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Esmaeili A, Dismuke-Greer C, Pogoda TK, Amuan ME, Garcia C, Del Negro A, Myers M, Kennedy E, Cifu D, Pugh MJ. Cannabis use disorder contributes to cognitive dysfunction in Veterans with traumatic brain injury. Front Neurol 2024; 15:1261249. [PMID: 38292293 PMCID: PMC10824930 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2024.1261249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 02/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Background While emerging evidence supports a link between traumatic brain injury (TBI) and progressive cognitive dysfunction in Veterans, there is insufficient information on the impact of cannabis use disorder (CUD) on long-term cognitive disorders. This study aimed to examine the incidences of cognitive disorders in Veterans with TBI and CUD and to evaluate their relationship. Methods This retrospective cohort study used the US Department of Veterans Affairs and Department of Defense administrative data from the Long-term Impact of Military-Relevant Brain Injury Consortium-Chronic Effects of Neurotrauma Consortium Phenotype study. Diagnoses suggesting cognitive disorders after a TBI index date were identified using inpatient and outpatient data from 2003 to 2022. We compared the differential cognitive disorders incidence in Veterans who had the following: (1) no CUD or TBI (control group), (2) CUD only, (3) TBI only, and (4) comorbid CUD+TBI. Kaplan-Meier analyses were used to estimate the overall cognitive disorders incidence in the above study groups. The crude and adjusted Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate crude and adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) for cognitive disorders. Results A total of 1,560,556 Veterans [82.32% male, median (IQR) age at the time of TBI, 34.51 (11.29) years, and 61.35% white] were evaluated. The cognitive disorder incidence rates were estimated as 0.68 (95% CI, 0.62, 0.75) for CUD only and 1.03 (95% CI, 1.00, 1.06) for TBI only per 10,000 person-months of observations, with the highest estimated cognitive disorder incidence observed in participants with both TBI and CUD [1.83 (95% CI, 1.72, 1.95)]. Relative to the control group, the highest hazard of cognitive disorders was observed in Veterans with CUD+TBI [hazard ratio (HR), 3.26; 95% CI, 2.91, 3.65], followed by those with TBI only (2.32; 95 CI%, 2.13, 2.53) and with CUD (1.79; 95 CI%, 1.60, 2.00). Of note, in the CUD only subgroup, we also observed the highest risk of an early onset cognitive disorder other than Alzheimer's disease and Frontotemporal dementia. Discussion The results of this analysis suggest that individuals with comorbid TBI and CUD may be at increased risk for early onset cognitive disorders, including dementia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aryan Esmaeili
- Health Economics Resource Center (HERC), Ci2i, VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Menlo Park, CA, United States
| | - Clara Dismuke-Greer
- Health Economics Resource Center (HERC), Ci2i, VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Menlo Park, CA, United States
| | - Terri K. Pogoda
- Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, United States
- Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Megan E. Amuan
- Informatics, Decision-Enhancement, and Analytic Sciences Center of Innovation, VA Salt Lake City Health Care System, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
- Division of Epidemiology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
| | - Carla Garcia
- Health Economics Resource Center (HERC), Ci2i, VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Menlo Park, CA, United States
| | - Ariana Del Negro
- Health Economics Resource Center (HERC), Ci2i, VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Menlo Park, CA, United States
| | - Maddy Myers
- Informatics, Decision-Enhancement, and Analytic Sciences Center of Innovation, VA Salt Lake City Health Care System, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
| | - Eamonn Kennedy
- Informatics, Decision-Enhancement, and Analytic Sciences Center of Innovation, VA Salt Lake City Health Care System, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
- Division of Epidemiology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
| | - David Cifu
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States
| | - Mary Jo Pugh
- Informatics, Decision-Enhancement, and Analytic Sciences Center of Innovation, VA Salt Lake City Health Care System, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
- Division of Epidemiology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
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Cui SF, Yang HL, Lin SY, Wan JW, Zhou CH. Identification and Quantification of the Main Psychoactive Ingredients of Cannabis in Urine Using Excitation-Eemission Matrix Fluorescence Coupled with Parallel Factor Analysis. ACS OMEGA 2023; 8:36302-36310. [PMID: 37810707 PMCID: PMC10552475 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.3c04913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023]
Abstract
Cannabis is the most prevalent abused substance after alcohol, and its consumption severely harms human health and thus adversely impacts society. The identification and quantification of cannabis in urine play important roles in practical forensics. Excitation-emission matrix (EEM) fluorescence spectroscopy coupled with parallel factor (PARAFAC) analysis was developed to identify and quantify the four main ingredients of cannabis in urine samples. The main ingredients of cannabis including Δ-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabidiol, cannabinol, and tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THC-COOH) exhibited diverse fluorescence characteristics, and the concentrations of these compounds depicted a positive linear relationship with the fluorescence intensity at the ng/mL level. The EEM/PARAFAC method adequately characterized and discriminated the four ingredients in calibration and prediction samples with a low root-mean-square error of prediction (RMSEP; 0.03-0.07 μg/mL) and limit of quantitation (LOQ; 0.26-0.71 μg/mL). The prediction results of the EEM/PARAFAC method well correlated with that of GC-MS with a low RMSEP range (0.01-0.05 μg/mL) and LOQ range (0.07-0.44 μg/mL) in urine samples. The EEM spectroscopic investigation coupled with the PARAFAC algorithm results in an organic, solvent-less, fast, reliable tool to perform accurate and rapid screening of cannabis abusers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheng-Feng Cui
- Center
for Traffic Evidence Technology, Department of Criminal Science and
Technology, Railway Police College, Zhengzhou 450053, China
- Institute
of Public Safety, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Hai-Long Yang
- Center
for Traffic Evidence Technology, Department of Criminal Science and
Technology, Railway Police College, Zhengzhou 450053, China
| | - Si-Yu Lin
- Center
for Traffic Evidence Technology, Department of Criminal Science and
Technology, Railway Police College, Zhengzhou 450053, China
| | - Jing-Wei Wan
- Center
for Traffic Evidence Technology, Department of Criminal Science and
Technology, Railway Police College, Zhengzhou 450053, China
- Institute
of Public Safety, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Cheng-He Zhou
- Key
Laboratory of Applied Chemistry of Chongqing Municipality, School
of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southwest
University, Chongqing 400715, China
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3
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Di Raddo ME, Milenkovic M, Sivasubramanian M, Hasbi A, Bergman J, Withey S, Madras BK, George SR. Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol does not upregulate an aversive dopamine receptor mechanism in adolescent brain unlike in adults. CURRENT RESEARCH IN NEUROBIOLOGY 2023; 5:100107. [PMID: 38020805 PMCID: PMC10663137 DOI: 10.1016/j.crneur.2023.100107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2022] [Revised: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 08/18/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Earlier age of cannabis usage poses higher risk of Cannabis Use Disorder and adverse consequences, such as addiction, anxiety, dysphoria, psychosis, largely attributed to its principal psychoactive component, Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and altered dopaminergic function. As dopamine D1-D2 receptor heteromer activation causes anxiety and anhedonia, this signaling complex was postulated to contribute to THC-induced affective symptoms. To investigate this, we administered THC repeatedly to adolescent monkeys and adolescent or adult rats. Drug-naïve adolescent rat had lower striatal densities of D1-D2 heteromer compared to adult rat. Repeated administration of THC to adolescent rat or adolescent monkey did not alter D1-D2 heteromer expression in nucleus accumbens or dorsal striatum but upregulated it in adult rat. Behaviourally, THC-treated adult, but not adolescent rat manifested anxiety and anhedonia-like behaviour, with elevated composite negative emotionality scores that correlated with striatal D1-D2 density. THC modified downstream markers of D1-D2 activation in adult, but not adolescent striatum. THC administered with cannabidiol did not alter D1-D2 expression. In adult rat, co-administration of CB1 receptor (CB1R) inverse agonist with THC attenuated D1-D2 upregulation, implicating cannabinoids in the regulation of striatal D1-D2 heteromer expression. THC exposure revealed an adaptable age-specific, anxiogenic, anti-reward mechanism operant in adult striatum but deficient in adolescent rat and monkey striatum that may confer increased sensitivity to THC reward in adolescence while limiting its negative effects, thus promoting continued use and increasing vulnerability to long-term adverse cannabis effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie-Eve Di Raddo
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada M5S 1A8
| | - Marija Milenkovic
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada M5S 1A8
| | | | - Ahmed Hasbi
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada M5S 1A8
| | - Jack Bergman
- McLean Hospital, Belmont MA & Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02478, United States
| | - Sarah Withey
- McLean Hospital, Belmont MA & Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02478, United States
| | - Bertha K. Madras
- McLean Hospital, Belmont MA & Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02478, United States
| | - Susan R. George
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada M5S 1A8
- Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada M5S 1A8
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Hasbi A, Madras BK, George SR. Endocannabinoid System and Exogenous Cannabinoids in Depression and Anxiety: A Review. Brain Sci 2023; 13:brainsci13020325. [PMID: 36831868 PMCID: PMC9953886 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci13020325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2023] [Revised: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 02/11/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: There is a growing liberalization of cannabis-based preparations for medical and recreational use. In multiple instances, anxiety and depression are cited as either a primary or a secondary reason for the use of cannabinoids. Aim: The purpose of this review is to explore the association between depression or anxiety and the dysregulation of the endogenous endocannabinoid system (ECS), as well as the use of phytocannabinoids and synthetic cannabinoids in the remediation of depression/anxiety symptoms. After a brief description of the constituents of cannabis, cannabinoid receptors and the endocannabinoid system, the most important evidence is presented for the involvement of cannabinoids in depression and anxiety both in human and from animal models of depression and anxiety. Finally, evidence is presented for the clinical use of cannabinoids to treat depression and anxiety. Conclusions: Although the common belief that cannabinoids, including cannabis, its main studied components-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD)-or other synthetic derivatives have been suggested to have a therapeutic role for certain mental health conditions, all recent systematic reviews that we report have concluded that the evidence that cannabinoids improve depressive and anxiety disorders is weak, of very-low-quality, and offers no guidance on the use of cannabinoids for mental health conditions within a regulatory framework. There is an urgent need for high-quality studies examining the effects of cannabinoids on mental disorders in general and depression/anxiety in particular, as well as the consequences of long-term use of these preparations due to possible risks such as addiction and even reversal of improvement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed Hasbi
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
- Correspondence: (A.H.); (S.R.G.)
| | - Bertha K. Madras
- McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA 02478, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Susan R. George
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
- Department of Medicine, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
- Correspondence: (A.H.); (S.R.G.)
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5
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Skumlien M, Freeman TP, Hall D, Mokrysz C, Wall MB, Ofori S, Petrilli K, Trinci K, Borissova A, Fernandez-Vinson N, Langley C, Sahakian BJ, Curran HV, Lawn W. The Effects of Acute Cannabis With and Without Cannabidiol on Neural Reward Anticipation in Adults and Adolescents. BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY. COGNITIVE NEUROSCIENCE AND NEUROIMAGING 2023; 8:219-229. [PMID: 36642667 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpsc.2022.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2022] [Revised: 10/11/2022] [Accepted: 10/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Adolescents may respond differently to cannabis than adults, yet no previous functional magnetic resonance imaging study has examined acute cannabis effects in this age group. In this study, we investigated the neural correlates of reward anticipation after acute exposure to cannabis in adolescents and adults. METHODS This was a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized, crossover experiment. Forty-seven adolescents (n = 24, 12 females, ages 16-17 years) and adults (n = 23, 11 females, ages 26-29 years) matched on cannabis use frequency (0.5-3 days/week) completed the Monetary Incentive Delay task during functional magnetic resonance imaging after inhaling cannabis with 0.107 mg/kg Δ⁹-tetrahydrocannabinol ("THC") (8 mg THC for a 75-kg person) or with THC plus 0.320 mg/kg cannabidiol ("THC+CBD") (24 mg CBD for a 75-kg person), or placebo cannabis. We investigated reward anticipation activity with whole-brain analyses and region of interest analyses in the right and left ventral striatum, right and left anterior cingulate cortex, and right insula. RESULTS THC reduced anticipation activity compared with placebo in the right (p = .005, d= 0.49) and left (p = .003, d = 0.50) ventral striatum and the right insula (p = .01, d = 0.42). THC+CBD reduced activity compared with placebo in the right ventral striatum (p = .01, d = 0.41) and right insula (p = .002, d = 0.49). There were no differences between "THC" and "THC+CBD" conditions and no significant drug by age group interaction effect, supported by Bayesian analyses. There were no significant effects in the whole-brain analyses. CONCLUSIONS In weekly cannabis users, cannabis suppresses the brain's anticipatory reward response to money, and CBD does not modulate this effect. Furthermore, the adolescent reward circuitry is not differentially sensitive to acute effects of cannabis on reward anticipation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martine Skumlien
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom; Clinical Psychopharmacology Unit, Clinical Educational and Health Psychology Department, University College London, London, United Kingdom.
| | - Tom P Freeman
- Clinical Psychopharmacology Unit, Clinical Educational and Health Psychology Department, University College London, London, United Kingdom; Addiction and Mental Health Group, Department of Psychology, University of Bath, Bath, United Kingdom
| | - Daniel Hall
- Clinical Psychopharmacology Unit, Clinical Educational and Health Psychology Department, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Claire Mokrysz
- Clinical Psychopharmacology Unit, Clinical Educational and Health Psychology Department, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Matthew B Wall
- Clinical Psychopharmacology Unit, Clinical Educational and Health Psychology Department, University College London, London, United Kingdom; Invicro, London, United Kingdom; Faculty of Medicine, Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Shelan Ofori
- Clinical Psychopharmacology Unit, Clinical Educational and Health Psychology Department, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Kat Petrilli
- Clinical Psychopharmacology Unit, Clinical Educational and Health Psychology Department, University College London, London, United Kingdom; Addiction and Mental Health Group, Department of Psychology, University of Bath, Bath, United Kingdom
| | - Katie Trinci
- Clinical Psychopharmacology Unit, Clinical Educational and Health Psychology Department, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Anna Borissova
- Clinical Psychopharmacology Unit, Clinical Educational and Health Psychology Department, University College London, London, United Kingdom; Department of Psychology, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Natalia Fernandez-Vinson
- Clinical Psychopharmacology Unit, Clinical Educational and Health Psychology Department, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Christelle Langley
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom; Behavioural and Clinical Neuroscience Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Barbara J Sahakian
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom; Behavioural and Clinical Neuroscience Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - H Valerie Curran
- Clinical Psychopharmacology Unit, Clinical Educational and Health Psychology Department, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Will Lawn
- Clinical Psychopharmacology Unit, Clinical Educational and Health Psychology Department, University College London, London, United Kingdom; Department of Psychology, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, United Kingdom; Department of Addictions, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
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6
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Torrens A, Roy P, Lin L, Vu C, Grimes D, Inshishian VC, Montesinos JS, Ahmed F, Mahler SV, Huestis MA, Das A, Piomelli D. Comparative Pharmacokinetics of Δ 9-Tetrahydrocannabinol in Adolescent and Adult Male and Female Rats. Cannabis Cannabinoid Res 2022; 7:814-826. [PMID: 35353551 PMCID: PMC9784615 DOI: 10.1089/can.2021.0205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Studies in rodent models have shown that adolescent exposure to Δ9-THC, the psychotropic constituent of cannabis, produces long-lasting alterations in brain function and behavior. However, our understanding of how age and sex might influence the distribution and metabolism of THC in laboratory rodents is still incomplete. In the present report, we provide a comparative analysis of the pharmacokinetic (PK) properties of THC in adolescent and adult rats of both sexes, and outline several dissimilarities across these groups. Materials and Methods: A single (acute) or 2-week daily (subchronic) administration of THC (0.5 or 5 mg/kg, acute; 5 mg/kg, subchronic; intraperitoneal) was given to adolescent (33-day-old, acute; 30-44-day-old, subchronic) and young adult (70-day-old, acute only) male and female rats. THC and its first-pass metabolites-11-hydroxy-Δ9-THC (11-OH-THC) and 11-nor-9-carboxy-Δ9-THC (11-COOH-THC)-were quantified in plasma and brain tissue using a selective isotope-dilution liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry assay. Changes in body temperature were measured using abdominally implanted microchips. Biotransformation of THC to its metabolites using freshly prepared liver microsomes was assessed. Results: At the acute 5 mg/kg dose, maximal plasma concentrations of THC were twice as high in adult than in adolescent rats. Conversely, in adults, brain concentrations and brain-to-plasma ratios for THC were substantially lower (25-50%) than those measured in adolescents. Similarly, plasma and brain concentrations of THC metabolites were higher in adolescent male rats compared with adult males. Interestingly, plasma and brain concentrations of the psychoactive THC metabolite 11-OH-THC were twofold to sevenfold higher in female animals of both ages compared with males. Moreover, liver microsomes from adolescent males and adolescent and adult females converted THC to 11-OH-THC twice as fast as adult male microsomes. A dose-dependent hypothermic response to THC was observed in females with 0.5 and 5 mg/kg THC, whereas only the highest dose elicited a response in males. Finally, subchronic administration of THC during adolescence did not significantly affect the drug's PK profile. Conclusions: The results reveal the existence of multiple age and sex differences in the distribution and metabolism of THC in rats, which might influence the pharmacological response to the drug.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexa Torrens
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of California, Irvine, California, USA
| | - Pritam Roy
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, USA
| | - Lin Lin
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of California, Irvine, California, USA
| | - Cindy Vu
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of California, Irvine, California, USA
| | - Dakota Grimes
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of California, Irvine, California, USA
| | - Victoria C. Inshishian
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, University of California, Irvine, California, USA
| | - Johanna S. Montesinos
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, University of California, Irvine, California, USA
| | - Faizy Ahmed
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of California, Irvine, California, USA
| | - Stephen V. Mahler
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, University of California, Irvine, California, USA
| | - Marylin A. Huestis
- Institute of Emerging Health Professions, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Aditi Das
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, USA
| | - Daniele Piomelli
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of California, Irvine, California, USA
- Department of Biological Chemistry, and University of California, Irvine, California, USA
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, Irvine, California, USA
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Affinity Assays for Cannabinoids Detection: Are They Amenable to On-Site Screening? BIOSENSORS 2022; 12:bios12080608. [PMID: 36005003 PMCID: PMC9405638 DOI: 10.3390/bios12080608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2022] [Revised: 07/27/2022] [Accepted: 08/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
Roadside testing of illicit drugs such as tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) requires simple, rapid, and cost-effective methods. The need for non-invasive detection tools has led to the development of selective and sensitive platforms, able to detect phyto- and synthetic cannabinoids by means of their main metabolites in breath, saliva, and urine samples. One may estimate the time passed from drug exposure and the frequency of use by corroborating the detection results with pharmacokinetic data. In this review, we report on the current detection methods of cannabinoids in biofluids. Fluorescent, electrochemical, colorimetric, and magnetoresistive biosensors will be briefly overviewed, putting emphasis on the affinity formats amenable to on-site screening, with possible applications in roadside testing and anti-doping control.
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8
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Hasbi A, Madras BK, George SR. Daily THC and withdrawal increase dopamine D1-D2 receptor heteromer to mediate anhedonia and anxiogenic-like behavior through a dynorphin and kappa opioid receptor mechanism. BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY GLOBAL OPEN SCIENCE 2022. [PMID: 37519471 PMCID: PMC10382712 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpsgos.2022.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Frequent cannabis use is associated with a higher risk of developing cannabis use disorder and other adverse consequences. However, rodent models studying the underlying mechanisms of the reinforcing and withdrawal effects of the primary constituent of cannabis, Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), have been limited. Methods This study investigated the effects of daily THC (1 mg/kg, intraperitoneal, 9 days) and spontaneous withdrawal (7 days) on hedonic and aversion-like behaviors in male rats. In parallel, underlying neuroadaptive changes in dopaminergic, opioidergic, and cannabinoid signaling in the nucleus accumbens were evaluated, along with a candidate peptide designed to reverse altered signaling. Results Chronic THC administration induced anhedonic- and anxiogenic-like behaviors not attributable to altered locomotor activity. These effects persisted after drug cessation. In the nucleus accumbens, THC treatment and withdrawal catalyzed increased cannabinoid CB1 receptor activity without modifying receptor expression. Dopamine D1-D2 receptor heteromer expression rose steeply with THC, accompanied by increased calcium-linked signaling, activation of BDNF/TrkB (brain-derived neurotrophic factor/tropomyosin receptor kinase B) pathway, dynorphin expression, and kappa opioid receptor signaling. Disruption of the D1-D2 heteromer by an interfering peptide during withdrawal reversed the anxiogenic-like and anhedonic-like behaviors as well as the neurochemical changes. Conclusions Chronic THC increases nucleus accumbens dopamine D1-D2 receptor heteromer expression and function, which results in increased dynorphin expression and kappa opioid receptor activation. These changes plausibly reduce dopamine release to trigger anxiogenic- and anhedonic-like behaviors after daily THC administration that persist for at least 7 days after drug cessation. These findings conceivably provide a therapeutic strategy to alleviate negative symptoms associated with cannabis use and withdrawal.
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9
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Lappas NT, Lappas CM. Cannabinoids. Forensic Toxicol 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-819286-3.00026-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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10
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McPherson KL, Tomasi DG, Wang GJ, Manza P, Volkow ND. Cannabis Affects Cerebellar Volume and Sleep Differently in Men and Women. Front Psychiatry 2021; 12:643193. [PMID: 34054601 PMCID: PMC8155508 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.643193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2020] [Accepted: 04/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: There are known sex differences in behavioral and clinical outcomes associated with drugs of abuse, including cannabis. However, little is known about how chronic cannabis use and sex interact to affect brain structure, particularly in regions with high cannabinoid receptor expression, such as the cerebellum, amygdala, and hippocampus. Based on behavioral data suggesting that females may be particularly vulnerable to the effects of chronic cannabis use, we hypothesized lower volumes in these regions in female cannabis users. We also hypothesized poorer sleep quality among female cannabis users, given recent findings highlighting the importance of sleep for many outcomes related to cannabis use disorder. Methods: Using data from the Human Connectome Project, we examined 170 chronic cannabis users (>100 lifetime uses and/or a lifetime diagnosis of cannabis dependence) and 170 controls that we attempted to match on age, sex, BMI, race, tobacco use, and alcohol use. We performed group-by-sex ANOVAs, testing for an interaction in subcortical volumes, and in self-reported sleep quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Questionnaire Inventory). Results: After controlling for total intracranial volume and past/current tobacco usage, we found that cannabis users relative to controls had smaller cerebellum volume and poorer sleep quality, and these effects were driven by the female cannabis users (i.e., a group-by-sex interaction). Among cannabis users, there was an age of first use-by-sex interaction in sleep quality, such that females with earlier age of first cannabis use tended to have more self-reported sleep issues, whereas this trend was not present among male cannabis users. The amygdala volume was smaller in cannabis users than in non-users but the group by sex interaction was not significant. Conclusions: These data corroborate prior findings that females may be more sensitive to the neural and behavioral effects of chronic cannabis use than males. Further work is needed to determine if reduced cerebellar and amygdala volumes contribute to sleep impairments in cannabis users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine L. McPherson
- National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Dardo G. Tomasi
- National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Gene-Jack Wang
- National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Peter Manza
- National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Nora D. Volkow
- National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
- National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
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Effects of daily Δ 9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) alone or combined with cannabidiol (CBD) on cognition-based behavior and activity in adolescent nonhuman primates. Drug Alcohol Depend 2021; 221:108629. [PMID: 33640678 PMCID: PMC8204682 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2021.108629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2020] [Revised: 02/06/2021] [Accepted: 02/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Daily use of marijuana is rising in adolescents, along with consumption of high potency marijuana products (high % Δ-9-tetrahydrocannabinol or THC). These dual, related trends have opened gaps in understanding the long-term effects of daily consumption of a high dose of THC in adolescents and whether a therapeutic dose of cannabidiol (CBD) modulates THC effects. METHODS Adolescent squirrel monkeys (Saimiri boliviensis) were treated daily for four months with vehicle (n = 4), a high THC dose (1 mg/kg i.m.; n = 4), or THC + CBD (1 mg/kg +3 mg/kg i.m.; n = 4), to investigate whether: (1) a daily high THC dose affects performance in tasks of cognition (repeated acquisition, discrimination reversal); (2) a daily high THC dose affects spontaneous behavior and day/night activity (3) tolerance develops to the behavioral effects of THC; (4) whether CBD modulates THC effects. RESULTS THC impaired performance of adolescent monkeys in a cognitive test initially, but not performance on a task of cognitive flexibility. THC reduced motor activity and increased sedentary behavior, with tolerance developing after weeks of daily treatment. Co-administered with THC, CBD did not modulate THC effects on cognitive performance, activity or tolerance, but prevented THC-induced emesis on the first day of daily treatment. CONCLUSIONS Daily high dosing with THC compromised performance on a task of cognition, and reduced activity in adolescent primates, with tolerance developing within weeks. Whether our observations are relevant to a broader range of cognitive tasks vital for daily function in human adolescents is uncertain.
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Vilches JR, Taylor MB, Filbey FM. A Multiple Correspondence Analysis of Patterns of CBD Use in Hemp and Marijuana Users. Front Psychiatry 2020; 11:624012. [PMID: 33519562 PMCID: PMC7840961 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2020.624012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2020] [Accepted: 12/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: With the passing of the 2018 Agriculture Improvement Act that legalized hemp-derived products, i.e., cannabidiol (CBD), the use of CBD has increased exponentially. To date, the few studies that have characterized individuals who use CBD suggest that co-use of CBD and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)-dominant cannabis, i.e., marijuana, is highly prevalent. It is, therefore, important to investigate the relationship between CBD use and marijuana use to understand the antecedents and consequences of co-use of these two cannabis products. Methods: We conducted an online survey using structured questionnaires to determine differences in CBD users with (CBD+MJ) and without co-morbid marijuana use. Group comparisons were carried out using chi-square tests and ANOVA. Multiple correspondence analysis (MCA) with bootstrap ratio testing was performed to examine the relationship between the categorical data. Results: We received 182 survey responses from current CBD users. CBD+MJ had more types of CBD administration (F = 17.07, p < 0.001) and longer lifetime duration of CBD use (χ2 = 12.85, p < 0.05). Results from the MCA yielded two statistically significant dimensions that accounted for 77% of the total variance. Dimension 1 (representing 57% of the variance) associated CBD+MJ with indication of CBD use for medical ailments, use of CBD for more than once a day for longer than 2 years, applying CBD topically or consuming it via vaping or edibles, being female, and, having lower educational attainment. Dimension 2 (representing 20% of the variance) separated the groups primarily on smoking-related behaviors where CBD+MJ was associated with smoking CBD and nicotine. Conclusions: Identifying the factors that influence use of CBD and marijuana can inform future studies on the risks and benefits associated with each substance as well as the impacts of policies related to cannabis-based products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph R Vilches
- Center for BrainHealth, School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas, Dallas, TX, United States.,Department of Psychology, University of North Texas, Denton, TX, United States
| | - Mackenzie B Taylor
- Center for BrainHealth, School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas, Dallas, TX, United States
| | - Francesca M Filbey
- Center for BrainHealth, School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas, Dallas, TX, United States
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