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New research in neuroimaging is shedding light on how tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, the main psychoactive compound in cannabis, affects the human brain. The study found that THC increased glutamate concentrations in the striatum, a major brain structure involved in the coordination of body movements, decision-making and initiation of action.
New discoveries appear in the log European Neuropsychopharmacology.
"Cannabis remains the most widely used illicit drug in the world. However, despite its widespread use, the mechanisms underlying the behavioral effects of THC have not yet been fully elucidated, "said study author, Natasha L. Mason, of the department. of neuropsychology and psychopharmacology from the University of Maastricht.
"By applying a cutting-edge research design, ie a multimodal brain imaging strategy, the present study aimed to provide a neurochemical context for THC-induced behavioral alterations. We believe that this information has wide and timely application, which goes beyond the fields of psychopharmacology and neuroscience. "
"Given the changing status of legalization and the growing interest in therapeutic utility, it is important to understand the biochemical alterations that occur during use and that may result in experienced therapeutic effects. In addition, while 10% of cannabis users develop daily patterns of use, it is important to understand the underlying neuro-adaptations involved in this process to address the addiction and realize the potential consequences of using it. long-term consumption, "explained Mason.
A double-blind, placebo-controlled study of 20 occasional users of healthy and occasional cannabis revealed that THC intoxication was badociated with functional impairments of connectivity in the brain, which were badociated with decreased performance. during a task of attention.
"Two main conclusions of this study are important in a broad sense. First, when people think about THC and cannabis, they think that dopamine is the main mechanism behind (rewarding) effects. Although not erroneous, our results suggest that glutamate also plays an important role in this regard. This is important not only to understand how cannabis works in the brain, but also to consider treatments for problems such as the disorder of cannabis use, "Mason told PsyPost.
"Second, our findings extend previous research demonstrating that a certain level of THC (especially 2 ng / ml) must be present in the blood to affect brain and cognitive functions. As cannabis use becomes more popular and access to cannabis for medical purposes grows, these results are important in medico-legal settings to infer levels of THC degradation in the blood. . "
But there is still much to learn about the effects of THC on the brain.
"In this study, we tested occasional cannabis users, who consumed an average of about once a week. So, the next step in this line of research will be to use the same pattern in chronic (daily) cannabis users, "said Mason.
"This allows us to compare brain changes between the two (those who consume cannabis occasionally versus those who smoke daily) and ultimately evaluate long-term neuroadaptions that might play a role." in, for example. addiction, or may result from prescription (therapeutic) use. "
The study "The cannabis-induced increase in striatal glutamate badociated with loss of functional corticostriatal connectivity" was conducted by Natasha L. Mason, Eef L. Theunissen and Nadia R.P.W. Hutten, Desmond H.Y. Tse, Stefan W. Toennes, Peter Stiers and Johannes G. Ramaekers.
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