Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 19, 2026

Brain Morphology of Cannabis Users With or Without Psychosis: A Pilot MRI Study
Published on: August 18, 2020
Striatal D(2)/D(3) receptor availability is inversely correlated with cannabis consumption in chronic marijuana users
Daniel S Albrecht1, Patrick D Skosnik, Jennifer M Vollmer
1Indiana University Center for Neuroimaging, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA.
Background:
Although the incidence of cannabis abuse/dependence in Americans is rising, the neurobiology of cannabis addiction is not well understood. Imaging studies have demonstrated deficits in striatal D(2)/D(3) receptor availability in several substance-dependent populations. However, this has not been studied in currently using chronic cannabis users.
Objective:
The purpose of this study was to compare striatal D(2)/D(3) receptor availability between currently using chronic cannabis users and healthy controls.
Methods:
Eighteen right-handed males age 18-34 were studied. Ten subjects were chronic cannabis users; eight were demographically matched controls. Subjects underwent a [(11)C]raclopride (RAC) PET scan. Striatal RAC binding potential (BP(ND)) was calculated on a voxel-wise basis. Prior to scanning, urine samples were obtained from cannabis users for quantification of urine Δ-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and THC metabolites (11-nor-Δ-9-THC-9-carboxylic acid; THC-COOH and 11-hydroxy-THC;OH-THC).
Results:
There were no differences in D(2)/D(3) receptor availability between cannabis users and controls. Voxel-wise analyses revealed that RAC BP(ND) values were negatively associated with both urine levels of cannabis metabolites and self-report of recent cannabis consumption.
Conclusions:
In this sample, current cannabis use was not associated with deficits in striatal D(2)/D(3) receptor availability. There was an inverse relationship between chronic cannabis use and striatal RAC BP(ND). Additional studies are needed to identify the neurochemical consequences of chronic cannabis use on the dopamine system.
Related Concept Videos
Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: Cannabinoids
Two synthetic agonists of THC,...
Hallucinogens and Psychedelics
Marijuana, derived from the dried leaves and flowers of the hemp plant, contains delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)...
CNS Stimulants: Cocaine, Amphetamines and Cannabinoids
Dose-Response Relationship: Overview
Desensitization and Tachyphylaxis
Several...

