Acute effects of cannabinoids on addiction endophenotypes are moderated by genes encoding the CB1 receptor and FAAH enzyme

Chandni Hindocha, Tom P. Freeman, Grainne Schafer, Chelsea Gardner, Michael A.P. Bloomfield, Elvira Bramon, Celia J.A. Morgan, H. Valerie Curran

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

25 Citations (SciVal)
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Abstract

Understanding genetic factors that contribute to cannabis use disorder (CUD) is important, but to date, findings have been equivocal. Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the cannabinoid receptor 1 gene (CNR1; rs1049353 and rs806378) and fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) gene (rs324420) have been implicated in CUD. Their relationship to addiction endophenotypes such as cannabis-related state satiety, the salience of appetitive cues, and craving after acute cannabinoid administration has not been investigated. Forty-eight cannabis users participated in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, four-way crossover experiment where they were administered treatments in a randomized order via vaporization: placebo, Δ 9 -tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) (8 mg), THC + cannabidiol (THC + CBD) (8 + 16 mg), and CBD (16 mg). Cannabis-related state satiety, appetitive cue salience (cannabis and food), and cannabis craving were assessed each day. Participants were genotyped for rs1049353, rs806378, and rs324420. Results indicated that CNR1 rs1049353 GG carriers showed increased state satiety after THC/THC + CBD administration in comparison with placebo and reduced the salience of appetitive cues after THC in comparison with CBD administration; A carriers did not vary on either of these measures indicative of a vulnerability to CUD. CNR1 rs806378 CC carriers showed greater salience to appetitive cues in comparison with T carriers, but there was no evidence for changes in state satiety. FAAH rs324420 A carriers showed greater bias to appetitive cues after THC, in comparison with CC carriers. FAAH CC carriers showed reduced bias after THC in comparison with CBD. No SNPs modulated craving. These findings identify candidate neurocognitive mechanisms through which endocannabinoid system genetics may influence vulnerability to CUD.

Original languageEnglish
Article numbere12762
JournalAddiction Biology
Volume25
Issue number3
Early online date23 Apr 2019
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 May 2020

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
We are grateful to Stork and Bickel for providing us with a Volcano vaporizer to use in this study.

Publisher Copyright:
© 2019 Society for the Study of Addiction

Keywords

  • addiction
  • cannabis
  • CBD
  • craving
  • endophenotype
  • salience
  • THC

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Medicine (miscellaneous)
  • Pharmacology
  • Psychiatry and Mental health

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