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Wallace AL, Courtney KE, Wade NE, Doran N, Delfel EL, Baca R, Hatz LE, Thompson C, Andrade G, Jacobus J. A preliminary investigation of physical and mental health features of cannabis & nicotine co-use among adolescents and young adults by sex. Addict Behav 2024; 156:108064. [PMID: 38821010 DOI: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2024.108064] [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: 11/27/2023] [Revised: 05/09/2024] [Accepted: 05/11/2024] [Indexed: 06/02/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Cannabis and nicotine/tobacco products (NTP) are commonly co-used in adolescence and young adulthood; however, limited research has been done on predictive health behaviors to co-use. The current study is a preliminary investigation into the relationships of modifiable health behaviors on cannabis and NTP co-use in adolescents and young adults. METHOD 221 participants (ages 16-22) were characterized into cannabis use only (N = 55), NTP use only (N = 20), cannabis and NTP co-use (used cannabis and NTP; N = 96) and control (no use; N = 50) groups based on past 30-day use. Self-report measures for physical activity, sleep quality, mental health, and reward responsivity were utilized. Participants were given a comprehensive neurocognitive battery. Logistic regressions of self-report measures and fluid intelligence composite scores on substance use group status were run stratified by sex. RESULTS Higher approach reward sensitivity traits were associated with increased likelihood of cannabis use only (Odds Ratio (OR) = 1.15, p = .036) in female participants. Increased aerobic activity was associated with decreased likelihood of cannabis use only (OR = 0.91, p = .047) and cannabis and NTP co-use (OR = 0.88, p = .007) in female participants. Higher anxiety was associated with increased likelihood of cannabis NTP co-use (OR = 1.51, p = 0.025) in male participants. DISCUSSION Several health behaviors were linked with cannabis use and cannabis and NTP co-use in both females and male adolescents and young adults. Health markers differed by sex suggesting differing mechanisms of substance co-use. This study informs targetable health behaviors for prevention and intervention efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander L Wallace
- University of California San Diego, Psychiatry Department, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Kelly E Courtney
- University of California San Diego, Psychiatry Department, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Natasha E Wade
- University of California San Diego, Psychiatry Department, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Neal Doran
- University of California San Diego, Psychiatry Department, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA; Psychology Service, VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA 92161, USA
| | - Everett L Delfel
- University of California San Diego, Psychiatry Department, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA; SDSU / UC San Diego Joint Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology, USA
| | - Rachel Baca
- University of California San Diego, Psychiatry Department, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Laura E Hatz
- University of California San Diego, Psychiatry Department, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Courtney Thompson
- University of California San Diego, Psychiatry Department, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Gianna Andrade
- University of California San Diego, Psychiatry Department, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Joanna Jacobus
- University of California San Diego, Psychiatry Department, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA.
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Pasquier B, Yaffe K, Levine DA, Rana JS, Pletcher MJ, Tal K, Sidney S, Auer R, Jakob J. Sex Differences in the Association Between Cumulative Use of Cannabis and Cognitive Function in Middle Age: The Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults Study. Cannabis Cannabinoid Res 2024; 9:e1142-e1158. [PMID: 37594767 DOI: 10.1089/can.2022.0343] [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] [Indexed: 08/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Cannabis use may impair cognitive function (CF) differently in men and women, due to sex-specific differences in neurobiological mechanisms and environmental risk factors. Objective: Assess sex differences in the association between cumulative exposure to cannabis and cognitive performance in middle age. Methods: We studied participants from the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) Study, including Black and White men and women 18-30 years old at baseline followed over 30 years. Our cross-sectional analysis of CF scores at year 30 was stratified by sex. We computed categories of cumulative exposure in "cannabis-years" (1 cannabis-year=365 days of use) from self-reported use every 2 to 5 years over 30 years. At years 25 and 30, we assessed CF with the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (verbal memory), the Digit Symbol Substitution Test (processing speed), and the Stroop Interference Test (executive function). At year 30, additional measures included Category and Letter Fluency Test (verbal ability) and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (global cognition). We computed standardized scores for each cognitive test and applied multivariable adjusted linear regression models for self-reported cumulative cannabis use, excluding participants who used cannabis within 24 h. In a secondary analysis, we examined the association between changes in current cannabis use and changes in CF between years 25 and 30. Results: By year 30, 1,352 men and 1,793 women had measures of CF; 87% (N=1,171) men and 84% (N=1,502) women reported ever cannabis use. Men had a mean cumulative use of 2.57 cannabis-years and women 1.29 cannabis-years. Self-reported cumulative cannabis use was associated with worse verbal memory in men (e.g., -0.49 standardized units [SU] for ≥5 cannabis-years of exposure; 95% CI=-0.76 to -0.23), but not in women (SU=0.02; 95% CI=-0.26 to 0.29). Other measures of CF were not associated with cannabis. Changes in current cannabis use between years 25 and 30 were not associated with CF in men or women. Conclusions: Self-reported cumulative cannabis exposure was associated with worse verbal memory in men but not in women. Researchers should consider stratified analyses by sex when testing the association between cannabis and cognition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baptiste Pasquier
- Institute of Primary Health Care (BIHAM), University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Kristine Yaffe
- Department of Psychiatry, Neurology, Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Deborah A Levine
- Department of Internal Medicine and Cognitive Health Services Research Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Jamal S Rana
- Department of Cardiology, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Oakland, California, USA
| | - Mark J Pletcher
- Department of Psychiatry, Neurology, Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Kali Tal
- Institute of Primary Health Care (BIHAM), University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Stephen Sidney
- Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Oakland, California, USA
| | - Reto Auer
- Institute of Primary Health Care (BIHAM), University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- University General Medicine and Public Health Centre, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Julian Jakob
- Institute of Primary Health Care (BIHAM), University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Department of Paediatrics, University Hospital Bern, Inselspital, Bern, Switzerland
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Mohammad Aghaei A, Urban Spillane L, Pittman B, Flynn LT, De Aquino JP, Bassir Nia A, Ranganathan M. Sex differences in the acute effects of oral THC: a randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover human laboratory study. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2024:10.1007/s00213-024-06625-6. [PMID: 38832949 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-024-06625-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2024] [Indexed: 06/06/2024]
Abstract
RATIONALE Recent reports have shown increased cannabis use among women, leading to growing concerns about cannabis use disorder (CUD). While there is preclinical evidence suggesting biological sex influences cannabinoid effects, human research remains scant. We investigated sex differences in the acute response to oral tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in humans. METHODS 56 healthy men and women with prior exposure to cannabis but no history of CUD participated in a randomized, placebo-controlled, human laboratory study where they received a single 10 mg dose of oral THC (dronabinol). Subjective psychoactive effects were assessed by the visual analog scale of "high", psychotomimetic effects by the Clinician-Administered Dissociative Symptoms Scale and Psychotomimetic States Inventory, verbal learning and memory by Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT), and physiological effects by heart rate. Outcomes were regularly measured on the test day, except for the RAVLT, which was assessed once. Peak differences from baseline were analyzed using a nonparametric method for repeated measures. RESULTS Oral THC (10 mg) demonstrated significant dose-related effects in psychotomimetic and physiological domains, but not in RAVLT outcomes. A notable interaction between THC dose and sex emerged concerning the subjective "high" scores, with women reporting heightened sensations (p = 0.05). No other significant effects of sex and THC dose interaction were observed. CONCLUSION Oral THC (10 mg) yields similar acute psychotomimetic and physiological effects across sexes, but women may experience a pronounced subjective psychoactive effect. Further research is needed to identify individual vulnerabilities and facilitate tailored interventions addressing CUD. CLINICALTRIALS GOV REGISTRATION: https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT02781519?term=Ranganathan&intr=THC&rank=3 .
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lia Urban Spillane
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Brian Pittman
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - L Taylor Flynn
- Drexel University School of Medicine MD/PhD program, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Joao P De Aquino
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Anahita Bassir Nia
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Mohini Ranganathan
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
- Department of Psychiatry, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, 950 Campbell Ave, West Haven, CT, 06516, USA.
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4
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Wade NE, Courtney KE, Wallace AL, Hatz L, Jacobus J. Investigating sex differences and age of onset in emotion regulation, executive functioning, and cannabis use in adolescents and young adults. J Cannabis Res 2024; 6:20. [PMID: 38671541 PMCID: PMC11046960 DOI: 10.1186/s42238-024-00225-z] [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: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Young adults have historically high levels of cannabis use at a time which coincides with emotional and cognitive development. Age of regular onset of cannabis use and sex at birth are hypothesized to influence the relationship between cannabis use and cognition. Here we investigated past 6-month cannabis use in relation to emotional and executive functioning. We further considered age of onset and sex in subgroup analyses. METHOD Young adults (N = 225; ages 16-22) completed a substance use interview and cognitive battery, including the Emotional Word-Emotional Face Stroop and NIH toolbox executive functioning tasks. Linear regressions examined relationships between past 6-month cannabis use episodes and performance. Subgroup analyses investigated whether age of onset or sex impacted relationships. RESULTS After correcting for multiple comparisons, greater past 6-month cannabis use episodes were related to poorer Emotional Stroop Congruent Accuracy (p = .0004, FDR-p = .002) and List Sorting Working Memory (p = .02, FDR-p = .10) performance. Younger age of regular use onset marginally related to lower Emotional Stroop Congruent Accuracy performance (p = .03, FDR-p = .13). There were no cannabis use by sex interactions on cognition. CONCLUSIONS Consistent with prior findings, results suggest small reductions in cannabis-related performance in processing speed during emotional Stroop and working memory tasks. Age of onset was modestly related to Stroop performance, but not sex. Longitudinal studies which detail patterns of cannabis and other substance use are needed to better assess brain-behavior relationships and other factors (e.g., age of onset of regular use, sex) which could influence cannabis-related impairments in cognitive functioning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natasha E Wade
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, MC 0405, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Kelly E Courtney
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, MC 0405, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Alexander L Wallace
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, MC 0405, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Laura Hatz
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, MC 0405, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Joanna Jacobus
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, MC 0405, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA.
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5
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Aghaei AM, Spillane LU, Pittman B, Flynn LT, De Aquino JP, Nia AB, Ranganathan M. Sex Differences in the Acute Effects of Oral THC: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Crossover Human Laboratory Study. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2024:2023.11.29.23299193. [PMID: 38077095 PMCID: PMC10705657 DOI: 10.1101/2023.11.29.23299193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2023]
Abstract
Rationale Recent reports have shown increased cannabis use among women, leading to growing concerns about cannabis use disorder (CUD). Some evidence suggests a faster progression to addiction in women, known as the "telescoping effect." While there is preclinical evidence suggesting biological sex influences cannabinoid effects, human research remains scant. We investigated sex differences in the response to oral tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in humans. Methods 56 healthy men and women with prior exposure to cannabis but no history of CUD participated in a randomized, placebo-controlled, human laboratory study where they received a single 10 mg dose of oral THC (dronabinol). Subjective psychoactive effects were assessed by the visual analog scale of "high", psychotomimetic effects by the Clinician-Administered Dissociative Symptoms Scale and Psychotomimetic States Inventory, verbal learning and memory by Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT), and physiological effects by heart rate. Outcomes were regularly measured on the test day, except for the RAVLT, which was assessed once. Peak differences from baseline were analyzed using a nonparametric method for repeated measures. Results Oral THC demonstrated significant dose-related effects in psychotomimetic and physiological domains, but not in RAVLT outcomes. A notable interaction between THC dose and sex emerged concerning the subjective "high" scores, with women reporting heightened sensations (p=0.05). No other significant effects of sex and THC dose interaction were observed. Conclusion Oral THC yields similar psychotomimetic and physiological effects across sexes, but women may experience a pronounced subjective psychoactive effect. Further research is needed to identify individual vulnerabilities and facilitate tailored interventions addressing CUD.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lia Urban Spillane
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Brian Pittman
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - L. Taylor Flynn
- Drexel University School of Medicine MD/PhD program, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Joao P. De Aquino
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Anahita Bassir Nia
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Mohini Ranganathan
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
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Hillmer A, Chawar C, Lamri A, Hudson J, Kapczinski F, Minuzzi L, Marsh DC, Thabane L, Paterson AD, Samaan Z. Genetics of cannabis use in opioid use disorder: A genome-wide association and polygenic risk score study. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0289059. [PMID: 37494403 PMCID: PMC10370765 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0289059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 07/28/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Individuals with an Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) have increased rates of cannabis use in comparison to the general population. Research on the short- and long-term impacts of cannabis use in OUD patients has been inconclusive. A genetic component may contribute to cannabis cravings. AIMS Identify genetic variants associated with cannabis use through Genome-wide Association Study (GWAS) methods and investigate a Polygenic Risk Score (PRS). In addition, we aim to identify any sex differences in effect size for genetic variants reaching or nearing genome-wide significance in the GWAS. METHODS The study outcomes of interest were: regular cannabis use (yes/no) (n = 2616), heaviness of cannabis use (n = 1293) and cannabis cravings (n = 836). Logistic and linear regressions were preformed, respectively, to test the association between genetic variants and each outcome, regular cannabis use and heaviness of cannabis use. GWAS summary statistics from a recent large meta-GWAS investigating cannabis use disorder were used to conduct PRS's. Findings are limited to a European ancestry sample. RESULTS No genome-wide significant associations were found. Rs1813412 (chromosome 17) for regular cannabis use and rs62378502 (chromosome 5) for heaviness of cannabis use were approaching genome-wide significance. Both these SNPs were nominally significant (p<0.05) within males and females, however sex did not modify the association. The PRS identified statistically significant association with cannabis cravings. The variance explained by all PRSs were less than 1.02x10-2. CONCLUSION This study provides promising results in understanding the genetic contribution to cannabis use in individuals living with OUD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alannah Hillmer
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Caroul Chawar
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Amel Lamri
- Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Jacqueline Hudson
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Flavio Kapczinski
- McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sol, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Luciano Minuzzi
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | | | - Lehana Thabane
- Department of Health Research Method, Evidence & Impact, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Andrew D Paterson
- Program in Genetics and Genome Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Divisions of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Zainab Samaan
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
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7
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Rydberg A, Dodoo CA, Schneekloth TD, Abulseoud OA. No difference in COVID-19 treatment outcomes among current methamphetamine, cannabis and alcohol users. J Cannabis Res 2023; 5:23. [PMID: 37337275 DOI: 10.1186/s42238-023-00193-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2022] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/21/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Poor outcomes of COVID-19 have been reported in older males with medical comorbidities including substance use disorder. However, it is unknown whether there is a difference in COVID-19 treatment outcomes between patients who are current cannabis users, excessive alcohol drinkers and those who use a known hazardous stimulant such as methamphetamine (METH). METHODS Electronic medical records (EMR) of COVID-19 patients with current METH (n = 32), cannabis (n = 46), and heavy alcohol use (n = 44) were reviewed. COVID-19 infection was confirmed by positive SARS-CoV-2 PCR test, current drug use was confirmed by positive urine drug testing, and alcohol use was identified by a blood alcohol concentration greater than 11 mg/dl. Multivariate linear regression models as well as the firth logistic regression models were used to examine the effect of substance use group (METH, cannabis, or alcohol) on treatment outcome measures. RESULTS A total of 122 patients were included in this analysis. There were no significant differences found between drug groups in regards to key SARS-CoV-2 outcomes of interest including ICU admission, length of stay, interval between SARS-CoV-2 positive test and hospital discharge, delirium, intubation and mortality after adjusting for covariates. About one-fifth (21.9% in METH users, 15.2% in cannabis users, and 20.5% in alcohol users) of all patients required ICU admission. As many as 37.5% of METH users, 23.9% of cannabis users, and 29.5% of alcohol users developed delirium (P = 0.4). There were no significant differences between drug groups in COVID-19 specific medication requirements. Eight patients in total died within 10 months of positive SARS-CoV-2 PCR test. Two patients from the METH group (6.3%), two patients from the cannabis group (4.3%), and four patients from the alcohol group (9.1%) died. DISCUSSION The study outcomes may have been affected by several limitations. These included the methodology of its retrospective design, relatively small sample size, and the absence of a COVID-19 negative control group. In addition, there was no quantification of substance use and many covariates relied on clinical documentation or patient self-report. Finally, it was difficult to control for all potential confounders particularly given the small sample size. CONCLUSION Despite these limitations, our results show that current METH, cannabis, and heavy alcohol users in this study have similar treatment outcomes and suffer from high morbidity including in-hospital delirium and high mortality rates within the first-year post COVID-19. The extent to which co-morbid tobacco smoking contributed to the negative outcomes in METH, cannabis, and alcohol users remains to be investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ann Rydberg
- Alix School of Medicine at Mayo Clinic, Phoenix, AZ, 58054, USA
| | | | - Terry D Schneekloth
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Mayo Clinic Arizona, 5777 E Mayo Blvd, Phoenix, AZ, 58054, USA
| | - Osama A Abulseoud
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Mayo Clinic Arizona, 5777 E Mayo Blvd, Phoenix, AZ, 58054, USA.
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, CRB, Scottsdale, AZ, 85259, USA.
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Gräfe EL, Reid HMO, Shkolnikov I, Conway K, Kit A, Acosta C, Christie BR. Women are Taking the Hit: Examining the Unique Consequences of Cannabis Use Across the Female Lifespan. Front Neuroendocrinol 2023; 70:101076. [PMID: 37217080 DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2023.101076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2023] [Revised: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Cannabis use has risen dramatically in recent years due to global decriminalization and a resurgence in the interest of potential therapeutic benefits. While emerging research is shaping our understanding of the benefits and harms of cannabis, there remains a paucity of data specifically focused on how cannabis affects the female population. The female experience of cannabis use is unique, both in the societal context and because of the biological ramifications. This is increasingly important given the rise in cannabis potency, as well as the implications this has for the prevalence of Cannabis Use Disorder (CUD). Therefore, this scoping review aims to discuss the prevalence of cannabis use and CUD in women throughout their lifespan and provide a balanced prospective on the positive and negative consequences of cannabis use. In doing so, this review will highlight the necessity for continued research that goes beyond sex differences.
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Affiliation(s)
- E L Gräfe
- Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
| | - H M O Reid
- Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
| | - I Shkolnikov
- Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
| | - K Conway
- Island Medical Program, University of British Columbia, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
| | - A Kit
- Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
| | - C Acosta
- Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
| | - B R Christie
- Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada; Island Medical Program, University of British Columbia, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.
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Marchetti B, Bilel S, Tirri M, Corli G, Roda E, Locatelli CA, Cavarretta E, De-Giorgio F, Marti M. Acute Cardiovascular and Cardiorespiratory Effects of JWH-018 in Awake and Freely Moving Mice: Mechanism of Action and Possible Antidotal Interventions? Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:7515. [PMID: 37108687 PMCID: PMC10142259 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24087515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2023] [Revised: 04/14/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
JWH-018 is the most known compound among synthetic cannabinoids (SCs) used for their psychoactive effects. SCs-based products are responsible for several intoxications in humans. Cardiac toxicity is among the main side effects observed in emergency departments: SCs intake induces harmful effects such as hypertension, tachycardia, chest pain, arrhythmias, myocardial infarction, breathing impairment, and dyspnea. This study aims to investigate how cardio-respiratory and vascular JWH-018 (6 mg/kg) responses can be modulated by antidotes already in clinical use. The tested antidotes are amiodarone (5 mg/kg), atropine (5 mg/kg), nifedipine (1 mg/kg), and propranolol (2 mg/kg). The detection of heart rate, breath rate, arterial oxygen saturation (SpO2), and pulse distention are provided by a non-invasive apparatus (Mouse Ox Plus) in awake and freely moving CD-1 male mice. Tachyarrhythmia events are also evaluated. Results show that while all tested antidotes reduce tachycardia and tachyarrhythmic events and improve breathing functions, only atropine completely reverts the heart rate and pulse distension. These data may suggest that cardiorespiratory mechanisms of JWH-018-induced tachyarrhythmia involve sympathetic, cholinergic, and ion channel modulation. Current findings also provide valuable impetus to identify potential antidotal intervention to support physicians in the treatment of intoxicated patients in emergency clinical settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beatrice Marchetti
- Department of Translational Medicine, Section of Legal Medicine and LTTA Center, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (B.M.); (S.B.); (M.T.); (G.C.)
| | - Sabrine Bilel
- Department of Translational Medicine, Section of Legal Medicine and LTTA Center, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (B.M.); (S.B.); (M.T.); (G.C.)
| | - Micaela Tirri
- Department of Translational Medicine, Section of Legal Medicine and LTTA Center, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (B.M.); (S.B.); (M.T.); (G.C.)
| | - Giorgia Corli
- Department of Translational Medicine, Section of Legal Medicine and LTTA Center, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (B.M.); (S.B.); (M.T.); (G.C.)
| | - Elisa Roda
- Laboratory of Clinical & Experimental Toxicology, Pavia Poison Centre, National Toxicology Information Centre, Toxicology Unit, Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy; (E.R.); (C.A.L.)
| | - Carlo Alessandro Locatelli
- Laboratory of Clinical & Experimental Toxicology, Pavia Poison Centre, National Toxicology Information Centre, Toxicology Unit, Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy; (E.R.); (C.A.L.)
| | - Elena Cavarretta
- Department of Medical-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Roma, Italy;
- Mediterrranea Cardiocentro, 80122 Napoli, Italy
| | - Fabio De-Giorgio
- Section of Legal Medicine, Department of Health Care Surveillance and Bioetics, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy;
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Matteo Marti
- Department of Translational Medicine, Section of Legal Medicine and LTTA Center, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (B.M.); (S.B.); (M.T.); (G.C.)
- Collaborative Center for the Italian National Early Warning System, Department of Anti-Drug Policies, 00186 Rome, Italy
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10
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Mestre-Bach G, Potenza MN. Potential Biological Markers and Treatment Implications for Binge Eating Disorder and Behavioral Addictions. Nutrients 2023; 15:827. [PMID: 36839185 PMCID: PMC9962023 DOI: 10.3390/nu15040827] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2023] [Revised: 01/28/2023] [Accepted: 02/04/2023] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The reward system is highly relevant to behavioral addictions such as gambling disorder (GD), internet gaming disorder (IGD), and food addiction/binge eating disorder (FA/BED). Among other brain regions, the ventral striatum (VS) has been implicated in reward processing. The main objective of the present state-of-the-art review was to explore in depth the specific role of the VS in GD, IGD and FA/BED, understanding it as a possible biomarker of these conditions. Studies analyzing brain changes following interventions for these disorders, and especially those that had explored possible treatment-related changes in VS, are discussed. More evidence is needed on how existing treatments (both pharmacological and psychobehavioral) for behavioral addictions affect the activation of the VS and related circuitry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gemma Mestre-Bach
- Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Internacional de La Rioja, 26006 Logroño, Spain
| | - Marc N. Potenza
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
- Connecticut Mental Health Center, New Haven, CT 06519, USA
- Connecticut Council on Problem Gambling, Wethersfield, CT 06109, USA
- Wu Tsai Institute, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
- Yale Child Study Center, School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
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11
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Denson RK, Hedeker D, Mermelstein RJ. Association between affect and cannabis use varies by social context. Drug Alcohol Depend 2023; 243:109750. [PMID: 36634576 PMCID: PMC9884136 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2022.109750] [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: 07/23/2022] [Revised: 11/20/2022] [Accepted: 12/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cannabis use is rising globally, underscoring the importance of understanding contextual factors related to cannabis use. Although much work has retrospectively examined cannabis use patterns and effects, fewer studies have evaluated cannabis use in natural environments. METHODS The present study used ecological momentary assessment (EMA) to examine the subjective experience of cannabis use (i.e., positive and negative affect) and how cannabis' mood effects are modified by the social context, defined as being alone or with others, in which use occurs. Associations between cannabis' mood effects and cannabis use disorder symptomatology were additionally examined. Participants (N = 200) completed baseline assessments and two 7-day waves of EMA data collection. Mixed-effects models examined between- and within-subject effects for positive and negative affect at cannabis use and nonuse times and interactions between cannabis use and social context. RESULTS Positive affect was elevated at cannabis use times, compared to nonuse times, regardless of social context. The relationship between cannabis use and negative affect was moderated by social context, such that negative affect was elevated at cannabis use times when participants were alone and reduced at cannabis use times when participants were with others. Higher levels of cannabis use disorder symptomatology and cannabis use frequency were both associated with lower negative affect at cannabis use times. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that elevated positive affect is consistent across cannabis use times regardless of social context, but negative affect may vary more by the presence of others.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca K Denson
- Department of Psychology, University of Illinois at Chicago, USA.
| | - Donald Hedeker
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Chicago, USA
| | - Robin J Mermelstein
- Department of Psychology, University of Illinois at Chicago, USA; Institute for Health Research and Policy, University of Illinois at Chicago, USA
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12
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Simon SG, Eiden RD, Molnar DS, Huestis MA, Riis JL. Associations between prenatal and postnatal substance exposure and salivary C-reactive protein in early childhood. Neurotoxicol Teratol 2023; 95:107134. [PMID: 36395973 PMCID: PMC10644259 DOI: 10.1016/j.ntt.2022.107134] [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: 03/14/2022] [Revised: 11/07/2022] [Accepted: 11/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Exposure to tobacco and cannabis during developmental periods of enhanced vulnerability (e.g., in utero and early childhood) may have long-lasting effects on child health. One potential mechanism underlying these associations is the alteration of inflammatory pathways. Using data from a longitudinal study of mother/child dyads, we examined the adjusted and combined associations of prenatal and postnatal tobacco and cannabis exposure with inflammation in early childhood. Furthermore, we explored the relations between different measures of exposure, partly reflecting differences in timing, dose, and level of fetal exposure (e.g., self-report vs. biomarker), and inflammation. Finally, we explored child sex as a moderator of prenatal and postnatal tobacco and cannabis exposure and inflammation. METHOD Women were recruited from a local hospital during their first prenatal appointment. Repeated assessments were conducted at each trimester, at birth, and when children were 2, 9, 16, 24, 36, and 60 months old (N = 215; 112 female children). To evaluate associations with different measurement approaches, prenatal tobacco and cannabis exposure were assessed using: 1) continuous dose-response variables of maternal self-reported tobacco and cannabis use during each trimester to assess associations with timing and severity of exposure, 2) categorization of children into exposure groups based on drugs and metabolites present in infant meconium reflecting later pregnancy fetal exposure, and 3) categorization into exposure groups using a combination of maternal self-report data and biomarker data derived from maternal saliva samples and infant meconium taking advantage of multiple methods of assessment to examine group differences. Postnatal exposure to tobacco (assessed using child salivary cotinine) and cannabis (assessed using maternal self-reported average joints smoked per day) was measured at each infancy/early childhood assessment. Adjusted pre- and postnatal exposure associations with child inflammation were assessed by including both measures as predictor variables in linear regression models predicting child salivary C-reactive protein (CRP) concentrations at 60 months. Interactions between pre- and postnatal exposure variables were then modeled to investigate the combined relations between pre- and postnatal substance exposure with child salivary CRP concentrations at 60 months. RESULTS Adjusting for postnatal exposure variables, there was a significant interaction between the average daily cigarettes and the average daily cannabis joints smoked during the third trimester predicting salivary CRP concentrations in early childhood. At high tobacco exposure, the effect of cannabis on CRP concentrations was negligible, whereas at low tobacco exposure, the effect of cannabis exposure on CRP concentrations was positive. Adjusting for postnatal tobacco and cannabis exposure, children for whom meconium data indicated co-exposure to tobacco and cannabis showed approximately 43% lower CRP concentrations at age 60 months compared to children with no exposure. However, when mother/child dyads were categorized based on a combination of maternal self-report data and biomarker data from saliva samples and infant meconium, there were no differences in salivary CRP concentrations at age 60 months across the three groups (no prenatal exposure, prenatal tobacco exposure only, prenatal co-exposure to tobacco and cannabis), controlling for postnatal associations. Regardless of the measurement method used to assess prenatal exposures in adjusted analyses, prenatal tobacco exposure alone did not predict CRP concentrations in early childhood, nor did postnatal tobacco exposure. Among boys, postnatal cannabis exposure was associated with higher concentrations of CRP at age 60 months, controlling for prenatal exposure relations. There were no significant combined associations of pre- and postnatal exposure with CRP concentrations. CONCLUSION This study expands upon known relations between prenatal and postnatal substance exposure and immunological outcomes in early childhood, underscoring the importance of assessing cannabis exposure during gestation and early life in combination with tobacco exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shauna G Simon
- Department of Psychological Science, School of Social Ecology, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA.
| | - Rina D Eiden
- Department of Psychology & Consortium for Combating Substance Abuse, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Danielle S Molnar
- Department of Child and Youth Studies, Brock University, St. Catharines, ON, Canada
| | - Marilyn A Huestis
- Institute of Emerging Health Professions, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Jenna L Riis
- Department of Psychological Science, School of Social Ecology, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA; Institute for Interdisciplinary Salivary Bioscience Research, University of California at Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
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13
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Manuzak JA, Granche J, Tassiopoulos K, Rower JE, Knox JR, Williams DW, Ellis RJ, Goodkin K, Sharma A, Erlandson KM. Cannabis Use Is Associated With Decreased Antiretroviral Therapy Adherence Among Older Adults With HIV. Open Forum Infect Dis 2023; 10:ofac699. [PMID: 36726540 PMCID: PMC9879711 DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofac699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 01/03/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Conflicting evidence exists on the impact of cannabis use on antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence among people with human immunodeficiency virus (PWH). We leveraged data collected among older PWH to characterize longitudinal associations between cannabis use and ART adherence. Methods AIDS Clinical Trials Group (ACTG) A5322 study participants were categorized as <100% (≥1 missed dose in past 7 days) or 100% (no missed doses) ART adherent. Participants self-reported current (past month), intermittent (past year but not past month), and no cannabis (in past year) use at each study visit. Generalized linear models using generalized estimating equations were fit and inverse probability weighting was used to adjust for time-varying confounders and loss to follow-up. Results Among 1011 participants (median age, 51 years), 18% reported current, 6% intermittent, and 76% no cannabis use at baseline; 88% reported 100% ART adherence. Current cannabis users were more likely to be <100% adherent than nonusers (adjusted risk ratio [aRR], 1.53 [95% CI, 1.11-2.10]). There was no association between ART adherence and current versus intermittent (aRR, 1.39 [95% CI, .85-2.28]) or intermittent versus no cannabis use (aRR, 1.04 [95% CI, .62-1.73]). Conclusions Among a cohort of older PWH, current cannabis users had a higher risk of <100% ART adherence compared to nonusers. These findings have important clinical implications as suboptimal ART adherence is associated with ART drug resistance, virologic failure, and elevated risk for mortality. Further research is needed to elucidate the mechanisms by which cannabis use decreases ART adherence in older PWH and to advance the development of more efficacious methods to mitigate nonadherence in this vulnerable population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer A Manuzak
- Division of Immunology, Tulane National Primate Research Center, Covington, Louisiana, USA
| | - Janeway Granche
- Center for Biostatistics in AIDS Research, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Katherine Tassiopoulos
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Joseph E Rower
- Center for Human Toxicology, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - Justin R Knox
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, Irving Medical Center, New York, New York, USA
- HIV Center for Clinical and Behavioral Studies, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, New York, USA
- Department of Sociomedical Science, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, New York, New York, USA
| | - Dionna W Williams
- Department of Molecular and Comparative Pathobiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Department of Medicine, Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Ronald J Ellis
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Karl Goodkin
- Consultant, AIDS Clinical Trials Group, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Consultant, Chronic HIV Infection in Aging and NeuroAIDS Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
| | - Anjali Sharma
- Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, USA
| | - Kristine M Erlandson
- Department of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
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14
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Blondino CT, Prom-Wormley EC. A network approach to substance use, internalizing, and externalizing comorbidity in U.S. adults. Addict Behav 2022; 134:107421. [PMID: 35878503 DOI: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2022.107421] [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: 12/15/2020] [Revised: 04/11/2022] [Accepted: 07/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Use of conventional cigarettes (CIG), alcohol, marijuana, and sedatives [i.e., benzodiazepines and barbiturates]) commonly co-occur with internalizing and externalizing disorders. It is unclear how these relationships extend to electronic cigarettes (ECIGs) and prescription drugs not prescribed (i.e., sedatives, tranquilizers, and painkillers [PDNP]), and whether they differ by gender. METHODS Adult data (N = 30,211) from Wave 1 (2013-2014) of the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health Study were used to estimate a network of current or past-month use for six substances, experiencing four internalizing symptoms in the past month, and experiencing seven externalizing symptoms in the past month. Visual comparisons, global strength invariance, network structure invariance, and edge strength invariance were tested to detail substance use and internalizing/externalizing symptom networks. RESULTS Overall, networks were consistent between men and women. The strongest substance use/mental health symptom connections estimated as edge-weights (EW) were between marijuana with lying (EW = 0.60, 95% CI = 0.49; 0.70), marijuana with engaging in fights (EW = 0.54, 95% CI = 0.27; 0.81), PDNP with having trouble sleeping (EW = 0.53, 95% CI = 0.40; 0.66), and alcohol and impulsivity (EW = 0.48, 95% CI = 0.42; 0.53). DISCUSSION There were many weak connections throughout the substance use and internalizing/externalizing network. A few important connections were identified and encourage future study. In particular, PDNP was most strongly associated with internalizing symptoms. Marijuana, alcohol and PDNP use were most strongly associated with externalizing symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Courtney T Blondino
- Division of Epidemiology, Department of Family Medicine and Population Health, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, 830 East Main Street, PO Box 980212, Richmond, VA 23298-0212, USA.
| | - Elizabeth C Prom-Wormley
- Division of Epidemiology, Department of Family Medicine and Population Health, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, 830 East Main Street, PO Box 980212, Richmond, VA 23298-0212, USA.
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15
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Niklason GR, Rawls E, Ma S, Kummerfeld E, Maxwell AM, Brucar LR, Drossel G, Zilverstand A. Explainable machine learning analysis reveals sex and gender differences in the phenotypic and neurobiological markers of Cannabis Use Disorder. Sci Rep 2022; 12:15624. [PMID: 36115920 PMCID: PMC9482622 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-19804-2] [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: 02/14/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Cannabis Use Disorder (CUD) has been linked to a complex set of neuro-behavioral risk factors. While many studies have revealed sex and gender differences, the relative importance of these risk factors by sex and gender has not been described. We used an “explainable” machine learning approach that combined decision trees [gradient tree boosting, XGBoost] with factor ranking tools [SHapley’s Additive exPlanations (SHAP)] to investigate sex and gender differences in CUD. We confirmed that previously identified environmental, personality, mental health, neurocognitive, and brain factors highly contributed to the classification of cannabis use levels and diagnostic status. Risk factors with larger effect sizes in men included personality (high openness), mental health (high externalizing, high childhood conduct disorder, high fear somaticism), neurocognitive (impulsive delay discounting, slow working memory performance) and brain (low hippocampal volume) factors. Conversely, risk factors with larger effect sizes in women included environmental (low education level, low instrumental support) factors. In summary, environmental factors contributed more strongly to CUD in women, whereas individual factors had a larger importance in men.
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16
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Sex differences exist in the perceived relief of cancer symptoms with medical cannabis: results from the Quebec Cannabis Registry. Support Care Cancer 2022; 30:7863-7871. [PMID: 35723729 DOI: 10.1007/s00520-022-07193-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2021] [Accepted: 05/30/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE This study explored whether symptom relief differs by sex in patients with cancer receiving medical cannabis (MC) therapy. METHODS This is an analysis of data collected from patients with cancer enrolled in the Quebec Cannabis Registry. MC was initiated for the therapeutic management of cancer symptoms. Patients completed the revised Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (ESAS-r) questionnaire at baseline and 3-month follow-up. We examined the interaction between sex and time on each ESAS-r symptom and the interaction between time and tetrahydrocannabinol:cannabidiol (THC:CBD) ratios for each sex on total symptom burden. RESULTS The analysis included 358 patients (M: 171). There were no sex differences in baseline ESAS-r scores. Three months of MC therapy led to significant improvements in pain (M: - 1.4 ± 0.3, p < 0.001; F: - 1.1 ± 0.3, p < 0.01), tiredness (M: - 1.7 ± 0.4, p < 0.001; F: - 1.2 ± 0.4, p < 0.05), anxiety (M: - 1.1 ± 0.4, p < 0.05; F: - 1.2 ± 0.4, p < 0.001), and well-being (M: - 1.2 ± 0.4, p < 0.05; F: - 1.4 ± 0.4, p < 0.01) in both sexes. Only F perceived improved drowsiness (- 1.1 ± 0.4, p < 0.05), nausea (- 0.9 ± 0.3, p < 0.05), lack of appetite (- 1.7 ± 0.4, p < 0.001), and shortness of breath (- 0.9 ± 0.3, p < 0.05). From baseline to 3-month follow-up, THC-dominant MC significantly reduced pain (- 1.52 ± 0.52, p < 0.05) in M, whereas in F it diminished nausea (- 2.52 ± 0.70, p < 0.01) and improved well-being (- 2.41 ± 0.79, p < 0.05). THC:CBD-balanced products significantly reduced pain (- 1.48 ± 0.49, p < 0.05), tiredness (- 1.82 ± 0.62, p < 0.05), anxiety (- 1.83 ± 0.54, p < 0.05), and improved well-being (- 2.01 ± 0.56, p < 0.01) in M. CBD-dominant products did not offer significant symptom relief in either sex. CONCLUSION The perceived relief of cancer symptoms from MC differs between sexes. More randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm our findings.
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17
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Bassir Nia A, Orejarena MJ, Flynn L, Luddy C, D'Souza DC, Skosnik PD, Pittman B, Ranganathan M. Sex differences in the acute effects of intravenous (IV) delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2022; 239:1621-1628. [PMID: 35438304 PMCID: PMC11215802 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-022-06135-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2021] [Accepted: 03/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cannabis is the most common illicit drug used in the USA and its use has been rising over the past decade, while the historical gap in rates of use between men and women has been decreasing. Sex differences in the effects of cannabinoids have been reported in animal models, but human studies are sparse and inconsistent. We investigated the sex differences in the acute subjective, psychotomimetic, cognitive, and physiological effects of intravenous (IV) delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main psychoactive constituent of cannabis. METHODS Healthy male and female individuals, with limited exposure to cannabis, participated in a double blind, placebo-controlled study of intravenous (IV) placebo or THC at two doses (0.015 mg/kg and 0.03 mg/kg). Visual analog scale (VAS) was used to measure subjective effects, Psychotomimetic States Inventory (PSI) and the Clinician-Administered Dissociative Symptoms Scale (CADSS) were used to assess the psychotomimetic effects and perceptual alterations, respectively, and Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Task (RAVLT) was used to evaluate cognitive effects. Outcome variables were represented as the peak change from baseline for each variable, except RAVLT which was used only once per the test day after the subjective effects. RESULTS A total of 42 individuals participated in this study. There were no significant differences between male and female participants in background characteristics. There was a significant main effect of sex on the VAS scores for THC-induced "High" (F1,38 = 4.27, p < 0.05) and a significant dose × sex interaction (F2,77 = 3.38, p < 0.05) with female participants having greater "High" scores than male participants at the lower THC dose (0.015 mg/kg). No other sex differences were observed in acute subjective, psychotomimetic, cognitive, or physiological effects of THC. CONCLUSION There were significant sex differences in subjective effects of feeling "High" at a lower dose of THC. However, there were no other sex-related differences in the subjective, physiological, or cognitive effects of THC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anahita Bassir Nia
- Schizophrenia Neuropharmacology Research Group, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, USA.
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
- The Clinical Neuroscience Research Unit (CNRU), Connecticut Mental Health Center (CMHC), Room 333B, 34 Park St, New Haven, CT, 06519, USA.
| | - Maria J Orejarena
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Science Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Leigh Flynn
- Schizophrenia Neuropharmacology Research Group, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, USA
| | - Christina Luddy
- Schizophrenia Neuropharmacology Research Group, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, USA
| | - Deepak Cyril D'Souza
- Schizophrenia Neuropharmacology Research Group, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Patrick D Skosnik
- Schizophrenia Neuropharmacology Research Group, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Brian Pittman
- Schizophrenia Neuropharmacology Research Group, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, USA
| | - Mohini Ranganathan
- Schizophrenia Neuropharmacology Research Group, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
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18
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Sklenarik S, Potenza MN, Astur RS. Avoidance tendencies toward cannabis stimuli in a college sample. J Addict Dis 2022; 40:489-500. [PMID: 35356853 DOI: 10.1080/10550887.2022.2028540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Individuals with addictions often exhibit approach bias, or the relatively automatic action tendency to approach rather than avoid addiction-related stimuli. The current study used a cannabis-Approach-Avoidance Task (AAT) to assess approach-avoidance tendencies toward cannabis stimuli among 211 undergraduate college students with varying levels of cannabis use. Frequency and severity of cannabis use was assessed using the Cannabis Use Disorder Identification Test - Short Form (CUDIT-R). The sample did not demonstrate a significant approach or avoidance bias toward cannabis stimuli; instead, participants were significantly slower to approach and avoid cannabis stimuli relative to neutral stimuli. Individuals with problematic cannabis use who met criteria for a possible cannabis use disorder (CUD) based on CUDIT-R criteria were significantly slower to avoid but not to approach cannabis stimuli compared to individuals with nonuse and non-problematic use. Moreover, increased frequency and severity of cannabis use was significantly associated with increased reaction times to avoid cannabis stimuli. Findings appear to differ from some previous studies examining approach-avoidance tendencies toward cannabis, suggesting that the role of cognitive biases in cannabis use is complex and should be further investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Skyler Sklenarik
- Department of Psychological Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA
| | - Marc N Potenza
- Departments of Psychiatry and Neuroscience and Child Study Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Heaven, CT, USA.,Connecticut Council on Problem Gambling, Wethersfield, CT, USA.,Connecticut Mental Health Center, New Heaven, CT, USA
| | - Robert S Astur
- Department of Psychological Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA
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19
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Kroon E, Kuhns LN, Kaag AM, Filbey F, Cousijn J. The role of sex in the association between cannabis use and working memory-related brain activity. J Neurosci Res 2022; 100:1347-1358. [PMID: 35293008 PMCID: PMC9311233 DOI: 10.1002/jnr.25041] [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: 07/12/2021] [Revised: 01/18/2022] [Accepted: 02/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Although cannabis use patterns differ between men and women, studies on sex differences on the effects of cannabis on the brain and cognitive control are largely lacking. Working memory (WM) is a component of cognitive control believed to be involved in the development and maintenance of addiction. In this study, we evaluated the association between cannabis use and WM (load) related brain activity in a large sample, enabling us to assess sex effects in this association. The brain activity of 104 frequent cannabis users (63% men) and 85 controls (53% men) was recorded during an N‐back WM task. Behavioral results showed a significant interaction between WM load and group for both accuracy and reaction time, with cannabis users showing a relatively larger decrease in performance with increasing WM load. Cannabis users compared to controls showed a relatively smaller reduction in WM (load) related activity in the precuneus and posterior cingulate cortex at higher WM load. This WM (load) related activity was not associated with performance nor cannabis use and related problems. An exploratory analysis showed higher WM‐related activity in the superior frontal gyrus in men compared to women. While cannabis users showed higher WM (load) related activity in central nodes of the default mode network, this was not directly attributable to group specific worsening of performance under higher cognitive load. Further research is necessary to assess whether observed group differences increase with higher cognitive load, how group differences relate to measures of cannabis use, and how sex affects these group differences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emese Kroon
- Neuroscience of Addiction Lab, Department of Psychology, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,The Amsterdam Brain and Cognition Center (ABC), University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Lauren N Kuhns
- Neuroscience of Addiction Lab, Department of Psychology, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,The Amsterdam Brain and Cognition Center (ABC), University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Anne Marije Kaag
- The Amsterdam Brain and Cognition Center (ABC), University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Department of Clinical, Neuro and Developmental Psychology, Faculty of Behavioral and Movement Sciences, Institute for Brain and Behavior Amsterdam, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Francesca Filbey
- School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Janna Cousijn
- Neuroscience of Addiction Lab, Department of Psychology, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,The Amsterdam Brain and Cognition Center (ABC), University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Department of Psychology, Education & Child Studies, Erasmus University Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
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20
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Ortiz-Peregrina S, Ortiz C, Martino F, Castro-Torres JJ, Anera RG. Dynamics of the accommodative response after smoking cannabis. Ophthalmic Physiol Opt 2021; 41:1097-1109. [PMID: 34382240 DOI: 10.1111/opo.12851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2021] [Revised: 05/10/2021] [Accepted: 05/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Cannabis is the most widely consumed illicit drug worldwide. It has been suggested that cannabis could generate blurred vision during reading tasks. The goal of this study was to objectively assess the acute effects of smoking cannabis on the dynamics of ocular accommodation. The influence of other factors, including target distance and the direction of accommodation, as well as personal characteristics, were also analysed. METHODS Nineteen young people who were occasional cannabis users participated in the study (mean age 22.53 [3.12] years). Their usage profiles were evaluated by means of the Cannabis Use Disorders Identification Test-revised (CUDIT-r). The dynamics of the accommodative response were evaluated using an open-field auto refractor (Grand Seiko WAM-5500). The participants completed two different experimental sessions, one week apart, and in random order (baseline session and after smoking cannabis). During these sessions, the amplitude of the response (D), mean velocity (D/s), peak velocity (D/s), response time (s), accommodative lag (D) and accommodation variability (D) were measured. RESULTS The results indicated that cannabis use had a significant main effect on the mean accommodation/disaccommodation velocity (F1,13 = 7.21; p = 0.02; η p 2 = 0.396). Cannabis consumption also interacted significantly with other factors. Response time showed a significant two-way interaction between condition × target distance (F1,13 = 11.71; p = 0.005; η p 2 = 0.474) and condition × accommodation direction (F1,13 = 8.71; p = 0.01; η p 2 = 0.401). For mean velocity, two-way interactions were found between condition × age (F1,13 = 6.03; p = 0.03; η p 2 = 0.354), condition × CUDIT-r score (F1,13 = 6.03; p = 0.03; η p 2 = 0.356) and condition × target distance (F1,13 = 7.20; p = 0.02; η p 2 = 0.396). CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that cannabis use can alter the accommodation process, although further studies should be carried out to explore the role of attention deficits. According to these results, certain daily activities that depend on an accurate accommodative function may be affected by cannabis use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonia Ortiz-Peregrina
- Department of Optics, Laboratory of Vision Sciences and Applications, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - Carolina Ortiz
- Department of Optics, Laboratory of Vision Sciences and Applications, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - Franceso Martino
- Department of Optics, Laboratory of Vision Sciences and Applications, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - José J Castro-Torres
- Department of Optics, Laboratory of Vision Sciences and Applications, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - Rosario G Anera
- Department of Optics, Laboratory of Vision Sciences and Applications, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
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21
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Fantauzzi MF, Cass SP, McGrath JJC, Thayaparan D, Wang P, Stampfli MR, Hirota JA. Development and validation of a mouse model of contemporary cannabis smoke exposure. ERJ Open Res 2021; 7:00107-2021. [PMID: 34291110 PMCID: PMC8287133 DOI: 10.1183/23120541.00107-2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2021] [Accepted: 05/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Cannabis is widely used for both recreational and medicinal purposes. Inhalation of combusted cannabis smoke is the most common mode of drug consumption, exposing the lungs to the pharmacologically active ingredients, including tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). While the relationship between cannabis smoke exposure and compromised respiratory health has yet to be sufficiently defined, previous investigations suggest that cannabis smoke may dysregulate pulmonary immunity. Presently, there exist few preclinical animal models that have been extensively validated for contemporary cannabis smoke exposure. To address this need, we developed a mouse model with readouts of total particulate matter, serum cannabinoid and carboxyhaemoglobin levels, lung cellular responses, and immune-mediator production. Using a commercially available smoke exposure system and a cannabis source material of documented THC/CBD composition, we exposed mice to a mean±sd total particulate matter of 698.89±66.09 µg·L−1 and demonstrate increases in serum cannabinoids and carboxyhaemoglobin. We demonstrate that cannabis smoke modulates immune cell populations and mediators in both male and female BALB/c mice. This modulation is highlighted by increases in airway and lung tissue macrophage populations, including tissue-resident alveolar macrophages, monocyte-derived alveolar macrophages, and interstitial macrophage subpopulations. No changes in airway or lung tissue infiltration of neutrophils were observed. Immune-mediator analysis indicated significant upregulation of macrophage-derived chemokine, thymus and activation-regulated chemokine, and vascular endothelial growth factor within the lung tissue of cannabis smoke-exposed mice. This accessible and reproducible smoke-exposure model provides a foundation to explore the impact of chronic cannabis exposures and/or co-exposures with pathogens of clinical relevance, such as influenza. Validation of the use of contemporary cannabis available on the legal market of known THC/CBD composition in a mouse model of smoke exposure with readouts of lung inflammationhttps://bit.ly/3okHWS4
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew F Fantauzzi
- Dept of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada.,McMaster Immunology Research Centre, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Steven P Cass
- Dept of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada.,McMaster Immunology Research Centre, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Joshua J C McGrath
- Dept of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada.,McMaster Immunology Research Centre, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Danya Thayaparan
- Dept of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada.,McMaster Immunology Research Centre, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Peiyao Wang
- McMaster Immunology Research Centre, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Martin R Stampfli
- Dept of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada.,McMaster Immunology Research Centre, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada.,Firestone Institute for Respiratory Health - Division of Respirology, Dept of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Jeremy A Hirota
- Dept of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada.,McMaster Immunology Research Centre, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada.,Firestone Institute for Respiratory Health - Division of Respirology, Dept of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
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22
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al'Absi M, Allen AM. Impact of Acute and Chronic Cannabis Use on Stress Response Regulation: Challenging the Belief That Cannabis Is an Effective Method for Coping. Front Psychol 2021; 12:687106. [PMID: 34276511 PMCID: PMC8283823 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.687106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2021] [Accepted: 05/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Although research has only recently started to examine the impact of cannabis use on stress response, there is some evidence that indicates acute and chronic impacts of cannabis on these processes. In this paper, we review processes involved in regulating the stress response and we review the influence of acute and chronic exposure to cannabis on patterns and regulation of the stress response. We also highlight the role of stress as a risk factor for initiation and maintenance of cannabis use. In this context, we examine moderating variables, including sex and life adversity. In light of recent observations indicating increasing prevalence of cannabis use during pregnancy, we provide additional focus on cannabis use in this vulnerable population, including how acute and chronic stress may predispose some individuals to use cannabis during pregnancy. While this line of research is in its infancy, we review available articles that focus on the perinatal period and that examined the association between cannabis use and various life stressors, including partner violence, job loss, and lack of housing. We also review psychiatric co-morbidities (e.g., post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety). A better understanding of the way stress and cannabis use relate within the general population, as well as within certain subgroups that may be at a greater risk of using and/or at greater risk for adverse outcomes of use, may lead to the development of novel prevention and intervention approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mustafa al'Absi
- Department of Family Medicine and Biobehavioral Health, University of Minnesota Medical School, Duluth, MN, United States
| | - Alicia M Allen
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
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23
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Abstract
OBJECTIVES Preclinical and clinical studies suggest that males and females may be differentially affected by cannabis use. This study evaluated the interaction of cannabis use and biological sex on cognition, and the association between observed cognitive deficits and features of cannabis use. METHODS Cognitive measures were assessed in those with regular, ongoing, cannabis use (N = 40; 22 female) and non-using peers (N = 40; 23 female). Intelligence, psychomotor speed, and verbal working memory were measured with the Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence, Digit Symbol Test, and Digit Span and Hopkins Verbal Learning Test, respectively. Associations between cognitive measures and cannabis use features (e.g., lifetime cannabis use, age of initiation, time since last use of cannabis, recent high-concentration tetrahydrocannabinoid exposure) were also evaluated. RESULTS No main effects of group were observed across measures. Significant interactions between group and biological sex were observed on measures of intelligence, psychomotor speed, and verbal learning, with greatest group differences observed between males with and without regular cannabis use. Psychomotor performance was negatively correlated with lifetime cannabis exposure. Female and male cannabis use groups did not differ in features of cannabis use. CONCLUSIONS Findings suggest that biological sex influences the relationship between cannabis and cognition, with males potentially being more vulnerable to the neurocognitive deficits related to cannabis use.
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24
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Stringfield SJ, Torregrossa MM. Disentangling the lasting effects of adolescent cannabinoid exposure. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2021; 104:110067. [PMID: 32791165 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2020.110067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2020] [Revised: 07/12/2020] [Accepted: 08/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Cannabis is the most widely used illicit substance among adolescents, and adolescent cannabis use is associated with various neurocognitive deficits that can extend into adulthood. A growing body of evidence supports the hypothesis that adolescence encompasses a vulnerable period of development where exposure to exogenous cannabinoids can alter the normative trajectory of brain maturation. In this review, we present an overview of studies of human and rodent models that examine lasting effects of adolescent exposure. We include evidence from meta-analyses, longitudinal, or cross-sectional studies in humans that consider age of onset as a factor that contributes to the behavioral dysregulation and altered structural or functional development in cannabis users. We also discuss evidence from preclinical rodent models utilizing well-characterized or innovative routes of exposure, investigating the effects of dose and timing to produce behavioral deficits or alterations on a neuronal and behavioral level. Multiple studies from both humans and animals provide contrasting results regarding the magnitude of residual effects. Combined evidence suggests that exposure to psychoactive cannabinoids during adolescence has the potential to produce subtle, but lasting, alterations in neurobiology and behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sierra J Stringfield
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, 450 Technology Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA; Center for Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh, 4200 Fifth Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Mary M Torregrossa
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, 450 Technology Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA; Center for Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh, 4200 Fifth Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA.
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25
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Fattore L, Marti M, Mostallino R, Castelli MP. Sex and Gender Differences in the Effects of Novel Psychoactive Substances. Brain Sci 2020; 10:brainsci10090606. [PMID: 32899299 PMCID: PMC7564810 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci10090606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2020] [Revised: 08/28/2020] [Accepted: 08/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Sex and gender deeply affect the subjective effects and pharmaco-toxicological responses to drugs. Men are more likely than women to use almost all types of illicit drugs and to present to emergency departments for serious or fatal intoxications. However, women are just as likely as men to develop substance use disorders, and may be more susceptible to craving and relapse. Clinical and preclinical studies have shown important differences between males and females after administration of “classic” drugs of abuse (e.g., Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), morphine, cocaine). This scenario has become enormously complicated in the last decade with the overbearing appearance of the new psychoactive substances (NPS) that have emerged as alternatives to regulated drugs. To date, more than 900 NPS have been identified, and can be catalogued in different pharmacological categories including synthetic cannabinoids, synthetic stimulants (cathinones and amphetamine-like), hallucinogenic phenethylamines, synthetic opioids (fentanyls and non-fentanyls), new benzodiazepines and dissociative anesthetics (i.e., methoxetamine and phencyclidine-derivatives). This work collects the little knowledge reached so far on the effects of NPS in male and female animal and human subjects, highlighting how much sex and gender differences in the effects of NPS has yet to be studied and understood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liana Fattore
- Institute of Neuroscience-Cagliari, National Research Council (CNR), Cittadella Universitaria, 09042 Monserrato, Cagliari, Italy
- Correspondence:
| | - Matteo Marti
- Department of Morphology, Surgery and Experimental Medicine, Section of Legal Medicine and LTTA Center, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy;
- Department of Anti-Drug Policies, Collaborative Center for the Italian National Early Warning System, Presidency of the Council of Ministers, 00187 Rome, Italy
| | - Rafaela Mostallino
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Division of Neuroscience and Clinical Pharmacology, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria, 09042 Monserrato, Cagliari, Italy; (R.M.); (M.P.C.)
| | - Maria Paola Castelli
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Division of Neuroscience and Clinical Pharmacology, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria, 09042 Monserrato, Cagliari, Italy; (R.M.); (M.P.C.)
- National Institute of Neuroscience (INN), University of Cagliari, 09124 Cagliari, Italy
- Center of Excellence “Neurobiology of Addiction”, University of Cagliari, 09124 Cagliari, Italy
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26
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Sex-related differences in subjective, but not neural, cue-elicited craving response in heavy cannabis users. Drug Alcohol Depend 2020; 209:107931. [PMID: 32113057 PMCID: PMC8173440 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2020.107931] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2019] [Revised: 01/27/2020] [Accepted: 02/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Studies indicate that female cannabis users progress through the milestones of cannabis use disorder (CUD) more quickly than male users, likely due to greater subjective craving response in women relative to men. While studies have reported sex-related differences in subjective craving, differences in neural response and the relative contributions of neural and behavioral response remain unclear. METHODS We examined sex-related differences in neural and behavioral response to cannabis cues and cannabis use measures in 112 heavy cannabis users (54 females). We used principal component analysis to determine the relative contributions of neural and behavioral response and cannabis use measures. RESULTS We found that principal component (PC) 1, which accounts for the most variance in the dataset, was correlated with neural response to cannabis cues with no differences between male and female users (p = 0.21). PC2, which accounts for the second-most variance, was correlated with subjective craving such that female users exhibited greater subjective craving relative to male users (p = 0.003). We also found that CUD symptoms correlated with both PC1 and PC2, corroborating the relationship between craving and CUD severity. CONCLUSIONS These results indicate that neural activity primarily underlies response to cannabis cues and that a complex relationship characterizes a convergent neural response and a divergent subjective craving response that differs between the sexes. Accounting for these differences will increase efficacy of treatments through personalized approaches.
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27
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Sex and Gender Interactions on the Use and Impact of Recreational Cannabis. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:ijerph17020509. [PMID: 31947505 PMCID: PMC7014129 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17020509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2020] [Revised: 01/08/2020] [Accepted: 01/09/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Cannabis is the second most frequently used substance in the world and regulated or legalized for recreational use in Canada and fourteen US states and territories. As with all substances, a wide range of sex and gender related factors have an influence on how substances are consumed, their physical, mental and social impacts, and how men and women respond to treatment, health promotion, and policies. Given the widespread use of cannabis, and in the context of its increasing regulation, it is important to better understand the sex and gender related factors associated with recreational cannabis use in order to make more precise clinical, programming, and policy decisions. However, sex and gender related factors include a wide variety of processes, features and influences that are rarely fully considered in research. This article explores myriad features of both sex and gender as concepts, illustrates their impact on cannabis use, and focuses on the interactions of sex and gender that affect three main areas of public interest: the development of cannabis use dependence, the impact on various routes of administration (ROA), and the impact on impaired driving. We draw on two separate scoping reviews to examine available evidence in regard to these issues. These three examples are described and illustrate the need for more comprehensive and precise integration of sex and gender in substance use research, as well as serious consideration of the results of doing so, when addressing a major public health issue such as recreational cannabis use.
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28
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Watts JJ, Garani R, Da Silva T, Lalang N, Chavez S, Mizrahi R. Evidence That Cannabis Exposure, Abuse, and Dependence Are Related to Glutamate Metabolism and Glial Function in the Anterior Cingulate Cortex: A 1H-Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy Study. Front Psychiatry 2020; 11:764. [PMID: 32973572 PMCID: PMC7468488 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2020.00764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2020] [Accepted: 07/20/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
There is evidence that long-term cannabis use is associated with alterations to glutamate neurotransmission and glial function. In this study, 26 long-term cannabis users (males=65.4%) and 47 non-cannabis using healthy controls (males=44.6%) underwent proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS) of the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) in order to characterize neurometabolite alterations in cannabis users and to examine associations between neurometabolites, cannabis exposure, and cannabis use behaviors. Myo-inositol, a marker of glial function, and glutamate metabolites did not differ between healthy controls and cannabis users or cannabis users who met criteria for DSM5 cannabis use disorder (n=17). Lower myo-inositol, a putative marker of glial function, was related to greater problematic drug use (F1,22 = 11.95, p=.002; Cohen's f=0.59, large effect; Drug Abuse Screening Test) and severity of cannabis dependence (F1,22 = 6.61, p=.17; Cohen's f=0.44, large effect). Further, past-year cannabis exposure exerted different effects on glutamate and glutamate+glutamine in males and females (glutamate: F1,21 = 6.31, p=.02; glutamate+glutamine: F1,21 = 7.20, p=.014), such that greater past-year cannabis exposure was related to higher concentrations of glutamate metabolites in male cannabis users (glutamate: F1,14 = 25.94, p=.00016; Cohen's f=1.32, large effect; glutamate+glutamine: F1,14 = 23.24, p=.00027, Cohen's f=1.24, large effect) but not in female cannabis users (glutamate: F1,6 = 1.37, p=0.78; glutamate+glutamine: F1,6 = 0.001, p=.97). The present results extend existing evidence of altered glial function and glutamate metabolism with cannabis use by providing evidence linking problematic drug use behaviors with glial function as measured with myo-inositol and recent chronic cannabis exposure to alterations in glutamate metabolism. This provides novel directions for the interrogation of the impact of cannabis use on brain neurochemistry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeremy J Watts
- Research Imaging Centre, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Ranjini Garani
- Research Imaging Centre, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Tania Da Silva
- Research Imaging Centre, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Nittha Lalang
- Research Imaging Centre, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Sofia Chavez
- Research Imaging Centre, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Romina Mizrahi
- Research Imaging Centre, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada
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29
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Da Silva T, Hafizi S, Watts JJ, Weickert CS, Meyer JH, Houle S, Rusjan P, Mizrahi R. In Vivo Imaging of Translocator Protein in Long-term Cannabis Users. JAMA Psychiatry 2019; 76:1305-1313. [PMID: 31532458 PMCID: PMC6751758 DOI: 10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2019.2516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Cannabis is the most commonly used illicit drug in the world. Cannabinoids have been shown to modulate immune responses; however, the association of cannabis with neuroimmune function has never been investigated in vivo in the human brain. OBJECTIVE To investigate neuroimmune activation or 18-kDa translocator protein (TSPO) levels in long-term cannabis users, and to evaluate the association of brain TSPO levels with behavioral measures and inflammatory blood biomarkers. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS This cross-sectional study based in Toronto, Ontario, recruited individuals from January 1, 2015, to October 30, 2018. Participants included long-term cannabis users (n = 24) and non-cannabis-using controls (n = 27). Cannabis users were included if they had a positive urine drug screen for only cannabis and if they used cannabis at least 4 times per week for the past 12 months and/or met the criteria for cannabis use disorder. All participants underwent a positron emission tomography scan with [18F]FEPPA, or fluorine F 18-labeled N-(2-(2-fluoroethoxy)benzyl)-N-(4-phenoxypyridin-3-yl)acetamide. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Total distribution volume was quantified across regions of interest. Stress and anxiety as well as peripheral measures of inflammatory cytokines and C-reactive protein levels were also measured. RESULTS In total, 24 long-term cannabis users (mean [SD] age, 23.1 [3.8] years; 15 men [63%]) and 27 non-cannabis-using controls (mean [SD] age, 23.6 [4.2] years; 18 women [67%]) were included and completed all study procedures. Compared with the controls, cannabis users had higher [18F]FEPPA total distribution volume (main group effect: F1,48 = 6.5 [P = .01]; ROI effect: F1,200 = 28.4 [P < .001]; Cohen d = 0.6; 23.3% higher), with a more prominent implication for the cannabis use disorder subgroup (n = 15; main group effect: F1,39 = 8.5 [P = .006]; ROI effect: F1,164 = 19.3 [P < .001]; Cohen d = 0.8; 31.5% higher). Greater TSPO levels in the brain were associated with stress and anxiety and with higher circulating C-reactive protein levels in cannabis users. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE The results of this study suggest that TSPO levels in cannabis users, particularly in those with cannabis use disorder, are higher than those in non-cannabis-using controls. The findings emphasize the need for more complementary preclinical systems for a better understanding of the role of cannabinoids and TSPO in neuroimmune signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tania Da Silva
- Research Imaging Centre, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Sina Hafizi
- Research Imaging Centre, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jeremy J. Watts
- Research Imaging Centre, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada,Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Cynthia Shannon Weickert
- Schizophrenia Research Laboratory, Neuroscience Research Australia, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia,School of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia,Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, New York
| | - Jeffrey H. Meyer
- Research Imaging Centre, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada,Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada,Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada,Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Sylvain Houle
- Research Imaging Centre, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada,Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada,Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Pablo Rusjan
- Research Imaging Centre, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada,Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada,Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Romina Mizrahi
- Research Imaging Centre, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada,Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada,Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada,Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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EXTENDED ATTENUATION OF CORTICOSTRIATAL POWER AND COHERENCE AFTER ACUTE EXPOSURE TO VAPOURIZED Δ9 TETRAHYDROCANNABINOL IN RATS. CANADIAN JOURNAL OF ADDICTION 2019; 10:60-66. [PMID: 32944610 DOI: 10.1097/cxa.0000000000000063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Introduction Over 14% of Canadians use cannabis, with nearly 60% of these individuals reporting daily or weekly use. Inhalation of cannabis vapour has recently gained popularity, but the effects of this exposure on neural activity remain unknown. In this study, we assessed the impact of acute exposure to vapourized Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) on neural circuit dynamics in rats. Objectives We aimed to characterize the changes in neural activity in the dorsal striatum (dStr), orbitofrontal cortex (OFC), and prefrontal cortex (PFC), after acute exposure to THC vapour. Methods Rats were implanted with electrode arrays targeting the dStr, OFC, and PFC. Rats were administered THC (or vehicle) using a Volcano® vapourizer and local field potential recordings were performed in a plexiglass chamber in a cross-over design with a week-long washout period. Results Decreased spectral power was observed within the dStr, OFC, and PFC in the gamma range (>32-100 Hz) following vapourized THC administration. Most changes in gamma were still present 7 days after THC administration. Decreased gamma coherence was also observed between the OFC-PFC and dStr-PFC region-pairs. Conclusion A single exposure to vapourized THC suppresses cortical and dorsal striatal gamma power and coherence, effects that appear to last at least a week. Given the role of gamma hypofunction in schizophrenia, these findings may provide mechanistic insights into the known psychotomimetic effects of THC.
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