Abnormal striatal circuitry and intensified novelty seeking among adolescents who abuse methamphetamine and cannabis.
John C Churchwell, Paul D Carey, Helen L Ferrett, Dan J Stein, Deborah A Yurgelun-Todd
Developmental Neuroscience 2012 DOI: 10.1159/000337724 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Observational cross-sectional study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 27 |
| Population | Adolescents: 10 healthy controls, 9 methamphetamine abusers, and 8 combined methamphetamine and cannabis abusers |
| Measures | novelty seeking subscale of Cloninger's Tridimensional Character Inventory, structural magnetic resonance imaging (regional striatal morphology) |
| Topics | Cannabis |
| Key findings | Adolescent methamphetamine-plus-cannabis abusers showed increased regional striatal volume and intensified novelty seeking compared with controls, and the degree of methamphetamine exposure was positively correlated with regional striatal volume and novelty seeking in both methamphetamine and methamphetamine-plus-cannabis users. The authors argue these preliminary findings support theories proposing a role for the striatum in adolescent substance abuse and suggest novelty seeking may be related to initiating or sustaining drug use. |
Abstract
It has been hypothesized that changes in striatal-mediated dopamine modulation during adolescence may increase the risk for initiating substance abuse as a result of its fundamental role in arbitrating reward sensitivity and motivation during learning and decision making. However, substance abuse during adolescence may also significantly modify striatal structure and function and concomitantly alter reward sensitivity and action control while this brain region is undergoing remodeling. In the present investigation, to assess the relationship of methamphetamine (Meth) or Meth and cannabis (CA) abuse to regional striatal morphology, we acquired structural magnetic resonance images, using a 3T Siemens Trio scanner, from three groups of adolescents composed of healthy controls (n = 10), Meth abusers (n = 9) and combined Meth and CA abusers (Meth+CA, n = 8). We also assessed novelty seeking using the novelty seeking subscale of Cloninger's Tridimensional Character Inventory. The results indicate that adolescent Meth+CA abusers have increased regional striatal volume and show intensified novelty seeking in contrast to the controls. The degree of Meth exposure was also positively correlated with regional striatal volume and novelty seeking in both the Meth and Meth+CA users. These preliminary findings support theories that propose a role for the striatum in adolescent substance abuse and further indicate that novelty seeking may be related to the initiation of, or sustained, drug use.
Comparable studies
Other cross-sectional and survey studies on cannabis, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cannabis use before age 15 and subsequent executive functioning 104 chronic cannabis users (49 early-onset before age 15, 55 late-onset after age 15)... | 2011 | Observational cross-sectional study | n = 148 |
| Patterns of simultaneous polysubstance use in drug using university students Drug-using university students | 2006 | Cross-sectional survey | n = 149 |
| Persisting Reductions in Cannabis, Opioid, and Stimulant Misuse After Naturalistic Psychedelic Use: An Online Survey Online survey respondents | 2020 | Cross-sectional survey | |
| User perceptions of the benefits and harms of hallucinogenic drug use: A web-based questionnaire study Users of hallucinogenic drugs who completed a web-based questionnaire | 2010 | Cross-sectional survey | n = 600 |
| Illicit Use of LSD or Psilocybin, but not MDMA or Nonpsychedelic Drugs, is Associated with Mystical Experiences in a Dose-Dependent Manner Adults recruited from the MAPS website and newsletter, most reporting use of various... | 2012 | Cross-sectional survey | n = 337 |
Citations in the library
Cites 3
- Neuroimaging in cannabis use: a systematic review of the literature Psychological Medicine July 23, 2009
- Delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol induces dopamine release in the human striatum. Neuropsychopharmacology February 2009
- Chronic treatment with Delta(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol enhances the locomotor response to amphetamine and heroin. Implications for vulnerability to drug addiction. Neuropharmacology July 1, 2001