Prospective Memory and Future Event Simulation in Frequent Cannabis Users

Background. Frequent cannabis users have been found to show impaired memory for past events, but it is not clear whether they are also impaired in prospective memory for future events. Aims. To objectively assess prospective memory (PM) in frequent cannabis users (one group dependent on cannabis, and one group non-dependent) compared to non-using controls, and to examine the effects of future event simulation (FES) on PM performance. To explore depression, anxiety and ‘schizotypy’ across groups. Design. An independent groups design. Setting. University College London. Participants. Fifty-four participants (18 dependent cannabis users, 18 non-dependent cannabis users and 18 controls) took part and were matched on age, gender, and highest level of education. Measures. The Virtual Week was used to assess PM abilities, with and without FES. Other measures: Cannabis Use Potency Questionnaire (CPU-Q), immediate and delayed prose recall, phonemic and category fluency, Spot-the-Word, Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), and a measure of schizotypy (O-LIFE: Unusual Experiences). Results. There were no group differences in PM performance on the Virtual Week, and FES did not improve PM performance. Dependent cannabis users scored higher on depression, anxiety and schizotypy than both other groups (non-dependent cannabis users and controls, who scored similarly). Conclusions. When carefully matched on baseline variables, cannabis users do not differ from non-using controls on PM. Suggestions for future research are discussed

Psychological interventions for adults with bipolar disorder: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background Psychological interventions may be beneficial for bipolar disorder. Aims Efficacy evaluation of psychological interventions for adults with bipolar disorder. Methods A systematic review of randomised controlled trials.. Outcomes were meta-analysed using RevMan and confidence assessed using the GRADE-method. Results We included 55 trials with 6010 participants. Moderate quality evidence associated individual psychological interventions with reduced relapses at post-treatment and follow-up, and collaborative care with a reduction in hospitalisations. . Low quality evidence associated group interventions with fewer depression relapses at post-treatment and follow-up, and family psycho-education with reduced symptoms of depression and mania at post-treatment. Conclusions There is evidence that psychological interventions are effective for people with bipolar disorder. Limits were the very low quality of much of the evidence and therefore inconclusive. Further research should identify the most (cost)-effective interventions for each phase of this disorder

Non-dependent and dependent daily cannabis users differ in mental health but not prospective memory ability

Research suggests that daily cannabis users have impaired memory for past events, but it is not clear whether they are also impaired in prospective memory (PM) for future events. The present study examined PM in daily cannabis users who were either dependent (n = 18) or non-dependent (n = 18), and compared them with non-using controls (n = 18). The effect of future event simulation (FES) on PM performance was also examined. Participants were matched across groups on age, gender, and highest level of education. The virtual week (VW) was used to objectively assess PM abilities, both at baseline and following FES. Other measures used were: cannabis use variables, immediate and delayed prose recall, phonemic and category fluency, spot-the-word test (premorbid intelligence), Beck Depression Inventory, Beck Anxiety Inventory, and a measure of schizotypy (Oxford-Liverpool Inventory of Feelings and Experiences: unusual experiences subscale). No group differences were found in PM performance on the VW, and FES did not improve PM performance in any group. Dependent cannabis users scored higher on depression, anxiety, and schizotypy than both other groups with non-dependent cannabis users scoring at a similar level to controls. There were no group differences in alcohol use. Findings suggest that when carefully matched on baseline variables, and not differing in premorbid IQ or alcohol use, young, near-daily cannabis users do not differ from non-using controls in PM performance