title: Rapid Changes in CB1 Receptor Availability in Cannabis Dependent Males after Abstinence from Cannabis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The widespread use of cannabis, the increasing legalization of "medical" cannabis, the increasing potency of cannabis and the growing recreational use of synthetic cannabinoid 1 receptor (CB1R) full agonists underscores the importance of elucidating the effects of cannabinoids on the CB1R system. Exposure to cannabinoids is known to result in CB1R downregulation. However, the precise time course of changes in CB1R availability in cannabis dependent subjects (CDs) following short and intermediate term abstinence has not been determined.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using High Resolution Research Tomography (HRRT) and [11C]OMAR, CB1R availability as indexed by the volume of distribution (VT) [11C]OMAR was measured in male CDs (n=11) and matched healthy controls (HCs) (n=19). CDs were scanned at baseline (while they were neither intoxicated nor in withdrawal), and after 2 days and 28 days of monitored abstinence. HCs were scanned at baseline and a subset (n=4) was rescanned 28 days later.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Compared to HCs, [11C]OMARVTwas 15% lower in CDs (effect size Cohen's d=-1.11) at baseline in almost all brain regions. However, these group differences in CB1R availability were no longer evident after just 2 days of monitored abstinence from cannabis. There was a robust negative correlation between CB1R availability and withdrawal symptoms after 2 days of abstinence. Finally, there were no significant group differences in CB1R availability in CDs after 28 days of abstinence.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Cannabis dependence is associated with CB1R downregulation, which begins to reverse surprisingly rapidly upon termination of cannabis use and may continue to increase over time.
authors: Schizophrenia and Neuropharmacology Research Group, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, USA; Abraham Ribicoff Research Facilities, Connecticut Mental Health Center, New Haven, CT, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
authors: Deepak Cyril
authors: DC
authors: D'Souza
authors: Schizophrenia and Neuropharmacology Research Group, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, USA; Abraham Ribicoff Research Facilities, Connecticut Mental Health Center, New Haven, CT, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
authors: Jose A
authors: JA
authors: Cortes-Briones
authors: Schizophrenia and Neuropharmacology Research Group, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, USA; Abraham Ribicoff Research Facilities, Connecticut Mental Health Center, New Haven, CT, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
authors: Mohini
authors: M
authors: Ranganathan
authors: Schizophrenia and Neuropharmacology Research Group, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, USA; Abraham Ribicoff Research Facilities, Connecticut Mental Health Center, New Haven, CT, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
authors: Halle
authors: H
authors: Thurnauer
authors: Schizophrenia and Neuropharmacology Research Group, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, USA; Abraham Ribicoff Research Facilities, Connecticut Mental Health Center, New Haven, CT, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
authors: Gina
authors: G
authors: Creatura
authors: Schizophrenia and Neuropharmacology Research Group, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, USA; Abraham Ribicoff Research Facilities, Connecticut Mental Health Center, New Haven, CT, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
authors: Toral
authors: T
authors: Surti
authors: Department of Radiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
authors: Beata
authors: B
authors: Planeta
authors: Molecular Imaging Program for Mood and Anxiety Disorders, New York University Langone Medical Center, USA.
authors: Alexander
authors: A
authors: Neumeister
authors: Abraham Ribicoff Research Facilities, Connecticut Mental Health Center, New Haven, CT, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
authors: Brian
authors: B
authors: Pittman
authors: Harvard University, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA.
authors: Marc
authors: M
authors: Normandin
authors: Department of Radiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
authors: Michael
authors: M
authors: Kapinos
authors: Department of Radiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
authors: Jim
authors: J
authors: Ropchan
authors: Department of Radiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
authors: Yiyun
authors: Y
authors: Huang
authors: Department of Radiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
authors: Richard E
authors: RE
authors: Carson
authors: Schizophrenia and Neuropharmacology Research Group, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, USA; Abraham Ribicoff Research Facilities, Connecticut Mental Health Center, New Haven, CT, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
authors: Patrick D
authors: PD
authors: Skosnik
keywords: CB1R; Cannabis; cannabinoids; dependence; downregulation; recovery; tolerance; upregulation; withdrawal