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Orbitofrontal and caudate volumes in cannabis users: A multi-site mega-analysis comparing dependent versus non-dependent users
Chye, Yann Solowij, Nadia Suo, Chao Batalla, Albert Cousijn, Janna Goudriaan, Anna E. Martin-Santos, Rocio Whittle, Sarah Lorenzetti, Valentina Yücel, Murat
Chye, Yann
Solowij, Nadia
Suo, Chao
Batalla, Albert
Cousijn, Janna
Goudriaan, Anna E.
Martin-Santos, Rocio
Whittle, Sarah
Lorenzetti, Valentina
Yücel, Murat
Abstract
Rationale: Cannabis (CB) use and dependence are associated with regionally specific alterations to brain circuitry and substantial psychosocial impairment. Objectives: The objective of this study was to investigate the association between CB use and dependence, and the volumes of brain regions critically involved in goal-directed learning and behaviour—the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) and caudate. Methods: In the largest multi-site structural imaging study of CB users vs healthy controls (HC), 140 CB users and 121 HC were recruited from four research sites. Group differences in OFC and caudate volumes were investigated between HC and CB users and between 70 dependent (CB-dep) and 50 non-dependent (CB-nondep) users. The relationship between quantity of CB use and age of onset of use and caudate and OFC volumes was explored. Results: CB users (consisting of CB-dep and CB-nondep) did not significantly differ from HC in OFC or caudate volume. CB-dep compared to CB-nondep users exhibited significantly smaller volume in the medial and the lateral OFC. Lateral OFC volume was particularly smaller in CB-dep females, and reduced volume in the CB-dep group was associated with higher monthly cannabis dosage. Conclusions: Smaller medial OFC volume may be driven by CB dependence-related mechanisms, while smaller lateral OFC volume may be due to ongoing exposure to cannabinoid compounds. The results highlight a distinction between cannabis use and dependence and warrant examination of gender-specific effects in studies of CB dependence.
Keywords
cannabis, MRI, brain structure, orbitofrontal cortex, caudate, dependence, gender
Date
2017
Type
Journal article
Journal
Psychopharmacology
Book
Volume
234
Issue
13
Page Range
1985-1995
Article Number
ACU Department
School of Behavioural and Health Sciences
Faculty of Health Sciences
Faculty of Health Sciences
Relation URI
Source URL
Event URL
Open Access Status
License
File Access
Controlled