A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal
Reversible and regionally selective downregulation of brain cannabinoid CB1 receptors in chronic daily cannabis smokers
Authors: Hirvonen J, Goodwin RS, Li CT, Terry GE, Zoghbi SS, Morse C, Pike VW, Volkow ND, Huestis MA, Innis RB
Publisher: NATURE PUBLISHING GROUP
Publication year: 2012
Journal: Molecular Psychiatry
Journal name in source: MOLECULAR PSYCHIATRY
Journal acronym: MOL PSYCHIATR
Number in series: 6
Volume: 17
Issue: 6
First page : 642
Last page: 649
Number of pages: 8
ISSN: 1359-4184
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/mp.2011.82
Abstract
Chronic cannabis (marijuana, hashish) smoking can result in dependence. Rodent studies show reversible downregulation of brain cannabinoid CB1 (cannabinoid receptor type 1) receptors after chronic exposure to cannabis. However, whether downregulation occurs in humans who chronically smoke cannabis is unknown. Here we show, using positron emission tomography imaging, reversible and regionally selective downregulation of brain cannabinoid CB1 receptors in human subjects who chronically smoke cannabis. Downregulation correlated with years of cannabis smoking and was selective to cortical brain regions. After similar to 4 weeks of continuously monitored abstinence from cannabis on a secure research unit, CB1 receptor density returned to normal levels. This is the first direct demonstration of cortical cannabinoid CB1 receptor downregulation as a neuroadaptation that may promote cannabis dependence in human brain. Molecular Psychiatry (2012) 17, 642-649; doi:10.1038/mp.2011.82; published online 12 July 2011
Chronic cannabis (marijuana, hashish) smoking can result in dependence. Rodent studies show reversible downregulation of brain cannabinoid CB1 (cannabinoid receptor type 1) receptors after chronic exposure to cannabis. However, whether downregulation occurs in humans who chronically smoke cannabis is unknown. Here we show, using positron emission tomography imaging, reversible and regionally selective downregulation of brain cannabinoid CB1 receptors in human subjects who chronically smoke cannabis. Downregulation correlated with years of cannabis smoking and was selective to cortical brain regions. After similar to 4 weeks of continuously monitored abstinence from cannabis on a secure research unit, CB1 receptor density returned to normal levels. This is the first direct demonstration of cortical cannabinoid CB1 receptor downregulation as a neuroadaptation that may promote cannabis dependence in human brain. Molecular Psychiatry (2012) 17, 642-649; doi:10.1038/mp.2011.82; published online 12 July 2011
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