Cerebellar-dependent associative learning in heavy cannabis users: Relationship to cannabis use and cannabinoid metabolites
by Edwards, Chad R., Ph.D., INDIANA UNIVERSITY, 2010, 122 pages; 3432108

Abstract:

Delta-9-tetrahydrocananbinol (THC), the primary psychoactive ingredient in cannabis sativa, is a cannabinoid system receptor (CB1) agonist. Consistent with psychomotor disturbances associated with cannabis intoxication, accumulating evidence has implicated the CB1 receptor in mediating cerebellar cortical plasticity. This plasticity is postulated to be necessary in cerebellar-dependent associative learning as indexed by condition response (CR) acquisition and timing in the eyeblink conditioning (EBC) procedure. The current research investigated the performance of heavy cannabis users (n = 26, short-delay; n = 13, long-delay) and cannabis naive controls (n = 14, short-delay; n = 17 long-delay) in the EBC procedure using both short (400 ms)- and long (900 ms)-duration condition stimulus tones. Urine levels of THC and the inactive metabolite THC-COOH were assessed and EEG was recorded at FCz to examine event-related brain potential correlates of attentional processing during the EBC tasks. Heavy cannabis users (positive urine test) and controls were free of DSM axis I or axis II disorders, aside from cannabis abuse or dependence for users. Results indicated that cannabis users demonstrated impaired acquisition and timing of the CR in the short-delay EBC task, but did not differ from controls in the long-EBC task. Neither cannabis use rates nor analyte levels were associated with primary EBC performance variables (CR acquisition or timing). However, analyte levels were positively correlated with self-reported recreational cannabis use, particularly in the past week. These data extend a prior study of short-EBC in cannabis users and support the prevailing theory that long-term exposure to cannabinoid agonists likely instigates compensatory changes in the cannabinoid system, which in turn, alters CR-timing related cerebellar plasticity. Findings are used to refine the cannabinoid EBC model, with a particular focus on cerebellar cortical inhibitory interneurons.

 
AdviserWilliam P. Hetrick
SchoolINDIANA UNIVERSITY
SourceDAI/B 72-01, p. , Jan 2011
Source TypeDissertation
SubjectsNeurosciences; Behavioral sciences; Physiological psychology
Publication Number3432108
Adobe PDF Access the complete dissertation:
 

» Find an electronic copy at your library.
  Use the link below to access a full citation record of this graduate work:
  http://gateway.proquest.com/openurl%3furl_ver=Z39.88-2004%26res_dat=xri:pqdiss%26rft_val_fmt=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:dissertation%26rft_dat=xri:pqdiss:3432108
  If your library subscribes to the ProQuest Dissertations & Theses (PQDT) database, you may be entitled to a free electronic version of this graduate work. If not, you will have the option to purchase one, and access a 24 page preview for free (if available).

About ProQuest Dissertations & Theses
With over 2.3 million records, the ProQuest Dissertations & Theses (PQDT) database is the most comprehensive collection of dissertations and theses in the world. It is the database of record for graduate research.

The database includes citations of graduate works ranging from the first U.S. dissertation, accepted in 1861, to those accepted as recently as last semester. Of the 2.3 million graduate works included in the database, ProQuest offers more than 1.9 million in full text formats. Of those, over 860,000 are available in PDF format. More than 60,000 dissertations and theses are added to the database each year.

If you have questions, please feel free to visit the ProQuest Web site - http://www.proquest.com - or call ProQuest Hotline Customer Support at 1-800-521-3042.