Cannabinoid Modulation of Amygdala Reactivity to Social Signals of Threat in Humans

Overview

Journal J Neurosci

Specialty Neurology

Date 2008 Mar 7

PMID 18322078

Citations 116

Authors

K Luan Phan

Mike Angstadt

Jamie Golden

Ikechukwu Onyewuenyi

Ana Popovska

Harriet de Wit

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

The cannabinoid (CB) system is a key neurochemical mediator of anxiety and fear learning in both animals and humans. The anxiolytic effects of delta(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the primary psychoactive ingredient in cannabis, are believed to be mediated through direct and selective agonism of CB(1) receptors localized within the basolateral amygdala, a critical brain region for threat perception. However, little is known about the effects of THC on amygdala reactivity in humans. We used functional magnetic resonance imaging and a well validated task to probe amygdala responses to threat signals in 16 healthy, recreational cannabis users after a double-blind crossover administration of THC or placebo. We found that THC significantly reduced amygdala reactivity to social signals of threat but did not affect activity in primary visual and motor cortex. The current findings fit well with the notion that THC and other cannabinoids may have an anxiolytic role in central mechanisms of fear behaviors and provide a rationale for exploring novel therapeutic strategies that target the cannabinoid system for disorders of anxiety and social fear.

Citing Articles

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