Different Effects of Cannabis Abuse on Adolescent and Adult Brain.
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Cannabis |
| Keywords | Drug abuse Endocannabinoids |
| Key findings | Argues that THC's partial agonism at CB1 and CB2 receptors, and its reported reduction of neuronal growth factor and disruption of synapse-related signaling, may make the adolescent brain more vulnerable than the adult brain. Reports that structural changes, including grey matter loss in certain brain areas, have been observed in adolescent cannabis users, and that studies indicate early THC abuse can result in neuropsychological deficits. |
Abstract
Cannabis abuse is a common phenomenon among adolescents. The dominant psychoactive substance in Cannabis sativa is tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). However, in the past 40 years the content of the psychoactive ingredient THC in most of the preparations is not constant but has increased due to other breeding and culturing conditions. THC acts as the endocannabinoids at CB1 and CB2 receptors but pharmacologically can be described as a partial (not a pure) agonist. Recent evidence shows that activation of the CB1 receptor by THC can diminish the production of neuronal growth factor in neurons and affect other signalling cascades involved in synapsis formation. Since these factors play an important role in the brain development and in the neuronal conversion processes during puberty, it seems reasonable that THC can affect the adolescent brain in another manner than the adult brain. Accordingly, in adolescent cannabis users structural changes were observed with loss of grey matter in certain brain areas. Moreover, recent studies show different effects of THC on adolescent and adult brains and on behaviour. These studies indicate that early THC abuse can result in neuropsychological deficits. This review gives an overview over the present knowledge in this field.