Cannabis dependence: Effects of cannabis consumption on inter-regional cerebral metabolic relationships in an Indian population (original) (raw)

2010, Indian Journal of Psychiatry

Background: The effects of cannabis consumption on neurophysiological function have been a matter of considerable debate. With the legalization of medical marijuana, understanding the consequences of cannabis dependence has become extremely important. Aim: We attempted to understand the influence of cannabis on cerebral glucose metabolism in certain predetermined regions of interest (ROIs). Furthermore, we also explored interregional metabolic relationships between ROIs forming the "addiction" and "cognitive dysmetria" circuit. Materials and Methods: 2-fluoro, 2-deoxy-glucose positron emission tomography (FDG PET) scans were carried out in 16 male patients (age: 25.3±10.38 years) with cannabis dependence, 8-12 hours after the last cannabis consumption. Resting glucose uptake in 14 predetermined ROIs was compared with glucose uptake in 16 non-drug using volunteers (age: 29.2±8.39 years). Results: The two groups differed in their lateral and medial temporal glucose uptakes by approximately 16-24%. The relationships between interregional glucose uptakes in the two circuits were compared using the Chow Test. Significant differences in interregional correlations in the medial temporo-frontal and parieto-thalamic were noted between the two groups. Conclusion: The altered metabolic relationships among various brain regions can have potentially important implications for understanding cannabis dependence and cannabis-induced psychopathology.

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