2 research outputs found
Neuropsychological performance in young adults with cannabis use disorder.
Funder: NIHR MedTechFunder: in vitro diagnostic Co-operativeFunder: nihr cambridge biomedical research centreFunder: Wallitt Foundation and Eton CollegeFunder: Wellcome Trust Collaborative AwardBACKGROUND AND AIMS: Cannabis is a commonly used recreational drug in young adults. The worldwide prevalence in 18- to 25-year-olds is approximately 35%. Significant differences in cognitive performance have been reported previously for groups of cannabis users. However, the groups are often heterogeneous in terms of cannabis use. Here, we study daily cannabis users with a confirmed diagnosis of cannabis use disorder (CUD) to examine cognitive performance on measures of memory, executive function and risky decision-making. METHODS: Forty young adult daily cannabis users with diagnosed CUD and 20 healthy controls matched for sex and premorbid intelligence quotient (IQ) were included. The neuropsychological battery implemented was designed to measure multiple modes of memory (visual, episodic and working memory), risky decision-making and other domains of executive function using subtests from the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB). RESULTS: Our results showed that young adult daily cannabis users with CUD perform significantly poorer on tasks of visual and episodic memory compared with healthy controls. In addition, executive functioning was associated with the age of onset. CONCLUSIONS: Further research is required to determine whether worse performance in cognition results in cannabis use or is a consequence of cannabis use. Chronic heavy cannabis use during a critical period of brain development may have a particularly negative impact on cognition. Research into the persistence of cognitive differences and how they relate to functional outcomes such as academic/career performance is required
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The Effects of Cannabis Use on Cognitive Functioning in Adolescents and Young Adults
Abstract
Effects of Cannabis Use on Cognitive Functioning in Adolescents and Young Adults
Ayla Selamoglu
Cannabis use amongst adolescents and young adults is becoming ubiquitous. Access to cannabis is at a steady increase with rates of use now exceeding cigarettes and drawing nearer towards rates of alcohol use. With rapidly changing laws worldwide legalising the use of cannabis for medical or recreational purposes, there has been an overall decrease in the perceived harm of cannabis use. However, scientific evidence suggests that the developing brain is most vulnerable during the period of adolescence and young adulthood where it undergoes profound dynamic structural, neurochemical, and white matter changes. As such, this period may be a unique window during which cannabis exerts its heaviest impact on neurocognitive functioning. This has become a major public health concern, as cannabis use among adolescents and young adults is likely to increase with further legalisation and subsequent increased availability. The studies in this thesis aims to assess the domains and severity of cognitive impairments associated with cannabis dependency use in a population of adolescents and young adults, and explore the potential use of an existing pharmacological agent to treat cognitive impairments. While these studies cover a wide range of cognitive domains, the tests administered are predominantly non-verbal. Chapter 1 provides a review of adolescent neurodevelopment which continues into young adulthood until approximately the age of 25. It discusses the psychopharmacology of cannabis from a biological basis, its pharmacokinetics, and the primary endocannabinoid receptors. The levels of potency for varying types of cannabis, as well as the acute, residual and persistent effects of use are reviewed. Cognition, intelligence quotient (IQ), gender differences, socioeconomic status (SES), cognitive rehabilitation, and prevention and intervention methods are also discussed. Chapter 2 explains cannabis use in the context of neuroethics by analysing the issues surrounding use in adolescents, the legalisation debate for recreational and medical use, its impact on neurodevelopment and functioning, academic attainment, as well as psychiatric conditions and general wellbeing. It further assesses the motivations for cannabis use, SES, and the global burden of disease (GBD). Chapter 3 tests cognitive impairments in young adults with Cannabis Use Disorder (CUD) compared to controls by implementing reliable measures from the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB). Cannabis use and dependency during young adulthood revealed cognitive impairments in risky behaviour and memory. Chapter 4 evaluates a novel treatment for CUD by exploring the effects of the drug gabapentin vs. placebo for reducing cannabis related impairments in executive and daily functioning. Cognitive functioning was assessed with CANTAB and found no noticeable differences between gabapentin vs. placebo in cannabis related executive functioning and learning and memory. In the Discussion section, it was concluded that cannabis dependency is associated with cognitive impairments. There was no effect of gabapentin treatment and therefore, there is a need for effective treatments to be developed for cannabis dependency. Future studies with longitudinal design will help to clarify whether these cognitive impairments are pre-existing or follow a diagnosis of cannabis dependency. Prospective studies could also clarify whether people with cannabis dependency are particularly vulnerable to cognitive impairments when cannabis use begins in adolescence or young adulthood.Department of Psychiatr