
Fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) is a key enzyme in regulating endocannabinoid (eCB) signaling. A common single nucleotide polymorphism (C385A) in the human FAAH gene has been associated with increased risk for addiction and obesity.Using imaging genetics in 82 healthy adult volunteers, we examined the effects of FAAH C385A on threat- and reward-related human brain function.Carriers of FAAH 385A, associated with reduced enzyme and possibly increased eCB signaling, had decreased threat-related amygdala reactivity but increased reward-related ventral striatal reactivity in comparison with C385 homozygotes. Similarly divergent effects of FAAH C385A genotype were manifest at the level of brain-behavior relationships. The 385A carriers showed decreased correlation between amygdala reactivity and trait anxiety but increased correlation between ventral striatal reactivity and delay discounting, an index of impulsivity.Our results parallel pharmacologic and genetic dissection of eCB signaling, are consistent with the psychotropic effects of Delta(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol, and highlight specific neural mechanisms through which variability in eCB signaling impacts complex behavioral processes related to risk for addiction and obesity.
Adult, Male, Psychiatric Status Rating Scales, Analysis of Variance, Brain Mapping, Genotype, Brain, Genetic Variation, Anxiety, Middle Aged, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Amidohydrolases, Oxygen, Reward, Cannabinoid Receptor Modulators, Image Processing, Computer-Assisted, Humans, Regression Analysis, Female, Endocannabinoids
Adult, Male, Psychiatric Status Rating Scales, Analysis of Variance, Brain Mapping, Genotype, Brain, Genetic Variation, Anxiety, Middle Aged, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Amidohydrolases, Oxygen, Reward, Cannabinoid Receptor Modulators, Image Processing, Computer-Assisted, Humans, Regression Analysis, Female, Endocannabinoids
| selected citations These citations are derived from selected sources. This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically). | 215 | |
| popularity This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network. | Top 1% | |
| influence This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically). | Top 10% | |
| impulse This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network. | Top 1% |
