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Sepe-Forrest L, Kim DJ, Quinn PD, Bolbecker AR, Wisner KM, Hetrick WP, O'Donnell BF. Evidence of familial confounding of the association between cannabis use and cerebellar-cortical functional connectivity using a twin study. Neuroimage Clin 2022; 36:103237. [PMID: 36451348 PMCID: PMC9668648 DOI: 10.1016/j.nicl.2022.103237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2022] [Revised: 09/26/2022] [Accepted: 10/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Cerebellar-cortical resting-state functional connectivity (rsFC) has been reported to be altered in cannabis users. However, this association may be due to genetic and environmental confounding rather than a causal relationship between cannabis use and changes in rsFC. In this co-twin control study, linear mixed models were used to assess relationships between the number of lifetime cannabis uses (NLCU) and age of cannabis onset (ACO) with cerebellar-cortical rsFC. The rsFC with seven functional networks was evaluated in 147 monozygotic and 82 dizygotic twin pairs. Importantly, the use of genetically informed models in this twin sample facilitated examining whether shared genetic or environmental effects underlie crude associations between cannabis measures and connectivity. Individual-level phenotypic analyses (i.e., accounting for twin-pair non-independence) showed that individuals in the full sample with earlier ACO and higher NLCU had lower cerebellar rsFC within the VA, DA, and FP networks. Yet, there were no significant differences in cerebellar-cortical rsFC between monozygotic twins who were discordant for cannabis measures. These findings suggest shared genetic or environmental confounds contribute to associations between cannabis use and altered cerebellar-cortical rsFC, rather than unique causal impacts of cannabis use on cerebellar-cortical rsFC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linnea Sepe-Forrest
- Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, United States,Program in Neuroscience, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, United States,Corresponding author-at: Indiana University Bloomington, Department of Psychology, Room A208A, United States.
| | - Dae-Jin Kim
- Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, United States
| | - Patrick D. Quinn
- Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, United States,Program in Neuroscience, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, United States,Department of Applied Health Science, School of Public Health, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, United States
| | - Amanda R. Bolbecker
- Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, United States
| | - Krista M. Wisner
- Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, United States,Program in Neuroscience, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, United States
| | - William P. Hetrick
- Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, United States,Program in Neuroscience, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, United States,Department of Psychiatry, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - Brian F. O'Donnell
- Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, United States,Program in Neuroscience, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, United States,Department of Psychiatry, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN, United States
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Duko B, Pereira G, Tait RJ, Betts K, Newnham J, Alati R. Prenatal alcohol and tobacco exposures and the risk of cannabis use in offspring: Findings from a population-based cohort study. Neurotoxicol Teratol 2022; 90:107064. [PMID: 35007727 DOI: 10.1016/j.ntt.2022.107064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2021] [Revised: 01/05/2022] [Accepted: 01/05/2022] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is a paucity of prospective longitudinal studies examining the associations between maternal use of alcohol and tobacco during pregnancy and the risk of cannabis use in offspring. The aim of this study was to examine the association between prenatal alcohol and tobacco exposures and offspring cannabis use. METHODS Data were from the Raine Study, a longitudinal prospective birth cohort based in Western Australia. Cannabis use at 17 years of age was measured with a self-reported questionnaire developed to capture risky behaviors in adolescents. Associations between prenatal alcohol and tobacco exposures and the risk of cannabis use in offspring were examined using log-binomial regression models, computing relative risk (RR). We also computed the E-values (E) to estimate the extent of unmeasured confounding. RESULTS After adjusting for potential confounders, we observed increased risks of cannabis use in offspring exposed to first trimester prenatal alcohol use (RR = 1.38, 95% CI: 1.09-1.75; E = 2.10, CI:1.40) and tobacco use (RR = 1.42, 95% CI: 1.08-1.86; E = 2.19, CI:1.37) as well as third trimester prenatal alcohol use (RR = 1.39, 95% CI: 1.09-1.79; E = 2.13, CI:1.40) and tobacco use (RR = 1.39, 95% CI: 1.09-1.79; E = 2.21, CI:1.34]. We also noted dose-response associations in which risk estimates in offspring increased with the level of exposures to prenatal alcohol and tobacco use. CONCLUSION These findings provide epidemiological evidence for effects of prenatal alcohol and tobacco exposures on offspring cannabis use. Although these results should be confirmed by other studies, the present study adds to the mounting evidence suggesting that women should be encouraged to abstain from alcohol and tobacco during pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bereket Duko
- Curtin School of Population Health, Curtin University, Kent Street, Bentley, WA 6102, Australia.
| | - Gavin Pereira
- Curtin School of Population Health, Curtin University, Kent Street, Bentley, WA 6102, Australia; Centre for Fertility and Health (CeFH), Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Robert J Tait
- National Drug Research Institute, Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University, 7 Parker Place Building 609, Level 2 Technology Park, Bentley, WA 6102, Australia
| | - Kim Betts
- Curtin School of Population Health, Curtin University, Kent Street, Bentley, WA 6102, Australia
| | - John Newnham
- Division of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, The University of Western Australia, 17 Monash Ave, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Rosa Alati
- Curtin School of Population Health, Curtin University, Kent Street, Bentley, WA 6102, Australia; Institute for Social Sciences Research, The University of Queensland, 80 Meier's Rd, Indooroopilly, Queensland 4068, Australia
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O'Donnell BF, Skosnik PD, Hetrick WP, Fridberg DJ. Decision Making and Impulsivity in Young Adult Cannabis Users. Front Psychol 2021; 12:679904. [PMID: 34276500 PMCID: PMC8280309 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.679904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2021] [Accepted: 06/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Aims: Chronic cannabis users show impairments on laboratory measures of decision making which reflect risk factors for initiation and continued use of cannabis. However, the differential sensitivity of these tasks to cannabis use has not been established. Moreover, studies to date have often lacked assessment of psychiatric histories and use of other illicit substances, both of which may influence decision making outcomes. The current study aimed to address these limitations by (1) including multiple types of decision making tasks, (2) implementing the Probabilistic Reversal Learning Task, a measure of decision making under uncertainty, for the first time in cannabis users, (3) including young adult cannabis users with no other psychiatric disorders, and (4) conducting urinalysis to exclude users of other illicit drugs. Methods: Thirty-three current cannabis users without comorbid psychiatric disorders and 35 cannabis non-users completed behavioral measures of decision-making (Iowa Gambling Task), reward discounting (Delay Discounting Task), choice-outcome learning (the Probabilistic Reversal Learning Task) and a questionnaire assessment of impulsivity (Barratt Impulsiveness Scale). Results: Relative to non-users, cannabis users demonstrated greater preference for immediate vs. delayed rewards on the Delay Discounting Task, made fewer advantageous decisions on the Iowa Gambling Task, and endorsed greater impulsivity on the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale scales. Cannabis users and non-users showed comparable performance on the Probabilistic Reversal Learning Task. Frequency of past-month cannabis use and total years of use did not predict decision making or impulsivity. Conclusions: Young adult cannabis users demonstrated higher discounting rates and impairments in learning cost-benefit contingencies, while reversal learning was unaffected. Self-reported impulsivity was elevated as well. None of these measures correlated with current or lifetime estimates of cannabis use, arguing against a dose-relationship. Interventions that target improvement in affected components of decision making may be helpful in reducing cannabis use and relapse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian F O'Donnell
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences and Program in Neuroscience, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, United States
| | - Patrick D Skosnik
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - William P Hetrick
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences and Program in Neuroscience, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, United States
| | - Daniel J Fridberg
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
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Kesner AJ, Lovinger DM. Cannabis use, abuse, and withdrawal: Cannabinergic mechanisms, clinical, and preclinical findings. J Neurochem 2021; 157:1674-1696. [PMID: 33891706 PMCID: PMC9291571 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.15369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2020] [Revised: 04/12/2021] [Accepted: 04/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Cannabis sativa is the most widely used illicit drug in the world. Its main psychoactive component is delta‐9‐tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), one of over 100 phytocannabinoid compounds produced by the cannabis plant. THC is the primary compound that drives cannabis abuse potential and is also used and prescribed medically for therapeutic qualities. Despite its therapeutic potential, a significant subpopulation of frequent cannabis or THC users will develop a drug use syndrome termed cannabis use disorder. Individuals suffering from cannabis use disorder exhibit many of the hallmarks of classical addictions including cravings, tolerance, and withdrawal symptoms. Currently, there are no efficacious treatments for cannabis use disorder or withdrawal symptoms. This makes both clinical and preclinical research on the neurobiological mechanisms of these syndromes ever more pertinent. Indeed, basic research using animal models has provided valuable evidence of the neural molecular and cellular actions of cannabis that mediate its behavioral effects. One of the main components being central action on the cannabinoid type‐one receptor and downstream intracellular signaling related to the endogenous cannabinoid system. Back‐translational studies have provided insight linking preclinical basic and behavioral biology research to better understand symptoms observed at the clinical level. This narrative review aims to summarize major research elucidating the molecular, cellular, and behavioral manifestations of cannabis/THC use that play a role in cannabis use disorder and withdrawal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew J Kesner
- Laboratory for Integrative Neuroscience, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Center on Compulsive Behaviors, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - David M Lovinger
- Laboratory for Integrative Neuroscience, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Center on Compulsive Behaviors, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
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Gerra MC, Manfredini M, Cortese E, Antonioni MC, Leonardi C, Magnelli F, Somaini L, Jayanthi S, Cadet JL, Donnini C. Genetic and Environmental Risk Factors for Cannabis Use: Preliminary Results for the Role of Parental Care Perception. Subst Use Misuse 2019; 54:670-680. [PMID: 30663487 PMCID: PMC7643561 DOI: 10.1080/10826084.2018.1531430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Vulnerability to cannabis use (CU) initiation and problematic use have been shown to be affected by both genetic and environmental factors, with still inconclusive and uncertain evidence. OBJECTIVE Aim of the present study was to investigate the possible interplay between gene polymorphisms and psychosocial conditions in CU susceptibility. METHODS Ninety-two cannabis users and ninety-three controls have been included in the study. Exclusion criteria were serious mental health disorders and severe somatic disorders, use of other drugs and alcohol abuse; control subjects were not screened to remove Reward Deficiency Syndrome (RDS) behaviors. A candidate gene association study was performed, including variants related to dopaminergic and endocannabinoids pathways. Adverse childhood experiences and quality of parental care have been retrospectively explored utilizing ACES (Adverse Children Experience Scale), CECA-q (Child Experience of Care and Abuse Questionnaire), PBI (Parental Bonding Instrument). RESULTS Our findings evidenced a significant association between rs1800497 Taq1A of ANKK1 gene and CU. Parental care was found to be protective factor, with emotional and physical neglect specifically influencing CU. Gender also played a role in CU, with males smoking more than females. However, when tested together genotypes and psychosocial variables, the significance of observed genetic differences disappeared. CONCLUSIONS Our results confirm a significant role of Taq1A polymorphism in CU vulnerability. A primary role of environmental factors in mediating genetic risk has been highlighted: parental care could be considered the main target to design early prevention programs and strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Carla Gerra
- a Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability , University of Parma , Parma , Italy
| | - Matteo Manfredini
- a Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability , University of Parma , Parma , Italy
| | - Elena Cortese
- b Addiction Treatment Center, Local Health Service , Rome , Italy
| | | | - Claudio Leonardi
- b Addiction Treatment Center, Local Health Service , Rome , Italy
| | - Fernanda Magnelli
- d Addiction Treatment Centre, Local Health Service , Cosenza , Biella , Italy
| | - Lorenzo Somaini
- d Addiction Treatment Centre, Local Health Service , Cosenza , Biella , Italy
| | - Subramaniam Jayanthi
- e Molecular Neuropsychiatry Research Branch , NIDA Intramural Research Program , Baltimore , Maryland , USA
| | - Jean Lud Cadet
- e Molecular Neuropsychiatry Research Branch , NIDA Intramural Research Program , Baltimore , Maryland , USA
| | - Claudia Donnini
- a Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability , University of Parma , Parma , Italy
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Kim DJ, Schnakenberg Martin AM, Shin YW, Jo HJ, Cheng H, Newman SD, Sporns O, Hetrick WP, Calkins E, O'Donnell BF. Aberrant structural-functional coupling in adult cannabis users. Hum Brain Mapp 2018; 40:252-261. [PMID: 30203892 DOI: 10.1002/hbm.24369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2018] [Revised: 08/09/2018] [Accepted: 08/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Cellular studies indicate that endocannabinoid type-1 retrograde signaling plays a major role in synaptic plasticity. Disruption of these processes by delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) could produce alterations either in structural and functional brain connectivity or in their association in cannabis (CB) users. Graph theoretic structural and functional networks were generated with diffusion tensor imaging and resting-state functional imaging in 37 current CB users and 31 healthy non-users. The primary outcome measures were coupling between structural and functional connectivity, global network characteristics, association between the coupling and network properties, and measures of rich-club organization. Structural-functional (SC-FC) coupling was globally preserved showing a positive association in current CB users. However, the users had disrupted associations between SC-FC coupling and network topological characteristics, most perturbed for shorter connections implying region-specific disruption by CB use. Rich-club analysis revealed impaired SC-FC coupling in the hippocampus and caudate of users. This study provides evidence of the abnormal SC-FC association in CB users. The effect was predominant in shorter connections of the brain network, suggesting that the impact of CB use or predispositional factors may be most apparent in local interconnections. Notably, the hippocampus and caudate specifically showed aberrant structural and functional coupling. These structures have high CB1 receptor density and may also be associated with changes in learning and habit formation that occur with chronic cannabis use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dae-Jin Kim
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana
| | | | - Yong-Wook Shin
- Department of Psychiatry, Ulsan University School of Medicine, ASAN Medical Center, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Hang Joon Jo
- Department of Neurologic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Hu Cheng
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana.,Imaging Research Facility, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana
| | - Sharlene D Newman
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana.,Imaging Research Facility, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana
| | - Olaf Sporns
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana.,Indiana University Network Science Institute, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana
| | - William P Hetrick
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana
| | - Eli Calkins
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana
| | - Brian F O'Donnell
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana
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7
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Hasin DS. US Epidemiology of Cannabis Use and Associated Problems. Neuropsychopharmacology 2018; 43:195-212. [PMID: 28853439 PMCID: PMC5719106 DOI: 10.1038/npp.2017.198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 382] [Impact Index Per Article: 63.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2017] [Revised: 08/17/2017] [Accepted: 08/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
This review provides an overview of the changing US epidemiology of cannabis use and associated problems. Adults and adolescents increasingly view cannabis as harmless, and some can use cannabis without harm. However, potential problems include harms from prenatal exposure and unintentional childhood exposure; decline in educational or occupational functioning after early adolescent use, and in adulthood, impaired driving and vehicle crashes; cannabis use disorders (CUD), cannabis withdrawal, and psychiatric comorbidity. Evidence suggests national increases in cannabis potency, prenatal and unintentional childhood exposure; and in adults, increased use, CUD, cannabis-related emergency room visits, and fatal vehicle crashes. Twenty-nine states have medical marijuana laws (MMLs) and of these, 8 have recreational marijuana laws (RMLs). Many studies indicate that MMLs or their specific provisions did not increase adolescent cannabis use. However, the more limited literature suggests that MMLs have led to increased cannabis potency, unintentional childhood exposures, adult cannabis use, and adult CUD. Ecological-level studies suggest that MMLs have led to substitution of cannabis for opioids, and also possibly for psychiatric medications. Much remains to be determined about cannabis trends and the role of MMLs and RMLs in these trends. The public, health professionals, and policy makers would benefit from education about the risks of cannabis use, the increases in such risks, and the role of marijuana laws in these increases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deborah S Hasin
- Columbia University and New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, USA
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Levine A, Clemenza K, Rynn M, Lieberman J. Evidence for the Risks and Consequences of Adolescent Cannabis Exposure. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry 2017; 56:214-225. [PMID: 28219487 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaac.2016.12.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 133] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2015] [Revised: 12/19/2016] [Accepted: 12/23/2016] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This review of the scientific literature examines the potential adult sequelae of exposure to cannabis and related synthetic cannabinoids in adolescence. We examine the four neuropsychiatric outcomes that are likely most vulnerable to alteration by early cannabinoid use, as identified within both the clinical and preclinical research: cognition, emotional functioning, risk for psychosis, and addiction. METHOD A literature search was conducted through PubMed, PsychInfo, and Google Scholar with no publication date restrictions. The search terms used were "adolescent" and "adult," and either "cannabis," "marijuana," "delta-9-tetra-hydrocannabinol," or "cannabinoid," which was then crossed with one or more of the following terms: "deficit," "impairment," "alteration," "long-term," "persistent," "development," "maturation," and "pubescent." RESULTS The majority of the clinical and preclinical data point to a strong correlation between adolescent cannabinoid exposure and persistent, adverse neuropsychiatric outcomes in adulthood. Although the literature supports the hypothesis that adolescent cannabis use is connected to impaired cognition and mental health in adults, it does not conclusively demonstrate that cannabis consumption alone is sufficient to cause these deficits in humans. The animal literature, however, clearly indicates that adolescent-onset exposure to cannabinoids can catalyze molecular processes that lead to persistent functional deficits in adulthood, deficits that are not found to follow adult-onset exposure and that model some of the adverse outcomes reported in humans among adult populations of early-onset cannabis users. CONCLUSION Based on the data in the current literature, a strong association is found between early, frequent, and heavy adolescent cannabis exposure and poor cognitive and psychiatric outcomes in adulthood, yet definite conclusions cannot yet be made as to whether cannabis use alone has a negative impact on the human adolescent brain. Future research will require animal models and longitudinal studies to be carefully designed with a focus on integrating assessments of molecular, structural, and behavioral outcomes in order to elucidate the full range of potential adverse and long-term consequences of cannabinoid exposure in adolescence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amir Levine
- College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, and the New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY.
| | | | - Moira Rynn
- College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, and the New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY; New York Presbyterian Hospital-Columbia University Medical Center, New York
| | - Jeffrey Lieberman
- College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, and the New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY; New York Presbyterian Hospital-Columbia University Medical Center, New York
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