release such that reduced rACC-amygdala functional connectivity was accompanied by higher levels of dopamine release in these regions. Together, these findings contribute to hypodopaminergic models of anxiety and support the utility of combining fMRI and PET measures of neurochemical function to advance our understanding of basic affective processes in humans.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT It is common wisdom that individuals vary in their baseline levels of anxiety. We all have a friend or colleague we know to be more "tightly wound" than others, or, perhaps, we are the ones marveling at others' ability to "just go with the flow." Although such observations about individual differences within nonclinical populations are commonplace, the neural mechanisms underlying normal variation in trait anxiety have not been established. Using multimodal brain imaging in humans, this study takes initial steps in linking intrinsic measures of neuromodulator release and functional connectivity within regions implicated in anxiety disorders. Our findings suggest that in healthy adults, higher levels of trait anxiety may arise, at least in part, from reduced dopamine neurotransmission.
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24
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Zehra A, Burns J, Liu CK, Manza P, Wiers CE, Volkow ND, Wang GJ. Cannabis Addiction and the Brain: a Review. J Neuroimmune Pharmacol 2018; 13:438-452. [PMID: 29556883 PMCID: PMC6223748 DOI: 10.1007/s11481-018-9782-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 130] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2018] [Accepted: 03/07/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Cannabis is the most commonly used substance of abuse in the United States after alcohol and tobacco. With a recent increase in the rates of cannabis use disorder (CUD) and a decrease in the perceived risk of cannabis use, it is imperative to assess the addictive potential of cannabis. Here we evaluate cannabis use through the neurobiological model of addiction proposed by Koob and Volkow. The model proposes that repeated substance abuse drives neurobiological changes in the brain that can be separated into three distinct stages, each of which perpetuates the cycle of addiction. Here we review previous research on the acute and long-term effects of cannabis use on the brain and behavior, and find that the three-stage framework of addiction applies to CUD in a manner similar to other drugs of abuse, albeit with some slight differences. These findings highlight the urgent need to conduct research that elucidates specific neurobiological changes associated with CUD in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amna Zehra
- Laboratory of Neuroimaging, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, 10 Center Drive 31, Room B2L124, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Jamie Burns
- Laboratory of Neuroimaging, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, 10 Center Drive 31, Room B2L124, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Christopher Kure Liu
- Laboratory of Neuroimaging, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, 10 Center Drive 31, Room B2L124, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Peter Manza
- Laboratory of Neuroimaging, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, 10 Center Drive 31, Room B2L124, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Corinde E Wiers
- Laboratory of Neuroimaging, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, 10 Center Drive 31, Room B2L124, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Nora D Volkow
- Laboratory of Neuroimaging, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, 10 Center Drive 31, Room B2L124, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
- National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Gene-Jack Wang
- Laboratory of Neuroimaging, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, 10 Center Drive 31, Room B2L124, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA.
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25
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Sami MB, Bhattacharyya S. Are cannabis-using and non-using patients different groups? Towards understanding the neurobiology of cannabis use in psychotic disorders. J Psychopharmacol 2018; 32:825-849. [PMID: 29591635 PMCID: PMC6058406 DOI: 10.1177/0269881118760662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
A substantial body of credible evidence has accumulated that suggest that cannabis use is an important potentially preventable risk factor for the development of psychotic illness and its worse prognosis following the onset of psychosis. Here we summarize the relevant evidence to argue that the time has come to investigate the neurobiological effects of cannabis in patients with psychotic disorders. In the first section we summarize evidence from longitudinal studies that controlled for a range of potential confounders of the association of cannabis use with increased risk of developing psychotic disorders, increased risk of hospitalization, frequent and longer hospital stays, and failure of treatment with medications for psychosis in those with established illness. Although some evidence has emerged that cannabis-using and non-using patients with psychotic disorders may have distinct patterns of neurocognitive and neurodevelopmental impairments, the biological underpinnings of the effects of cannabis remain to be fully elucidated. In the second and third sections we undertake a systematic review of 70 studies, including over 3000 patients with psychotic disorders or at increased risk of psychotic disorder, in order to delineate potential neurobiological and neurochemical mechanisms that may underlie the effects of cannabis in psychotic disorders and suggest avenues for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Musa Basseer Sami
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King’s College London, UK
- Lambeth Early Onset Inpatient Unit, Lambeth Hospital, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, UK
| | - Sagnik Bhattacharyya
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King’s College London, UK
- Lambeth Early Onset Inpatient Unit, Lambeth Hospital, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, UK
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26
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Lodhi RJ, Wang Y, Rossolatos D, MacIntyre G, Bowker A, Crocker C, Ren H, Dimitrijevic A, Bugbee DA, Loverock A, Majeau B, Sivapalan S, Newton VM, Tibbo P, Purdon SE, Aitchison KJ. Investigation of the COMT Val158Met variant association with age of onset of psychosis, adjusting for cannabis use. Brain Behav 2017; 7:e00850. [PMID: 29201551 PMCID: PMC5698868 DOI: 10.1002/brb3.850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2017] [Accepted: 09/12/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE COMT rs4680 (Val158Met) genotype moderates the effect of cannabis on the age of onset of psychosis (AoP). We investigated the association between rs4680 and AoP, after adjusting for relevant covariates, in a Canadian Caucasian sample. METHODS One hundred and sixty-nine subjects with psychosis were recruited. AoP, defined as age of DSM-IV diagnosis was established using the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV. Cannabis use data were collected using a self-report computerized questionnaire. DNA was extracted from saliva and genotyping of the COMT Val158Met polymorphism was done by SNaPshot and TaqMan assays. Kaplan-Meier analysis results are reported. RESULTS In those who had used cannabis before 20 years of age, rs4680 had a trend level effect on AoP (median AoP: Val/Val < Val/Met < Met/Met 19.37, 20.95, 21.24 years, respectively; log-rank test p = .051). CONCLUSION Our data are indicative of the need to further investigate the association between the COMT rs4680 variant and AoP in the context of adolescent cannabis use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rohit J Lodhi
- Department of Psychiatry University of Alberta Edmonton AB Canada
| | - Yabing Wang
- Department of Psychiatry University of Alberta Edmonton AB Canada
| | - David Rossolatos
- Department of Psychiatry University of Alberta Edmonton AB Canada
| | | | | | - Candice Crocker
- Department of Psychiatry Dalhousie University Halifax NS Canada
| | - Hongyan Ren
- Department of Psychiatry University of Alberta Edmonton AB Canada
| | | | - Darren A Bugbee
- Department of Medicine University of Alberta Edmonton AB Canada
| | | | - Brett Majeau
- Neuropsychology Alberta Hospital Edmonton AB Canada
| | | | | | - Philip Tibbo
- Department of Psychiatry Dalhousie University Halifax NS Canada.,Nova Scotia Early Psychosis Program Halifax NS Canada
| | - Scot E Purdon
- Department of Psychiatry University of Alberta Edmonton AB Canada.,Neuropsychology Alberta Hospital Edmonton AB Canada.,Edmonton Early Intervention in Psychosis Clinic Edmonton AB Canada
| | - Katherine J Aitchison
- Department of Psychiatry University of Alberta Edmonton AB Canada.,Edmonton Early Intervention in Psychosis Clinic Edmonton AB Canada.,Department of Medical Genetics University of Alberta Edmonton AB Canada
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Cooper RE, Williams E, Seegobin S, Tye C, Kuntsi J, Asherson P. Cannabinoids in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: A randomised-controlled trial. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol 2017; 27:795-808. [PMID: 28576350 DOI: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2017.05.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2016] [Revised: 04/05/2017] [Accepted: 05/11/2017] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Adults with ADHD describe self-medicating with cannabis, with some reporting a preference for cannabis over ADHD medications. A small number of psychiatrists in the US prescribe cannabis medication for ADHD, despite there being no evidence from randomised controlled studies. The EMA-C trial (Experimental Medicine in ADHD-Cannabinoids) was a pilot randomised placebo-controlled experimental study of a cannabinoid medication, Sativex Oromucosal Spray, in 30 adults with ADHD. The primary outcome was cognitive performance and activity level using the QbTest. Secondary outcomes included ADHD and emotional lability (EL) symptoms. From 17.07.14 to 18.06.15, 30 participants were randomly assigned to the active (n=15) or placebo (n=15) group. For the primary outcome, no significant difference was found in the ITT analysis although the overall pattern of scores was such that the active group usually had scores that were better than the placebo group (Est=-0.17, 95%CI-0.40 to 0.07, p=0.16, n=15/11 active/placebo). For secondary outcomes Sativex was associated with a nominally significant improvement in hyperactivity/impulsivity (p=0.03) and a cognitive measure of inhibition (p=0.05), and a trend towards improvement for inattention (p=0.10) and EL (p=0.11). Per-protocol effects were higher. Results did not meet significance following adjustment for multiple testing. One serious (muscular seizures/spasms) and three mild adverse events occurred in the active group and one serious (cardiovascular problems) adverse event in the placebo group. Adults with ADHD may represent a subgroup of individuals who experience a reduction of symptoms and no cognitive impairments following cannabinoid use. While not definitive, this study provides preliminary evidence supporting the self-medication theory of cannabis use in ADHD and the need for further studies of the endocannabinoid system in ADHD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruth E Cooper
- King׳s College London, MRC Social Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry Psychology and Neuroscience, UK; Newham Centre for Mental Health, Unit for Social and Community Psychiatry, Queen Mary University of London, UK.
| | - Emma Williams
- King׳s College London, MRC Social Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry Psychology and Neuroscience, UK
| | - Seth Seegobin
- King׳s College London, MRC Social Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry Psychology and Neuroscience, UK; Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Guy׳s Hospital, Great Maze Pond, 8th Floor Tower Wing, London SE1 9RT, UK
| | - Charlotte Tye
- King׳s College London, MRC Social Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry Psychology and Neuroscience, UK
| | - Jonna Kuntsi
- King׳s College London, MRC Social Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry Psychology and Neuroscience, UK
| | - Philip Asherson
- King׳s College London, MRC Social Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry Psychology and Neuroscience, UK.
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28
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Murray RM, Englund A, Abi-Dargham A, Lewis DA, Di Forti M, Davies C, Sherif M, McGuire P, D'Souza DC. Cannabis-associated psychosis: Neural substrate and clinical impact. Neuropharmacology 2017. [PMID: 28634109 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2017.06.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 105] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Prospective epidemiological studies have consistently demonstrated that cannabis use is associated with an increased subsequent risk of both psychotic symptoms and schizophrenia-like psychoses. Early onset of use, daily use of high-potency cannabis, and synthetic cannabinoids carry the greatest risk. The risk-increasing effects are not explained by shared genetic predisposition between schizophrenia and cannabis use. Experimental studies in healthy humans show that cannabis and its active ingredient, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), can produce transient, dose-dependent, psychotic symptoms, as well as an array of psychosis-relevant behavioral, cognitive and psychophysiological effects; the psychotogenic effects can be ameliorated by cannabidiol (CBD). Findings from structural imaging studies in cannabis users have been inconsistent but functional MRI studies have linked the psychotomimetic and cognitive effects of THC to activation in brain regions implicated in psychosis. Human PET studies have shown that acute administration of THC weakly releases dopamine in the striatum but that chronic users are characterised by low striatal dopamine. We are beginning to understand how cannabis use impacts on the endocannabinoid system but there is much still to learn about the biological mechanisms underlying how cannabis increases risk of psychosis. This article is part of the Special Issue entitled "A New Dawn in Cannabinoid Neurobiology".
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Affiliation(s)
- R M Murray
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience, King's College, London, UK.
| | - A Englund
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience, King's College, London, UK
| | - A Abi-Dargham
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Stony Brook University, New York, USA
| | - D A Lewis
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburg, PA, USA
| | - M Di Forti
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience, King's College, London, UK
| | - C Davies
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience, King's College, London, UK
| | - M Sherif
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, CT, USA
| | - P McGuire
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience, King's College, London, UK
| | - D C D'Souza
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, CT, USA
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29
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Bloomfield MAP, Ashok AH, Volkow ND, Howes OD. The effects of Δ 9-tetrahydrocannabinol on the dopamine system. Nature 2016; 539:369-377. [PMID: 27853201 PMCID: PMC5123717 DOI: 10.1038/nature20153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 217] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2016] [Accepted: 10/10/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The effects of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main psychoactive ingredient in cannabis, are a pressing concern for global mental health. Patterns of cannabis use are changing drastically owing to legalization, the availability of synthetic analogues (commonly termed spice), cannavaping and an emphasis on the purported therapeutic effects of cannabis. Many of the reinforcing effects of THC are mediated by the dopamine system. Owing to the complexity of the cannabinoid-dopamine interactions that take place, there is conflicting evidence from human and animal studies concerning the effects of THC on the dopamine system. Acute THC administration causes increased dopamine release and neuron activity, whereas long-term use is associated with blunting of the dopamine system. Future research must examine the long-term and developmental dopaminergic effects of THC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael A P Bloomfield
- Psychiatric Imaging Group, Robert Steiner MR Unit, MRC Clinical Sciences Centre, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital, London W12 0NN, UK
- Psychiatric Imaging Group, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, UK
- Division of Psychiatry, University College London, 6th Floor, Maple House, 149 Tottenham Court Road, London WC1T 7NF, UK
- Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology &Neuroscience, Kings College London, De Crespigny Park, London SE5 8AF, UK
- Clinical Psychopharmacology Unit, Research Department of Clinical, Educational and Health Psychology, University College London, 1-19 Torrington Place, London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Abhishekh H Ashok
- Psychiatric Imaging Group, Robert Steiner MR Unit, MRC Clinical Sciences Centre, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital, London W12 0NN, UK
- Psychiatric Imaging Group, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, UK
- Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology &Neuroscience, Kings College London, De Crespigny Park, London SE5 8AF, UK
| | - Nora D Volkow
- National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, 6001 Executive Boulevard, Bethesda, Maryland 20892-9561, USA
| | - Oliver D Howes
- Psychiatric Imaging Group, Robert Steiner MR Unit, MRC Clinical Sciences Centre, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital, London W12 0NN, UK
- Psychiatric Imaging Group, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, UK
- Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology &Neuroscience, Kings College London, De Crespigny Park, London SE5 8AF, UK
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30
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Abstract
Several empirical studies suggest that recreational marijuana is popularly perceived as an essentially harmless rite of passage that ends as young people settle into their careers and their adult intimate relationships. Is this perception accurate? To answer this question, we evaluate the morality of recreational marijuana use from a virtue perspective guided by the theological synthesis of St. Thomas Aquinas. Since the medical data reveals that recreational marijuana use is detrimental to the well-being of the user, we conclude that it is a vicious activity, an instance of the vice of intoxication, and as such would be morally illicit. LAY SUMMARY In contrast to its medical use, the recreational use of marijuana cannot be justified for at least three reasons. First, as scientists have amply documented, it harms the organic functioning of the human body. Second, it impedes our ability to reason and in so doing does harm to us. Finally, it has lasting detrimental effects on the user and his neighbor, even when it occurs in a casual setting. Intoxication is always contrary to the integral good of the person. Thus, the use of marijuana is never warranted even for good, non-medical reasons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ezra Sullivan
- Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas, Rome, Italy
| | - Nicanor Austriaco
- Departments of Biology and of Theology, Providence College, Providence, RI, USA
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31
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Sami MB, Rabiner EA, Bhattacharyya S. Does cannabis affect dopaminergic signaling in the human brain? A systematic review of evidence to date. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol 2015; 25:1201-24. [PMID: 26068702 DOI: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2015.03.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2014] [Revised: 02/23/2015] [Accepted: 03/22/2015] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
A significant body of epidemiological evidence has linked psychotic symptoms with both acute and chronic use of cannabis. Precisely how these effects of THC are mediated at the neurochemical level is unclear. While abnormalities in multiple pathways may lead to schizophrenia, an abnormality in dopamine neurotransmission is considered to be the final common abnormality. One would thus expect cannabis use to be associated with dopamine signaling alterations. This is the first systematic review of all studies, both observational as well as experimental, examining the acute as well as chronic effect of cannabis or its main psychoactive ingredient, THC, on the dopamine system in man. We aimed to review all studies conducted in man, with any reported neurochemical outcomes related to the dopamine system after cannabis, cannabinoid or endocannabinoid administration or use. We identified 25 studies reporting outcomes on over 568 participants, of which 244 participants belonged to the cannabis/cannabinoid exposure group. In man, there is as yet little direct evidence to suggest that cannabis use affects acute striatal dopamine release or affects chronic dopamine receptor status in healthy human volunteers. However some work has suggested that acute cannabis exposure increases dopamine release in striatal and pre-frontal areas in those genetically predisposed for, or at clinical high risk of psychosis. Furthermore, recent studies are suggesting that chronic cannabis use blunts dopamine synthesis and dopamine release capacity. Further well-designed studies are required to definitively delineate the effects of cannabis use on the dopaminergic system in man.
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Affiliation(s)
- Musa Basser Sami
- Kent and Medway Partnership, NHS Trust, UK; Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King׳s College London, De Crespigny Park, London SE5 8AF, UK
| | - Eugenii A Rabiner
- Centre for Neuroimaging Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King׳s College London, UK; Imanova, Centre for Imaging Sciences, London, UK
| | - Sagnik Bhattacharyya
- Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King׳s College London, De Crespigny Park, London SE5 8AF, UK.
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32
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Alakurtti K, Johansson JJ, Joutsa J, Laine M, Bäckman L, Nyberg L, Rinne JO. Long-term test-retest reliability of striatal and extrastriatal dopamine D2/3 receptor binding: study with [(11)C]raclopride and high-resolution PET. J Cereb Blood Flow Metab 2015; 35:1199-205. [PMID: 25853904 PMCID: PMC4640276 DOI: 10.1038/jcbfm.2015.53] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2014] [Revised: 02/27/2015] [Accepted: 03/02/2015] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
We measured the long-term test-retest reliability of [(11)C]raclopride binding in striatal subregions, the thalamus and the cortex using the bolus-plus-infusion method and a high-resolution positron emission scanner. Seven healthy male volunteers underwent two positron emission tomography (PET) [(11)C]raclopride assessments, with a 5-week retest interval. D2/3 receptor availability was quantified as binding potential using the simplified reference tissue model. Absolute variability (VAR) and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) values indicated very good reproducibility for the striatum and were 4.5%/0.82, 3.9%/0.83, and 3.9%/0.82, for the caudate nucleus, putamen, and ventral striatum, respectively. Thalamic reliability was also very good, with VAR of 3.7% and ICC of 0.92. Test-retest data for cortical areas showed good to moderate reproducibility (6.1% to 13.1%). Our results are in line with previous test-retest studies of [(11)C]raclopride binding in the striatum. A novel finding is the relatively low variability of [(11)C]raclopride binding, providing suggestive evidence that extrastriatal D2/3 binding can be studied in vivo with [(11)C]raclopride PET to be verified in future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kati Alakurtti
- Turku PET Centre, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland
| | - Jarkko J Johansson
- Turku PET Centre, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland
| | - Juho Joutsa
- Turku PET Centre, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland
| | - Matti Laine
- Department of Psychology and Logopedics, Abo Akademi University, Turku, Finland
| | - Lars Bäckman
- Aging Research Center, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Lars Nyberg
- Department of Radiation Sciences, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Juha O Rinne
- 1] Turku PET Centre, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland [2] Department of Neurology, Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland
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33
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No evidence for attenuated stress-induced extrastriatal dopamine signaling in psychotic disorder. Transl Psychiatry 2015; 5:e547. [PMID: 25871972 PMCID: PMC4462602 DOI: 10.1038/tp.2015.37] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2014] [Revised: 01/30/2015] [Accepted: 02/09/2015] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Stress is an important risk factor in the etiology of psychotic disorder. Preclinical work has shown that stress primarily increases dopamine (DA) transmission in the frontal cortex. Given that DA-mediated hypofrontality is hypothesized to be a cardinal feature of psychotic disorder, stress-related extrastriatal DA release may be altered in psychotic disorder. Here we quantified for the first time stress-induced extrastriatal DA release and the spatial extent of extrastriatal DA release in individuals with non-affective psychotic disorder (NAPD). Twelve healthy volunteers (HV) and 12 matched drug-free NAPD patients underwent a single infusion [(18)F]fallypride positron emission tomography scan during which they completed the control and stress condition of the Montreal Imaging Stress Task. HV and NAPD did not differ in stress-induced [(18)F]fallypride displacement and the spatial extent of stress-induced [(18)F]fallypride displacement in medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and temporal cortex (TC). In the whole sample, the spatial extent of stress-induced radioligand displacement in right ventro-mPFC, but not dorso-mPFC or TC, was positively associated with task-induced subjective stress. Psychotic symptoms during the scan or negative, positive and general subscales of the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale were not associated with stress-induced [(18)F]fallypride displacement nor the spatial extent of stress-induced [(18)F]fallypride displacement in NAPD. Our results do not offer evidence for altered stress-induced extrastriatal DA signaling in NAPD, nor altered functional relevance. The implications of these findings for the role of the DA system in NAPD and stress processing are discussed.
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34
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Watson BJ, Taylor LG, Reid AG, Wilson SJ, Stokes PR, Brooks DJ, Myers JF, Turkheimer FE, Nutt DJ, Lingford‐Hughes AR. Investigating expectation and reward in human opioid addiction with [(11) C]raclopride PET. Addict Biol 2014; 19:1032-40. [PMID: 23829344 PMCID: PMC4282066 DOI: 10.1111/adb.12073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The rewarding properties of some abused drugs are thought to reside in their ability to increase striatal dopamine levels. Similar increases have been shown in response to expectation of a positive drug effect. The actions of opioid drugs on striatal dopamine release are less well characterized. We examined whether heroin and the expectation of heroin reward increases striatal dopamine levels in human opioid addiction. Ten opioid-dependent participants maintained on either methadone or buprenorphine underwent [11C]raclopride positron emission tomography imaging. Opioid-dependent participants were scanned three times, receiving reward from 50-mg intravenous heroin (diamorphine; pharmaceutical heroin) during the first scan to generate expectation of the same reward at the second scan, during which they only received 0.1-mg intravenous heroin. There was no heroin injection during the third scan. Intravenous 50-mg heroin during the first scan induced pronounced effects leading to high levels of expectation at the second scan. There was no detectable increase in striatal dopamine levels to either heroin reward or expectation of reward. We believe this is the first human study to examine whether expectation of heroin reward increases striatal dopamine levels in opioid addiction. The absence of detectable increased dopamine levels to both the expectation and delivery of a heroin-related reward may have been due to the impact of substitute medication. It does however contrast with the changes seen in abstinent stimulant users, suggesting that striatal dopamine release alone may not play such a pivotal role in opioid-maintained individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ben J. Watson
- Psychopharmacology Unit University of Bristol Bristol UK
| | | | | | - Sue J. Wilson
- Imperial College London Centre for Neuropsychopharmacology London UK
| | - Paul R. Stokes
- Imperial College London Centre for Neuropsychopharmacology London UK
| | - David J. Brooks
- Department of Medicine, Division of Brain Sciences Imperial College London London UK
| | - James F. Myers
- Psychopharmacology Unit University of Bristol Bristol UK
| | | | - David J. Nutt
- Imperial College London Centre for Neuropsychopharmacology London UK
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35
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Bhattacharyya S, Iyegbe C, Atakan Z, Martin-Santos R, Crippa JA, Xu X, Williams S, Brammer M, Rubia K, Prata D, Collier DA, McGuire PK. Protein kinase B (AKT1) genotype mediates sensitivity to cannabis-induced impairments in psychomotor control. Psychol Med 2014; 44:3315-3328. [PMID: 25065544 DOI: 10.1017/s0033291714000920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND What determines inter-individual variability to impairments in behavioural control that may underlie road-traffic accidents, and impulsive and violent behaviours occurring under the influence of cannabis, the most widely used illicit drug worldwide? METHOD Employing a double-blind, repeated-measures design, we investigated the genetic and neural basis of variable sensitivity to cannabis-induced behavioural dyscontrol in healthy occasional cannabis users. Acute oral challenge with placebo or Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main psychoactive ingredient in cannabis, was combined with functional magnetic resonance imaging, while participants performed a response inhibition task that involved inhibiting a pre-potent motor response. They were genotyped for rs1130233 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the protein kinase B (AKT1) gene. RESULTS Errors of inhibition were significantly (p = 0.008) increased following administration of THC in carriers of the A allele, but not in G allele homozygotes of the AKT1 rs1130233 SNP. The A allele carriers also displayed attenuation of left inferior frontal response with THC evident in the sample as a whole, while there was a modest enhancement of inferior frontal activation in the G homozygotes. There was a direct relationship (r = -0.327, p = 0.045) between the behavioural effect of THC and its physiological effect in the inferior frontal gyrus, where AKT1 genotype modulated the effect of THC. CONCLUSIONS These results require independent replication and show that differing vulnerability to acute psychomotor impairments induced by cannabis depends on variation in a gene that influences dopamine function, and is mediated through modulation of the effect of cannabis on the inferior frontal cortex, that is rich in dopaminergic innervation and critical for psychomotor control.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Bhattacharyya
- Department of Psychosis Studies,King's College London,Institute of Psychiatry, De Crespigny Park, London,UK
| | - C Iyegbe
- Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre,King's College London,Institute of Psychiatry, De Crespigny Park, London,UK
| | - Z Atakan
- Department of Psychosis Studies,King's College London,Institute of Psychiatry, De Crespigny Park, London,UK
| | - R Martin-Santos
- Pharmacology Research Unit, IMIM-Hospital del Mar and Psychiatric Department,ICN,Hospital Clinico, Barcelona,Spain
| | - J A Crippa
- Department of Neurology, Psychiatry and Medical Psychology, Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto,University of São Paulo,Brazil
| | - X Xu
- Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre,King's College London,Institute of Psychiatry, De Crespigny Park, London,UK
| | - S Williams
- Department of Neuroimaging, Centre for Neuroimaging Sciences,King's College London,Institute of Psychiatry, De Crespigny Park, London,UK
| | - M Brammer
- Department of Neuroimaging, Centre for Neuroimaging Sciences,King's College London,Institute of Psychiatry, De Crespigny Park, London,UK
| | - K Rubia
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry,King's College London,Institute of Psychiatry, De Crespigny Park, London,UK
| | - D Prata
- Department of Psychosis Studies,King's College London,Institute of Psychiatry, De Crespigny Park, London,UK
| | - D A Collier
- Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre,King's College London,Institute of Psychiatry, De Crespigny Park, London,UK
| | - P K McGuire
- Department of Psychosis Studies,King's College London,Institute of Psychiatry, De Crespigny Park, London,UK
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36
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Searching for a Neurobiological Basis for Self-Medication Theory in ADHD Comorbid With Substance Use Disorders. Clin Nucl Med 2014; 39:e129-34. [DOI: 10.1097/rlu.0b013e31829f9119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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37
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van Winkel R, Kuepper R. Epidemiological, neurobiological, and genetic clues to the mechanisms linking cannabis use to risk for nonaffective psychosis. Annu Rev Clin Psychol 2014; 10:767-91. [PMID: 24471373 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-clinpsy-032813-153631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Epidemiological studies have shown that the association between cannabis and psychosis is robust and consistent across different samples, with compelling evidence for a dose-response relationship. Because longitudinal work indicates that cannabis use precedes psychotic symptoms, it seems reasonable to assume a causal relationship. However, more work is needed to address the possibility of gene-environment correlation (for example, genetic risk for psychosis causing onset of cannabis use). Moreover, knowledge about underlying biological mechanisms linking cannabis use and psychosis is still relatively limited. In order to understand how cannabis use may lead to an increased risk for psychosis, in the present article we (a) review the epidemiological, neurobiological, and genetic evidence linking cannabinoids and psychosis, (b) assess the quality of the evidence, and finally (c) try to integrate the most robust findings into a neurodevelopmental model of cannabis-induced psychosis and identify the gaps in knowledge that are in need of further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruud van Winkel
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, School of Mental Health and Neuroscience, European Graduate School of Neuroscience (EURON), South Limburg Mental Health Research and Teaching Network (SEARCH), Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands;
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38
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Striepens N, Matusch A, Kendrick KM, Mihov Y, Elmenhorst D, Becker B, Lang M, Coenen HH, Maier W, Hurlemann R, Bauer A. Oxytocin enhances attractiveness of unfamiliar female faces independent of the dopamine reward system. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2014; 39:74-87. [PMID: 24275006 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2013.09.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2013] [Revised: 09/25/2013] [Accepted: 09/25/2013] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Evidence from animal studies suggests that the social attraction and bonding effects of the neuropeptide oxytocin (OXT) are mediated by its modulation of dopamine (DA) release in brain reward centers, but this has not yet been demonstrated in humans. DA release can be measured by positron emission tomography (PET) using the radioligand [11C]raclopride. Its binding to DA D2 receptors (D2R) is sensitive and reciprocally related to endogenous DA, especially in the striatum. In a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled within-subjects trial on 18 adult male volunteers we combined [11C]raclopride PET and a facial attractiveness rating task to establish whether intranasal OXT (24 IU) increased both the perceived attractiveness of unfamiliar female faces and striatal DA release compared with placebo administration. While our behavioral data confirmed that subjects rated unfamiliar female faces as more attractive following OXT treatment, and this correlated with an increased perfusion rate in the striatum, there was no evidence for altered [11C]raclopride binding in the striatum or pallidum. Instead under OXT we rather observed an increased [11C]raclopride binding and reduced perfusion rate in subregions of the right dorsomedial prefrontal gyrus and superior parietal gyrus. The absence of OXT effects on dopamine release and D2 receptors in brain reward centers, despite increased striatal activity, implies that the peptide may facilitate perceived attraction via non-dopaminergic actions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadine Striepens
- Departments of Psychiatry and Medical Psychology, University of Bonn, 53105 Bonn, Germany
| | - Andreas Matusch
- Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine, INM-2, Forschungszentrum Jülich, 52425 Jülich, Germany
| | - Keith M Kendrick
- Key Laboratory for Neuroinformation, School of Life Science and Technology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China (UESTC), 610054 Chengdu, PR China
| | - Yoan Mihov
- Departments of Psychiatry and Medical Psychology, University of Bonn, 53105 Bonn, Germany
| | - David Elmenhorst
- Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine, INM-2, Forschungszentrum Jülich, 52425 Jülich, Germany
| | - Benjamin Becker
- Departments of Psychiatry and Medical Psychology, University of Bonn, 53105 Bonn, Germany
| | - Markus Lang
- Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine, INM-5, Forschungszentrum Jülich, 52425 Jülich, Germany
| | - Heinz H Coenen
- Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine, INM-5, Forschungszentrum Jülich, 52425 Jülich, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Maier
- Departments of Psychiatry and Medical Psychology, University of Bonn, 53105 Bonn, Germany; German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), 53175 Bonn, Germany
| | - René Hurlemann
- Departments of Psychiatry and Medical Psychology, University of Bonn, 53105 Bonn, Germany.
| | - Andreas Bauer
- Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine, INM-2, Forschungszentrum Jülich, 52425 Jülich, Germany; Department of Neurology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
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Murray RM, Paparelli A, Morrison PD, Marconi A, Di Forti M. What can we learn about schizophrenia from studying the human model, drug-induced psychosis? Am J Med Genet B Neuropsychiatr Genet 2013; 162B:661-70. [PMID: 24132898 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.b.32177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2013] [Accepted: 05/15/2013] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
When drug-induced psychoses were first identified in the mid-20th century, schizophrenia was considered a discrete disease with a likely genetic cause. Consequently, drug-induced psychoses were not considered central to understanding schizophrenia as they were thought to be phenocopies rather than examples of the illness secondary to a particular known cause. However, now that we know that schizophrenia is a clinical syndrome with multiple component causes, then it is clear that the drug-induced psychoses have much to teach us. This article shows how the major neuropharmacological theories of schizophrenia have their origins in studies of the effects of drugs of abuse. Research into the effects of LSD initiated the serotonergic model; amphetamines the dopamine hypothesis, PCP and ketamine the glutamatergic hypothesis, while most recently the effects of cannabis have provoked interest in the role of endocannabinoids in schizophrenia. None of these models account for the complete picture of schizophrenia; rather the various drug models mimic different aspects of the illness. Determining the different molecular effects of those drugs whose pharmacological effects do and do not mimic the various aspects of schizophrenia has much to teach us concerning the pathogenesis of the illness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robin M Murray
- Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Kings College London, London, United Kingdom
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Hernaus D, Collip D, Lataster J, Ceccarini J, Kenis G, Booij L, Pruessner J, Van Laere K, van Winkel R, van Os J, Myin-Germeys I. COMT Val158Met genotype selectively alters prefrontal [18F]fallypride displacement and subjective feelings of stress in response to a psychosocial stress challenge. PLoS One 2013; 8:e65662. [PMID: 23799032 PMCID: PMC3683024 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0065662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2012] [Accepted: 04/25/2013] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) plays an essential role in degradation of extracellular dopamine in prefrontal regions of the brain. Although a polymorphism in this gene, COMT Val158Met, affects human behavior in response to stress little is known about its effect on dopaminergic activity associated with the human stress response, which may be of interest for stress-related psychiatric disorders such as psychosis. We aimed to investigate the effect of variations in COMT genotype on in vivo measures of stress-induced prefrontal cortex (PFC) dopaminergic processing and subjective stress responses. A combined sample of healthy controls and healthy first-degree relatives of psychosis patients (n = 26) were subjected to an [18F]fallypride Positron Emission Tomography scan. Psychosocial stress during the scan was induced using the Montreal Imaging Stress Task and subjective stress was assessed every 12 minutes. Parametric t-maps, generated using the linear extension of the simplified reference region model, revealed an effect of COMT genotype on the spatial extent of [18F]fallypride displacement. Detected effects of exposure to psychosocial stress were unilateral and remained restricted to the left superior and right inferior frontal gyrus, with Met-hetero- and homozygotes showing less [18F]fallypride displacement than Val-homozygotes. Additionally, Met-hetero- and homozygotes experienced larger subjective stress responses than Val-homozygotes. The direction of the effects remained the same when the data was analyzed separately for controls and first-degree relatives. The human stress response may be mediated in part by COMT-dependent dopaminergic PFC activity, providing speculation for the neurobiology underlying COMT-dependent differences in human behaviour following stress. Implications of these results for stress-related psychopathology and models of dopaminergic functioning are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dennis Hernaus
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, South Limburg Mental Health Research and Teaching Network, EURON, School for Mental Health and NeuroScience MHeNS Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Dina Collip
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, South Limburg Mental Health Research and Teaching Network, EURON, School for Mental Health and NeuroScience MHeNS Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Johan Lataster
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, South Limburg Mental Health Research and Teaching Network, EURON, School for Mental Health and NeuroScience MHeNS Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Faculty of Psychology, Open University of The Netherlands, Heerlen, The Netherlands
| | - Jenny Ceccarini
- Nuclear Medicine Division, University Hospital and Catholic University Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Gunther Kenis
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, South Limburg Mental Health Research and Teaching Network, EURON, School for Mental Health and NeuroScience MHeNS Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Linda Booij
- Sainte-Justine Hospital Research center, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Jens Pruessner
- Douglas Mental Health Institute, Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Koen Van Laere
- Nuclear Medicine Division, University Hospital and Catholic University Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Ruud van Winkel
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, South Limburg Mental Health Research and Teaching Network, EURON, School for Mental Health and NeuroScience MHeNS Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
- University Psychiatric Centre Catholic University Leuven, Kortenberg, Belgium
| | - Jim van Os
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, South Limburg Mental Health Research and Teaching Network, EURON, School for Mental Health and NeuroScience MHeNS Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
- King’s College London, King’s Health Partners, Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, London, United Kingdom
| | - Inez Myin-Germeys
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, South Limburg Mental Health Research and Teaching Network, EURON, School for Mental Health and NeuroScience MHeNS Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
- * E-mail:
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Predominance of D2 receptors in mediating dopamine's effects in brain metabolism: effects of alcoholism. J Neurosci 2013; 33:4527-35. [PMID: 23467368 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.5261-12.2013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Dopamine signals through D1-like and D2-like receptors, which can stimulate or inhibit, respectively, neuronal activity. Here we assessed the balance between D1 or D2 receptor signaling in the human brain and how it is affected in alcoholism. Using PET, we measured the relationship between changes in dopamine and brain glucose metabolism induced by methylphenidate in controls and alcoholics. We show that methylphenidate induced significant DA increases in striatum, amygdala, and medial orbitofrontal cortex, whereas it decreased metabolism in these brain regions. Methylphenidate-induced dopamine increases were greater in controls than in alcoholics, whereas methylphenidate-induced metabolic decreases were greater in alcoholics. For both groups, methylphenidate-induced dopamine increases were associated with decreases in regional brain metabolism, and the correlations were strongest in subthalamic nuclei, anterior cingulate, and medial orbitofrontal cortex. These correlations were more extensive and robust and the slopes steeper in alcoholics than in controls despite their attenuated dopamine responses to methylphenidate, which suggests an impaired modulation of dopamine signals in the brain of alcoholic subjects. These findings are consistent with a predominant inhibitory effect of dopamine in the human brain that is likely mediated by the prominence of dopamine D2/D3 receptors.
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Batalla A, Bhattacharyya S, Yücel M, Fusar-Poli P, Crippa JA, Nogué S, Torrens M, Pujol J, Farré M, Martin-Santos R. Structural and functional imaging studies in chronic cannabis users: a systematic review of adolescent and adult findings. PLoS One 2013; 8:e55821. [PMID: 23390554 PMCID: PMC3563634 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0055821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 270] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2012] [Accepted: 01/02/2013] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The growing concern about cannabis use, the most commonly used illicit drug worldwide, has led to a significant increase in the number of human studies using neuroimaging techniques to determine the effect of cannabis on brain structure and function. We conducted a systematic review to assess the evidence of the impact of chronic cannabis use on brain structure and function in adults and adolescents. Methods Papers published until August 2012 were included from EMBASE, Medline, PubMed and LILACS databases following a comprehensive search strategy and pre-determined set of criteria for article selection. Only neuroimaging studies involving chronic cannabis users with a matched control group were considered. Results One hundred and forty-two studies were identified, of which 43 met the established criteria. Eight studies were in adolescent population. Neuroimaging studies provide evidence of morphological brain alterations in both population groups, particularly in the medial temporal and frontal cortices, as well as the cerebellum. These effects may be related to the amount of cannabis exposure. Functional neuroimaging studies suggest different patterns of resting global and brain activity during the performance of several cognitive tasks both in adolescents and adults, which may indicate compensatory effects in response to chronic cannabis exposure. Limitations However, the results pointed out methodological limitations of the work conducted to date and considerable heterogeneity in the findings. Conclusion Chronic cannabis use may alter brain structure and function in adult and adolescent population. Further studies should consider the use of convergent methodology, prospective large samples involving adolescent to adulthood subjects, and data-sharing initiatives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Albert Batalla
- Psychiatry, Institute of Neurosciences, Hospital Clínic, IDIBAPS, CIBERSAM, Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Psychiatry and Clinical Psychobiology, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Melbourne Neuropsychiatry Centre, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Sagnik Bhattacharyya
- Department of Psychosis Studies, King’s College London, Institute of Psychiatry, London, United Kingdom
| | - Murat Yücel
- Melbourne Neuropsychiatry Centre, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Paolo Fusar-Poli
- Department of Psychosis Studies, King’s College London, Institute of Psychiatry, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jose Alexandre Crippa
- Neuroscience and Cognitive Behavior Department, University of Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto, Brazil
- National Science and Technology Institute for Translational Medicine (INCT-TM, CNPq), Ribeirao Preto, Brazil
| | - Santiago Nogué
- Clinical Toxicology Unit, Emergency Department, Hospital Clínic, IDIBAPS, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marta Torrens
- Neuroscience Program, Pharmacology Unit and Drug Addiction Unit, IMIM-INAD-Parc de Salut Mar, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Red de Trastornos Adictivos (RETIC), IMIM-INAD-Parc de Salut Mar, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jesús Pujol
- Institut d’Alta Tecnologia-PRBB, CRC Mar, Hospital del Mar, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Magí Farré
- Neuroscience Program, Pharmacology Unit and Drug Addiction Unit, IMIM-INAD-Parc de Salut Mar, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Red de Trastornos Adictivos (RETIC), IMIM-INAD-Parc de Salut Mar, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Rocio Martin-Santos
- Psychiatry, Institute of Neurosciences, Hospital Clínic, IDIBAPS, CIBERSAM, Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Psychiatry and Clinical Psychobiology, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- National Science and Technology Institute for Translational Medicine (INCT-TM, CNPq), Ribeirao Preto, Brazil
- * E-mail:
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Bhattacharyya S, Atakan Z, Martin-Santos R, Crippa JA, Kambeitz J, Prata D, Williams S, Brammer M, Collier DA, McGuire PK. Preliminary report of biological basis of sensitivity to the effects of cannabis on psychosis: AKT1 and DAT1 genotype modulates the effects of δ-9-tetrahydrocannabinol on midbrain and striatal function. Mol Psychiatry 2012; 17:1152-5. [PMID: 22290123 DOI: 10.1038/mp.2011.187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 97] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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Clark L, Stokes PR, Wu K, Michalczuk R, Benecke A, Watson BJ, Egerton A, Piccini P, Nutt DJ, Bowden-Jones H, Lingford-Hughes AR. Striatal dopamine D₂/D₃ receptor binding in pathological gambling is correlated with mood-related impulsivity. Neuroimage 2012; 63:40-6. [PMID: 22776462 PMCID: PMC3438449 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2012.06.067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 104] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2012] [Accepted: 06/29/2012] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Pathological gambling (PG) is a behavioural addiction associated with elevated impulsivity and suspected dopamine dysregulation. Reduced striatal dopamine D(2)/D(3) receptor availability has been reported in drug addiction, and may constitute a premorbid vulnerability marker for addictive disorders. The aim of the present study was to assess striatal dopamine D(2)/D(3) receptor availability in PG, and its association with trait impulsivity. Males with PG (n=9) and male healthy controls (n=9) underwent [11C]-raclopride positron emission tomography imaging and completed the UPPS-P impulsivity scale. There was no significant difference between groups in striatal dopamine D(2)/D(3) receptor availability, in contrast to previous reports in drug addiction. However, mood-related impulsivity ('Urgency') was negatively correlated with [11C]-raclopride binding potentials in the PG group. The absence of a group difference in striatal dopamine binding implies a distinction between behavioural addictions and drug addictions. Nevertheless, our data indicate heterogeneity in dopamine receptor availability in disordered gambling, such that individuals with high mood-related impulsivity may show differential benefits from dopamine-based medications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luke Clark
- Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
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Kleinloog D, Liem-Moolenaar M, Jacobs G, Klaassen E, de Kam M, Hijman R, van Gerven J. Does olanzapine inhibit the psychomimetic effects of Δ⁹-tetrahydrocannabinol? J Psychopharmacol 2012; 26:1307-16. [PMID: 22596206 DOI: 10.1177/0269881112446534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Δ⁹-Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) produces transient psychomimetic effects in healthy volunteers, constituting a pharmacological model for psychosis. The dopaminergic antagonist haloperidol has previously been shown to reduce these effects. This placebo-controlled, cross-over study in 49 healthy, male, mild cannabis users aimed to further explore this model by examining the effect of a single oral dose of olanzapine (with dopaminergic, serotonergic, adrenergic, muscarinergic and histaminergic properties) or two oral doses of diphenhydramine (histamine antagonist) on the effects of intrapulmonarily administered THC. Transient psychomimetic symptoms were seen after THC administration, as measured on the positive and negative syndrome scale (20.6% increase on positive subscale, p<0.001) and the visual analogue scale for psychedelic effects (increase of 10.7 mm on feeling high). Following the combination of THC and olanzapine, the positive subscale increased by only 13.7% and feeling high by only 8.7 mm. This reduction of THC effects on the positive subscale failed to reach statistical significance (p=0.066). However, one-third of the subjects did not show an increase in psychomimetic symptoms after THC alone. Within responders, olanzapine reduced the effects of THC on the positive subscale (p=0.005). Other outcome measures included pharmacokinetics, eye movements, postural stability, pupil/iris ratio, and serum concentrations of cortisol and prolactin.
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Klumpers LE, Cole DM, Khalili-Mahani N, Soeter RP, Te Beek ET, Rombouts SARB, van Gerven JMA. Manipulating brain connectivity with δ⁹-tetrahydrocannabinol: a pharmacological resting state FMRI study. Neuroimage 2012; 63:1701-11. [PMID: 22885247 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2012.07.051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2011] [Revised: 07/21/2012] [Accepted: 07/23/2012] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Resting state-functional magnetic resonance imaging (RS-FMRI) is a neuroimaging technique that allows repeated assessments of functional connectivity in resting state. While task-related FMRI is limited to indirectly measured drug effects in areas affected by the task, resting state can show direct CNS effects across all brain networks. Hence, RS-FMRI could be an objective measure for compounds affecting the CNS. Several studies on the effects of cannabinoid receptor type 1 (CB(1))-receptor agonist δ(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) on task-dependent FMRI have been performed. However, no studies on the effects of cannabinoids on resting state networks using RS-FMRI have been published. Therefore, we investigated the effects of THC on functional brain connectivity using RS-FMRI. Twelve healthy volunteers (9 male, 3 female) inhaled 2, 6 and 6 mg THC or placebo with 90-minute intervals in a randomized, double blind, cross-over trial. Eight RS-FMRI scans of 8 min were obtained per occasion. Subjects rated subjective psychedelic effects on a visual analog scale after each scan, as pharmacodynamic effect measures. Drug-induced effects on functional connectivity were examined using dual regression with FSL software (FMRIB Analysis Group, Oxford). Eight maps of voxel-wise connectivity throughout the entire brain were provided per RS-FMRI series with eight predefined resting-state networks of interest. These maps were used in a mixed effects model group analysis to determine brain regions with a statistically significant drug-by-time interaction. Statistical images were cluster-corrected, and results were Bonferroni-corrected across multiple contrasts. THC administration increased functional connectivity in the sensorimotor network, and was associated with dissociable lateralized connectivity changes in the right and left dorsal visual stream networks. The brain regions showing connectivity changes included the cerebellum and dorsal frontal cortical regions. Clear increases were found for feeling high, external perception, heart rate and cortisol, whereas prolactin decreased. This study shows that THC induces both increases and (to a lesser extent) decreases in functional brain connectivity, mainly in brain regions with high densities of CB(1)-receptors. Some of the involved regions could be functionally related to robust THC-induced CNS-effects that have been found in previous studies (Zuurman et al., 2008), such as postural stability, feeling high and altered time perception.
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Chronic adolescent exposure to delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol in COMT mutant mice: impact on indices of dopaminergic, endocannabinoid and GABAergic pathways. Neuropsychopharmacology 2012; 37:1773-83. [PMID: 22434221 PMCID: PMC3358747 DOI: 10.1038/npp.2012.24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Cannabis use confers a two-fold increase in risk for psychosis, with adolescent use conferring an even greater risk. A high-low activity polymorphism in catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT), a gene encoding the COMT enzyme involved in dopamine clearance in the brain, may interact with adolescent cannabis exposure to increase risk for schizophrenia. The impact of such an interaction on central neurotransmitter pathways implicated in schizophrenia is unknown. Male mice with knockout of the COMT gene were treated chronically with delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) during adolescence (postnatal day 32-52). We measured the size and density of GABAergic cells and the protein expression of cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1R) in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and hippocampus (HPC) in knockout mice relative to heterozygous mutants and wild-type controls. Size and density of dopaminergic neurons was also assessed in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) across the genotypes. COMT genotype × THC treatment interactions were observed for: (1) dopaminergic cell size in the VTA, (2) CB1R protein expression in the HPC, and (3) parvalbumin (PV) cell size in the PFC. No effects of adolescent THC treatment were observed for PV and dopaminergic cell density across the COMT genotypes. COMT genotype modulates the effects of chronic THC administration during adolescence on indices of neurotransmitter function in the brain. These findings illuminate how COMT deletion and adolescent cannabis use can interact to modulate the function of neurotransmitters systems implicated in schizophrenia.
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Methylphenidate-elicited dopamine increases in ventral striatum are associated with long-term symptom improvement in adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. J Neurosci 2012; 32:841-9. [PMID: 22262882 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.4461-11.2012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 158] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Stimulant medications, such as methylphenidate, which are effective treatments for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), enhance brain dopamine signaling. However, the relationship between regional brain dopamine enhancement and treatment response has not been evaluated. Here, we assessed whether the dopamine increases elicited by methylphenidate are associated with long-term clinical response. We used a prospective design to study 20 treatment-naive adults with ADHD who were evaluated before treatment initiation and after 12 months of clinical treatment with a titrated regimen of oral methylphenidate. Methylphenidate-induced dopamine changes were evaluated with positron emission tomography and [(11)C]raclopride (D(2)/D(3) receptor radioligand sensitive to competition with endogenous dopamine). Clinical responses were assessed using the Conners' Adult ADHD Rating Scale and revealed a significant reduction in symptoms of inattention and hyperactivity with long-term methylphenidate treatment. A challenge dose of 0.5 mg/kg intravenous methylphenidate significantly increased dopamine in striatum (assessed as decreases in D(2)/D(3) receptor availability). In the ventral striatum, these dopamine increases were associated with the reductions in ratings of symptoms of inattention with clinical treatment. Statistical parametric mapping additionally showed dopamine increases in prefrontal and temporal cortices with intravenous methylphenidate that were also associated with decreases in symptoms of inattention. Our findings indicate that dopamine enhancement in ventral striatum (the brain region involved with reward and motivation) was associated with therapeutic response to methylphenidate, further corroborating the relevance of the dopamine reward/motivation circuitry in ADHD. It also provides preliminary evidence that methylphenidate-elicited dopamine increases in prefrontal and temporal cortices may also contribute to the clinical response.
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van Hell HH, Jager G, Bossong MG, Brouwer A, Jansma JM, Zuurman L, van Gerven J, Kahn RS, Ramsey NF. Involvement of the endocannabinoid system in reward processing in the human brain. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2012; 219:981-90. [PMID: 21822593 PMCID: PMC3266503 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-011-2428-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2011] [Accepted: 07/25/2011] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE Disturbed reward processing in humans has been associated with a number of disorders, such as depression, addiction, and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. The endocannabinoid (eCB) system has been implicated in reward processing in animals, but in humans, the relation between eCB functioning and reward is less clear. OBJECTIVES The current study uses functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to investigate the role of the eCB system in reward processing in humans by examining the effect of the eCB agonist Δ(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) on reward-related brain activity. METHODS Eleven healthy males participated in a randomized placebo-controlled pharmacological fMRI study with administration of THC to challenge the eCB system. We compared anticipatory and feedback-related brain activity after placebo and THC, using a monetary incentive delay task. In this task, subjects are notified before each trial whether a correct response is rewarded ("reward trial") or not ("neutral trial"). RESULTS Subjects showed faster reaction times during reward trials compared to neutral trials, and this effect was not altered by THC. THC induced a widespread attenuation of the brain response to feedback in reward trials but not in neutral trials. Anticipatory brain activity was not affected. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest a role for the eCB system in the appreciation of rewards. The involvement of the eCB system in feedback processing may be relevant for disorders in which appreciation of natural rewards may be affected such as addiction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hendrika H. van Hell
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, G.03.124, Rudolf Magnus Institute of Neuroscience, University Medical Center Utrecht, Heidelberglaan 100, 3584 CX Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Gerry Jager
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, G.03.124, Rudolf Magnus Institute of Neuroscience, University Medical Center Utrecht, Heidelberglaan 100, 3584 CX Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Division of Human Nutrition, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Matthijs G. Bossong
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, G.03.124, Rudolf Magnus Institute of Neuroscience, University Medical Center Utrecht, Heidelberglaan 100, 3584 CX Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Annelies Brouwer
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, G.03.124, Rudolf Magnus Institute of Neuroscience, University Medical Center Utrecht, Heidelberglaan 100, 3584 CX Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - J. Martijn Jansma
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, G.03.124, Rudolf Magnus Institute of Neuroscience, University Medical Center Utrecht, Heidelberglaan 100, 3584 CX Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | | | | | - René S. Kahn
- Rudolf Magnus Institute of Neuroscience, Department of Psychiatry, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Nick F. Ramsey
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, G.03.124, Rudolf Magnus Institute of Neuroscience, University Medical Center Utrecht, Heidelberglaan 100, 3584 CX Utrecht, The Netherlands
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Stokes PRA, Egerton A, Watson B, Reid A, Lappin J, Howes OD, Nutt DJ, Lingford-Hughes AR. History of cannabis use is not associated with alterations in striatal dopamine D2/D3 receptor availability. J Psychopharmacol 2012; 26:144-9. [PMID: 21890594 DOI: 10.1177/0269881111414090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Cannabis use in adolescence is emerging as a risk factor for the development of psychosis. In animal studies, Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive component of cannabis, modulates striatal dopaminergic neurotransmission. Alterations in human striatal dopaminergic function have also been reported both in psychosis and in stimulant use. We sought to examine whether striatal dopamine D(2)/D(3) receptor availability was altered in volunteers with a history of cannabis use using a database of previously acquired [(11)C]-raclopride positron emission tomography (PET) scans. Ten [(11)C]-raclopride scans from volunteers with a history of cannabis use were compared to ten control scans using a functional striatal subdivision region of interest (ROI) analysis. No significant differences in either overall striatal BP(ND) values or BP(ND) values in any functional striatal subdivision were found between the two groups. There was also no correlation between lifetime frequency of cannabis use and BP(ND) values. Limbic striatal BP(ND) values were ten percent lower in current nicotine cigarette smokers. These findings suggest that, unlike other drugs of abuse, a history of cannabis use is not associated with alterations in striatal dopamine D(2)/D(3) receptor availability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul R A Stokes
- Psychiatric Imaging Group, MRC Clinical Sciences Centre, Imperial College London, London, UK.
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