2019
Highs and lows of cannabinoid-dopamine interactions: effects of genetic variability and pharmacological modulation of catechol-O-methyl transferase on the acute response to delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol in humans
Ranganathan M, De Aquino JP, Cortes-Briones JA, Radhakrishnan R, Pittman B, Bhakta S, D’Souza D. Highs and lows of cannabinoid-dopamine interactions: effects of genetic variability and pharmacological modulation of catechol-O-methyl transferase on the acute response to delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol in humans. Psychopharmacology 2019, 236: 3209-3219. PMID: 31187152, DOI: 10.1007/s00213-019-05273-5.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsCOMT rs4680 polymorphismMemory deficitsCOMT genotypeVal/Val individualsRs4680 polymorphismSubjective effectsTest dayCatechol-O-methyl transferase (COMT) enzymePsychotomimetic effectsCognitive effectsCognitive dataCannabinoid-dopamine interactionsAcute responseHuman brainIntravenous THCPlacebo-controlled studyRole of dopaminergicCatechol-O-methyl transferaseDopaminergic signalingAcute pharmacological inhibitionDeficitsCannabinoid effectsDopaminergic toneHealthy subjectsDrug development efforts
2008
Preliminary evidence of cannabinoid effects on brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels in humans
D’Souza D, Pittman B, Perry E, Simen A. Preliminary evidence of cannabinoid effects on brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels in humans. Psychopharmacology 2008, 202: 569. PMID: 18807247, PMCID: PMC2791800, DOI: 10.1007/s00213-008-1333-2.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsBrain-derived neurotrophic factorBDNF levelsBrain-derived neurotrophic factor levelsNeurotrophic factor levelsSerum BDNF levelsΔ9-THCEffects of cannabinoidsΔ9-THC administrationSpatial memory impairmentBasal BDNF levelsResultsΔ9-THCPlacebo administrationPrincipal active componentNeurotrophic factorControl subjectsPsychotomimetic effectsHealthy controlsCannabinoid effectsIntravenous administrationAltered neurodevelopmentPreclinical studiesHigh riskConsequence of exposureChronic exposureMemory impairment