title: Brain imaging study of the acute effects of Delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) on attention and motor coordination in regular users of marijuana.
abstract: METHODS
  Twelve regular users of marijuana underwent two positron emission tomography (PET) scans using [18F] Fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG), one while subject to the effects of 17 mg THC, the other without THC. In both sessions, a virtual reality maze task was performed during the FDG uptake period.
  
  
  RESULTS
  When subject to the effects of 17 mg THC, regular marijuana smokers hit the walls more often on the virtual maze task than without THC. Compared to results without THC, 17 mg THC increased brain metabolism during task performance in areas that are associated with motor coordination and attention in the middle and medial frontal cortices and anterior cingulate, and reduced metabolism in areas that are related to visual integration of motion in the occipital lobes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings suggest that in regular marijuana users, the immediate effects of marijuana may impact on cognitive-motor skills and brain mechanisms that modulate coordinated movement and driving.
authors: Department of Nuclear Medicine, Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel. vaviv@hadassah.org.il
authors: Aviv
authors: A
authors: Weinstein
authors: Orit
authors: O
authors: Brickner
authors: Hedva
authors: H
authors: Lerman
authors: Mazal
authors: M
authors: Greemland
authors: Miki
authors: M
authors: Bloch
authors: Hava
authors: H
authors: Lester
authors: Roland
authors: R
authors: Chisin
authors: Raphael
authors: R
authors: Mechoulam
authors: Rachel
authors: R
authors: Bar-Hamburger
authors: Nanette
authors: N
authors: Freedman
authors: Einat
authors: E
authors: Even-Sapir
mesh_terms: D001288:Attention / Q000187:drug effects*; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism*; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000187:drug effects*; D013759:Dronabinol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18; D005625:Frontal Lobe / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000187:drug effects; D006179:Gyrus Cinguli / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D002189:Marijuana Abuse / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D018782:Maze Learning / Q000187:drug effects; D011939:Mental Recall / Q000187:drug effects; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D009778:Occipital Lobe / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000187:drug effects; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000187:drug effects*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014584:User-Computer Interface
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18; D013759:Dronabinol