title: Dopamine release in chronic cannabis users: a [11c]raclopride positron emission tomography study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Low striatal dopamine 2/3 receptor (D(2/3)) availability and low ventrostriatal dopamine (DA) release have been observed in alcoholism and cocaine and heroin dependence. Less is known about the dopaminergic system in cannabis dependence. We assessed D(2/3) availability and DA release in abstinent cannabis users compared with control subjects and explored relationships to cannabis use history using [(11)C]raclopride positron emission tomography and an amphetamine challenge paradigm.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixteen recently abstinent, psychiatrically healthy cannabis-using participants (27.3 ± 6.1 years, 1 woman, 15 men) and 16 matched control subjects (28.1 ± 6.7 years, 2 women, 14 men) completed two positron emission tomography scans, before and after injection of intravenous d-amphetamine (.3 mg/kg). Percent change in [(11)C]raclopride binding after amphetamine (change in nondisplaceable binding potential, ΔBP(ND)) in subregions of the striatum was compared between groups. Correlations with clinical parameters were examined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Cannabis users had an average consumption of 517 ± 465 estimated puffs per month, indicating mild to moderate cannabis dependence. Neither baseline BP(ND) nor ΔBP(ND) differed from control subjects in any region of interest, including ventral striatum. In cannabis-dependent subjects, earlier age of onset of use correlated with lower [ΔBP(ND)] in the associative striatum when controlling for current age.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Unlike other addictions, cannabis dependence of mild to moderate severity is not associated with striatal DA alterations. However, earlier or longer duration of use is related to lower DA release in the associative striatum. These observations suggest a more harmful effect of use during adolescence; more research is needed to distinguish effects of chronicity versus onset.
authors.affiliation: New York State PsychiatricInstitute, Department of Psychiatry, 1051 Riverside Drive, New York, NY 10032, USA. nu2118@columbia.edu
authors.forename: Nina B L
authors.initials: NB
authors.lastname: Urban
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Slifstein
authors.forename: Judy L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Thompson
authors.forename: Xiaoyan
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: Ragy R
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Girgis
authors.forename: Sonia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Raheja
authors.forename: Margaret
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Haney
authors.forename: Anissa
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Abi-Dargham
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001479:Basal Ganglia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000378:metabolism*; D002188:Cannabis / Q000378:metabolism*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003913:Dextroamphetamine; D004298:Dopamine / Q000378:metabolism*; D018492:Dopamine Antagonists; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D002189:Marijuana Abuse / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000378:metabolism*; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography; D020891:Raclopride; D011954:Receptors, Dopamine / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D018492:Dopamine Antagonists; D011954:Receptors, Dopamine; D020891:Raclopride; D003913:Dextroamphetamine; D004298:Dopamine