Brenden Tervo-Clemmens1, Daniel Simmonds2, Finnegan J Calabro3, David F Montez4, Julia A Lekht5, Nancy L Day5, Gale A Richardson5, Beatriz Luna6. 1. Department of Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Center for Neural Basis of Cognition, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Electronic address: bct16@pitt.edu. 2. Center for Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 3. Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Department of Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Center for Neural Basis of Cognition, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 4. Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Center for Neural Basis of Cognition, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 5. Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 6. Department of Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Center for Neural Basis of Cognition, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Retrospective neuroimaging studies have suggested an association between early cannabis onset and later neurocognitive impairment. However, these studies have been limited in their ability to distinguish substance use risk factors from cannabis-induced effects on neurocognition. We used a prospective cohort design to test whether neurocognitive differences preceded cannabis onset (substance use risk model) and if early cannabis use was associated with poorer neurocognitive development (cannabis exposure model). METHODS: Participants (N = 85) completed a visuospatial working memory task during functional magnetic resonance imaging and multiple cognitive assessments (Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-IV, Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery) at 12 years of age, before any reported cannabis use (baseline), and at 15 years of age (follow-up: N = 85 cognitive assessments, n = 67 neuroimaging). By follow-up, 22 participants reported using cannabis and/or failed a Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol urine screen (users). RESULTS: At baseline, group differences supported a risk model. Those who would initiate cannabis use by 15 years of age had activation differences in frontoparietal (increased) and visual association (decreased) regions and poorer executive planning scores (Stockings of Cambridge) compared with noninitiators. Limited support was found for a cannabis exposure model. At follow-up, activation in the cuneus displayed a significant cannabis dose-response relationship, although neither cannabis dose nor cuneus activation was associated with cognitive performance. CONCLUSIONS: The purported neurocognitive effects of early cannabis onset may not be due to cannabis initiation alone but also driven by limitations or late development of neurocognitive systems predictive of substance use. In addition, more prolonged cannabis exposure may be required to observe the cognitive effects of early cannabis onset.
BACKGROUND: Retrospective neuroimaging studies have suggested an association between early cannabis onset and later neurocognitive impairment. However, these studies have been limited in their ability to distinguish substance use risk factors from cannabis-induced effects on neurocognition. We used a prospective cohort design to test whether neurocognitive differences preceded cannabis onset (substance use risk model) and if early cannabis use was associated with poorer neurocognitive development (cannabis exposure model). METHODS:Participants (N = 85) completed a visuospatial working memory task during functional magnetic resonance imaging and multiple cognitive assessments (Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-IV, Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery) at 12 years of age, before any reported cannabis use (baseline), and at 15 years of age (follow-up: N = 85 cognitive assessments, n = 67 neuroimaging). By follow-up, 22 participants reported using cannabis and/or failed a Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol urine screen (users). RESULTS: At baseline, group differences supported a risk model. Those who would initiate cannabis use by 15 years of age had activation differences in frontoparietal (increased) and visual association (decreased) regions and poorer executive planning scores (Stockings of Cambridge) compared with noninitiators. Limited support was found for a cannabis exposure model. At follow-up, activation in the cuneus displayed a significant cannabis dose-response relationship, although neither cannabis dose nor cuneus activation was associated with cognitive performance. CONCLUSIONS: The purported neurocognitive effects of early cannabis onset may not be due to cannabis initiation alone but also driven by limitations or late development of neurocognitive systems predictive of substance use. In addition, more prolonged cannabis exposure may be required to observe the cognitive effects of early cannabis onset.
Authors: Jonathan D Schaefer; Nayla R Hamdi; Stephen M Malone; Scott Vrieze; Sylia Wilson; Matt McGue; William G Iacono Journal: Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A Date: 2021-04-06 Impact factor: 11.205
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: Scott Marek; Brenden Tervo-Clemmens; Ashley N Nielsen; Muriah D Wheelock; Ryland L Miller; Timothy O Laumann; Eric Earl; William W Foran; Michaela Cordova; Olivia Doyle; Anders Perrone; Oscar Miranda-Dominguez; Eric Feczko; Darrick Sturgeon; Alice Graham; Robert Hermosillo; Kathy Snider; Anthony Galassi; Bonnie J Nagel; Sarah W Feldstein Ewing; Adam T Eggebrecht; Hugh Garavan; Anders M Dale; Deanna J Greene; Deanna M Barch; Damien A Fair; Beatriz Luna; Nico U F Dosenbach Journal: Dev Cogn Neurosci Date: 2019-09-19 Impact factor: 6.464