Project Overview

Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) is one of the most common mental disorders in Canada. SAD is characterized by an intense fear and/or avoidance of social situations due to concerns of criticism and judgement. Current treatments for SAD include medication and psychotherapy; however, these treatments do not work for over one third of patients. An emerging idea in SAD research is that the brain system that responds to cannabis and cannabis-like substances, called the Endocannabinoid System (ECS), may be involved in the behavioural stress response of this disorder. Moreover, changes in the ECS have been linked to mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety. Brain imaging techniques, such as Positron Emission Tomography (PET) and functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) can inform the development of new and more effective treatments.

This innovative study combines imaging techniques to visualize the enzyme that regulates a biochemical messenger of the ECS, anandamide (AEA). This enzyme, Fatty Acid Amide Hydrolase (FAAH), is thought to be altered in individuals with mood and anxiety symptoms. As such, investigating the role of this enzyme in SAD can be beneficial to the development of future treatment strategies.

This study aims to help better understand the role of the ECS in SAD and its symptom severity, visualize differences in FAAH levels in the brain of individuals with SAD and healthy individuals using PET, and determine if FAAH levels in the brain are linked to biological and behavioural responses to social stress using fMRI.

This study is clinically relevant, as the results will provide direct evidence on how the ECS is regulated in individuals with SAD. It will inform the development of novel and specific treatments targeting the ECS for patients suffering from this isolating and debilitating mental health condition.

Principal Investigator

Christina Pereira , Centre for Addiction and Mental Health

Partners and Donors

M. Wayne and J. Coleman Family Fund