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Schantell M, John JA, Coutant AT, Okelberry HJ, Horne LK, Glesinger R, Springer SD, Mansouri A, May‐Weeks PE, Wilson TW. Chronic cannabis use alters the spontaneous and oscillatory gamma dynamics serving cognitive control. Hum Brain Mapp 2024; 45:e26787. [PMID: 39023178 PMCID: PMC11256138 DOI: 10.1002/hbm.26787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2023] [Revised: 06/21/2024] [Accepted: 06/30/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Regular cannabis use is associated with cortex-wide changes in spontaneous and oscillatory activity, although the functional significance of such changes remains unclear. We hypothesized that regular cannabis use would suppress spontaneous gamma activity in regions serving cognitive control and scale with task performance. Participants (34 cannabis users, 33 nonusers) underwent an interview regarding their substance use history and completed the Eriksen flanker task during magnetoencephalography (MEG). MEG data were imaged in the time-frequency domain and virtual sensors were extracted from the peak voxels of the grand-averaged oscillatory interference maps to quantify spontaneous gamma activity during the pre-stimulus baseline period. We then assessed group-level differences in spontaneous and oscillatory gamma activity, and their relationship with task performance and cannabis use metrics. Both groups exhibited a significant behavioral flanker interference effect, with slower responses during incongruent relative to congruent trials. Mixed-model ANOVAs indicated significant gamma-frequency neural interference effects in the left frontal eye fields (FEF) and left temporoparietal junction (TPJ). Further, a group-by-condition interaction was detected in the left FEF, with nonusers exhibiting stronger gamma oscillations during incongruent relative to congruent trials and cannabis users showing no difference. In addition, spontaneous gamma activity was sharply suppressed in cannabis users relative to nonusers in the left FEF and TPJ. Finally, spontaneous gamma activity in the left FEF and TPJ was associated with task performance across all participants, and greater cannabis use was associated with weaker spontaneous gamma activity in the left TPJ of the cannabis users. Regular cannabis use was associated with weaker spontaneous gamma in the TPJ and FEF. Further, the degree of use may be proportionally related to the degree of suppression in spontaneous activity in the left TPJ.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mikki Schantell
- Institute for Human NeuroscienceBoys Town National Research HospitalBoys TownNebraskaUSA
- College of MedicineUniversity of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC)OmahaNebraskaUSA
| | - Jason A. John
- Institute for Human NeuroscienceBoys Town National Research HospitalBoys TownNebraskaUSA
| | - Anna T. Coutant
- Institute for Human NeuroscienceBoys Town National Research HospitalBoys TownNebraskaUSA
| | - Hannah J. Okelberry
- Institute for Human NeuroscienceBoys Town National Research HospitalBoys TownNebraskaUSA
| | - Lucy K. Horne
- Institute for Human NeuroscienceBoys Town National Research HospitalBoys TownNebraskaUSA
| | - Ryan Glesinger
- Institute for Human NeuroscienceBoys Town National Research HospitalBoys TownNebraskaUSA
| | - Seth D. Springer
- Institute for Human NeuroscienceBoys Town National Research HospitalBoys TownNebraskaUSA
- College of MedicineUniversity of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC)OmahaNebraskaUSA
| | - Amirsalar Mansouri
- Institute for Human NeuroscienceBoys Town National Research HospitalBoys TownNebraskaUSA
| | | | - Tony W. Wilson
- Institute for Human NeuroscienceBoys Town National Research HospitalBoys TownNebraskaUSA
- College of MedicineUniversity of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC)OmahaNebraskaUSA
- Department of Pharmacology and NeuroscienceCreighton UniversityOmahaNebraskaUSA
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Castelblanco CA, Springer SD, Schantell M, John JA, Coutant AT, Horne LK, Glesinger R, Eastman JA, Wilson TW. Chronic Cannabis users exhibit altered oscillatory dynamics and functional connectivity serving visuospatial processing. J Psychopharmacol 2024; 38:724-734. [PMID: 39087306 DOI: 10.1177/02698811241265764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/02/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cannabis is the most widely used psychoactive drug in the United States. While multiple studies have associated acute cannabis consumption with alterations in cognitive function (e.g., visual and spatial attention), far less is known regarding the effects of chronic consumption on the neural dynamics supporting these cognitive functions. METHODS We used magnetoencephalography (MEG) and an established visuospatial processing task to elicit multi-spectral neuronal responses in 44 regular cannabis users and 53 demographically matched non-user controls. To examine the effects of chronic cannabis use on the oscillatory dynamics underlying visuospatial processing, neural responses were imaged using a time-frequency resolved beamformer and compared across groups. RESULTS Neuronal oscillations serving visuospatial processing were identified in the theta (4-8 Hz), alpha (8-14 Hz), and gamma range (56-76 Hz), and these were imaged and examined for group differences. Our key results indicated that users exhibited weaker theta oscillations in occipital and cerebellar regions and weaker gamma responses in the left temporal cortices compared to non-users. Lastly, alpha oscillations did not differ, but alpha connectivity among higher-order attention areas was weaker in cannabis users relative to non-users and correlated with performance. CONCLUSIONS Overall, these results suggest that chronic cannabis users have alterations in the oscillatory dynamics and neural connectivity serving visuospatial attention. Such alterations were observed across multiple cortical areas critical for higher-order processing and may reflect compensatory activity and/or the initial emergence of aberrant dynamics. Future work is needed to fully understand the implications of altered multispectral oscillations and neural connectivity in cannabis users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camilo A Castelblanco
- Institute for Human Neuroscience, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Boys Town, NE, USA
- Department of Psychology and Brain Sciences, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, USA
- Department of Neurology, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, NH, USA
| | - Seth D Springer
- Institute for Human Neuroscience, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Boys Town, NE, USA
- College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Mikki Schantell
- Institute for Human Neuroscience, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Boys Town, NE, USA
- College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Jason A John
- Institute for Human Neuroscience, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Boys Town, NE, USA
| | - Anna T Coutant
- Institute for Human Neuroscience, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Boys Town, NE, USA
| | - Lucy K Horne
- Institute for Human Neuroscience, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Boys Town, NE, USA
| | - Ryan Glesinger
- Institute for Human Neuroscience, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Boys Town, NE, USA
| | - Jacob A Eastman
- Institute for Human Neuroscience, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Boys Town, NE, USA
| | - Tony W Wilson
- Institute for Human Neuroscience, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Boys Town, NE, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Creighton University, Omaha, NE, USA
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3
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McDonald KM, Schantell M, Horne LK, John JA, Rempe MP, Glesinger R, Okelberry HJ, Coutant AT, Springer SD, Mansouri A, Embury CM, Arif Y, Wilson TW. The neural oscillations serving task switching are altered in cannabis users. J Psychopharmacol 2024; 38:471-480. [PMID: 38418434 DOI: 10.1177/02698811241235204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/01/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Regular cannabis is known to impact higher-order cognitive processes such as attention, but far less is known regarding cognitive flexibility, a component of executive function. Moreover, whether such changes are related to aberrations in the neural oscillatory dynamics serving flexibility remains poorly understood. AIMS Quantify the neural oscillatory dynamics serving cognitive flexibility by having participants complete a task-switching paradigm during magnetoencephalography (MEG). Probe whole-brain maps to identify alterations in chronic cannabis users relative to nonusers and determine how these alterations relate to the degree of cannabis use involvement. METHODS In all, 25 chronic cannabis users and 30 demographically matched nonuser controls completed neuropsychological testing, an interview regarding their substance use, a urinalysis, and a task switch paradigm during MEG. Time-frequency windows of interest were identified using a data-driven statistical approach and these were imaged using a beamformer. Whole-brain neural switch cost maps were computed by subtracting the oscillatory maps of the no-switch condition from the switch condition per participant. These were examined for group differences. RESULTS Cannabis users had weaker theta switch cost responses in the dorsolateral and dorsomedial prefrontal cortices, while nonusers showed the typical pattern of greater recruitment during switch relative to no switch trials. In addition, theta activity in the dorsomedial prefrontal cortex was significantly correlated with cannabis use involvement. CONCLUSIONS Cannabis users exhibited altered theta switch cost activity compared to nonusers in prefrontal cortical regions, which are critical for cognitive flexibility. This activity scaled with cannabis use involvement, indicating a link between cannabis use and aberrant oscillatory activity underlying cognitive flexibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kellen M McDonald
- Institute for Human Neuroscience, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Boys Town, NE, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Creighton University, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Mikki Schantell
- Institute for Human Neuroscience, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Boys Town, NE, USA
- College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Lucy K Horne
- Institute for Human Neuroscience, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Boys Town, NE, USA
| | - Jason A John
- Institute for Human Neuroscience, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Boys Town, NE, USA
| | - Maggie P Rempe
- Institute for Human Neuroscience, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Boys Town, NE, USA
- College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Ryan Glesinger
- Institute for Human Neuroscience, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Boys Town, NE, USA
| | - Hannah J Okelberry
- Institute for Human Neuroscience, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Boys Town, NE, USA
| | - Anna T Coutant
- Institute for Human Neuroscience, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Boys Town, NE, USA
| | - Seth D Springer
- Institute for Human Neuroscience, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Boys Town, NE, USA
- College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Amirsalar Mansouri
- Institute for Human Neuroscience, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Boys Town, NE, USA
| | - Christine M Embury
- Institute for Human Neuroscience, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Boys Town, NE, USA
| | - Yasra Arif
- Institute for Human Neuroscience, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Boys Town, NE, USA
| | - Tony W Wilson
- Institute for Human Neuroscience, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Boys Town, NE, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Creighton University, Omaha, NE, USA
- College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
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Ward TW, Springer SD, Schantell M, John JA, Horne LK, Coutant AT, Okelberry HJ, Willett MP, Johnson HJ, Killanin AD, Heinrichs‐Graham E, Wilson TW. Regular cannabis use alters the neural dynamics serving complex motor control. Hum Brain Mapp 2023; 44:6511-6522. [PMID: 37955378 PMCID: PMC10681654 DOI: 10.1002/hbm.26527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2023] [Revised: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 10/08/2023] [Indexed: 11/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Cannabis is the most widely used recreational drug in the United States and regular use has been linked to deficits in attention and memory. However, the effects of regular use on motor control are less understood, with some studies showing deficits and others indicating normal performance. Eighteen users and 23 nonusers performed a motor sequencing task during high-density magnetoencephalography (MEG). The MEG data was transformed into the time-frequency domain and beta responses (16-24 Hz) during motor planning and execution phases were imaged separately using a beamformer approach. Whole-brain maps were examined for group (cannabis user/nonuser) and time window (planning/execution) effects. As expected, there were no group differences in task performance (e.g., reaction time, accuracy, etc.). Regular cannabis users exhibited stronger beta oscillations in the contralateral primary motor cortex compared to nonusers during the execution phase of the motor sequences, but not during the motor planning phase. Similar group-by-time window interactions were observed in the left superior parietal, right inferior frontal cortices, right posterior insular cortex, and the bilateral motor cortex. We observed differences in the neural dynamics serving motor control in regular cannabis users compared to nonusers, suggesting regular users may employ compensatory processing in both primary motor and higher-order motor cortices to maintain adequate task performance. Future studies will need to examine more complex motor control tasks to ascertain whether this putative compensatory activity eventually becomes exhausted and behavioral differences emerge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas W. Ward
- Institute for Human NeuroscienceBoys Town National Research HospitalBoys TownNebraskaUSA
- Department of Pharmacology & NeuroscienceCreighton UniversityOmahaNebraskaUSA
| | - Seth D. Springer
- Institute for Human NeuroscienceBoys Town National Research HospitalBoys TownNebraskaUSA
- College of MedicineUniversity of Nebraska Medical CenterOmahaNebraskaUSA
| | - Mikki Schantell
- Institute for Human NeuroscienceBoys Town National Research HospitalBoys TownNebraskaUSA
- College of MedicineUniversity of Nebraska Medical CenterOmahaNebraskaUSA
| | - Jason A. John
- Institute for Human NeuroscienceBoys Town National Research HospitalBoys TownNebraskaUSA
| | - Lucy K. Horne
- Institute for Human NeuroscienceBoys Town National Research HospitalBoys TownNebraskaUSA
| | - Anna T. Coutant
- Institute for Human NeuroscienceBoys Town National Research HospitalBoys TownNebraskaUSA
| | - Hannah J. Okelberry
- Institute for Human NeuroscienceBoys Town National Research HospitalBoys TownNebraskaUSA
| | - Madelyn P. Willett
- Institute for Human NeuroscienceBoys Town National Research HospitalBoys TownNebraskaUSA
| | - Hallie J. Johnson
- Institute for Human NeuroscienceBoys Town National Research HospitalBoys TownNebraskaUSA
| | - Abraham D. Killanin
- Institute for Human NeuroscienceBoys Town National Research HospitalBoys TownNebraskaUSA
- College of MedicineUniversity of Nebraska Medical CenterOmahaNebraskaUSA
| | - Elizabeth Heinrichs‐Graham
- Institute for Human NeuroscienceBoys Town National Research HospitalBoys TownNebraskaUSA
- Department of Pharmacology & NeuroscienceCreighton UniversityOmahaNebraskaUSA
| | - Tony W. Wilson
- Institute for Human NeuroscienceBoys Town National Research HospitalBoys TownNebraskaUSA
- Department of Pharmacology & NeuroscienceCreighton UniversityOmahaNebraskaUSA
- College of MedicineUniversity of Nebraska Medical CenterOmahaNebraskaUSA
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Augière T, Simoneau M, Brun C, Pinard AM, Blouin J, Mouchnino L, Mercier C. Behavioral and Electrocortical Response to a Sensorimotor Conflict in Individuals with Fibromyalgia. Brain Sci 2023; 13:931. [PMID: 37371409 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci13060931] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2023] [Revised: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
People with fibromyalgia have been shown to experience more somatosensory disturbances than pain-free controls during sensorimotor conflicts (i.e., incongruence between visual and somatosensory feedback). Sensorimotor conflicts are known to disturb the integration of sensory information. This study aimed to assess the cerebral response and motor performance during a sensorimotor conflict in people with fibromyalgia. Twenty participants with fibromyalgia and twenty-three pain-free controls performed a drawing task including visual feedback that was either congruent with actual movement (and thus with somatosensory information) or incongruent with actual movement (i.e., conflict). Motor performance was measured according to tracing error, and electrocortical activity was recorded using electroencephalography. Motor performance was degraded during conflict for all participants but did not differ between groups. Time-frequency analysis showed that the conflict was associated with an increase in theta power (4-8 Hz) at conflict onset over the left posterior parietal cortex in participants with fibromyalgia but not in controls. This increase in theta suggests a stronger detection of conflict in participants with fibromyalgia, which was not accompanied by differences in motor performance in comparison to controls. This points to dissociation in individuals with fibromyalgia between an altered perception of action and a seemingly unaltered control of action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tania Augière
- Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Rehabilitation and Social Integration (Cirris), Quebec City, QC G1M 2S8, Canada
- Department of Rehabilitation, Faculty of Medicine, Laval University, Quebec City, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Martin Simoneau
- Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Rehabilitation and Social Integration (Cirris), Quebec City, QC G1M 2S8, Canada
- Department of Kinesiology, Faculty of Medicine, Laval University, Quebec City, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Clémentine Brun
- Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Rehabilitation and Social Integration (Cirris), Quebec City, QC G1M 2S8, Canada
| | - Anne Marie Pinard
- Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Rehabilitation and Social Integration (Cirris), Quebec City, QC G1M 2S8, Canada
- Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, Faculty of Medicine, Laval University, Quebec City, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Jean Blouin
- Laboratoire de Neurosciences Cognitives, Aix-Marseille University, National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS), 13331 Marseille, France
| | - Laurence Mouchnino
- Laboratoire de Neurosciences Cognitives, Aix-Marseille University, National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS), 13331 Marseille, France
- Institut Universitaire de France, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Catherine Mercier
- Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Rehabilitation and Social Integration (Cirris), Quebec City, QC G1M 2S8, Canada
- Department of Rehabilitation, Faculty of Medicine, Laval University, Quebec City, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
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6
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Son JJ, Arif Y, Schantell M, Willett MP, Johnson HJ, Okelberry HJ, Embury CM, Wilson TW. Oscillatory dynamics serving visual selective attention during a Simon task. Brain Commun 2023; 5:fcad131. [PMID: 37151223 PMCID: PMC10162684 DOI: 10.1093/braincomms/fcad131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2022] [Revised: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 04/19/2023] [Indexed: 05/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Selective attention is an important component of cognitive control and is essential for day-to-day functioning. The Simon task is a common test of visual selective attention that has been widely used to probe response selection, inhibition and cognitive control. However, to date, there is a dearth of literature that has focused on the oscillatory dynamics serving task performance in the selective attention component of this task. In this study, 32 healthy adults (mean age: 33.09 years, SD: 7.27 years) successfully completed a modified version of the Simon task during magnetoencephalography. All magnetoencephalographic data were pre-processed and transformed into the time-frequency domain. Significant oscillatory brain responses were imaged using a beamforming approach, and peak task-related neural activity was extracted to examine the temporal dynamics. Across both congruent and Simon conditions, our results indicated robust decreases in alpha (8-12 Hz) activity in the bilateral occipital regions and cuneus during task performance, while increases in theta (3-6 Hz) oscillatory activity were detected in regions of the dorsal frontoparietal attention network, including the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, frontal eye fields and insula. Lastly, whole-brain condition-wise analyses showed Simon interference effects in the theta range in the superior parietal region and the alpha range in the posterior cingulate and inferior frontal cortices. These findings provide network-specific insights into the oscillatory dynamics serving visual selective attention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jake J Son
- Institute for Human Neuroscience, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Boys Town, NE 68010, USA
- Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Biomedical Sciences (IGPBS), College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC), Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Yasra Arif
- Institute for Human Neuroscience, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Boys Town, NE 68010, USA
| | - Mikki Schantell
- Institute for Human Neuroscience, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Boys Town, NE 68010, USA
- Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Biomedical Sciences (IGPBS), College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC), Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Madelyn P Willett
- Institute for Human Neuroscience, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Boys Town, NE 68010, USA
| | - Hallie J Johnson
- Institute for Human Neuroscience, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Boys Town, NE 68010, USA
| | - Hannah J Okelberry
- Institute for Human Neuroscience, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Boys Town, NE 68010, USA
| | - Christine M Embury
- Institute for Human Neuroscience, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Boys Town, NE 68010, USA
| | - Tony W Wilson
- Institute for Human Neuroscience, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Boys Town, NE 68010, USA
- Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Biomedical Sciences (IGPBS), College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC), Omaha, NE 68198, USA
- Department of Pharmacology & Neuroscience, Creighton University, Omaha, NE 68178, USA
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7
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Weyrich L, Arif Y, Schantell M, Johnson HJ, Willett MP, Okelberry HJ, Wilson TW. Altered functional connectivity and oscillatory dynamics in polysubstance and cannabis only users during visuospatial processing. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2023; 240:769-783. [PMID: 36752815 PMCID: PMC10545949 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-023-06318-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2022] [Accepted: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES Cannabis use is often associated with the use of other psychoactive substances, which is subsequently linked to an increased risk for addiction. While there is a growing body of neuroimaging literature investigating the cognitive effect of long-term cannabis use, very little is known about the potential additive effects of cannabis polysubstance use. METHODS Fifty-six adults composed of 18 polysubstance users (i.e., cannabis plus at least one other illicit substance), 19 cannabis-only users, and 19 nonusers completed a visuospatial attention task while undergoing magnetoencephalography. A data-driven approach was used to identify oscillatory neural responses, which were imaged using a beamforming approach. The resulting cortical regions were probed for group differences and used as seeds for whole-brain connectivity analysis. RESULTS Participants exhibited robust theta, alpha, beta, and gamma responses during visuospatial processing. Statistical analyses indicated that the cannabis-only group had weaker occipital theta relative to the nonusers, and that both polysubstance and cannabis-only users had reduced spontaneous gamma in the occipital cortices during the pre-stimulus baseline period relative to nonusers. Finally, functional connectivity analyses revealed that polysubstance users had sharply reduced beta connectivity between occipital and prefrontal, as well as occipital and left temporal cortices. CONCLUSIONS Cannabis use should be considered in a polysubstance context, as our correlational design suggests differences in functional connectivity among those who reported cannabis-only versus polysubstance use in occipital to prefrontal pathways critical to visuospatial processing and attention function. Future work should distinguish the effect of different polysubstance combinations and use more causal designs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucas Weyrich
- Institute for Human Neuroscience, Boys Town National Research Hospital, 14090 Mother Teresa Ln, Boys Town, NE, 68010, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Creighton University, 2500 California Plaza, Omaha, NE, 68178, USA
| | - Yasra Arif
- Institute for Human Neuroscience, Boys Town National Research Hospital, 14090 Mother Teresa Ln, Boys Town, NE, 68010, USA
| | - Mikki Schantell
- Institute for Human Neuroscience, Boys Town National Research Hospital, 14090 Mother Teresa Ln, Boys Town, NE, 68010, USA
- College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 42nd and Emile Street, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA
| | - Hallie J Johnson
- Institute for Human Neuroscience, Boys Town National Research Hospital, 14090 Mother Teresa Ln, Boys Town, NE, 68010, USA
| | - Madelyn P Willett
- Institute for Human Neuroscience, Boys Town National Research Hospital, 14090 Mother Teresa Ln, Boys Town, NE, 68010, USA
| | - Hannah J Okelberry
- Institute for Human Neuroscience, Boys Town National Research Hospital, 14090 Mother Teresa Ln, Boys Town, NE, 68010, USA
| | - Tony W Wilson
- Institute for Human Neuroscience, Boys Town National Research Hospital, 14090 Mother Teresa Ln, Boys Town, NE, 68010, USA.
- Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Creighton University, 2500 California Plaza, Omaha, NE, 68178, USA.
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8
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Pintori N, Caria F, De Luca MA, Miliano C. THC and CBD: Villain versus Hero? Insights into Adolescent Exposure. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24065251. [PMID: 36982327 PMCID: PMC10048857 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24065251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2023] [Revised: 03/05/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 03/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Cannabis is the most used drug of abuse worldwide. It is well established that the most abundant phytocannabinoids in this plant are Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). These two compounds have remarkably similar chemical structures yet vastly different effects in the brain. By binding to the same receptors, THC is psychoactive, while CBD has anxiolytic and antipsychotic properties. Lately, a variety of hemp-based products, including CBD and THC, have become widely available in the food and health industry, and medical and recreational use of cannabis has been legalized in many states/countries. As a result, people, including youths, are consuming CBD because it is considered “safe”. An extensive literature exists evaluating the harmful effects of THC in both adults and adolescents, but little is known about the long-term effects of CBD exposure, especially in adolescence. The aim of this review is to collect preclinical and clinical evidence about the effects of cannabidiol.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas Pintori
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, 09042 Cagliari, Italy
| | - Francesca Caria
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, 09042 Cagliari, Italy
| | - Maria Antonietta De Luca
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, 09042 Cagliari, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-070-6758633
| | - Cristina Miliano
- School of Neuroscience, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
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9
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Schantell M, Springer SD, Arif Y, Sandal ME, Willett MP, Johnson HJ, Okelberry HJ, O’Neill JL, May PE, Bares SH, Wilson TW. Regular cannabis use modulates the impact of HIV on the neural dynamics serving cognitive control. J Psychopharmacol 2022; 36:1324-1337. [PMID: 36416285 PMCID: PMC9835727 DOI: 10.1177/02698811221138934] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cannabis use and HIV are independently associated with decrements in cognitive control. However, the combined effects of HIV and regular cannabis use on the brain circuitry serving higher-order cognition are unclear. AIMS Investigate the interaction between cannabis and HIV on neural interference effects during the flanker task and spontaneous activity in regions underlying higher-order cognition. METHODS The sample consisted of 100 participants, including people with HIV (PWH) who use cannabis, PWH who do not use cannabis, uninfected cannabis users, and uninfected nonusers. Participants underwent an interview regarding their substance use history and completed the Eriksen flanker task during magnetoencephalography (MEG). MEG data were imaged in the time-frequency domain and oscillatory maps depicting the neural flanker interference effect were probed for group differences. Voxel time series were then assessed for group-level differences in spontaneous activity. RESULTS Group differences in behavioral performance were identified along with group differences in theta and alpha neural interference responses in higher-order regions across the cortex, with nonusers with HIV generally exhibiting the most aberrant responses. Likewise, time series analyses indicated that nonusers with HIV also had significantly elevated spontaneous alpha activity in the left inferior frontal and dorsolateral prefrontal cortices (dlPFC). Finally, we found that spontaneous and oscillatory alpha activity were significantly coupled in the inferior frontal cortex and dlPFC among cannabis users, but not nonusers. CONCLUSIONS Regular cannabis use appears to suppress the impact of HIV on spontaneous and oscillatory alpha deficits in the left inferior frontal cortex and dlPFC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mikki Schantell
- Institute for Human Neuroscience, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Boys Town, NE, USA,College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC), Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Seth D Springer
- Institute for Human Neuroscience, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Boys Town, NE, USA,College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC), Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Yasra Arif
- Institute for Human Neuroscience, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Boys Town, NE, USA
| | - Megan E Sandal
- Institute for Human Neuroscience, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Boys Town, NE, USA
| | - Madelyn P Willett
- Institute for Human Neuroscience, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Boys Town, NE, USA
| | - Hallie J Johnson
- Institute for Human Neuroscience, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Boys Town, NE, USA
| | - Hannah J Okelberry
- Institute for Human Neuroscience, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Boys Town, NE, USA
| | - Jennifer L O’Neill
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC), Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Pamela E May
- Department of Neurological Sciences, University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC), Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Sara H Bares
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC), Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Tony W Wilson
- Institute for Human Neuroscience, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Boys Town, NE, USA,College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC), Omaha, NE, USA,Department of Pharmacology & Neuroscience, Creighton University, Omaha, NE, USA
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10
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Syed SA, Schnakenberg Martin AM, Cortes-Briones JA, Skosnik PD. The Relationship Between Cannabinoids and Neural Oscillations: How Cannabis Disrupts Sensation, Perception, and Cognition. Clin EEG Neurosci 2022:15500594221138280. [PMID: 36426543 DOI: 10.1177/15500594221138280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Disruptions in neural oscillations are believed to be one critical mechanism by which cannabinoids, such as delta-9-tetrahyrdrocannabinol (THC; the primary psychoactive constituent of cannabis), perturbs brain function. Here we briefly review the role of synchronized neural activity, particularly in the gamma (30-80 Hz) and theta (4-7 Hz) frequency range, in sensation, perception, and cognition. This is followed by a review of clinical studies utilizing electroencephalography (EEG) which have demonstrated that both chronic and acute cannabinoid exposure disrupts neural oscillations in humans. We also offer a hypothetical framework through which endocannabinoids modulate neural synchrony at the network level. This also includes speculation on how both chronic and acute cannabinoids disrupt functionally relevant neural oscillations by altering the fine tuning of oscillations and the inhibitory/excitatory balance of neural circuits. Finally, we highlight important clinical implications of such oscillatory disruptions, such as the potential relationship between cannabis use, altered neural synchrony, and disruptions in sensation, perception, and cognition, which are perturbed in disorders such as schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shariful A Syed
- Department of Psychiatry, 12228Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.,VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, USA
| | - Ashley M Schnakenberg Martin
- Department of Psychiatry, 12228Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.,VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, USA
| | - Jose A Cortes-Briones
- Department of Psychiatry, 12228Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.,VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, USA
| | - Patrick D Skosnik
- Department of Psychiatry, 12228Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.,VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, USA
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11
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Lew BJ, Salimian A, Wilson TW. Occipital neural dynamics in cannabis and alcohol use: independent effects of addiction. Sci Rep 2021; 11:22258. [PMID: 34782632 PMCID: PMC8593162 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-01493-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2020] [Accepted: 10/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Alcohol and cannabis use disorder (AUD/CUD) are two of the most common addictive disorders. While studies are beginning to understand the neural changes related to acute and chronic use, few studies have examined the independent effects of AUD and CUD on neural oscillatory activity. We examined 45 adults who reported current use of both cannabis and alcohol. Participants underwent the SCID-V to determine whether they met criteria for AUD and/or CUD. Participants also completed a visual-spatial processing task while undergoing magnetoencephalography (MEG). ANCOVA with a 2 × 2 design was then used to identify the main effects of AUD and CUD on source-level oscillatory activity. Of the 45 adults, 17 met criteria for AUD, and 26 met criteria for CUD. All participants, including comparison groups, reported use of both cannabis and alcohol. Statistical analyses showed a main effect of AUD, such that participants with AUD displayed a blunted occipital alpha (8-16 Hz) response. Post-hoc testing showed this decreased alpha response was related to increased AUD symptoms, above and beyond amount of use. No effects of AUD or CUD were identified in visual theta or gamma activity. In conclusion, AUD was associated with reduced alpha responses and scaled with increasing severity, independent of CUD. These findings indicate that alpha oscillatory activity may play an integral part in networks affected by alcohol addiction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brandon J Lew
- Institute for Human Neuroscience, Boys Town National Research Hospital, 378 Bucher Drive, Boys Town, NE, 68010, USA
- College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Anabel Salimian
- Institute for Human Neuroscience, Boys Town National Research Hospital, 378 Bucher Drive, Boys Town, NE, 68010, USA
- College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Tony W Wilson
- Institute for Human Neuroscience, Boys Town National Research Hospital, 378 Bucher Drive, Boys Town, NE, 68010, USA.
- College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA.
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12
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Richard CD, Poole JR, McConnell M, Meghdadi AH, Stevanovic-Karic M, Rupp G, Fink A, Schmitt R, Brown TL, Berka C. Alterations in Electroencephalography Theta as Candidate Biomarkers of Acute Cannabis Intoxication. Front Neurosci 2021; 15:744762. [PMID: 34671242 PMCID: PMC8520987 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.744762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2021] [Accepted: 09/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
The trend toward cannabis legalization in the United States over the past two decades has unsurprisingly been accompanied by an increase in the number of cannabis users and use patterns that potentially pose wider risks to the public like driving under the influence. As such, it is becoming increasingly important to develop methods to accurately quantify cannabis intoxication and its associated impairments on cognitive and motor function. Electroencephalography (EEG) offers a non-invasive method for quantitatively assessing neurophysiological biomarkers of intoxication and impairment with a high degree of temporal resolution. Twelve healthy, young recreational cannabis users completed a series of neurocognitive tasks with concurrent EEG acquisition using the ABM STAT X24 EEG headset in a within-subject counterbalanced design. The 1-h testbed consisted of resting state tasks and tests of attention and memory. Spectral densities were computed for resting state tasks, and event-related potentials (ERPs) were obtained for the attention and memory tasks. Theta band power (3–5 Hz) was decreased during cannabis intoxication compared to placebo during resting state tasks, as were average P400 and late positive potential (LPP) amplitudes during attention and memory tasks. Cannabis intoxication was also associated with elevated frontal coherence and diminished anterior–posterior coherence in the Theta frequency band. This work highlights the utility of EEG to identify and quantify neurophysiological biomarkers from recordings obtained during a short neurocognitive testbed as a method for profiling cannabis intoxication. These biomarkers may prove efficacious in distinguishing intoxicated from non-intoxicated individuals in lab and real-world settings.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jared R Poole
- Advanced Brain Monitoring, Carlsbad, CA, United States
| | | | | | | | - Greg Rupp
- Advanced Brain Monitoring, Carlsbad, CA, United States
| | - Abigail Fink
- Advanced Brain Monitoring, Carlsbad, CA, United States
| | - Rose Schmitt
- National Advanced Driving Simulator, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States
| | - Timothy L Brown
- National Advanced Driving Simulator, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States
| | - Chris Berka
- Advanced Brain Monitoring, Carlsbad, CA, United States
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13
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Binkowska AA, Jakubowska N, Gaca M, Galant N, Piotrowska-Cyplik A, Brzezicka A. Not Just a Pot: Visual Episodic Memory in Cannabis Users and Polydrug Cannabis Users: ROC and ERP Preliminary Investigation. Front Hum Neurosci 2021; 15:677793. [PMID: 34177497 PMCID: PMC8226271 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2021.677793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2021] [Accepted: 05/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background While research has consistently identified an association between long-term cannabis use and memory impairments, few studies have examined this relationship in a polydrug context (i.e., when combining cannabis with other substances). Aims: In this preliminary study, we used event-related potentials to examine the recognition process in a visual episodic memory task in cannabis users (CU) and cannabis polydrug users (PU). We hypothesized that CU and PU will have both-behavioral and psychophysiological-indicators of memory processes affected, compared to matched non-using controls with the PU expressing more severe changes. Methods 29 non-using controls (CG), 24 CU and 27 PU were enrolled into the study. All participants completed a visual learning recognition task while brain electrical activity was recorded. Event-related potentials were calculated for familiar (old) and new images from a signal recorded during a subsequent recognition test. We used receiver operating characteristic curves for behavioral data analysis. Results The groups did not differ in memory performance based on receiver operating characteristic method in accuracy and discriminability indicators nor mean reaction times for old/new images. The frontal old/new effect expected from prior research was observed for all participants, while a parietal old/new effect was not observed. While, the significant differences in the late parietal component (LPC) amplitude was observed between CG and PU but not between CG and CU nor CU and PU. Linear regression analysis was used to examine the mean amplitude of the LPC component as a predictor of memory performance accuracy indicator. LPC amplitude predicts recognition accuracy only in the CG. Conclusion The results showed alterations in recognition memory processing in CU and PU groups compared to CG, which were not manifested on the behavioral level, and were the most prominent in cannabis polydrug users. We interpret it as a manifestation of the cumulative effect of multiple drug usage in the PU group.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Natalia Jakubowska
- SWPS University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Warsaw, Poland.,Polish-Japanese Academy of Information Technology, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Maciej Gaca
- Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology PAS, Warsaw, Poland
| | | | | | - Aneta Brzezicka
- SWPS University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Warsaw, Poland.,Department of Neurosurgery, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, United States
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14
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Affiliation(s)
- Oliver D Howes
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK. .,MRC London Institute for Medical Sciences, Hammersmith Hospital, London, UK. .,Translational Neuropsychiatry, H Lundbeck A/S, Valby, Denmark.
| | - Mitul A Mehta
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
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