Balanced modulation of striatal activation from D2/D3receptors in caudate and ventral striatum: Disruption in cannabis abusers

Abstract

Proper communication between dorsal caudate (CD) and ventral striatum (VS) is likely to be crucial for on-time responses and its disruption might result in impulsivity. Here, we used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) with a sensorimotor reaction time task and positron emission tomography (PET) with [(11)C]raclopride in 14 healthy controls and 18 cannabis abusers to contrast the modulation of striatal fMRI responses by dopamine receptors (D2 /D3 R) in CD and VS. In controls, we show that the fMRI signals in VS that occurs concomitantly with on-time responses showed opposite modulation from D2 /D3 R in CD (inhibitory) and D2 /D3 R in VS (stimulatory). In contrast, this modulation was not significant in cannabis abusers. Findings suggest that action speed requires balanced VS-inhibition from D2 /D3 R in CD and VS-facilitation from D2 /D3 R in VS.