Neural basis of Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabidiol: effects during response inhibition.
BACKGROUND
This study examined the effect of Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) on brain activation during a motor inhibition task.


METHODS
Functional magnetic resonance imaging and behavioural measures were recorded while 15 healthy volunteers performed a Go/No-Go task following administration of either THC or CBD or placebo in a double-blind, pseudo-randomized, placebo-controlled repeated measures within-subject design.


RESULTS
Relative to placebo, THC attenuated activation in the right inferior frontal and the anterior cingulate gyrus. In contrast, CBD deactivated the left temporal cortex and insula. These effects were not related to changes in anxiety, intoxication, sedation, and psychotic symptoms.


CONCLUSIONS
These data suggest that THC attenuates the engagement of brain regions that mediate response inhibition. CBD modulated function in regions not usually implicated in response inhibition.
Borgwardt
Stefan J
SJ
Section of Neuroimaging, Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, United Kingdom. s.borgwardt@iop.kcl.ac.uk
Allen
Paul
P
Bhattacharyya
Sagnik
S
Fusar-Poli
Paolo
P
Crippa
Jose A
JA
Seal
Marc L
ML
Fraccaro
Valter
V
Atakan
Zerrin
Z
Martin-Santos
Rocio
R
O'Carroll
Colin
C
Rubia
Katya
K
McGuire
Philip K
PK
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001921:Brain / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000098:blood supply / Q000187:drug effects*; D001931:Brain Mapping; D002185:Cannabidiol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003657:Decision Making / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D013759:Dronabinol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D007266:Inhibition, Psychological; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood; D010775:Photic Stimulation; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000187:drug effects; D055815:Young Adult
D011619:Psychotropic Drugs; D002185:Cannabidiol; D013759:Dronabinol; D010100:Oxygen