1
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A Meta-Analysis of fMRI Studies of Youth Cannabis Use: Alterations in Executive Control, Social Cognition/Emotion Processing, and Reward Processing in Cannabis Using Youth. Brain Sci 2022; 12:brainsci12101281. [PMID: 36291215 PMCID: PMC9599849 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci12101281] [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: 07/25/2022] [Revised: 09/19/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Adolescent cannabis use (CU) is associated with adverse health outcomes and may be increasing in response to changing cannabis laws. Recent imaging studies have identified differences in brain activity between adult CU and controls that are more prominent in early onset users. Whether these differences are present in adolescent CU and relate to age/developmental stage, sex, or cannabis exposure is unknown. Methods: A systematic review and subsequent effect-size seed-based d mapping (SDM) meta-analysis were conducted to examine differences in blood-oxygen-level-dependent (BOLD) response during fMRI studies between CU and non-using typically developing (TD) youth. Supplemental analyses investigated differences in BOLD signal in CU and TD youth as a function of sex, psychiatric comorbidity, and the dose and severity of cannabis exposure. Results: From 1371 citations, 45 fMRI studies were identified for inclusion in the SDM meta-analysis. These studies compared BOLD response contrasts in 1216 CU and 1486 non-using TD participants. In primary meta-analyses stratified by cognitive paradigms, CU (compared to TD) youth showed greater activation in the rostral medial prefrontal cortex (rmPFC) and decreased activation in the dorsal mPFC (dmPFC) and dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC) during executive control and social cognition/emotion processing, respectively. In meta-regression analyses and subgroup meta-analyses, sex, cannabis use disorder (CUD) severity, and psychiatric comorbidity were correlated with brain activation differences between CU and TD youth in mPFC and insular cortical regions. Activation differences in the caudate, thalamus, insula, dmPFC/dACC, and precentral and postcentral gyri varied as a function of the length of abstinence. Conclusions: Using an SDM meta-analytic approach, this report identified differences in neuronal response between CU and TD youth during executive control, emotion processing, and reward processing in cortical and subcortical brain regions that varied as a function of sex, CUD severity, psychiatric comorbidity, and length of abstinence. Whether aberrant brain function in CU youth is attributable to common predispositional factors, cannabis-induced neuroadaptive changes, or both warrants further investigation.
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2
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Gunasekera B, Davies C, Blest-Hopley G, Veronese M, Ramsey NF, Bossong MG, Radua J, Bhattacharyya S. Task-independent acute effects of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol on human brain function and its relationship with cannabinoid receptor gene expression: A neuroimaging meta-regression analysis. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2022; 140:104801. [PMID: 35914625 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104801] [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: 03/07/2022] [Revised: 06/07/2022] [Accepted: 07/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
The neurobiological mechanisms underlying the effects of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) remain unclear. Here, we examined the spatial acute effect of THC on human regional brain activation or blood flow (hereafter called 'activation signal') in a 'core' network of brain regions from 372 participants, tested using a within-subject repeated measures design under experimental conditions. We also investigated whether the neuromodulatory effects of THC are related to the local expression of the cannabinoid-type-1 (CB1R) and type-2 (CB2R) receptors. Finally, we investigated the dose-response relationship between THC and key brain substrates. These meta-analytic findings shed new light on the localisation of the effects of THC in the human brain, suggesting that THC has neuromodulatory effects in regions central to many cognitive tasks and processes, related to dose, with greater effects in regions with higher levels of CB1R expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brandon Gunasekera
- Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, UK
| | - Cathy Davies
- Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, UK
| | - Grace Blest-Hopley
- Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, UK
| | - Mattia Veronese
- Department of Neuroimaging, Centre for Neuroimaging Sciences, King's College London, UK; Department of Information Engineering, University of Padua, Italy
| | - Nick F Ramsey
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Matthijs G Bossong
- Department of Psychiatry, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Joaquim Radua
- Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, UK; Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), CIBERSAM, Barcelona, Spain; Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Sagnik Bhattacharyya
- Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, UK.
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3
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Allick A, Park G, Kim K, Vintimilla M, Rathod K, Lebo R, Nanavati J, Hammond CJ. Age- and Sex-Related Cortical Gray Matter Volume Differences in Adolescent Cannabis Users: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Voxel-Based Morphometry Studies. Front Psychiatry 2021; 12:745193. [PMID: 34925090 PMCID: PMC8671465 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.745193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2021] [Accepted: 09/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Adolescent-onset cannabis use is rising in the era of marijuana legalization. Recent imaging studies have identified neuroanatomical differences between adult cannabis users and controls that are more prominent in early-onset users. Other studies point to sex-dependent effects of cannabis. Methods: A systematic review following PRISMA guidelines and subsequent effect-size seed-based d mapping (SDM) meta-analyses were conducted to investigate relationships between age (across the 12-to-21-year-old developmental window), sex, and gray matter volume (GMV) differences between cannabis using (CU) and typically developing (TD) youth. Results: Our search identified 1,326 citations, 24 of which were included in a qualitative analysis. A total of 6 whole-brain voxel-based morphometry (VBM) studies comparing regional GMV between 357 CU [mean (SD) age = 16.68 (1.28); 71% male] and 404 TD [mean (SD) age = 16.77 (1.36); 63% male] youth were included in the SDM-meta-analysis. Meta-analysis of whole-brain VBM studies identified no regions showing significant GMV difference between CU and TD youth. Meta-regressions showed divergent effects of age and sex on cortical GMV differences in CU vs. TD youth. Age effects were seen in the superior temporal gyrus (STG), with older-aged CU youth showing decreased and younger-aged CU youth showing increased STG GMV compared to age-matched TD youth. Parallel findings in the STG were also observed in relation to duration of CU (years) in supplemental meta-regressions. Regarding sex effects, a higher proportion of females in studies was associated with increased GMV in the middle occipital gyrus in CU vs. TD youth. Conclusions: These findings suggest that GMV differences between CU and TD youth, if present, are subtle, and may vary as a function of age, cumulative cannabis exposure, and sex in young people. Whether age- and sex-related GMV differences are attributable to common predispositional factors, cannabis-induced neuroadaptive changes, or both warrant further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aliyah Allick
- Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States.,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Grace Park
- Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States.,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Kwon Kim
- Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States.,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Michelle Vintimilla
- Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States.,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Krutika Rathod
- Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States.,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Rachael Lebo
- Welch Medical Library, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States.,I.D. Weeks Library, Health Sciences Department, University of South Dakota, Vermillion, SD, United States
| | - Julie Nanavati
- Welch Medical Library, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Christopher J Hammond
- Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States.,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States.,Behavioral Pharmacology Research Unit, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
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4
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Klugah-Brown B, Di X, Zweerings J, Mathiak K, Becker B, Biswal B. Common and separable neural alterations in substance use disorders: A coordinate-based meta-analyses of functional neuroimaging studies in humans. Hum Brain Mapp 2020; 41:4459-4477. [PMID: 32964613 PMCID: PMC7555084 DOI: 10.1002/hbm.25085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2020] [Revised: 05/18/2020] [Accepted: 05/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Delineating common and separable neural alterations in substance use disorders (SUD) is imperative to understand the neurobiological basis of the addictive process and to inform substance‐specific treatment strategies. Given numerous functional MRI (fMRI) studies in different SUDs, a meta‐analysis could provide an opportunity to determine robust shared and substance‐specific alterations. The present study employed a coordinate‐based meta‐analysis covering fMRI studies in individuals with addictive cocaine, cannabis, alcohol, and nicotine use. The primary meta‐analysis demonstrated common alterations in primary dorsal striatal, and frontal circuits engaged in reward/salience processing, habit formation, and executive control across different substances and task‐paradigms. Subsequent sub‐analyses revealed substance‐specific alterations in frontal and limbic regions, with marked frontal and insula‐thalamic alterations in alcohol and nicotine use disorders respectively. Examining task‐specific alterations across substances revealed pronounced frontal alterations during cognitive processes yet stronger striatal alterations during reward‐related processes. Finally, an exploratory meta‐analysis revealed that neurofunctional alterations in striatal and frontal reward processing regions can already be determined with a high probability in studies with subjects with comparably short durations of use. Together the findings emphasize the role of dysregulations in frontostriatal circuits and dissociable contributions of these systems in the domains of reward‐related and cognitive processes which may contribute to substance‐specific behavioral alterations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Klugah-Brown
- The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, MOE Key Laboratory for Neuroinformation, Center for Information in Medicine, School of Life Science and Technology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Xin Di
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, New Jersey, USA
| | - Jana Zweerings
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Faculty of Medicine, RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany.,JARA Translational Brain Medicine, RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Klaus Mathiak
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Faculty of Medicine, RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany.,JARA Translational Brain Medicine, RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Benjamin Becker
- The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, MOE Key Laboratory for Neuroinformation, Center for Information in Medicine, School of Life Science and Technology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Bharat Biswal
- The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, MOE Key Laboratory for Neuroinformation, Center for Information in Medicine, School of Life Science and Technology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, New Jersey, USA
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5
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Abstract
Objective: Shifting policies and widespread acceptance of cannabis for medical and/or recreational purposes have fueled worries of increased cannabis initiation and use in adolescents. In particular, the adolescent period is thought to be associated with an increased susceptibility to the potential harms of repeated cannabis use, due to being a critical period for neuromaturational events in the brain. This review investigates the neuroimaging evidence of brain harms attributable to adolescent cannabis use. Methods: PubMed and Scopus searches were conducted for empirical articles that examined neuroimaging effects in both adolescent cannabis users and adult user studies that explored the effect of age at cannabis use onset on the brain. Results: We found 43 studies that examined brain effect (structural and functional magnetic resonance imaging) in adolescent cannabis users and 20 that examined the link between onset age of cannabis use and brain effects in adult users. Studies on adolescent cannabis users relative to nonusers mainly implicate frontal and parietal regions and associated brain activation in relation to inhibitory control, reward, and memory. However, studies in adults are more mixed, many of which did not observe an effect of onset age of cannabis use on brain imaging metrics. Conclusions: While there is some evidence of compromised frontoparietal structure and function in adolescent cannabis use, it remains unclear whether the observed effects are specifically attributable to adolescent onset of use or general cannabis use-related factors such as depressive symptoms. The relative contribution of adolescent onset of cannabis use and use chronicity will have to be more comprehensively examined in prospective, longitudinal studies with more rigorous measures of cannabis use (dosage, exposure, dependence, constituent compounds such as the relative cannabinoid levels).
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Affiliation(s)
- Yann Chye
- Brain Mind and Society Research Hub, Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Erynn Christensen
- Brain Mind and Society Research Hub, Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Murat Yücel
- Brain Mind and Society Research Hub, Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
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6
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Blest-Hopley G, Colizzi M, Giampietro V, Bhattacharyya S. Is the Adolescent Brain at Greater Vulnerability to the Effects of Cannabis? A Narrative Review of the Evidence. Front Psychiatry 2020; 11:859. [PMID: 33005157 PMCID: PMC7479242 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2020.00859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2020] [Accepted: 08/06/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Cannabis use during the critical neurodevelopmental period of adolescence, may lead to brain structural, functional, and histological alterations that may underpin some of the longer-term behavioral and psychological harms associated with it. The endocannabinoid system performs a key regulatory and homeostatic role, that undergoes developmental changes during adolescence making it potentially more susceptible to the effects of exposure to cannabis during adolescence. Here, we synthesize evidence from human studies of adolescent cannabis users showing alterations in cognitive performance as well as in brain structure and function with relevant preclinical evidence to summarize the current state of knowledge. We also focus on the limited evidence that speaks to the hypothesis that cannabis use during adolescence, may pose a greater risk than use during adulthood, identify gaps in current evidence and suggest directions for new research. Existing literature is consistent with the association of cannabis use during adolescence and neurological changes. Adolescence cannabis users show altered functional connectivity within known functional circuits, that may underlie inefficient recruitment of brain regions, as largely increased functional activation has been observed compared to controls. This disruption in some cases may contribute to the development of adverse mental health conditions; increasing the chances or accelerating the onset, of their development. Preclinical evidence, further supports disruption from cannabis use being specific to the developmental period. Future studies are required to better investigate adolescent cannabis use with more accuracy using better defined groups or longitudinal studies and examine the permanency of these changes following caseation of use. Furthermore, research is required to identify heritable risk factors to cannabis use. There is a need for caution when considering the therapeutic potential of cannabis for adolescence and particularly in public discourse leading to potential trivialization of possible harm from cannabis use in adolescence. Current evidence indicates that adolescence is a sensitive period during which cannabis use may result in adverse neurocognitive effects that appear to show a level of permanency into adulthood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grace Blest-Hopley
- Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, United Kingdom
| | - Marco Colizzi
- Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, United Kingdom.,Section of Psychiatry, Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Italy
| | - Vincent Giampietro
- Department of Neuroimaging, Centre for Neuroimaging Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, United Kingdom
| | - Sagnik Bhattacharyya
- Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, United Kingdom.,South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
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7
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Blithikioti C, Miquel L, Batalla A, Rubio B, Maffei G, Herreros I, Gual A, Verschure P, Balcells‐Oliveró M. Cerebellar alterations in cannabis users: A systematic review. Addict Biol 2019; 24:1121-1137. [PMID: 30811097 DOI: 10.1111/adb.12714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2018] [Revised: 12/13/2018] [Accepted: 12/13/2018] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Cannabis is the most used illicit substance in the world. As many countries are moving towards decriminalization, it is crucial to determine whether and how cannabis use affects human brain and behavior. The role of the cerebellum in cognition, emotion, learning, and addiction is increasingly recognized. Because of its high density in CB1 receptors, it is expected to be highly affected by cannabis use. The aim of this systematic review is to investigate how cannabis use affects cerebellar structure and function, as well as cerebellar-dependent behavioral tasks. Three databases were searched for peer-reviewed literature published until March 2018. We included studies that focused on cannabis effects on cerebellar structure, function, or cerebellar-dependent behavioral tasks. A total of 348 unique records were screened, and 40 studies were included in the qualitative synthesis. The most consistent findings include (1) increases in cerebellar gray matter volume after chronic cannabis use, (2) alteration of cerebellar resting state activity after acute or chronic use, and (3) deficits in memory, decision making, and associative learning. Age of onset and higher exposure to cannabis use were frequently associated with increased cannabis-induced alterations. Chronic cannabis use is associated with alterations in cerebellar structure and function, as well as with deficits in behavioral paradigms that involve the cerebellum (eg, eyeblink conditioning, memory, and decision making). Future studies should consider tobacco as confounding factor and use standardized methods for assessing cannabis use. Paradigms exploring the functional activity of the cerebellum may prove useful as monitoring tools of cannabis-induced impairment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chrysanthi Blithikioti
- Grup de Recerca en Addiccions Clínic (GRAC)Institut Clínic de Neurociències Barcelona Spain
- IDIBAPSInstitut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer Barcelona Spain
- Hospital ClínicUniversitat de Barcelona Barcelona Spain
| | - Laia Miquel
- Grup de Recerca en Addiccions Clínic (GRAC)Institut Clínic de Neurociències Barcelona Spain
- IDIBAPSInstitut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer Barcelona Spain
- Hospital ClínicUniversitat de Barcelona Barcelona Spain
| | - Albert Batalla
- Department of Psychiatry, Brain Center Rudolf MagnusUniversity Medical Center Utrecht Utrecht the Netherlands
- Nijmegen Institute for Scientist‐Practitioners in Addiction (NISPA)Radboud University Nijmegen The Netherlands
| | - Belen Rubio
- Laboratory of Synthetic Perceptive, Emotive and Cognitive SystemsInstitute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology Barcelona Spain
| | - Giovanni Maffei
- Laboratory of Synthetic Perceptive, Emotive and Cognitive SystemsInstitute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology Barcelona Spain
| | - Ivan Herreros
- Laboratory of Synthetic Perceptive, Emotive and Cognitive SystemsInstitute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology Barcelona Spain
| | - Antoni Gual
- Grup de Recerca en Addiccions Clínic (GRAC)Institut Clínic de Neurociències Barcelona Spain
- IDIBAPSInstitut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer Barcelona Spain
- Hospital ClínicUniversitat de Barcelona Barcelona Spain
| | - Paul Verschure
- Laboratory of Synthetic Perceptive, Emotive and Cognitive SystemsInstitute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology Barcelona Spain
- ICREAInstitucio Catalana de Recerca I Estudis Avançats, Passeig Lluis Companys Barcelona Spain
| | - Mercedes Balcells‐Oliveró
- Grup de Recerca en Addiccions Clínic (GRAC)Institut Clínic de Neurociències Barcelona Spain
- IDIBAPSInstitut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer Barcelona Spain
- Hospital ClínicUniversitat de Barcelona Barcelona Spain
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8
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Moreno-Rius J. The Cerebellum, THC, and Cannabis Addiction: Findings from Animal and Human Studies. THE CEREBELLUM 2019; 18:593-604. [DOI: 10.1007/s12311-018-0993-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
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9
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Sagar KA, Gruber SA. Interactions between recreational cannabis use and cognitive function: lessons from functional magnetic resonance imaging. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2018; 1451:42-70. [PMID: 30426517 DOI: 10.1111/nyas.13990] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2018] [Revised: 10/13/2018] [Accepted: 10/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Cannabis use is becoming increasingly popular as a growing number of states pass legislation to legalize cannabis and cannabis-derived products for recreational and/or medical purposes. Given the widespread use of cannabis, it is critical to understand the neural consequences related to cannabis use. In this review, we focus on evidence from functional magnetic resonance imaging studies that document acute and residual alterations in brain function during tasks spanning a variety of cognitive domains: executive function, attention and working memory, memory, motor skills, error monitoring, and reward and affective processing. Although it is clear that cannabis affects brain function, the findings are somewhat inconsistent; variables that potentially affect study outcomes are outlined, including a discussion of the impact of chronological age and age of cannabis onset as well as length of abstinence at the time of assessment, which are important considerations when measuring cannabis use patterns. Inherent differences between recreational/adult cannabis use versus use for medical purposes are also discussed, given their importance to public policy decisions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelly A Sagar
- Cognitive and Clinical Neuroimaging Core, McLean Hospital, Belmont, Massachusetts.,Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.,Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Staci A Gruber
- Cognitive and Clinical Neuroimaging Core, McLean Hospital, Belmont, Massachusetts.,Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
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10
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Blest-Hopley G, Giampietro V, Bhattacharyya S. Residual effects of cannabis use in adolescent and adult brains - A meta-analysis of fMRI studies. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2018. [PMID: 29535069 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2018.03.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
While numerous studies have investigated the residual effects of cannabis use on human brain function, results of these studies have been inconsistent. Using meta-analytic approaches we summarize the effects of prolonged cannabis exposure on human brain function as measured using task-based functional MRI (fMRI) across studies employing a range of cognitive activation tasks comparing regular cannabis users with non-users. Separate meta-analyses were carried out for studies investigating adult and adolescent cannabis users. Systematic literature search identified 20 manuscripts (13 adult and 7 adolescent studies) meeting study inclusion criteria. Adult analyses compared 530 cannabis users to 580 healthy controls while adolescent analyses compared 219 cannabis users to 224 healthy controls. In adult cannabis users brain activation was increased in the superior and posterior transverse temporal and inferior frontal gyri and decreased in the striate area, insula and middle temporal gyrus. In adolescent cannabis users, activation was increased in the inferior parietal gyrus and putamen compared to healthy controls. Functional alteration in these areas may reflect compensatory neuroadaptive changes in cannabis users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grace Blest-Hopley
- Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, UK
| | - Vincent Giampietro
- Department of Neuroimaging, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, PO Box 089, UK
| | - Sagnik Bhattacharyya
- Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, UK; South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, Denmark Hill, Camberwell, London, UK.
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11
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Yanes JA, Riedel MC, Ray KL, Kirkland AE, Bird RT, Boeving ER, Reid MA, Gonzalez R, Robinson JL, Laird AR, Sutherland MT. Neuroimaging meta-analysis of cannabis use studies reveals convergent functional alterations in brain regions supporting cognitive control and reward processing. J Psychopharmacol 2018; 32:283-295. [PMID: 29338547 PMCID: PMC5858977 DOI: 10.1177/0269881117744995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Lagging behind rapid changes to state laws, societal views, and medical practice is the scientific investigation of cannabis's impact on the human brain. While several brain imaging studies have contributed important insight into neurobiological alterations linked with cannabis use, our understanding remains limited. Here, we sought to delineate those brain regions that consistently demonstrate functional alterations among cannabis users versus non-users across neuroimaging studies using the activation likelihood estimation meta-analysis framework. In ancillary analyses, we characterized task-related brain networks that co-activate with cannabis-affected regions using data archived in a large neuroimaging repository, and then determined which psychological processes may be disrupted via functional decoding techniques. When considering convergent alterations among users, decreased activation was observed in the anterior cingulate cortex, which co-activated with frontal, parietal, and limbic areas and was linked with cognitive control processes. Similarly, decreased activation was observed in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, which co-activated with frontal and occipital areas and linked with attention-related processes. Conversely, increased activation among users was observed in the striatum, which co-activated with frontal, parietal, and other limbic areas and linked with reward processing. These meta-analytic outcomes indicate that cannabis use is linked with differential, region-specific effects across the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julio A Yanes
- Department of Psychology, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USA,Auburn University Magnetic Resonance Imaging Research Center, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USA,Advanced Alabama Imaging Consortium, Alabama, USA
| | - Michael C Riedel
- Center for Imaging Science, Florida International University, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Kimberly L Ray
- Imaging Research Center, University of California Davis, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Anna E Kirkland
- Department of Psychology, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USA,Auburn University Magnetic Resonance Imaging Research Center, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USA,Advanced Alabama Imaging Consortium, Alabama, USA
| | - Ryan T Bird
- Department of Psychology, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USA,Auburn University Magnetic Resonance Imaging Research Center, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USA,Advanced Alabama Imaging Consortium, Alabama, USA
| | - Emily R Boeving
- Center for Imaging Science, Florida International University, Miami, FL, USA,Department of Psychology, Florida International University, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Meredith A Reid
- Auburn University Magnetic Resonance Imaging Research Center, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USA,Advanced Alabama Imaging Consortium, Alabama, USA
| | - Raul Gonzalez
- Department of Psychology, Florida International University, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Jennifer L Robinson
- Department of Psychology, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USA,Auburn University Magnetic Resonance Imaging Research Center, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USA,Advanced Alabama Imaging Consortium, Alabama, USA
| | - Angela R Laird
- Center for Imaging Science, Florida International University, Miami, FL, USA,Department of Physics, Florida International University, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Matthew T Sutherland
- Center for Imaging Science, Florida International University, Miami, FL, USA,Department of Psychology, Florida International University, Miami, FL, USA
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12
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Bernard JA, Goen JRM, Maldonado T. A case for motor network contributions to schizophrenia symptoms: Evidence from resting-state connectivity. Hum Brain Mapp 2017; 38:4535-4545. [PMID: 28603856 DOI: 10.1002/hbm.23680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2017] [Revised: 04/27/2017] [Accepted: 05/25/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Though schizophrenia (SCZ) is classically defined based on positive symptoms and the negative symptoms of the disease prove to be debilitating for many patients, motor deficits are often present as well. A growing literature highlights the importance of motor systems and networks in the disease, and it may be the case that dysfunction in motor networks relates to the pathophysiology and etiology of SCZ. To test this and build upon recent work in SCZ and in at-risk populations, we investigated cortical and cerebellar motor functional networks at rest in SCZ and controls using publically available data. We analyzed data from 82 patients and 88 controls. We found key group differences in resting-state connectivity patterns that highlight dysfunction in motor circuits and also implicate the thalamus. Furthermore, we demonstrated that in SCZ, these resting-state networks are related to both positive and negative symptom severity. Though the ventral prefrontal cortex and corticostriatal pathways more broadly have been implicated in negative symptom severity, here we extend these findings to include motor-striatal connections, as increased connectivity between the primary motor cortex and basal ganglia was associated with more severe negative symptoms. Together, these findings implicate motor networks in the symptomatology of psychosis, and we speculate that these networks may be contributing to the etiology of the disease. Overt motor deficits in SCZ may signal underlying network dysfunction that contributes to the overall disease state. Hum Brain Mapp 38:4535-4545, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica A Bernard
- Department of Psychology, Texas A&M University, Texas.,Texas A&M University Institute for Neuroscience, Texas A&M University, Texas
| | | | - Ted Maldonado
- Department of Psychology, Texas A&M University, Texas
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13
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Osuch EA, Manning K, Hegele RA, Théberge J, Neufeld R, Mitchell D, Williamson P, Gardner RC. Depression, marijuana use and early-onset marijuana use conferred unique effects on neural connectivity and cognition. Acta Psychiatr Scand 2016; 134:399-409. [PMID: 27565994 DOI: 10.1111/acps.12629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/25/2016] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Marijuana (MJ) use is common. Research shows risks for psychiatric illnesses, including major depressive disorder (MDD) and cognitive deficits with MJ use, particularly early-onset use. We investigated cognitive function, functional connectivity, and genetic risk with MDD alone and combined with MJ use, and differences between early-vs. late-onset/non-MJ use in youth. METHOD A total of 74 youth in four groups were studied: healthy control, MDD, frequent MJ use and current/past MDD plus frequent MJ use. Psychiatric symptoms, cognitive performance and demographics were measured. Default mode network (DMN) brain connectivity was determined. Risk alleles in six genes of interest were evaluated. RESULTS DMN differences among groups in reward-processing and motor control regions were found; the effects of MJ use and MDD were distinct. Early-onset MJ use was associated with lower IQ and hyperconnectivity within areas of the DMN. Early-onset MJ use was associated with the BDNF risk allele. CONCLUSIONS Cognitive deficits linked with early-onset MJ use were present within several years after MJ use began and may result from, predispose to, or share a common cause with early-onset MJ use. The DMN was affected by MDD, MJ and their combination, as well as by early-onset MJ use. BDNF carrier state may predispose to early-onset MJ use.
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Affiliation(s)
- E A Osuch
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada. .,Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada. .,Program in Neuroscience, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada. .,Lawson Health Research Institute, London, ON, Canada.
| | - K Manning
- Robarts Research Institute, London, ON, Canada
| | - R A Hegele
- Robarts Research Institute, London, ON, Canada
| | - J Théberge
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada.,Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada.,Lawson Health Research Institute, London, ON, Canada.,Department of Medical Imaging, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada.,Department of Diagnostic Imaging, St. Joseph's Hospital, London, ON, Canada
| | - R Neufeld
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada.,Program in Neuroscience, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada.,Department of Psychology, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
| | - D Mitchell
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada.,Department of Psychology, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada.,Brain and Mind Institute, London, ON, Canada
| | - P Williamson
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada.,Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada.,Program in Neuroscience, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
| | - R C Gardner
- Department of Psychology, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
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14
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Silveri MM, Dager AD, Cohen-Gilbert JE, Sneider JT. Neurobiological signatures associated with alcohol and drug use in the human adolescent brain. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2016; 70:244-259. [PMID: 27377691 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2016.06.042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2016] [Revised: 06/17/2016] [Accepted: 06/30/2016] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Magnetic resonance (MR) techniques provide opportunities to non-invasively characterize neurobiological milestones of adolescent brain development. Juxtaposed to the critical finalization of brain development is initiation of alcohol and substance use, and increased frequency and quantity of use, patterns that can lead to abuse and addiction. This review provides a comprehensive overview of existing MR studies of adolescent alcohol and drug users. The most common alterations reported across substance used and MR modalities are in the frontal lobe (63% of published studies). This is not surprising, given that this is the last region to reach neurobiological adulthood. Comparatively, evidence is less consistent regarding alterations in regions that mature earlier (e.g., amygdala, hippocampus), however newer techniques now permit investigations beyond regional approaches that are uncovering network-level vulnerabilities. Regardless of whether neurobiological signatures exist prior to the initiation of use, this body of work provides important direction for ongoing prospective investigations of adolescent brain development, and the significant impact of alcohol and substance use on the brain during the second decade of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marisa M Silveri
- Neurodevelopmental Laboratory on Addictions and Mental Health, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, USA; McLean Imaging Center, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Alecia D Dager
- Olin Neuropsychiatry Research Center, Hartford, CT, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Julia E Cohen-Gilbert
- Neurodevelopmental Laboratory on Addictions and Mental Health, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, USA; McLean Imaging Center, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jennifer T Sneider
- Neurodevelopmental Laboratory on Addictions and Mental Health, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, USA; McLean Imaging Center, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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15
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Jacobus J, Squeglia LM, Sorg SF, Nguyen-Louie TT, Tapert SF. Cortical thickness and neurocognition in adolescent marijuana and alcohol users following 28 days of monitored abstinence. J Stud Alcohol Drugs 2015; 75:729-43. [PMID: 25208190 DOI: 10.15288/jsad.2014.75.729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Adolescent marijuana use continues to increase in prevalence as harm perception declines. Better understanding of marijuana's impact on neurodevelopment is crucial. This prospective study aimed to investigate cortical thickness and neurocognitive performance before and after 28 days of monitored abstinence in adolescent marijuana and alcohol users. METHOD Subjects (N = 54; >70% male) were adolescent marijuana users (ages 15-18 years) with regular alcohol use (MJ + ALC; n = 24) and non-using controls (CON; n = 30) who were compared before and after 4 weeks of sequential urine toxicology to confirm abstinence. Participants underwent magnetic resonance imaging, neuropsychological assessment, and substance use assessment at both time points. Repeated-measures analysis of covariance was used to look at the main effects of group, time, and Group × Time interactions on cortical thickness and neurocognitive functioning. Bivariate correlations estimated associations between cortical thickness, substance use severity, and cognitive performance. RESULTS Marijuana users showed thicker cortices than controls in the left entorhinal cortex (ps < .03) before and after monitored abstinence, after adjusting for lifetime alcohol use. More lifetime marijuana use was linked to thinner cortices in temporal and frontal regions, whereas more lifetime alcohol use and heavy episodic drinking episodes was linked to thicker cortices in all four lobes (ps < .05). Age of onset of regular marijuana use was positively related to cortical thickness (ps < .03). CONCLUSIONS Adolescent alcohol and marijuana use may be linked to altered longer-term neurodevelopmental trajectories and compromised neural health. Cortical thickness alterations and dose-dependent associations with thickness estimates were observed both before and after monitored abstinence and suggest neural differences continue to persist 28 days after cessation of marijuana use. Neural recovery may be identified with longer follow-up periods; however, observed changes related to use severity could have implications for future psychosocial outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Jacobus
- Veterans Affairs (VA) San Diego Healthcare System, La Jolla, California, Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California
| | - Lindsay M Squeglia
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California
| | - Scott F Sorg
- Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Healthcare System, Seattle, Washington
| | - Tam T Nguyen-Louie
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, San Diego State University/University of California San Diego Joint Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology, San Diego, California
| | - Susan F Tapert
- Veterans Affairs (VA) San Diego Healthcare System, La Jolla, California, Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California
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16
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Tomasi D, Wang GJ, Volkow ND. Balanced modulation of striatal activation from D2 /D3 receptors in caudate and ventral striatum: Disruption in cannabis abusers. Hum Brain Mapp 2015; 36:3154-66. [PMID: 26058801 DOI: 10.1002/hbm.22834] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2015] [Revised: 04/27/2015] [Accepted: 04/28/2015] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Proper communication between dorsal caudate (CD) and ventral striatum (VS) is likely to be crucial for on-time responses and its disruption might result in impulsivity. Here, we used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) with a sensorimotor reaction time task and positron emission tomography (PET) with [(11)C]raclopride in 14 healthy controls and 18 cannabis abusers to contrast the modulation of striatal fMRI responses by dopamine receptors (D2 /D3 R) in CD and VS. In controls, we show that the fMRI signals in VS that occurs concomitantly with on-time responses showed opposite modulation from D2 /D3 R in CD (inhibitory) and D2 /D3 R in VS (stimulatory). In contrast, this modulation was not significant in cannabis abusers. Findings suggest that action speed requires balanced VS-inhibition from D2 /D3 R in CD and VS-facilitation from D2 /D3 R in VS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dardo Tomasi
- National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, 20892
| | - Gene-Jack Wang
- National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, 20892
| | - Nora D Volkow
- National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, 20892.,National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, 20892
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17
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Integrative Model of the Relationship Between Sleep Problems and Risk for Youth Substance Use. CURRENT ADDICTION REPORTS 2015. [DOI: 10.1007/s40429-015-0052-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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18
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Renard J, Krebs MO, Le Pen G, Jay TM. Long-term consequences of adolescent cannabinoid exposure in adult psychopathology. Front Neurosci 2014; 8:361. [PMID: 25426017 PMCID: PMC4226229 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2014.00361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 93] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2014] [Accepted: 10/21/2014] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Marijuana is the most widely used illicit drug among adolescents and young adults. Unique cognitive, emotional, and social changes occur during this critical period of development from childhood into adulthood. The adolescent brain is in a state of transition and differs from the adult brain with respect to both anatomy (e.g., neuronal connections and morphology) and neurochemistry (e.g., dopamine, GABA, and glutamate). These changes are thought to support the emergence of adult cerebral processes and behaviors. The endocannabinoid system plays an important role in development by acting on synaptic plasticity, neuronal cell proliferation, migration, and differentiation. Delta-9-tetrahydrocanabinol (THC), the principal psychoactive component in marijuana, acts as a partial agonist of the cannabinoid type 1 receptor (CB1R). Thus, over-activation of the endocannabinoid system by chronic exposure to CB1R agonists (e.g., THC, CP-55,940, and WIN55,212-2) during adolescence can dramatically alter brain maturation and cause long-lasting neurobiological changes that ultimately affect the function and behavior of the adult brain. Indeed, emerging evidence from both human and animal studies demonstrates that early-onset marijuana use has long-lasting consequences on cognition; moreover, in humans, this use is associated with a two-fold increase in the risk of developing a psychotic disorder. Here, we review the relationship between cannabinoid exposure during adolescence and the increased risk of neuropsychiatric disorders, focusing on both clinical and animal studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justine Renard
- Laboratoire de Physiopathologie des maladies Psychiatriques, UMR_S894 Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Centre de Psychiatrie et Neurosciences Paris, France ; Centre Hospitalier Sainte-Anne, Service Hospitalo Universitaire, Faculté de Médecine Paris Descartes, Université Paris Descartes Paris, France
| | - Marie-Odile Krebs
- Laboratoire de Physiopathologie des maladies Psychiatriques, UMR_S894 Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Centre de Psychiatrie et Neurosciences Paris, France ; Centre Hospitalier Sainte-Anne, Service Hospitalo Universitaire, Faculté de Médecine Paris Descartes, Université Paris Descartes Paris, France
| | - Gwenaëlle Le Pen
- Laboratoire de Physiopathologie des maladies Psychiatriques, UMR_S894 Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Centre de Psychiatrie et Neurosciences Paris, France ; Centre Hospitalier Sainte-Anne, Service Hospitalo Universitaire, Faculté de Médecine Paris Descartes, Université Paris Descartes Paris, France
| | - Thérèse M Jay
- Laboratoire de Physiopathologie des maladies Psychiatriques, UMR_S894 Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Centre de Psychiatrie et Neurosciences Paris, France ; Centre Hospitalier Sainte-Anne, Service Hospitalo Universitaire, Faculté de Médecine Paris Descartes, Université Paris Descartes Paris, France
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19
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Lisdahl KM, Wright NE, Kirchner-Medina C, Maple KE, Shollenbarger S. Considering Cannabis: The Effects of Regular Cannabis Use on Neurocognition in Adolescents and Young Adults. CURRENT ADDICTION REPORTS 2014; 1:144-156. [PMID: 25013751 PMCID: PMC4084860 DOI: 10.1007/s40429-014-0019-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 107] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Thirty-six percent of high school seniors have used cannabis in the past year, and an alarming 6.5% smoked cannabis daily, up from 2.4% in 1993 (Johnston et al., 2013). Adolescents and emerging adults are undergoing significant neurodevelopment and animal studies suggest they may be particularly vulnerable to negative drug effects. In this review, we will provide a detailed overview of studies outlining the effects of regular (at least weekly) cannabis use on neurocognition, including studies outlining cognitive, structural and functional findings. We will also explore the public health impact of this research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krista M. Lisdahl
- Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI
| | - Natasha E. Wright
- Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI
| | | | - Kristin E. Maple
- Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI
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20
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Gilbert MT, Soderstrom K. Developmental but not adult cannabinoid treatments persistently alter axonal and dendritic morphology within brain regions important for zebra finch vocal learning. Brain Res 2014; 1558:57-73. [PMID: 24594017 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2014.02.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2013] [Revised: 02/21/2014] [Accepted: 02/22/2014] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Prior work shows developmental cannabinoid exposure alters zebra finch vocal development in a manner associated with altered CNS physiology, including changes in patterns of CB1 receptor immunoreactivity, endocannabinoid concentrations and dendritic spine densities. These results raise questions about the selectivity of developmental cannabinoid effects: are they a consequence of a generalized developmental disruption, or are effects produced through more selective and distinct interactions with biochemical pathways that control receptor, endogenous ligand and dendritic spine dynamics? To begin to address this question we have examined effects of developmental cannabinoid exposure on the pattern and density of expression of proteins critical to dendritic (MAP2) and axonal (Nf-200) structure to determine the extent to which dendritic vs. axonal neuronal morphology may be altered. Results demonstrate developmental, but not adult cannabinoid treatments produce generalized changes in expression of both dendritic and axonal cytoskeletal proteins within brain regions and cells known to express CB1 cannabinoid receptors. Results clearly demonstrate that cannabinoid exposure during a period of sensorimotor development, but not adulthood, produce profound effects upon both dendritic and axonal morphology that persist through at least early adulthood. These findings suggest an ability of exogenous cannabinoids to alter general processes responsible for normal brain development. Results also further implicate the importance of endocannabinoid signaling to peri-pubertal periods of adolescence, and underscore potential consequences of cannabinoid abuse during periods of late-postnatal CNS development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcoita T Gilbert
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27834, United States
| | - Ken Soderstrom
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27834, United States.
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21
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Duffield T, Trontel H, Bigler ED, Froehlich A, Prigge MB, Travers B, Green RR, Cariello AN, Cooperrider J, Nielsen J, Alexander A, Anderson J, Fletcher PT, Lange N, Zielinski B, Lainhart J. Neuropsychological investigation of motor impairments in autism. J Clin Exp Neuropsychol 2013; 35:867-81. [PMID: 23985036 PMCID: PMC3907511 DOI: 10.1080/13803395.2013.827156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
It is unclear how standardized neuropsychological measures of motor function relate to brain volumes of motor regions in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). An all-male sample composed of 59 ASD and 30 controls (ages 5-33 years) completed three measures of motor function: strength of grip (SOG), finger tapping test (FTT), and grooved pegboard test (GPT). Likewise, all participants underwent magnetic resonance imaging with region of interest (ROI) volumes obtained to include the following regions: motor cortex (precentral gyrus), somatosensory cortex (postcentral gyrus), thalamus, basal ganglia, cerebellum, and caudal middle frontal gyrus. These traditional neuropsychological measures of motor function are assumed to differ in motor complexity, with GPT requiring the most followed by FTT and SOG. Performance by ASD participants on the GPT and FTT differed significantly from that of controls, with the largest effect size differences observed on the more complex GPT task. Differences on the SOG task between the two groups were nonsignificant. Since more complex motor tasks tap more complex networks, poorer GPT performance by those with ASD may reflect less efficient motor networks. There was no gross pathology observed in classic motor areas of the brain in ASD, as ROI volumes did not differ, but FTT was negatively related to motor cortex volume in ASD. The results suggest a hierarchical motor disruption in ASD, with difficulties evident only in more complex tasks as well as a potential anomalous size-function relation in motor cortex in ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tyler Duffield
- Department of Psychology, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah
| | - Haley Trontel
- Department of Psychology, University of Montana, Missoula, Montana
| | - Erin D. Bigler
- Department of Psychology, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah
- Neuroscience Center, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
- The Brain Institute of Utah, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - Alyson Froehlich
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - Molly B. Prigge
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
- Interdepartmental Neuroscience Program, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - Brittany Travers
- Department of Medical Physics, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Ryan R. Green
- Department of Psychology, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah
| | - Annahir N. Cariello
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - Jason Cooperrider
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
- Interdepartmental Neuroscience Program, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - Jared Nielsen
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
- Interdepartmental Neuroscience Program, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - Andrew Alexander
- Waisman Laboratory for Brain Imaging and Behavior, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
- Department of Medical Physics, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Jeffrey Anderson
- Department of Radiology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - P. Thomas Fletcher
- The Brain Institute of Utah, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
- School of Computing, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - Nicholas Lange
- Departments of Psychiatry and Biostatistics, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts
- Neurostatistics Laboratory, McLean Hospital, Belmont, Massachusetts
| | - Brandon Zielinski
- Department of Pediatrics and Neurology, School of Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - Janet Lainhart
- Waisman Laboratory for Brain Imaging and Behavior, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin
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22
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Lisdahl KM, Gilbart ER, Wright NE, Shollenbarger S. Dare to delay? The impacts of adolescent alcohol and marijuana use onset on cognition, brain structure, and function. Front Psychiatry 2013; 4:53. [PMID: 23847550 PMCID: PMC3696957 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2013.00053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 195] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2013] [Accepted: 05/30/2013] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Throughout the world, drug and alcohol use has a clear adolescent onset (Degenhardt et al., 2008). Alcohol continues to be the most popular drug among teens and emerging adults, with almost a third of 12th graders and 40% of college students reporting recent binge drinking (Johnston et al., 2009, 2010), and marijuana (MJ) is the second most popular drug in teens (Johnston et al., 2010). The initiation of drug use is consistent with an overall increase in risk-taking behaviors during adolescence that coincides with significant neurodevelopmental changes in both gray and white matter (Giedd et al., 1996a; Paus et al., 1999; Sowell et al., 1999, 2002, 2004; Gogtay et al., 2004; Barnea-Goraly et al., 2005; Lenroot and Giedd, 2006). Animal studies have suggested that compared to adults, adolescents may be particularly vulnerable to the neurotoxic effects of drugs, especially alcohol and MJ (see Schneider and Koch, 2003; Barron et al., 2005; Monti et al., 2005; Cha et al., 2006; Rubino et al., 2009; Spear, 2010). In this review, we will provide a detailed overview of studies that examined the impact of early adolescent onset of alcohol and MJ use on neurocognition (e.g., Ehrenreich et al., 1999; Wilson et al., 2000; Tapert et al., 2002a; Hartley et al., 2004; Fried et al., 2005; Townshend and Duka, 2005; Medina et al., 2007a; McQueeny et al., 2009; Gruber et al., 2011, 2012; Hanson et al., 2011; Lisdahl and Price, 2012), with a special emphasis on recent prospective longitudinal studies (e.g., White et al., 2011; Hicks et al., 2012; Meier et al., 2012). Finally, we will explore potential clinical and public health implications of these findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krista M Lisdahl
- Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee , Milwaukee, WI , USA
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