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Wade NE, Courtney KE, Wallace AL, Hatz L, Jacobus J. Investigating sex differences and age of onset in emotion regulation, executive functioning, and cannabis use in adolescents and young adults. J Cannabis Res 2024; 6:20. [PMID: 38671541 PMCID: PMC11046960 DOI: 10.1186/s42238-024-00225-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Young adults have historically high levels of cannabis use at a time which coincides with emotional and cognitive development. Age of regular onset of cannabis use and sex at birth are hypothesized to influence the relationship between cannabis use and cognition. Here we investigated past 6-month cannabis use in relation to emotional and executive functioning. We further considered age of onset and sex in subgroup analyses. METHOD Young adults (N = 225; ages 16-22) completed a substance use interview and cognitive battery, including the Emotional Word-Emotional Face Stroop and NIH toolbox executive functioning tasks. Linear regressions examined relationships between past 6-month cannabis use episodes and performance. Subgroup analyses investigated whether age of onset or sex impacted relationships. RESULTS After correcting for multiple comparisons, greater past 6-month cannabis use episodes were related to poorer Emotional Stroop Congruent Accuracy (p = .0004, FDR-p = .002) and List Sorting Working Memory (p = .02, FDR-p = .10) performance. Younger age of regular use onset marginally related to lower Emotional Stroop Congruent Accuracy performance (p = .03, FDR-p = .13). There were no cannabis use by sex interactions on cognition. CONCLUSIONS Consistent with prior findings, results suggest small reductions in cannabis-related performance in processing speed during emotional Stroop and working memory tasks. Age of onset was modestly related to Stroop performance, but not sex. Longitudinal studies which detail patterns of cannabis and other substance use are needed to better assess brain-behavior relationships and other factors (e.g., age of onset of regular use, sex) which could influence cannabis-related impairments in cognitive functioning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natasha E Wade
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, MC 0405, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Kelly E Courtney
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, MC 0405, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Alexander L Wallace
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, MC 0405, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Laura Hatz
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, MC 0405, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Joanna Jacobus
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, MC 0405, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA.
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Kroon E, Toenders YJ, Kuhns LN, Cousijn J, Filbey F. Resting state functional connectivity in dependent cannabis users: The moderating role of cannabis attitudes. Drug Alcohol Depend 2024; 256:111090. [PMID: 38301388 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2024.111090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2023] [Revised: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/03/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The global increase in lenient cannabis policy has been paralleled by reduced harm perception, which has been associated with cannabis use initiation and persistent use. However, it is unclear how cannabis attitudes might affect the brain processes underlying cannabis use. METHODS Resting state functional connectivity (RSFC) within and between the executive control network (ECN), salience network (SN), and default mode network (DMN) was assessed in 110 near-daily cannabis users with cannabis use disorder (CUD) and 79 controls from The Netherlands and Texas, USA. Participants completed a questionnaire assessing the perceived benefits and harms of cannabis use from their personal, friends-family's, and country-state's perspectives and reported on their cannabis use (gram/week), CUD severity, and cannabis-related problems. RESULTS RSFC within the dorsal SN was lower in cannabis users than controls, while no group differences in between-network RSFC were observed. Furthermore, heavier cannabis use was associated with lower dorsal SN RSFC in the cannabis group. Perceived benefits and harms of cannabis - from personal, friends-family's, and country-state's perspectives - moderated associations of cannabis use, CUD severity, and cannabis use-related problems with within-network RSFC of the SN, ECN, and DMN. Personal perceived benefits and country-state perceived harms moderated the association between CUD severity and RSFC between the ventral and dorsal DMN. CONCLUSIONS This study highlights the importance of considering individual differences in the perceived harms and benefits of cannabis use as a factor in the associations between brain functioning and cannabis use, CUD severity, and cannabis use-related problems.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Kroon
- Neuroscience of Addiction Lab, Department of Psychology, Education & Child Studies, Erasmus University Rotterdam, the Netherlands; Department of Psychology, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
| | - Y J Toenders
- Developmental and Educational Psychology, Leiden University, the Netherlands; Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition, Leiden University, the Netherlands; Erasmus School of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Erasmus University Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - L N Kuhns
- Neuroscience of Addiction Lab, Department of Psychology, Education & Child Studies, Erasmus University Rotterdam, the Netherlands; Department of Psychology, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - J Cousijn
- Neuroscience of Addiction Lab, Department of Psychology, Education & Child Studies, Erasmus University Rotterdam, the Netherlands; Department of Psychology, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - F Filbey
- School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas, Dallas, TX, USA
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Feldstein Ewing SW, Karalunas SL, Kenyon EA, Yang M, Hudson KA, Filbey FM. Intersection between social inequality and emotion regulation on emerging adult cannabis use. DRUG AND ALCOHOL DEPENDENCE REPORTS 2022; 3:100050. [PMID: 35694031 PMCID: PMC9187048 DOI: 10.1016/j.dadr.2022.100050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2022] [Revised: 03/07/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
Emerging adulthood (EA; ages 18-25) is characterized by socioemotional and neurodevelopmental challenges. Cannabis is a widely used substance among EAs, and hazardous use may increase risk for sustained use patterns and related health consequences. Research shows differential increases in hazardous use by objective as well as subjective measures of social inequality, with more concerning trajectories for youth with greater experiences of social inequality. Learning how to flexibly monitor and modify emotions in proactive ways (i.e., emotion regulation) is a central developmental task navigated during the EA window. Challenges to and with emotion regulation processes can contribute to the emergence of mental health symptoms during EA, including hazardous cannabis use. In this perspective, we highlight emotion dysregulation and social inequality as two critical factors that interact to either buffer against or exacerbate cannabis use during the EA period, noting critical gaps in the literature that merit additional research. We recommend novel methods and longitudinal designs to help clarify how dynamic cognition-emotion interplay predicts trajectories of negative emotional experiences and cannabis use in EA.
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Thomson H, Labuschagne I, Greenwood LM, Robinson E, Sehl H, Suo C, Lorenzetti V. Is resting-state functional connectivity altered in regular cannabis users? A systematic review of the literature. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2022; 239:1191-1209. [PMID: 34415377 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-021-05938-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2021] [Accepted: 07/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE Regular cannabis use has been associated with brain functional alterations within frontal, temporal, and striatal pathways assessed during various cognitive tasks. Whether such alterations are consistently reported in the absence of overt task performance needs to be elucidated to uncover the core neurobiological mechanisms of regular cannabis use. OBJECTIVES We aim to systematically review findings from studies that examine spontaneous fluctuations of brain function using functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) resting-state functional connectivity (rsFC) in cannabis users versus controls, and the association between rsFC and cannabis use chronicity, mental health symptoms, and cognitive performance. METHODS We conducted a PROSPERO registered systematic review following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines and searched eight databases. RESULTS Twenty-one studies were included for review. Samples comprised 1396 participants aged 16 to 42 years, of which 737 were cannabis users and 659 were controls. Most studies found greater positive rsFC in cannabis users compared to controls between frontal-frontal, fronto-striatal, and fronto-temporal region pairings. The same region pairings were found to be preliminarily associated with varying measures of cannabis exposure. CONCLUSIONS The evidence to date shows that regular cannabis exposure is consistently associated with alteration of spontaneous changes in Blood Oxygenation Level-Dependent signal without any explicit cognitive input or output. These findings have implications for interpreting results from task-based fMRI studies of cannabis users, which may additionally tax overlapping networks. Future longitudinal rsFC fMRI studies are required to determine the clinical relevance of the findings and their link to the chronicity of use, mental health, and cognitive performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah Thomson
- Neuroscience of Addiction and Mental Health Program, Healthy Brain and Mind Research Centre, School of Behavioural and Health Sciences, Faculty of Health, Australian Catholic University, 17 Young Street, Fitzroy, VIC, 3065, Australia
| | - Izelle Labuschagne
- Neuroscience of Addiction and Mental Health Program, Healthy Brain and Mind Research Centre, School of Behavioural and Health Sciences, Faculty of Health, Australian Catholic University, 17 Young Street, Fitzroy, VIC, 3065, Australia
| | - Lisa-Marie Greenwood
- Research School of Psychology, Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia.,The Australian Centre for Cannabinoid Clinical and Research Excellence (ACRE), New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia
| | - Emily Robinson
- Neuroscience of Addiction and Mental Health Program, Healthy Brain and Mind Research Centre, School of Behavioural and Health Sciences, Faculty of Health, Australian Catholic University, 17 Young Street, Fitzroy, VIC, 3065, Australia
| | - Hannah Sehl
- Neuroscience of Addiction and Mental Health Program, Healthy Brain and Mind Research Centre, School of Behavioural and Health Sciences, Faculty of Health, Australian Catholic University, 17 Young Street, Fitzroy, VIC, 3065, Australia
| | - Chao Suo
- BrainPark, Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, School of Psychological Sciences and Monash Biomedical Imaging Facility, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Valentina Lorenzetti
- Neuroscience of Addiction and Mental Health Program, Healthy Brain and Mind Research Centre, School of Behavioural and Health Sciences, Faculty of Health, Australian Catholic University, 17 Young Street, Fitzroy, VIC, 3065, Australia.
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Associations between cannabis use, cannabis use disorder, and mood disorders: longitudinal, genetic, and neurocognitive evidence. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2022; 239:1231-1249. [PMID: 34741634 PMCID: PMC9520129 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-021-06001-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2020] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE Cannabis use among people with mood disorders increased in recent years. While comorbidity between cannabis use, cannabis use disorder (CUD), and mood disorders is high, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. OBJECTIVES We aimed to evaluate (1) the epidemiological evidence for an association between cannabis use, CUD, and mood disorders; (2) prospective longitudinal, genetic, and neurocognitive evidence of underlying mechanisms; and (3) prognosis and treatment options for individuals with CUD and mood disorders. METHODS Narrative review of existing literature is identified through PubMed searches, reviews, and meta-analyses. Evidence was reviewed separately for depression, bipolar disorder, and suicide. RESULTS Current evidence is limited and mixed but suggestive of a bidirectional relationship between cannabis use, CUD, and the onset of depression. The evidence more consistently points to cannabis use preceding onset of bipolar disorder. Shared neurocognitive mechanisms and underlying genetic and environmental risk factors appear to explain part of the association. However, cannabis use itself may also influence the development of mood disorders, while others may initiate cannabis use to self-medicate symptoms. Comorbid cannabis use and CUD are associated with worse prognosis for depression and bipolar disorder including increased suicidal behaviors. Evidence for targeted treatments is limited. CONCLUSIONS The current evidence base is limited by the lack of well-controlled prospective longitudinal studies and clinical studies including comorbid individuals. Future studies in humans examining the causal pathways and potential mechanisms of the association between cannabis use, CUD, and mood disorder comorbidity are crucial for optimizing harm reduction and treatment strategies.
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Chiang YC, Li X, Lee CY, Wu CC, Chang HY, Zhang S. Effects of Social Attachment on Experimental Drug Use From Childhood to Adolescence: An 11-Year Prospective Cohort Study. Front Public Health 2022; 10:818894. [PMID: 35425750 PMCID: PMC9002116 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.818894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2021] [Accepted: 02/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Drug use among adolescents are still crucial issues that endanger their lifetime health. Evidence concerning the interpersonal-related factors influencing youngsters' experimental drug use behavior, especially from longitudinal and school-based prospective cohort studies, is insufficient. We aimed to describe the annual incidence rate and mean annual incidence rate of experimental drug use from childhood to adolescence by education stage, clarify the risk in childhood and examine the longitudinal relationship between social attachment factors and experimental drug use. Materials and Methods The data were derived from the 1st to 11th wave of the longitudinal study. In total, 1,106 respondents aged 19–20-year-old were followed up for 11 years (from 9 to 10-year-old) in Taiwan. A survival analysis was used to analyze the time-invarying/time-dependent effects of social attachment factors on experimental drug use. Results The mean annual incidence rate of experimental drug use from childhood to adolescence was 6.8‰. The incidence increased over time and was the highest in the first year of university (19.3‰). Boys were more likely to use drugs than girls. A low degree of self-perceived likeability in childhood was a risk factor influencing experimental drug use. On average, a low degree of parental supervision and a high degree of family conflict were both influential risk factors. According to the time-dependent models, a high degree of parental supervision, a high degree of family support and a low degree of family conflict in the current year can protect children and adolescents from drug use, whereas a sustained low degree of parental supervision and a high degree of family conflict may promote students' experimental drug use. Conclusion Parents should be informed and educated to avoid family conflict during childhood, maintain consistent supervision of their children's behavior, provide adequate family support, and pay attention to their children's interpersonal relationships in school. Teachers should focus on the social attachment status of their students while considering their attachments to their families and peers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Chen Chiang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Xian Li
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Chun-Yang Lee
- School of International Business, Xiamen University Tan Kah Kee College, Zhangzhou, China
| | - Chi-Chen Wu
- Institute of Population Health Sciences, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan
| | - Hsing-Yi Chang
- Institute of Population Health Sciences, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan
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Sullivan RM, Maple KE, Wallace AL, Thomas AM, Lisdahl KM. Examining Inhibitory Affective Processing Within the Rostral Anterior Cingulate Cortex Among Abstinent Cannabis-Using Adolescents and Young Adults. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:851118. [PMID: 35418882 PMCID: PMC8995473 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.851118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Cannabis use has been associated with deficits in self-regulation, including inhibitory control. Cannabis users have previously exhibited both structural and functional deficits in the rostral anterior cingulate cortex (rACC), a region involved in self-regulation of emotional response and inhibitory control. The present study aimed to examine whether abstinent cannabis users demonstrated abnormal functional activation and connectivity of the bilateral rACC during an emotional inhibitory processing task, and whether gender moderated these relationships. Cannabis-using (N = 34) and non-using (N = 32) participants ages 16-25 underwent at least 2-weeks of monitored substance use abstinence (excluding tobacco) and fMRI scanning while completing a Go/No-go task using fearful and calm emotional faces as non-targets. Multiple linear regression and ANCOVA were used to determine if cannabis group status was related to rACC activation and context-dependent functional connectivity, and whether gender moderated these relationships. Results showed decreased bilateral rACC activation in cannabis users during fearful response inhibition, although groups did not show any context-dependent connectivity differences between the left or right rACC during calm or fearful inhibition. Gender findings revealed that cannabis-using females compared to males did show aberrant connectivity between the right rACC and right cerebellum. These results are consistent with literature demonstrating aberrant structural and functional rACC findings and suggest that chronic cannabis use may disrupt typical rACC development-even after abstinence-potentially conferring risk for later development of mood disorders. Marginal gender-specific connectivity findings bolster continued findings regarding female vulnerability to effects of cannabis on cognition and affect. Findings should be assessed in longitudinal studies to determine causality and timing effects.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Krista M. Lisdahl
- Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI, United States
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8
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Harris JC, Wallace AL, Thomas AM, Wirtz HG, Kaiver CM, Lisdahl KM. Disrupted Resting State Attentional Network Connectivity in Adolescent and Young Adult Cannabis Users following Two-Weeks of Monitored Abstinence. Brain Sci 2022; 12:brainsci12020287. [PMID: 35204050 PMCID: PMC8870263 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci12020287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2021] [Revised: 02/12/2022] [Accepted: 02/13/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Background. Numerous neuropsychological studies have shown that cannabis use during adolescence and young adulthood led to deficits in sustained and selective attention. However, few studies have examined functional connectivity in attentional networks among young cannabis users, nor have characterized relationships with cannabis use patterns following abstinence. Methods. Differences in resting state functional connectivity (RSFC) within the dorsal (DAN) and ventral (VAN) attention networks were examined in 36 adolescent and young adult cannabis users and 39 non-substance using controls following two weeks of monitored abstinence. Observed connectivity differences were then correlated with past-year and lifetime cannabis use, length of abstinence, age of regular use onset, and Cannabis Use Disorder symptoms (CUD). Results. After controlling for alcohol and nicotine use, cannabis users had lower RSFC within the DAN network, specifically between right inferior parietal sulcus and right anterior insula, as well as white matter, relative to controls. This region was associated with more severe cannabis use measures, including increased lifetime cannabis use, shorter length of abstinence, and more severe CUD symptoms. Conclusions. Findings demonstrate that regular cannabis use by adolescents and young adults is associated with subtle differences in resting state connectivity within the DAN, even after two weeks of monitored abstinence. Notably, more severe cannabis use markers (greater lifetime use, CUD symptoms, and shorter abstinence) were linked with this reduced connectivity. Thus, findings support public policy aimed at reducing and delaying cannabis use and treatments to assist with sustained abstinence. Future longitudinal studies are needed to investigate causation.
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Aloi J, McCusker MC, Lew BJ, Schantell M, Eastman JA, Frenzel MR, Wilson TW. Altered amygdala-cortical connectivity in individuals with Cannabis use disorder. J Psychopharmacol 2021; 35:1365-1374. [PMID: 34730052 PMCID: PMC9659472 DOI: 10.1177/02698811211054163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cannabis is one of the most commonly used substances in the United States. Prior literature using task-based functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) has identified that individuals with Cannabis use disorder (CUD) show impairments in emotion processing circuitry. However, whether the functional networks involving these regions are also altered in CUD remains poorly understood. AIMS Investigate changes in resting-state functional connectivity (rsFC) in regions related to emotional processing in CUD. METHODS Sixty-two participants completed resting-state fMRI, including 21 with CUD, 20 with histories of illicit substance use but no current CUD diagnosis, and 21 with no history of illicit substance use. Whole-brain seed-based connectivity analyses were performed and one-way analyses of covariance (ANCOVAs) were conducted to detect group differences in the bilateral amygdalae, hippocampi, and the anterior and posterior cingulate cortices. RESULTS The CUD group exhibited significant reductions in rsFC between the amygdala and the cuneus, paracentral lobule, and supplementary motor area, and between the cingulate cortices and the occipital and temporal lobes. There were no significant group differences in hippocampal functional connectivity. In addition, CUD symptom counts based on the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-5 (SCID) and the Cannabis Use Disorders Identification Test (CUDIT) significantly correlated with multiple connectivity metrics. CONCLUSION These data expand on emerging literature indicating that CUD is associated with dysfunction in the neural circuits underlying emotion processing. Dysfunction in emotion processing circuits may play a role in the behavioral impairments seen in emotion processing tasks in individuals with CUD, and the severity of CUD symptoms appears to be directly related to the degree of dysfunction in these circuits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph Aloi
- Institute for Human Neuroscience, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Omaha, NE,College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE,Department of Psychiatry, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN
| | - Marie C. McCusker
- Institute for Human Neuroscience, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Omaha, NE
| | - Brandon J. Lew
- Institute for Human Neuroscience, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Omaha, NE,College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE
| | - Mikki Schantell
- Institute for Human Neuroscience, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Omaha, NE,College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE
| | - Jacob A. Eastman
- Institute for Human Neuroscience, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Omaha, NE
| | - Michaela R. Frenzel
- Institute for Human Neuroscience, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Omaha, NE
| | - Tony W. Wilson
- Institute for Human Neuroscience, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Omaha, NE,College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE
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Langlois C, Potvin S, Khullar A, Tourjman SV. Down and High: Reflections Regarding Depression and Cannabis. Front Psychiatry 2021; 12:625158. [PMID: 34054594 PMCID: PMC8160288 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.625158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2020] [Accepted: 04/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
In light of the recent changes in the legal status of cannabis in Canada, the understanding of the potential impact of the use of cannabis by individuals suffering from depression is increasingly considered as being important. It is fundamental that we look into the existing literature to examine the influence of cannabis on psychiatric conditions, including mood disorders. In this article, we will explore the relationship that exists between depression and cannabis. We will examine the impact of cannabis on the onset and course of depression, and its treatment. We have undertaken a wide-ranging review of the literature in order to address these questions. The evidence from longitudinal studies suggest that there is a bidirectional relationship between cannabis use and depression, such that cannabis use increases the risk for depression and vice-versa. This risk is possibly higher in heavy users having initiated their consumption in early adolescence. Clinical evidence also suggests that cannabis use is associated with a worse prognosis in individuals with major depressive disorder. The link with suicide remains controversial. Moreover, there is insufficient data to determine the impact of cannabis use on cognition in individuals with major depression disorder. Preliminary evidence suggesting that the endogenous cannabinoid system is involved in the pathophysiology of depression. This will need to be confirmed in future positron emission tomography studies. Randomized controlled trials are needed to investigate the potential efficacy of motivational interviewing and/or cognitive behavioral therapy for the treatment of cannabis use disorder in individuals with major depressive major disorder. Finally, although there is preclinical evidence suggesting that cannabidiol has antidepressant properties, randomized controlled trials will need to properly investigate this possibility in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Stéphane Potvin
- Department of Psychiatry and Addictology, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Research Center of the Institut Universitaire en Santé Mentale de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Atul Khullar
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Smadar Valérie Tourjman
- Department of Psychiatry and Addictology, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Research Center of the Institut Universitaire en Santé Mentale de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, Institut Universitaire en Santé Mentale de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
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Ma L, Hettema JM, Cousijn J, Bjork JM, Steinberg JL, Keyser-Marcus L, Woisard K, Lu Q, Roberson-Nay R, Abbate A, Moeller FG. Resting-State Directional Connectivity and Anxiety and Depression Symptoms in Adult Cannabis Users. BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY: COGNITIVE NEUROSCIENCE AND NEUROIMAGING 2020; 6:545-555. [PMID: 33388293 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpsc.2020.09.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2020] [Revised: 09/26/2020] [Accepted: 09/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Anxiety and depression symptoms are common among cannabis users and could be a risk factor for cannabis use (CU) disorder. Thus, it is critical to understand the neuronal circuits underlying the associations between CU and these symptoms. Alterations in resting-state functional connectivity within and/or between the default mode network and salience network have been reported in CU, anxiety, and depressive disorders and thus could be a mechanism underlying the associations between CU disorder and anxiety/depression symptoms. METHODS Using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging, effective connectivities (ECs) among 9 major nodes from the default mode network and salience network were measured using dynamic causal modeling in 2 datasets: the Human Connectome Project (28 CU participants and 28 matched non-drug-using control participants) and a local CU study (21 CU participants and 21 matched non-drug-using control participants) in separate and parallel analyses. RESULTS Relative to the control participants, right amygdala to left amygdala, anterior cingulate cortex to left amygdala, and medial prefrontal cortex to right insula ECs were greater, and left insula to left amygdala EC was smaller in the CU group. Each of these ECs showed a reliable linear relationship with at least one of the anxiety/depression measures. Most findings on the right amygdala to left amygdala EC were common to both datasets. CONCLUSIONS Right amygdala to left amygdala and anterior cingulate cortex to left amygdala ECs may be related to the close associations between CU and anxiety/depression symptoms. The findings on the medial prefrontal cortex to right insula and left insula to left amygdala ECs may reflect a compensatory mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liangsuo Ma
- Institute for Drug and Alcohol Studies, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia; Department of Radiology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia.
| | - John M Hettema
- Department of Psychiatry, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia; Department of Psychiatry, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, Texas
| | - Janna Cousijn
- Neuroscience of Addiction lab, Department of Psychology, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - James M Bjork
- Institute for Drug and Alcohol Studies, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia; Department of Psychiatry, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
| | - Joel L Steinberg
- Institute for Drug and Alcohol Studies, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia; Department of Psychiatry, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
| | - Lori Keyser-Marcus
- Institute for Drug and Alcohol Studies, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia; Department of Psychiatry, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
| | - Kyle Woisard
- Institute for Drug and Alcohol Studies, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
| | - QiQi Lu
- Department of Statistical Sciences and Operations Research, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
| | - Roxann Roberson-Nay
- Department of Psychiatry, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
| | - Antonio Abbate
- Department of Internal Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
| | - F Gerard Moeller
- Institute for Drug and Alcohol Studies, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia; Department of Psychiatry, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia; Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia; Department of Neurology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
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12
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Subramaniam P, Yurgelun-Todd D. Neural and behavioral correlates associated with adolescent marijuana use. CURRENT ADDICTION REPORTS 2020; 7:475-485. [PMID: 33777643 DOI: 10.1007/s40429-020-00335-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Purpose of Review Marijuana (MJ) is one of the most commonly used drugs among adolescents. Exposure to MJ during adolescence can lead to alterations in brain development, and, subsequently to the behavioral correlates regulated by the affected brain regions. In this review, we discuss findings from preclinical and human studies examining the relationship between adolescent MJ use and the neurobiological and behavioral correlates associated with it. Recent Findings Current findings indicate that adolescent MJ use is associated with alterations in brain structure and function, especially in regions that express high levels of the cannabinoid 1 receptor such as the prefrontal cortex, hippocampus, cerebellum and limbic regions. These alterations are correlated with changes in affective, cognitive and reward-seeking behavior. Furthermore, evidence suggests that exposure to MJ during adolescence can have long-lasting and pronounced neural and behavioral effects into adulthood. Summary The wide ranging neural and behavioral correlates associated with MJ use during adolescence highlight the need for further studies to better understand the potential risk factors and/or neurotoxic effects of adolescent MJ use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Punitha Subramaniam
- Interdepartmental Program in Neuroscience, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA.,Diagnostic Neuroimaging Lab, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT USA.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT
| | - Deborah Yurgelun-Todd
- Interdepartmental Program in Neuroscience, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA.,Diagnostic Neuroimaging Lab, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT USA.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT.,VISN 19 Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center (MIRECC), Salt Lake City VA Health Care System, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
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