In vivo Imaging of Cerebral Microglial Activation and Glutathione in Regular Cannabis Users
Year: 2018
Type: dissertation
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Cannabinoids have been shown to modulate immune responses, including microglial activation, and oxidative stress pathways; however, the effects of cannabis use on brain immune cells (i.e. microglial activation) and redox status have never been investigated in vivo in human brain. Twenty regular cannabis users and 27 healthy controls were scanned using positron emission tomography to quantify microglial activation in the DLPFC and mPFC. All of the cannabis users and the majority of healthy controls (n=14) also underwent a proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy scan to quantify glutathione levels in the mPFC. Regular cannabis users had higher microglial activation in the DLPFC (F(1,44)= 5.614, p= 0.022) and mPFC (F(1,44)= 5.733, p= 0.021) compared to healthy controls. In contrast, no group differences were observed in GSH levels in the mPFC. Our findings suggest a link between regular cannabis use and microglial activation, but not redox status.
Source: TSpace (University of Toronto)
Authors: Da Silva, Tania Sofia
Language: English
Subfield: Pharmacology (medical)
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2809489910