Neuroscience 2005 Abstract
| Presentation Number: | 563.16 |
|---|---|
| Abstract Title: | Altered regional blood volume in chronic marijuana smokers. |
| Authors: |
Sneider, J. T.*1,3
; Pope, H. G.2,3
; Silveri, M. M.1,3
; Rosso, I. M.1,3
; Gruber, S. A.1,3
; Yurgelun-Todd, D. A.1,3
1Cognitive Neuroimaging Lab, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA 2Biological Psychiatry Lab, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA 3MA, 115 Mill St, 02478, |
| Primary Theme and Topics |
Disorders of the Nervous System - Addiction and Drugs of Abuse -- Cannabinoids |
| Session: |
563. Cannabinoids Poster |
| Presentation Time: | Monday, November 14, 2005 4:00 PM-5:00 PM |
| Location: | Washington Convention Center - Hall A-C, Board # UU80 |
| Keywords: | cannabis, cerebral, cerebellum |
Marijuana remains the most commonly abused illicit substance in the United States, however, the effects of cannabis on cerebral blood volume (CBV) have not been fully examined. Given reported changes in frontal BOLD activation in marijuana smokers the objective of the present study was to examine both cerebral (frontal and temporal areas) and cerebellar blood volume during a period of supervised abstinence. Dynamic susceptibility contrast (DSC) MRI data were collected on eleven current, long-term marijuana users (MJ) between 6 hours and 36 hours after the subject's last reported cannabis use. Resting state CBV images were also acquired in 11 healthy comparison subjects (NCs). Data were acquired in the axial plane following a bolus of gadolinium contrast agent with a 1.5-Tesla GE Signa scanner. MJ smokers demonstrated significantly increased blood volumes in the left temporal area (p= 0.018) and in the cerebellum (p= 0.023) relative to control subjects. A regression analysis revealed that age was not significantly associated with CBV in either the MJ smokers (p>0.1) or controls (p> 0.1). Additionally, no significant correlation was found between the total number of lifetime smokes or urinary THC concentrations for cannabinoid users. These findings suggest that regional blood volume changes during recent abstinence are not associated with the degree of recent marijuana use. Furthermore increased regional CBV measures have important implications for understanding the effects of chronic heavy cannabis use on brain function, specifically, fMRI BOLD data related to alterations in cognitive function and behavior.
Supported by NIDA grants DA12483 and DA10346
Sample Citation:
[Authors]. [Abstract Title]. Program No. XXX.XX. 2005 Neuroscience Meeting Planner. Washington, DC: Society for Neuroscience, 2005. Online.
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