Punitha Subramaniam1, Jadwiga Rogowska2, Jennifer DiMuzio2, Melissa Lopez-Larson3, Erin McGlade4, Deborah Yurgelun-Todd5. 1. Diagnostic Neuroimaging, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Interdepartmental Program in Neuroscience, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Department of Psychiatry, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA. Electronic address: punitha.subramaniam@utah.edu. 2. Diagnostic Neuroimaging, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA. 3. Department of Psychiatry, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA. 4. Diagnostic Neuroimaging, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Department of Psychiatry, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Department of Veteran Affairs, Rocky Mountain MIRECC, Salt Lake City, UT, USA. 5. Diagnostic Neuroimaging, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Interdepartmental Program in Neuroscience, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Department of Psychiatry, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Department of Veteran Affairs, Rocky Mountain MIRECC, Salt Lake City, UT, USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Prevalence of marijuana (MJ) use among adolescents has been on the rise. MJ use has been reported to impact several brain regions, including frontal regions such as the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC). The OFC is involved in emotion regulation and processing and has been associated with symptoms of depression and anxiety. Therefore, we hypothesized that adolescent MJ users would show disruptions in OFC connectivity compared with healthy adolescents (HC) which would be associated with symptoms of mood and anxiety. METHODS: 43 MJ-using and 31 HC adolescents completed clinical measures including the Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAM-A) and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D). Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging data was also acquired for all participants. RESULTS: In MJ users, increased depressive symptoms were associated with increased connectivity between the left OFC and left parietal regions. In contrast, lower ratings of anxiety were associated with increased connectivity between right and left OFC and right occipital and temporal regions. These findings indicate significant differences in OFC connectivity in MJ-using adolescents, which correlated with mood/anxiety. LIMITATIONS: Future studies with an increased number of female participants is required to address potential sex differences in connectivity patterns related to symptoms of depression and anxiety. CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights the association between OFC connectivity, MJ use, and symptoms of depression and anxiety in adolescents. These findings provide further insight into understanding the neural correlates that modulate the relationship between comorbid MJ use and mood disorders and could potentially help us better develop preventive and treatment measures.
BACKGROUND: Prevalence of marijuana (MJ) use among adolescents has been on the rise. MJ use has been reported to impact several brain regions, including frontal regions such as the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC). The OFC is involved in emotion regulation and processing and has been associated with symptoms of depression and anxiety. Therefore, we hypothesized that adolescent MJ users would show disruptions in OFC connectivity compared with healthy adolescents (HC) which would be associated with symptoms of mood and anxiety. METHODS: 43 MJ-using and 31 HC adolescents completed clinical measures including the Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAM-A) and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D). Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging data was also acquired for all participants. RESULTS: In MJ users, increased depressive symptoms were associated with increased connectivity between the left OFC and left parietal regions. In contrast, lower ratings of anxiety were associated with increased connectivity between right and left OFC and right occipital and temporal regions. These findings indicate significant differences in OFC connectivity in MJ-using adolescents, which correlated with mood/anxiety. LIMITATIONS: Future studies with an increased number of female participants is required to address potential sex differences in connectivity patterns related to symptoms of depression and anxiety. CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights the association between OFC connectivity, MJ use, and symptoms of depression and anxiety in adolescents. These findings provide further insight into understanding the neural correlates that modulate the relationship between comorbid MJ use and mood disorders and could potentially help us better develop preventive and treatment measures.
Authors: Sarah D Lichenstein; Nick Manco; Lora M Cope; Leslie Egbo; Kathleen A Garrison; Jillian Hardee; Ansel T Hillmer; Kristen Reeder; Elisa F Stern; Patrick Worhunsky; Sarah W Yip Journal: Neuropsychopharmacology Date: 2021-11-27 Impact factor: 8.294
Authors: Danielle S Kroll; Dana E Feldman; Szu-Yung Ariel Wang; Rui Zhang; Peter Manza; Corinde E Wiers; Nora D Volkow; Gene-Jack Wang Journal: J Neurol Sci Date: 2020-08-19 Impact factor: 3.181
Authors: Liangsuo Ma; John M Hettema; Janna Cousijn; James M Bjork; Joel L Steinberg; Lori Keyser-Marcus; Kyle Woisard; QiQi Lu; Roxann Roberson-Nay; Antonio Abbate; F Gerard Moeller Journal: Biol Psychiatry Cogn Neurosci Neuroimaging Date: 2020-10-07