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Belete H, Mekonen T, Espinosa DC, Ambaw F, Connor J, Chan G, Hides L, Hall W, Leung J. Cannabis use in sub-Saharan Africa: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Addiction 2023. [PMID: 36807954 DOI: 10.1111/add.16170] [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: 09/25/2022] [Accepted: 01/29/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS The most available data on the prevalence of cannabis use come from population surveys conducted in high-income countries in North America, Oceania and Europe. Less is known about the prevalence of cannabis use in Africa. This systematic review aimed to summarize general population-level cannabis use in sub-Saharan Africa since 2010. METHODS A comprehensive search was conducted in PubMed, EMBASE, PsycINFO and AJOL databases in addition to Global Health Data Exchange and grey literature without language restriction. Search terms related to 'substance', 'Substance-Related Disorders' and 'Prevalence' and 'Africa South of the Sahara' were used. Studies that reported cannabis use in the general population were selected, while studies from clinical populations and high-risk groups were excluded. Prevalence data on cannabis use in the general population of adolescents (10-17 years) and adults (≥ 18 years) in sub-Saharan Africa were extracted. RESULTS The study included 53 studies for the quantitative meta-analysis and included 13 239 participants. Among adolescents, the life-time, 12-month and 6-month prevalence of cannabis use were 7.9% [95% confidence interval (CI) = 5.4-10.9%], 5.2% (95% CI = 1.7-10.3%) and 4.5% (95% CI = 3.3-5.8%), respectively. The corresponding life-time, 12-month and 6-month prevalence of cannabis use among adults were 12.6% (95% CI = 6.1-21.2%), 2.2% (95% CI = 1.7-2.7%, with data only available from Tanzania and Uganda) and 4.7% (95% CI = 3.3-6.4%), respectively. The male-to-female life-time cannabis use relative risk was 1.90 (95% CI = 1.25-2.98) among adolescents and 1.67 (CI = 0.63-4.39) among adults. CONCLUSIONS Life-time cannabis use prevalence in sub-Saharan Africa appears to be approximately 12% for adults and just under 8% for adolescents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Habte Belete
- Department of Psychiatry, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia.,School of Psychology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Tesfa Mekonen
- Department of Psychiatry, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia.,School of Psychology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | | | - Fentie Ambaw
- School of Public Health, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia
| | - Jason Connor
- National Centre for Youth Substance Use Research, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.,Discipline of Psychiatry, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Gary Chan
- National Centre for Youth Substance Use Research, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Leanne Hides
- School of Psychology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.,National Centre for Youth Substance Use Research, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Wayne Hall
- National Centre for Youth Substance Use Research, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Janni Leung
- School of Psychology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.,National Centre for Youth Substance Use Research, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.,National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia
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Im H, Swan LET. Trauma exposure, social functioning, and common mental health disorders in Somali refugee male and female youth: An SEM analysis. Int J Soc Psychiatry 2022; 68:1539-1551. [DOI: https:/doi.org/10.1177/00207640211037726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/22/2023]
Abstract
Background: Refugee youth often face numerous adversities before and during forced migration. Although experiences vary across settings and subpopulations, common mental disorders are prevalent among refugee youth who are displaced in low- and middle-income countries. It is important to examine how risk factors are intricately linked and contribute to common mental health issues to inform clinical practice and social policy. Aims: This study aims to test the pathways from risk factors previously identified as determinants of Somali refugee youth mental health (i.e. trauma exposure, substance use, social functioning, aggression) to symptoms of PTSD, depression, anxiety, and somatic pains. Method: We collected survey data in 2013, using snowball sampling to recruit Somali refugee youth (15–35 years old) living in Eastleigh, Kenya. We ran three structural equation models to assess paths from trauma exposure to mental health symptoms, through psychosocial factors including substance use, aggression, and functional impairment. We first conducted this analysis with a mixed-gender sample ( N = 305) and then assessed gender differences by running one model for male participants ( n = 124) and another for female participants ( n = 181). Results: In the mixed-gender sample, trauma exposure directly predicted substance use and both directly and indirectly predicted aggression, functional impairment, and mental health symptoms. Substance use directly predicted aggression and functional impairment, and substance use both directly and indirectly predicted mental health symptoms. The split-gender models revealed gender differences, with only functional impairment directly predicting mental health symptoms in the male sample and with many significant direct and indirect pathways in the female sample. Conclusions: This study shows the role of trauma exposure, substance use, aggression, and social functioning in determining mental health outcomes among refugee youth and how CMD symptoms are differently manifested across genders in this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyojin Im
- Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, USA
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Hicks TA, Zaur AJ, Keeley JW, Amstadter AB. The association between recreational cannabis use and posttraumatic stress disorder: A systematic review and methodological critique of the literature. Drug Alcohol Depend 2022; 240:109623. [PMID: 36162309 PMCID: PMC9665003 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2022.109623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2021] [Revised: 09/02/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Given recent changes in the legal status of cannabis, the risks and benefits associated with its use have become an important public health topic. A growing body of research has demonstrated that posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and recreational cannabis use (RCU) frequently co-occur, yet findings are inconsistent (e.g., direction of effect) and methodological variability makes comparison across studies difficult. METHODS We conducted a comprehensive systematic review of all studies (N = 45) published before May 2020 regarding etiologic models of co-occurring RCU and PTSD, as well as provided a methodological critique to inform suggestions for future research initiatives. RESULTS Findings indicate that a majority of studies (n = 37) demonstrated a significant association between RCU and PTSD. Findings provide evidence for the self-medication and high-risk models posited to explain co-occurring RCU and PTSD despite variability in assessment of RCU, which includes commonly used non-standardized self-report questions. CONCLUSION The association between RCU and PTSD is likely bidirectional. Results inform clinicians and researchers working in the mental health and cannabis use fields how the variability in findings on the association between RCU and PTSD may be attributable, in part, to methodological issues that permeate the extant literature pertaining to RCU and PTSD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Terrell A Hicks
- Virginia Institute for Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, USA; Department of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University, USA.
| | - Angela J Zaur
- Virginia Institute for Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, USA
| | - Jared W Keeley
- Department of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University, USA
| | - Ananda B Amstadter
- Virginia Institute for Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, USA; Department of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University, USA; Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, USA
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Carney T, Chibambo V, Ward C, Myers B. A Qualitative Study of caregiver’s Perceptions and Needs Around Adolescent Substance Use and Other Risk Behaviours. Int J Ment Health Addict 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s11469-020-00238-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
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Carney T, Johnson K, Carrico A, Myers B. Acceptability and feasibility of a brief substance use intervention for adolescents in Cape Town, South Africa: A pilot study. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PSYCHOLOGY 2020; 55:1016-1025. [PMID: 32285449 DOI: 10.1002/ijop.12668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2019] [Accepted: 03/11/2020] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Substance use is prevalent among South African adolescents, but few interventions exist to reduce risk of harm. This study assesses the feasibility, acceptability and preliminary effects of a brief intervention for reducing adolescent substance use and other risk behaviours. This single-arm feasibility test recruited 30 substance-using adolescents and their primary caregiver. Participants received separate interventions (2 sessions for adolescents, 1 session for caregivers), with a subsample randomly selected for post-intervention interviews. Feasibility was measured by the proportion of eligible adolescents who were enrolled and retained in the study. Interviews explored acceptability, and changes in outcomes from baseline to 1-month follow-up assessed preliminary effects of the intervention. Thirty of 43 (69.8%) eligible adolescents and their caregivers were enrolled, with 29 adolescents (96.7%) and 28 caregivers (93.3%) completing the intervention. Twenty-eight adolescents (93.3%) and 29 caregivers (96.7%) were retained at follow-up. Frequency of alcohol, cannabis use and delinquent-type behaviours decreased significantly from baseline to follow-up. Participants appreciated the intervention content and delivery and felt that it facilitated behaviour change. Suggestions for improving the intervention were provided. This study found that the intervention is feasible, acceptable and had promising effects on adolescent behaviour. Efficacy must be established with a randomised controlled trial.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tara Carney
- Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Tygerberg, South Africa.,Division of Addiction Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of Cape Town, Groote Schuur Hospital, Observatory, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Kim Johnson
- Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Tygerberg, South Africa
| | - Adam Carrico
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Division of Prevention Science & Community Health, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, USA
| | - Bronwyn Myers
- Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Tygerberg, South Africa.,Division of Addiction Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of Cape Town, Groote Schuur Hospital, Observatory, Cape Town, South Africa
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Abio A, Sezirahiga J, E Davis L, L Wilson M. Substance use and sociodemographic correlates among adolescents in a low-income sub Saharan setting. J Inj Violence Res 2019; 12:21-27. [PMID: 31760392 PMCID: PMC7001609 DOI: 10.5249/jivr.v12i1.1195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2018] [Accepted: 11/13/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The present study investigated the social and behavioral correlates of substance use, specifically bang or cocaine or similar drugs among a school-based sample of adolescents in a low-income urban setting. METHODS The study utilized data on 2,176 school-attending adolescents aged 11-16 years in Dar es Salaam (DES) to examine social and behavioral correlates for lifetime substance use. The correlates under investigation included, demographic - age and gender; social - poverty, parent-adolescent relationship; behavioral - truancy, aggressive behavior, injury risk; psychological - depression and suicide ideation. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were then carried out on several variables identified from the 2006 Tanzanian Global School-based Health Survey (GSHS) questionnaire. RESULTS Approximately seven percent of school-attending adolescents (n=144) reported having used an illicit substance at least once during their lifetime. After adding significantly associated covariates into a logistic regression model, we found that only truancy [OR= 2.29 (CI=1.07 - 4.90)], suicide ideation [OR=4.36 (2.32 - 8.19)] and parents who had checked their adolescents' homework (OR=0.56 (CI=0.32 - 1.00)] were significantly associated with reported substance use. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that health promotion programs should simultaneously target multiple factors associated with substance use behaviors among school-attending adolescents in Dar es Salaam. They should take into account the range of psychosocial characteristics of school-attending adolescents which may be impacted by or result from substance use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Abio
- Injury Epidemiology and Prevention Research Group, Turku Brain Injury Center, Division of Clinical Neurosciences, Turku University Hospital and University of Turku, Finland.
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Peltzer K, Pengpid S. Cannabis and Amphetamine Use and Associated Factors Among School-Going Adolescents in Nine African Countries. JOURNAL OF CHILD & ADOLESCENT SUBSTANCE ABUSE 2018. [DOI: 10.1080/1067828x.2017.1420512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Karl Peltzer
- Department for Management of Science and Technology Development, Ton Duc Thang University, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Ton Duc Thang University, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
| | - Supa Pengpid
- ASEAN Institute for Health Development, Mahidol University, Salaya, Thailand
- Department of Research Development and Innovation, University of Limpopo, Polokwane, South Africa
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Dunstan DA, Scott N. Assigning Clinical Significance and Symptom Severity Using the Zung Scales: Levels of Misclassification Arising from Confusion between Index and Raw Scores. DEPRESSION RESEARCH AND TREATMENT 2018; 2018:9250972. [PMID: 29610683 PMCID: PMC5828114 DOI: 10.1155/2018/9250972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2017] [Accepted: 12/19/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS) and Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) are two norm-referenced scales commonly used to identify the presence of depression and anxiety in clinical research. Unfortunately, several researchers have mistakenly applied index score criteria to raw scores when assigning clinical significance and symptom severity ratings. This study examined the extent of this problem. METHOD 102 papers published over the six-year period from 2010 to 2015 were used to establish two convenience samples of 60 usages of each Zung scale. RESULTS In those papers where cut-off scores were used (i.e., 45/60 for SDS and 40/60 for SAS), up to 51% of SDS and 45% of SAS papers involved the incorrect application of index score criteria to raw scores. Inconsistencies were also noted in the severity ranges and cut-off scores used. CONCLUSIONS A large percentage of publications involving the Zung SDS and SAS scales are using incorrect criteria for the classification of clinically significant symptoms of depression and anxiety. The most common error-applying index score criteria to raw scores-produces a substantial elevation of the cut-off points for significance. Given the continuing usage of these scales, it is important that these inconsistencies be highlighted and resolved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Debra A. Dunstan
- School of Behavioural, Cognitive and Social Sciences, University of New England, Armidale, NSW 2351, Australia
| | - Ned Scott
- School of Behavioural, Cognitive and Social Sciences, University of New England, Armidale, NSW 2351, Australia
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Peltzer K, Pengpid S. Cannabis and Amphetamine Use Among Adolescents in Five Asian Countries. Cent Asian J Glob Health 2017; 6:288. [PMID: 30881756 PMCID: PMC6393045 DOI: 10.5195/cajgh.2017.288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction There has been a global increase in illicit drug use among young people. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of lifetime cannabis and amphetamine use, as well as to explore factors associated with substance use among adolescents in five Asian countries: Iraq, Kuwait, Malaysia, Mongolia, and Vietnam. Methods 38,941 school children (mean age 15.4 years, SD=1.5) completed the cross-sectional Global School-Based Student Health Survey (GSHS). Topics covered in the questionnaire included cannabis and amphetamine use. Personal, parental, and environmental attributes were explored as predictors of cannabis and amphetamine use. Logistic regression was used to assess the contribution of potential predictors on lifetime cannabis and lifetime amphetamine use. Results Overall, the prevalence of lifetime cannabis use was 0.9% and lifetime amphetamine use was 1.0% among research participants. Cannabis use was influenced by male gender (Kuwait, Mongolia), parental smoking habits (Kuwait, Iraq), and current cigarette smoking in all countries. Amphetamine use was associated with suicidal ideation (Kuwait, Malaysia, Vietnam), school truancy (Malaysia, Mongolia, Vietnam), being a victim of physical assault (Kuwait, Mongolia), bullying victimization (Iraq, Malaysia, Vietnam), as well as anxiety and current cigarette use in all countries. Conclusions Our preliminary results show the importance of personal attributes such as mental distress and environmental stressors on lifetime cannabis and lifetime amphetamine use. Future prospective studies are needed to identify causal relationships among personal attributes, parental attributes, environmental stressors, and illicit substance use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karl Peltzer
- HIV/AIDS/STIs/and TB (HAST), Human Sciences Research Council, Pretoria, South Africa.,Department of Research and Innovation, University of Limpopo, Turfloop, South Africa
| | - Supa Pengpid
- Department of Research and Innovation, University of Limpopo, Turfloop, South Africa.,ASEAN Institute for Health Development, Mahidol University, Salaya, Phutthamonthon, Nakhonpathom, Thailand
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Carney T, Myers B, Louw J. Reliability of the GAIN-SS, CRAFTT and PESQ screening instruments for substance use among South African adolescents. S Afr J Psychiatr 2016; 22:932. [PMID: 30263165 PMCID: PMC6138113 DOI: 10.4102/sajpsychiatry.v22i1.932] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2015] [Accepted: 05/23/2016] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Screening for adolescent substance use can assist with the early identification of substance-related problems and guide the provision of appropriate services. As such, psychometrically sound screening tools are needed. The aim of this study was to compare the reliability of the CRAFFT, Global Appraisal of Individual Needs-Short Screener (GAIN-SS) substance use subscale and Personal Experience Screening Questionnaire (PESQ) among adolescents from disadvantaged communities in Cape Town, South Africa. Methods Adolescents aged 12–19 years (n = 231) completed the three screeners at two points in time. Results Findings show that all three of the screeners had adequate internal consistency (Cronbach α ≥ 0.8). Test-retest reliability was similar for all three screeners, with intraclass correlation coefficient values slightly higher for the PESQ (0.82, 95% CI: 0.77–0.86) than for the GAIN-SS substance use subscale (0.79, 95% CI: 0.73–0.84) and CRAFFT (0.76; 95% CI: 0.66–0.83). Kappa values indicated that the GAIN-SS substance use subscale and CRAFFT had moderate levels of agreement, while the PESQ had substantial levels of agreement for identifying those who had moderate or higher substance use risks at Time 1 and Time 2. Conclusion The findings indicate that all of these short screeners seem to have acceptable reliability when used in this population. All of the three screeners are appropriately reliable when used with adolescents from disadvantaged communities in Cape Town, but the PESQ performed slightly better. Future studies should also include the assessment of validity of these screeners in this context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tara Carney
- Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug Use Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, South Africa
| | - Bronwyn Myers
- Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug Use Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, South Africa.,Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Johann Louw
- Department of Psychology, University of Cape Town, South Africa
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Fein G, Greenstein D, Cardenas VA, Cuzen NL, Fouche JP, Ferrett H, Thomas K, Stein DJ. Cortical and subcortical volumes in adolescents with alcohol dependence but without substance or psychiatric comorbidities. Psychiatry Res 2013; 214:1-8. [PMID: 23916536 PMCID: PMC4203651 DOI: 10.1016/j.pscychresns.2013.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2013] [Revised: 06/03/2013] [Accepted: 06/06/2013] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Most prior studies of the effects of excessive alcohol intake on the adolescent brain examined alcohol-use-dependent samples with comorbid psychiatric and substance use disorders. In the Cape Town region, we identified a sizeable cohort of adolescents with alcohol use disorders (AUD) without externalizing or other psychiatric disorders. We examined brain morphology in 64 such adolescents compared to age- and gender-matched healthy controls. Magnetic resonance imaging data were analyzed using FSL's FIRST software for subcortical volumes, and cortical gray matter (GM) was analyzed using voxel-based morphometry (VBM) and regions of interest (ROI) analysis. AUD boys had smaller thalamic and putamen volumes compared to non-drinking boys, while AUD girls had larger thalamic and putamen volumes compared to non-drinking girls. VBM revealed a large region of decreased GM density in AUDs compared to controls located in the left lateral frontal, temporal, and parietal lobes, extending medially deep into the parietal lobe. Smaller GM volume in this region was also present when examined using ROI analysis. Our lack of findings in other brain regions, particularly the hippocampus, suggests that reports of smaller brain volumes in adolescent AUDs in the literature are a consequence of psychiatric and substance abuse comorbidities.
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Affiliation(s)
- George Fein
- Neurobehavioral Research Inc., Honolulu, HI, United States.
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Shrier LA, Walls C, Rhoads A, Blood EA. Individual and contextual predictors of severity of marijuana use events among young frequent users. Addict Behav 2013; 38:1448-56. [PMID: 23010685 DOI: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2012.05.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2012] [Revised: 05/23/2012] [Accepted: 05/30/2012] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
This study used momentary sampling to characterize marijuana events among young frequent users and determine contextual and individual predictors of use severity. Medical clinic outpatients aged 15-24 who used marijuana at least twice a week completed a baseline assessment, then used a handheld computer to report marijuana use at 4-6 signal-prompted times per day and before/after use for 2 weeks. Reports assessed event characteristics (when, with whom, where, how, why, how much, how high). Timestamps identified time, weekend, and duration for each event. Generalized estimating equations tested associations of individual and event-specific contextual characteristics with hits/event, duration, and high. Forty-one youth completed 3868 momentary reports; 40 (98%) reported at least one marijuana use event (N=432 events; M=10.5/participant) and thus provided data for these analyses. Marijuana was most commonly used with other people (74% of events), at home (58%), via blunt (66%), and for social or enhancement reasons (86%). Most events (62%) occurred on weekdays; use was least likely in the morning (8%). Most events involved 6 or more hits (81%). Mean high was 5.2 (out of 8). Of events with start and end times (n=250), mean duration was 46.8 min. Poor mental health and use with a blunt or a bong, in the morning or evening, and on the weekend were associated with 6 or more hits/event. Female gender was associated with greater event duration. Poor mental health predicted higher high. Among youth who used it frequently, marijuana was used in a variety of contexts, with diversity in method, dose, and duration. Contextual factors appeared to predict marijuana dose for a given event, while individual characteristics were more predictive of high and duration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lydia A Shrier
- Division of Adolescent/Young Adult Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
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Hill AJ, Williams CM, Whalley BJ, Stephens GJ. Phytocannabinoids as novel therapeutic agents in CNS disorders. Pharmacol Ther 2011; 133:79-97. [PMID: 21924288 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2011.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 190] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2011] [Accepted: 08/20/2011] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
The Cannabis sativa herb contains over 100 phytocannabinoid (pCB) compounds and has been used for thousands of years for both recreational and medicinal purposes. In the past two decades, characterisation of the body's endogenous cannabinoid (CB) (endocannabinoid, eCB) system (ECS) has highlighted activation of central CB(1) receptors by the major pCB, Δ(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ(9)-THC) as the primary mediator of the psychoactive, hyperphagic and some of the potentially therapeutic properties of ingested cannabis. Whilst Δ(9)-THC is the most prevalent and widely studied pCB, it is also the predominant psychotropic component of cannabis, a property that likely limits its widespread therapeutic use as an isolated agent. In this regard, research focus has recently widened to include other pCBs including cannabidiol (CBD), cannabigerol (CBG), Δ(9)tetrahydrocannabivarin (Δ(9)-THCV) and cannabidivarin (CBDV), some of which show potential as therapeutic agents in preclinical models of CNS disease. Moreover, it is becoming evident that these non-Δ(9)-THC pCBs act at a wide range of pharmacological targets, not solely limited to CB receptors. Disorders that could be targeted include epilepsy, neurodegenerative diseases, affective disorders and the central modulation of feeding behaviour. Here, we review pCB effects in preclinical models of CNS disease and, where available, clinical trial data that support therapeutic effects. Such developments may soon yield the first non-Δ(9)-THC pCB-based medicines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew J Hill
- School of Pharmacy, University of Reading, Whiteknights, Reading, RG6 6UB, United Kingdom
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