The investigators' project has two overarching goals. 1) The investigators will use newly developed positron emission tomography (PET) technology to investigate the dopaminergic neurochemistry of drugs of abuse including marijuana, traditional cigarettes, and cocaine, and 2) The investigators will extend PET technology to an additional neurotransmitter system - namely, the opioid-ergic system, using the same drugs of abuse.
Aim 1. To examine the magnitude, location and timing of drug-induced dopamine release. 1. Tobacco smokers (n=20) will be imaged with \[11C\]raclopride PET, after overnight abstinence from tobacco. Subjects will smoke their preferred brand of cigarette during the PET scan. 2. Marijuana smokers (n=20) will be imaged with \[11C\]raclopride PET, after overnight abstinence from marijuana. Subjects will smoke a marijuana cigarette during the PET scan. 3. Cocaine users (n=20) will be imaged with \[11C\]raclopride PET, after overnight abstinence from cocaine. Subjects will be administered cocaine during the PET scan. Aim 2. To examine the magnitude, location and timing of drug-induced beta-endorphin release. \*The Investigators will attempt to use the same subjects from Aim 1 for Aim 2. 1. Tobacco smokers (n=20) will be imaged with \[11C\]carfentanil PET, after overnight abstinence from tobacco. Subjects will smoke their preferred brand of cigarette during the PET scan. 2. Marijuana smokers (n=20) will be imaged with \[11C\]carfentanil PET, after overnight abstinence from marijuana. Subjects will smoke a marijuana cigarette during the PET scan. 3. Cocaine users (n=20) will be imaged with \[11C\]carfentanil PET, after overnight abstinence from cocaine. Subjects will be administered cocaine during the PET scan.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NA
Purpose
OTHER
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
25
All cannabis dependent subjects will use cannabis cigarettes to induce elevated dopamine and beta endorphin levels in the brain.
Connecticut Mental Health Center
New Haven, Connecticut, United States
Yale Magnetic Resonance Research Center
New Haven, Connecticut, United States
Yale PET Center
New Haven, Connecticut, United States
Change in Dopamine Levels at Baseline and After Drug of Dependence Administration as Confirmed by PET Images.
PET images will be obtained in dependent subjects at baseline and after drug of dependence administration. Change in DA levels will be determined by change in binding potential of raclopride. Baseline levels will be assessed during the first scan in the morning after overnight abstinence from their drug of dependence using a 90-minute PET acquisition. Then, drug of dependence will be administered 35 minutes before a second 90-minute PET acquisition. The beginning of the second PET scan will be approximately 5 hours after the beginning of the first PET scan, however in some cases this may be longer, or the scans may take place on separate days due to scheduling constraints or scan cancellations.
Time frame: 90 minute PET scan acquisition. Drug of dependence will be given at -35 mins
Change in Beta Endorphin Levels at Baseline and After Drug of Dependence Administration as Confirmed by PET Images.
PET images will be obtained in dependent subjects at baseline and after drug of dependence administration. Change in beta endorphin levels will be determined by change in binding potential of carfentanil. Baseline levels will be assessed during the first scan in the morning after 12 hour abstinence from their drug of dependence using a 90-minute PET acquisition. Then, drug of dependence will be administered 35 minutes before a second 90-minute PET acquisition. The beginning of the second PET scan will be approximately 5 hours after the beginning of the first PET scan, however in some cases this may be longer, or the scans may take place on separate days due to scheduling constraints or scan cancellations.
Time frame: 120 minute PET scan acquisition. Drug of dependence will be given at -35 mins
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