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The effects of Acute ?9-tetrahydrocannabinol on striatal glutamatergic function: a proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy study

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posted on 2023-06-10, 03:57 authored by Michael A P Bloomfield, Katherine Petrilli, Rachel Lees, Chandni Hindocha, Katherine Beck, Ryan J Turner, Ellis Chika Onwordi, Neil Rane, David J Lythgoe, James StoneJames Stone, H Valerie Curran, Oliver D Howes, Tom P Freeman
Background: Cannabis and its main psychoactive component, ?9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), can elicit transient psychotic symptoms. A key candidate biological mechanism of how THC induces psychotic symptoms is the modulation of glutamate in the brain. We sought to investigate the effects of acute THC administration on striatal glutamate levels and its relationship to the induction of psychotic symptoms. Methods: We used proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy to measure glutamate levels in the striatum in 20 healthy participants after THC (15 mg, oral) and matched placebo administration in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled design. Psychotic symptoms were measured using the Psychotomimetic States Inventory. Results: We found that THC administration did not significantly change glutamate (glutamate plus glutamine relative to creatine) concentration in the striatum (p =.58; scaled Jeffreys-Zellner-Siow Bayes factor = 4.29). THC increased psychotic symptoms, but the severity of these symptoms was not correlated with striatal glutamate levels. Conclusions: These findings suggest that oral administration of 15 mg of THC does not result in altered striatal glutamate levels. Further work is needed to clarify the effects of THC on striatal glutamate.

History

Publication status

  • Published

File Version

  • Accepted version

Journal

Biological Psychiatry: Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroimaging

ISSN

2451-9022

Publisher

Elsevier BV

Issue

6

Volume

6

Page range

660-667

Event location

United States

Department affiliated with

  • BSMS Neuroscience Publications

Full text available

  • Yes

Peer reviewed?

  • Yes

Legacy Posted Date

2022-06-21

First Open Access (FOA) Date

2022-06-21

First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date

2022-06-20

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