Journal of Neuroscience
May 15, 2001
D Kim, S A Thayer
The principal psychoactive ingredient in marijuana, Delta(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol, has been shown to inhibit adenylyl cyclase activity in vitro and can lead to impairment of memory in vivo. cAMP-induced changes in synaptic plasticity are thought to underlie memory formation. We examined the effects of cannabinoid receptor agonists on forskolin-induced formation of new synapses between rat...
Psychological Medicine
May 1, 2001
Sarajane Bhattachary, Jane H. Powell
138 citations
Background. It has recently been shown that 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) or ‘ecstasy’ causes long-lasting alterations to brain structure and function in animals, and there is mounting evidence that recreational users of the drug show impairments in some aspects of cognitive functioning including memory for verbal information. The present study investigates possible effects on other...
Neurotoxicology and Teratology
2001
E Ho, L Karimi-Tabesh, G Koren
To determine the characteristics of pregnant women who use Ecstasy (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine, MDMA), and to identify reproductive risk factors associated with this group of women. Prospective, observational study. Pregnant women who have contacted the Motherisk Alcohol and Substance Use Helpline at The Hospital for Sick Children, in Toronto, about exposure to drugs, chemicals,...
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs
2001
K L Jansen, R Darracot-Cankovic
This is the second part of a review of the nonmedical use of ketamine. Part one discussed the history of ketamine, the sought-after effects for which it is taken in a nonmedical context, how these are produced, common adverse effects, the ketamine schizophrenia model and the neurotoxicity issue. Part two reviews what is currently known about problem use of ketamine, ketamine dependence,...
September 26, 2000
Stella Pereira De Almeida
1 citation
O presente estudo teve como objetivo identificar os padrões de uso de "êxtase"na cidade de São Paulo.Os usuários foram recrutados através da técnica de amostragem snowball, também utilizada para o recrutamento do grupo controle, composto de indivíduos com estilo de vida semelhante aos primeiros mas que nunca haviam experimentado "êxtase"(não usuários).Usuários (52) e não usuários (52) foram...
Forensic Science International
August 14, 2000
Christian Giroud, F Felber, Marc Augsburger et al.
70 citations
Salvia divinorum Epling & Jativa is an hallucinogenic mint traditionally used for curing and divination by the Mazatec Indians of Oaxaca, Mexico. Young people from Mexican cities were reported to smoke dried leaves of S. divinorum as a marijuana substitute. Recently, two S. divinorum specimens were seized in a large-scale illicit in-door and out-door hemp plantation. Salvinorin A also called...
July 1, 2000
Robert H. Williams, T. Erickson
Under certain conditions or in an overdose setting, several classes of drugs can induce illusions, hallucinations, or delusions. However, one of the hallmark features of hallucinogens or psychedelic agents is their ability to induce states of altered or distorted perception, thought, and mood. Many hallucinogens produce classic sympathomimetic effects; that is, hyperactivity, mydriasis (dilated...
Pharmacology, Biochemistry, and Behavior
May 2000
F M Leweke, Udo Schneider, M Radwan et al.
The physiological and pathophysiological roles of the central nervous endogenous cannabinoid system are not completely understood, but still represent a challenge in basic neurobiological, cognitive, and psychiatric research. The system has been implicated in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia. Binocular depth inversion, an illusion of visual perception, provides a model of impaired perception...
Progress in Neurobiology
July 1999
A Ameri
Cannabinoids have a long history of consumption for recreational and medical reasons. The primary active constituent of the hemp plant Cannabis sativa is delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol (delta9-THC). In humans, psychoactive cannabinoids produce euphoria, enhancement of sensory perception, tachycardia, antinociception, difficulties in concentration and impairment of memory. The cognitive...
Neuroreport
June 3, 1999
F. Leweke, Andrea Giuffrida, U. Wurster et al.
Evidence suggests that cannabinoid receptors, the pharmacologcial target of cannabis-derived drugs, and their accompanying system of endogenous activators may be dysfunctional in schizophrenia. To test this hypothesis, we examined whether endogenous cannabinoid concentrations in cerebrospinal fluid of schizophrenic patients are altered compared to nonschizophrenic controls. Endogenous...