Neuroscience 2001 Abstract
| Presentation Number: | 668.9 |
|---|---|
| Abstract Title: | DOSE-DEPENDENT EFFECTS OF TETRAHYDROCANNABINOL (THC) ON BRAIN ACTIVITY IN HUMANS: A FUNCTIONAL MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING (fMRI) STUDY. |
| Authors: |
Bloom, A. S.*1
; Risinger, R. C.2
; Ross, T. J.2
; Sanders, J.1
; Stein, E. A.1,2
1Pharmacology, Med Col Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 2Psychiatry, Med Col Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI |
| Primary Theme and Topics |
Neurological and Psychiatric Conditions - Addiction and Drugs of Abuse -- Opioids and others |
| Session: |
668. Addiction and drugs of abuse: opioids and others VI Poster |
| Presentation Time: | Tuesday, November 13, 2001 1:00 PM-2:00 PM |
| Location: | Exhibit Hall AAA-45 |
| Keywords: | CANNABINOIDS, DRUG ABUSE, BLOOD FLOW |
A characteristic pattern of behavioral and physiological effects is produced by marijuana and its principal psychoactive component, THC, in humans. However, THC’s sites of action in the human brain and their relationships to the drug’s actions are not well described. We have now studied in frequent marijuana users, the effects of two doses of THC (1 and 3 mg iv over 1 min) that produce effects similar to those seen with marijuana use in a social situation, on regional brain activity using BOLD fMRI. The subjects reported that the intensity of the “high” produced by the 3 mg dose was twice that of the lower dose (8/10 vs. 4.5/10). A modest dose-related tachycardia was also observed.Both increases and decreases in brain activity as measured by BOLD fMRI were seen in discrete brain regions. The 3 mg dose of THC produced time-related decreases in fMRI signal in the cerebellum including the region of the dentate nucleus, the middle temporal gyrus and the orbitofrontal region. Decreases were also seen in several other frontal and parietal regions. Increases in fMRI signal (activation) were seen in fewer areas, including visual, temporal and parietal cortex . Time to onset varied between 1.5 and 6 minutes after the start of the THC injection, with peak effects observed between 10 and 21 minutes. Similar effects were observed after the 1 mg dose, although the extent of activation or decrease in activation was reduced. This study demonstrates that the dose-related effects of THC in the human brain are quantifiable using fMRI.
Supported by PHS grant DA11326 and DA09465
Sample Citation:
[Authors]. [Abstract Title]. Program No. XXX.XX. 2001 Neuroscience Meeting Planner. San Diego, CA: Society for Neuroscience, 2001. Online.
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