Neuroscience 2002 Abstract
| Presentation Number: | 900.11 |
|---|---|
| Abstract Title: | Effects of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) on Cerebral Blood Flow in Humans Measured using Arterial Spin Labeling (ASL). |
| Authors: |
Bloom, A. S.*1
; Benson, J. C.1,3
; LaGrave, K. B.1
; Piacentine, L. B.1,2
; Risinger, R. C.2
1Dept Pharmacol, Med Col Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 2Psychiatry, Med Col Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 3Pediatrics, Med Col Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI |
| Primary Theme and Topics |
Neurological and Psychiatric Conditions - Addiction and Drugs of Abuse -- Opioids and others |
| Session: |
900. Addiction and drugs of abuse: opioids and others V Poster |
| Presentation Time: | Thursday, November 7, 2002 10:00 AM-11:00 AM |
| Location: | Hall A2-B3 Z-72 |
| Keywords: | fMRI, cannabinoid, BOLD |
Marijuana and its principal psychoactive component, THC, produce characteristic behavioral and physiological effects in humans. However, THC's sites of action in the human brain and their relationships to the drug's actions are not yet well understood. We have previously demonstrated using BOLD fMRI imaging that THC produced dose-related alterations in brain function in several brain regions including nucleus accumbens, amygdala, anterior cingulate, and cerebellum. The purpose of the this study was to determine the relative contributions of neuronal and non-neuronal factors to the observed BOLD signal changes. With that in mind, we examined the effects of THC on cerebral blood flow using arterial spin labeling. Chronic marijuana users were injected iv with THC (0, 0.5, 1, and 3 mg over one-minute in an ethanol vehicle) while undergoing fMRI scanning. A single 8 mm slice containing motor cortex was imaged during rest and motor cortex activation (finger tapping). We found the average flow in the slice at rest was 68.5 ±3.6 ml/100 grams per minute. This was not significantly altered over time or dose. Similarly, task activation measured using BOLD in the motor cortex was not effected by THC injection nor was flow measured using ASL. These data indicate that THC does not have global effects on cerebral blood flow, nor does it universally alter task activation in regions not thought to be directly effected by behaviorally active cannabinoids. These studies support the hypothesis that THC-induced changes observed using BOLD imaging are due to neuronal rather than non-neuronal factors.
Supported by DA11326 and RR00058
Sample Citation:
[Authors]. [Abstract Title]. Program No. XXX.XX. 2002 Neuroscience Meeting Planner. Orlando, FL: Society for Neuroscience, 2002. Online.
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