History of cannabis use is not associated with alterations in striatal dopamine D2/D3 receptor availability

Paul R A Stokes, Alice Egerton, Ben Watson, Alistair Reid, Julia Lappin, Oliver Howes, David J Nutt, Anne R Lingford-Hughes

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

57 Citations (Scopus)

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.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)144 - 149
Number of pages6
JournalJournal of Psychopharmacology
Volume26
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jan 2012

Keywords

  • Adult
  • Alcohol Drinking
  • Cannabis
  • Carbon Isotopes
  • Corpus Striatum
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Limbic System
  • Male
  • Marijuana Abuse
  • Nicotine
  • Positron-Emission Tomography
  • Psychotic Disorders
  • Raclopride
  • Receptors, Dopamine D2
  • Receptors, Dopamine D3
  • Synaptic Transmission

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'History of cannabis use is not associated with alterations in striatal dopamine D2/D3 receptor availability'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this