1
|
Hurd YL, Manzoni OJ, Pletnikov MV, Lee FS, Bhattacharyya S, Melis M. Cannabis and the Developing Brain: Insights into Its Long-Lasting Effects. J Neurosci 2019; 39:8250-8258. [PMID: 31619494 PMCID: PMC6794936 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1165-19.2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2019] [Revised: 08/10/2019] [Accepted: 08/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The recent shift in sociopolitical debates and growing liberalization of cannabis use across the globe has raised concern regarding its impact on vulnerable populations, such as pregnant women and adolescents. Epidemiological studies have long demonstrated a relationship between developmental cannabis exposure and later mental health symptoms. This relationship is especially strong in people with particular genetic polymorphisms, suggesting that cannabis use interacts with genotype to increase mental health risk. Seminal animal research directly linked prenatal and adolescent exposure to delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, the major psychoactive component of cannabis, with protracted effects on adult neural systems relevant to psychiatric and substance use disorders. In this article, we discuss some recent advances in understanding the long-term molecular, epigenetic, electrophysiological, and behavioral consequences of prenatal, perinatal, and adolescent exposure to cannabis/delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol. Insights are provided from both animal and human studies, including in vivo neuroimaging strategies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yasmin L Hurd
- Department of Psychiatry and Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029,
| | - Olivier J Manzoni
- Aix Marseille University, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Institut de neurobiologie de la méditerranée, 13273 Marseille, France, and Cannalab, Cannabinoids Neuroscience Research International Associated Laboratory, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, 13273 Marseille, France
| | - Mikhail V Pletnikov
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205
| | - Francis S Lee
- Department of Psychiatry, Sackler Institute for Developmental Psychobiology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York 10065
| | - Sagnik Bhattacharyya
- Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London SE5 8AF, United Kingdom, and
| | - Miriam Melis
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Division of Neuroscience and Clinical Pharmacology, University of Cagliari, 09042 Cagliari, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
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.
Collapse
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.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
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.
Collapse
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
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Batalla A, Bhattacharyya S, Yücel M, Fusar-Poli P, Crippa JA, Nogué S, Torrens M, Pujol J, Farré M, Martin-Santos R. Structural and functional imaging studies in chronic cannabis users: a systematic review of adolescent and adult findings. PLoS One 2013; 8:e55821. [PMID: 23390554 PMCID: PMC3563634 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0055821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 267] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2012] [Accepted: 01/02/2013] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The growing concern about cannabis use, the most commonly used illicit drug worldwide, has led to a significant increase in the number of human studies using neuroimaging techniques to determine the effect of cannabis on brain structure and function. We conducted a systematic review to assess the evidence of the impact of chronic cannabis use on brain structure and function in adults and adolescents. Methods Papers published until August 2012 were included from EMBASE, Medline, PubMed and LILACS databases following a comprehensive search strategy and pre-determined set of criteria for article selection. Only neuroimaging studies involving chronic cannabis users with a matched control group were considered. Results One hundred and forty-two studies were identified, of which 43 met the established criteria. Eight studies were in adolescent population. Neuroimaging studies provide evidence of morphological brain alterations in both population groups, particularly in the medial temporal and frontal cortices, as well as the cerebellum. These effects may be related to the amount of cannabis exposure. Functional neuroimaging studies suggest different patterns of resting global and brain activity during the performance of several cognitive tasks both in adolescents and adults, which may indicate compensatory effects in response to chronic cannabis exposure. Limitations However, the results pointed out methodological limitations of the work conducted to date and considerable heterogeneity in the findings. Conclusion Chronic cannabis use may alter brain structure and function in adult and adolescent population. Further studies should consider the use of convergent methodology, prospective large samples involving adolescent to adulthood subjects, and data-sharing initiatives.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Albert Batalla
- Psychiatry, Institute of Neurosciences, Hospital Clínic, IDIBAPS, CIBERSAM, Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Psychiatry and Clinical Psychobiology, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Melbourne Neuropsychiatry Centre, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Sagnik Bhattacharyya
- Department of Psychosis Studies, King’s College London, Institute of Psychiatry, London, United Kingdom
| | - Murat Yücel
- Melbourne Neuropsychiatry Centre, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Paolo Fusar-Poli
- Department of Psychosis Studies, King’s College London, Institute of Psychiatry, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jose Alexandre Crippa
- Neuroscience and Cognitive Behavior Department, University of Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto, Brazil
- National Science and Technology Institute for Translational Medicine (INCT-TM, CNPq), Ribeirao Preto, Brazil
| | - Santiago Nogué
- Clinical Toxicology Unit, Emergency Department, Hospital Clínic, IDIBAPS, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marta Torrens
- Neuroscience Program, Pharmacology Unit and Drug Addiction Unit, IMIM-INAD-Parc de Salut Mar, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Red de Trastornos Adictivos (RETIC), IMIM-INAD-Parc de Salut Mar, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jesús Pujol
- Institut d’Alta Tecnologia-PRBB, CRC Mar, Hospital del Mar, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Magí Farré
- Neuroscience Program, Pharmacology Unit and Drug Addiction Unit, IMIM-INAD-Parc de Salut Mar, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Red de Trastornos Adictivos (RETIC), IMIM-INAD-Parc de Salut Mar, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Rocio Martin-Santos
- Psychiatry, Institute of Neurosciences, Hospital Clínic, IDIBAPS, CIBERSAM, Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Psychiatry and Clinical Psychobiology, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- National Science and Technology Institute for Translational Medicine (INCT-TM, CNPq), Ribeirao Preto, Brazil
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|