A Transdisciplinary Approach to Cannabis Addiction

描述（由申请人提供）：本申请提出了一项关于大麻滥用和依赖的推定内表型和候选遗传变异的调查。越来越多的文献表明，经常和不经常使用大麻的人对大麻急性效应的心理反应可能不同。拟议研究的目的是通过调查大麻使用频率与对大麻急性效应的主观反应之间的关系，建立在这一研究基础上。一个有前途的候选基因位点，CNR 1 SNP，rs 2023239，也将进行检查，就其与差异主观反应的内在表型的关系及其功能意义。将招募频繁和不频繁的大麻使用者来检查：1）是否存在对急性大麻给药事件的心理反应的显著组间差异，例如频繁使用者报告更多的积极心理反应和更少的消极心理反应; 2）SNP对主观反应的影响是否介导其对大麻使用频率的影响;以及3）CNR 1 SNP相对于大麻素受体基因的功能的功能意义。研究结果将有助于大麻使用相关精神病理学的内在表型的发展。正如申请中所讨论的，大麻的问题使用提出了一个日益严重的公共卫生问题。大麻是美国和世界大部分地区最常用的非法药物，越来越多的使用者现在报告难以控制他们的大麻使用。这项拟议中的研究将通过试图确定使人们更有可能滥用或依赖大麻的遗传和行为标记来帮助治疗大麻使用问题。这些标志物的知识将使卫生保健提供者能够制定有针对性的干预措施来治疗这些疾病。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): This application proposes an investigation of a putative endophenotype and candidate genetic variant for cannabis abuse and dependence. A growing body of literature suggests that psychological reactions to the acute effects of marijuana may differ between frequent and infrequent cannabis users. The purpose of the proposed study is to build upon this body of research by investigating the relationship between frequency of marijuana use and subjective reactions to the acute effects of marijuana. A promising candidate genetic locus, the CNR1 SNP, rs2023239, will also be examined, with respect to its relationship to the endophenotype of differential subjective reaction and to its functional significance. Frequent and infrequent cannabis users will be recruited to examine: 1) whether a significant between-group difference in psychological reaction to an acute marijuana administration episode exists, such that frequent users report more positive and fewer negative psychological reactions; 2) whether the effect of the SNP on subjective reaction mediates its effect on frequency of cannabis use; and 3) what the functional significance of the CNR1 SNP is with respect to the function of the cannabinoid receptor gene. Findings will contribute to the development of an endophenotype of cannabis use-related psychopathology. As discussed in the application, problem use of marijuana presents a growing public health problem. Marijuana is the most commonly used illicit drug in the United States and most of the world, and a growing percentage of users now report difficulties in controlling their marijuana use. The proposed research will aid treatment of problem marijuana use by attempting to identify genetic and behavioral markers that make people more likely to develop cannabis abuse or dependence. Knowledge of these markers will allow health care providers to create targeted interventions to treat these disorders.