A series of biological studies are proposed to further explore neural and pituitary mechanisms underlying marijuana-induced suppression of gonadotropin and prolactin secretion in women. The effects of pyrolized marijuana leaf as well as marijuana placebo on gonadotropin secretion will be determined following administration of synthetic luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LHRH) and naloxone. The effects of marijuana and placebo on thyroid hormone releasing hormone (THRH) induced prolactin release from the pituitary will also be measured. Plasma levels of Delta9-THC and 11-NOR-Delta9-THC-9 carboxylic acid (9-carboxy THC) will be assessed in these studies and convariance with palsma hormone levels will be determined. The proposed provocative studies should help clarify the physiological processes which may be affected by THC or its metabolites on hypothalamic and/or pituitary function in women. A second goal of the proposed study is to determine if the latency of manijuana-induced changes in prolactin and gonadotropin secretion during different phases of the menstral cycle with levels of Delta9THC in palsma and of 9-carboxy THC following acute inhalation of pyrolized marijuana leaf. We propose to measure Delta9-THC and 9-carboxy THC in multiple plasma samples which have been obtained from women following acute and chronic marijuana smoking. These samples (N = 1350) are aliquots of blood plasma samples which have already been analyzed for determination of levels of pituitary gonadotropins and gonadal steroid hormones and are currently stored in ultracold freezers (-70 degrees C). We propose to determine the presence, if any, of THC and THC metabolite dose-effect relationships with indices of menstrual cycle function (including luteal phase duration abnormalities), marijuana dependence and abstinence, marijuana-related abnormalities in cardiac rate and pulmonary function, marijuana-induced changes in mood states, and concordance of marijuana and alcohol use by women. Data for all of these indices have been obtained from a cohort of 105 female subjects during the first phase of this competing renewal application.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
2R01DA002905-04
Application #
3207629
Study Section
(DABA)
Project Start
1981-07-01
Project End
1988-06-30
Budget Start
1985-07-01
Budget End
1986-06-30
Support Year
4
Fiscal Year
1985
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Mc Lean Hospital (Belmont, MA)
Department
Type
DUNS #
City
Belmont
State
MA
Country
United States
Zip Code
Lukas, S E; Mendelson, J H; Benedikt, R (1995) Electroencephalographic correlates of marihuana-induced euphoria. Drug Alcohol Depend 37:131-40
Lex, B W (1991) Some gender differences in alcohol and polysubstance users. Health Psychol 10:121-32
Lex, B W; Griffin, M L; Mello, N K et al. (1989) Alcohol, marijuana, and mood states in young women. Int J Addict 24:405-24
Lex, B W; Griffin, M L; Mello, N K et al. (1989) Marijuana and alcohol effects on mood states in young women. NIDA Res Monogr 95:462
Lukas, S; Mendelson, J (1988) Behavioral concomitants of ethanol and drug reinforcement. NIDA Res Monogr 81:422-7
Braude, M C; Szeto, H H; Kuhn, C M et al. (1987) Perinatal effects of drugs of abuse. Fed Proc 46:2446-53
Griffin, M L; Mello, N K; Mendelson, J H et al. (1987) Alcohol use across the menstrual cycle among marihuana users. Alcohol 4:457-62
Mendelson, J H; Mello, N K; Lex, B W (1986) Alcohol and marijuana: concordance of use by men and women. NIDA Res Monogr 68:117-41
Mendelson, J H; Mello, N K (1986) Clinical investigations of drug effects in women. NIDA Res Monogr 65:21-30
Griffin, M L; Mendelson, J H; Mello, N K et al. (1986) Marihuana use across the menstrual cycle. Drug Alcohol Depend 18:213-24

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