title: Cannabinoid modulation of amygdala subregion functional connectivity to social signals of threat.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Δ(9)-Tetrahydrocannabinol has been shown to modulate anxiety and facilitate the extinction of fear by inhibiting amygdala reactivity. Since functional coupling between the amygdala and prefrontal cortex is implicated in affective processes, it is possible that Δ(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol affects amygdala-prefrontal cortex functional connectivity in ways that differ across amygdala subregions: basolateral, centromedial, and superficial.
  
  
  METHODS
  The aim of the study was to examine the effects of Δ(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol on functional connectivity between amygdala subregions and the prefrontal cortex during socio-emotional threat in healthy adults using a double-blind, placebo-controlled, within-subjects design. Sixteen subjects completed a functional magnetic resonance imaging task designed to probe amygdala responses to social threat. Amygdala subregion-prefrontal cortex functional connectivity was compared between Δ(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol and placebo using generalized psychophysiological interaction analyses.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Findings indicated that Δ(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol enhanced basolateral and superficial amygdala connectivity to the rostral anterior cingulate/medial prefrontal cortex.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These effects, including Δ(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol's potential ability to reduce threat perception or enhance socio-emotional regulation, may help understand the neurocircuitry of affect.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry (Gorka and Fitzgerald, and Prof and Dr Phan), and Department of Psychology, University of Illinois, Chicago, IL (Gorka and Prof and Dr Phan); Jesse Brown VA Medical Center, Mental Health Service Line, Chicago, IL (Fitzgerald and Prof and Dr Phan); University of Chicago, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, Chicago, IL (Prof de Wit); University of Illinois, Chicago Anatomy and Cell Biology, Chicago, IL (Prof and Dr Phan).
authors.forename: Stephanie M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Gorka
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry (Gorka and Fitzgerald, and Prof and Dr Phan), and Department of Psychology, University of Illinois, Chicago, IL (Gorka and Prof and Dr Phan); Jesse Brown VA Medical Center, Mental Health Service Line, Chicago, IL (Fitzgerald and Prof and Dr Phan); University of Chicago, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, Chicago, IL (Prof de Wit); University of Illinois, Chicago Anatomy and Cell Biology, Chicago, IL (Prof and Dr Phan).
authors.forename: Daniel A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Fitzgerald
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry (Gorka and Fitzgerald, and Prof and Dr Phan), and Department of Psychology, University of Illinois, Chicago, IL (Gorka and Prof and Dr Phan); Jesse Brown VA Medical Center, Mental Health Service Line, Chicago, IL (Fitzgerald and Prof and Dr Phan); University of Chicago, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, Chicago, IL (Prof de Wit); University of Illinois, Chicago Anatomy and Cell Biology, Chicago, IL (Prof and Dr Phan).
authors.forename: Harriet
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: de Wit
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry (Gorka and Fitzgerald, and Prof and Dr Phan), and Department of Psychology, University of Illinois, Chicago, IL (Gorka and Prof and Dr Phan); Jesse Brown VA Medical Center, Mental Health Service Line, Chicago, IL (Fitzgerald and Prof and Dr Phan); University of Chicago, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, Chicago, IL (Prof de Wit); University of Illinois, Chicago Anatomy and Cell Biology, Chicago, IL (Prof and Dr Phan). klphan@uic.edu.
authors.forename: K Luan
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Phan
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000679:Amygdala / Q000098:blood supply / Q000187:drug effects*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D013759:Dronabinol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005149:Facial Expression; D005239:Fear / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D007839:Functional Laterality; D064368:Healthy Volunteers; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D009415:Nerve Net / Q000098:blood supply / Q000187:drug effects*; D009434:Neural Pathways / Q000098:blood supply / Q000187:drug effects; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood; D010775:Photic Stimulation; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs / Q000494:pharmacology*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D011619:Psychotropic Drugs; D013759:Dronabinol; D010100:Oxygen
keywords: cannabis; functional connectivity; social threat; Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol