title: Alterations of monetary reward and punishment processing in chronic cannabis users: an FMRI study.
abstract: Alterations in reward and punishment processing have been reported in adults suffering from long-term cannabis use. However, previous findings regarding the chronic effects of cannabis on reward and punishment processing have been inconsistent. In the present study, we used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to reveal the neural correlates of reward and punishment processing in long-term cannabis users (n = 15) and in healthy control subjects (n = 15) with no history of drug abuse. For this purpose, we used the well-established Monetary Incentive Delay (MID) task, a reliable experimental paradigm that allows the differentiation between anticipatory and consummatory aspects of reward and punishment processing. Regarding the gain anticipation period, no significant group differences were observed. In the left caudate and the left inferior frontal gyrus, cannabis users were - in contrast to healthy controls - not able to differentiate between the conditions feedback of reward and control. In addition, cannabis users showed stronger activations in the left caudate and the bilateral inferior frontal gyrus following feedback of no punishment as compared to healthy controls. We interpreted these deficits in dorsal striatal functioning as altered stimulus-reward or action-contingent learning in cannabis users. In addition, the enhanced lateral prefrontal activation in cannabis users that is related to non-punishing feedback may reflect a deficit in emotion regulation or cognitive reappraisal in these subjects.
authors: Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Preventive Medicine, LWL-University Hospital, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany.
authors: Björn
authors: B
authors: Enzi
authors: Department of Neurology, BG University Hospital Bergmannsheil, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany.
authors: Silke
authors: S
authors: Lissek
authors: Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Preventive Medicine, LWL-University Hospital, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany.
authors: Marc-Andreas
authors: MA
authors: Edel
authors: Department of Neurology, BG University Hospital Bergmannsheil, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany.
authors: Martin
authors: M
authors: Tegenthoff
authors: Department of Radiology, BG University Hospital Bergmannsheil, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany.
authors: Volkmar
authors: V
authors: Nicolas
authors: Department of Addictive Behavior and Addiction Medicine, LVR Hospital, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany.
authors: Norbert
authors: N
authors: Scherbaum
authors: Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Preventive Medicine, LWL-University Hospital, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany.
authors: Georg
authors: G
authors: Juckel
authors: Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Preventive Medicine, LWL-University Hospital, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany.
authors: Patrik
authors: P
authors: Roser
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D059031:Anticipation, Psychological; D001921:Brain / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D002189:Marijuana Abuse / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology*; D011678:Punishment; D012201:Reward