Cannabinoid Modulation of Amygdala Subregion Functional Connectivity to Social Signals of Threat
The International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology December 28, 2014 Stephanie M. Gorka, Daniel A. Fitzgerald, Harriet de Wit et al. 43 citations
Δ(9)-Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) enhances functional connectivity between specific amygdala subregions (basolateral and superficial) and the rostral anterior cingulate/medial prefrontal cortex during social threat processing in healthy adults. This effect may help reduce threat perception or improve socio-emotional regulation, shedding light on the neurocircuitry underlying affective processes. The findings come from a double-blind, placebo-controlled, within-subjects study with 16 participants using functional magnetic resonance imaging.