Cannabis use and genes of endocannabinoid system: their role in psychotic symptoms and cognition in first-episode psychosis.
Maitane Oscoz-Irurozqui, Maria Guardiola-Ripoll, Carmen Almodóvar-Payá, Salvador Sarró, Amalia Guerrero‐Pedraza, Edith Pomarol‐Clotet, Mar Fatjó‐Vilas
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Observational cohort |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 43 |
| Population | Caucasian individuals with a first episode of psychosis |
| Measures | PANSS, GAF, WAIS, WMS, BADS |
| Topics | Cannabis |
| Key findings | Cannabis use was associated with better manipulative abilities and executive function, while CNR1-T allele carriers showed higher disorganized and negative syndrome scores. An interaction between CNR1 and cannabis use was observed for negative syndrome scores. The authors suggest both cannabis use and endocannabinoid genetic variability influence cognitive and psychopathological outcomes in first-episode psychosis. |
Abstract
Objectives. To evaluate the association of cannabis use, genes of the endocannabinoid system and their interaction on clinical symptoms and cognitive performance in patients with a first-episode of pyschosis. Background. The role of both cannabis use and individual genetic background has been shown in the risk for psychosis. However, the influence of cannabis and variability at endocannabinoid genes on the psychosis outcome still remains inconclusive. Materials and Methods. The sample comprised 43 Caucasian individuals with a first-episode of psychosis (mean age(sd)=25.80(6.39) years, 76.7% males, 51.2% cannabis users).There were no differences in age and sex between cannabis users and non-users. Genetic variability was assessed by genotyping one Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) in each gene (CNR1-rs1049353 and CNR2-rs2501431). Clinical (PANSS, GAF) and neuropsychological (WAIS, WMS, BADS) scales were administered. Results and conclusions. Genotypic frequencies did not differ between cannabis users and non-users. Cannabis use was associated with better manipulative abilities (IQ-M-WAIS, p=0.029) and better executive function (BADS, p=0.036). CNR1-T allele carriers presented higher disorganized and negative syndrome scores (p=0.001 and p=0.044, respectively). The interaction models evidenced a combined effect of CNR1 and cannabis use on the negative syndrome-PANSS (p=0.037). These results suggest the role of cannabis use and genetic background on cognitive and psychopathological outcomes in first-episode psychosis. However, evidence is still scant, and further investigation in larger samples is needed.
Comparable studies
Other observational and cohort studies on cannabis, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| High-potency cannabis and the risk of psychosis People with first episode of psychosis and healthy controls from the local population | 2009 | Case-control study | n = 454 |
| Ayahuasca-Assisted Therapy for Addiction: Results from a Preliminary Observational Study in Canada Rural aboriginal population | 2013 | Observational study | |
| Impaired cognitive performance in drug free users of recreational ecstasy (MDMA) Otherwise healthy young people | 2000 | Observational | |
| Continued cannabis use and risk of incidence and persistence of psychotic symptoms: 10 year follow-up cohort study Individuals from the general population in Germany aged 14-24 at baseline | 2011 | Observational cohort | n = 1,923 |
| Cannabis-induced psychosis and subsequent schizophrenia-spectrum disorders: follow-up study of 535 incident cases Patients treated for cannabis-induced psychotic symptoms in Denmark between 1994 and... | 2005 | Observational cohort | n = 535 |