Longer chronic cannabis use in humans is associated with impaired implicit motor learning and supranormal resting state cortical activity

Chronic cannabis use is linked to cognitive impairment, but its effect on implicit motor learning—the unconscious acquisition of movement sequences—was unclear. In a study of 30 regular cannabis users and 32 non-users, implicit motor learning occurred in both groups, but longer cannabis use was associated with a smaller learning index and increased beta and gamma EEG activity during rest. Cannabis users also showed reduced visuospatial short-term and working memory on the Corsi block-tapping test. The authors suggest chronic cannabis use may disrupt corticostriatal pathways, impairing implicit motor learning through increased cortical noise.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Abstract Chronic cannabis use is associated with cognitive impairment, but its impact on implicit motor learning is unclear. Implicit learning of movement sequences (i.e., their specific ordinal and temporal structure) is vital for performing complex motor behavior and lays the foundation for performing daily activities and interacting socially. We collected data from 30 individuals who used cannabis regularly and 32 individuals who did not use cannabis. We utilized the serial reaction time task to assess implicit motor sequence learning and the Corsi block-tapping test to assess visuospatial short-term and working memory. We also recorded resting state electroencephalography (EEG). While implicit motor learning was evident at the group level, longer cannabis use was associated with a smaller index of motor learning and increased activity in beta and gamma EEG frequencies during resting state. The cannabis group also had a significantly shorter Corsi span (in both forward and backward conditions). These findings indicate that longer chronic cannabis use is associated with impaired implicit motor learning that may be a function of increased resting state neural oscillatory activity, resulting in increased cortical noise, and reduced visuospatial short-term and working memory. These findings suggest that chronic cannabis use may disrupt corticostriatal pathways that underlie implicit motor sequence learning, indicating a more extensive effect of cannabis on the motor system.