Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 1, 2026
14:21
Creating Dynamic Images of Short-lived Dopamine Fluctuations with lp-ntPET: Dopamine Movies of Cigarette Smoking
Published on: August 6, 2013
18.0K
The link between dopamine function and apathy in cannabis users: an [18F]-DOPA PET imaging study
Michael A P Bloomfield1, Celia J A Morgan, Shitij Kapur
1Psychiatric Imaging Group, Mansfield Building, Medical Research Council Clinical Sciences Centre, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Hammersmith Hospital, Imperial College London, Du Cane Road, London, W12 0NN, UK.
Psychopharmacology
|April 4, 2014
Summary
Chronic cannabis use is linked to reduced dopamine synthesis, potentially causing apathy and decreased motivation. This study found a correlation between lower dopamine capacity and higher apathy scores in regular cannabis users.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
- Addiction Research
Background:
- Cannabis is a widely used illicit substance associated with reduced motivation (apathy).
- Chronic cannabis use may lead to decreased dopamine synthesis capacity in the brain.
- The mesolimbic dopaminergic system, crucial for motivation, is modulated by endocannabinoid signaling.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between dopaminergic function and subjective apathy in individuals who regularly use cannabis.
Main Methods:
- Utilized 3,4-dihydroxy-6-[(18)F]-fluoro-l-phenylalanine positron emission tomography to measure dopamine synthesis capacity (K i(cer)).
- Assessed subjective apathy using the self-rated Apathy Evaluation Scale (AES-S).
- Study included 14 regular cannabis users.
Main Results:
- All participants exhibited significant apathy based on AES-S scores (median 59.5).
- A significant inverse correlation was observed between dopamine synthesis capacity (K i(cer)) and apathy scores in the whole striatum and its associative subdivision.
- No significant correlation was found between apathy scores and the quantity of current cannabis consumption or age of first use.
Conclusions:
- Reduced striatal dopamine synthesis capacity in chronic cannabis users may contribute to diminished reward sensitivity and motivation.
- Dopaminergic dysfunction is implicated in the apathy associated with long-term cannabis use.
