title: Effects of acute detoxification of the herbal blend 'Spice Gold' on dopamine D2/3 receptor availability: a [18F]fallypride PET study.
abstract: We carried out dynamic [(18)F]fallypride PET scans to measure cerebral dopamine D2/3 receptor availability in a 23-year old patient experiencing a severe withdrawal syndrome upon voluntary abstinence from "Spice", a pre-packaged herbal smoking thought to contain synthetic cannabinoids. Upon admission to the clinic, the patient experienced craving, affective symptoms and a range of somatic complaints, which resolved after several days' monitored abstinence. PET scans were performed on the day of admission, and one week later. Estimates of [(18)F]fallypride binding potential (BPND) were obtained in striatal and extrastriatal brain regions, and compared to results of age-matched healthy control subjects. Upon admission, [(18)F]fallypride BPND was reduced by 20% in the patient's striatum and also in extra-striatal regions. During short-term follow-up upon detoxification, the BPND increased to normal values. This study shows substantial short-term alterations of dopamine D2/3 receptor availability in a patient before and after acute detoxification from "Spice Gold", thus providing first evidence of reversible effects on dopamine receptors of heavy use of a herbal smoking blend.
authors: Department of Nuclear Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, Germany. Electronic address: axel.rominger@med.uni-muenchen.de.
authors: Axel
authors: A
authors: Rominger
authors: Paul
authors: P
authors: Cumming
authors: Guoming
authors: G
authors: Xiong
authors: Gabriele
authors: G
authors: Koller
authors: Stefan
authors: S
authors: Förster
authors: Andreas
authors: A
authors: Zwergal
authors: Evangelos
authors: E
authors: Karamatskos
authors: Peter
authors: P
authors: Bartenstein
authors: Christian
authors: C
authors: La Fougère
authors: Oliver
authors: O
authors: Pogarell
mesh_terms: D001549:Benzamides; D001921:Brain / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000378:metabolism*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005462:Fluorine Radioisotopes; D059907:Functional Neuroimaging; D006801:Humans; D008658:Inactivation, Metabolic; D008297:Male; D028321:Plant Preparations / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D017448:Receptors, Dopamine D2 / Q000378:metabolism*; D050637:Receptors, Dopamine D3 / Q000378:metabolism*; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000378:metabolism*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D001549:Benzamides; C581293:DRD2 protein, human; D005462:Fluorine Radioisotopes; D028321:Plant Preparations; D017448:Receptors, Dopamine D2; D050637:Receptors, Dopamine D3; C574003:fallypride
keywords: Addiction; Cannabinoid; Dopamine D(2/3) receptor; PET; Spice