Impact of cannabis use on brain metabolism using 31P and 1H magnetic resonance spectroscopy
M. Fenzl, Martin Backens, Silviu Bodea, Miriam Wittemann, Florian Werler, Jule Brielmaier, Robert Christian Wolf, Wolfgang Reith
Neuroradiology September 22, 2023 DOI: 10.1007/s00234-023-03220-y (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Prospective cross-sectional study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 92 |
| Population | Young cannabis users aged 18-30 who had used cannabis regularly for at least 2 years, plus age-matched controls |
| Duration | Cannabis use for at least 2 years |
| Topics | Cannabis |
| Citations | 4 |
| Key findings | Cannabis users showed an overall but not statistically significant lower concentration of several proton and phosphorus metabolites compared with non-users. Energy-related phosphates such as adenosine triphosphate and inorganic phosphate were reduced in all regions examined, and phosphocreatine was lower mainly in the left basal ganglia and left frontal white matter. The authors suggest this pattern could reflect impaired brain energy metabolism underlying the increased risk of functional brain disorders in long-term cannabis users, but contend this needs verification in future studies. |
Abstract
Purpose: This prospective cross-sectional study investigated the influence of regular cannabis use on brain metabolism in young cannabis users by using combined proton and phosphorus magnetic resonance spectroscopy.
Methods: The study was performed in 45 young cannabis users aged 18-30, who had been using cannabis on a regular basis over a period of at least 2 years and in 47 age-matched controls. We acquired 31P MRS data in different brain regions at 3T with a double-resonant 1H/31P head coil, anatomic images, and 1H MRS data with a standard 20-channel 1H head coil. Absolute concentration values of proton metabolites were obtained via calibration from tissue water as an internal reference, whereas a standard solution of 75 mmol/l KH2PO4 was used as an external reference for the calibration of phosphorus signals.
Results: We found an overall but not statistically significant lower concentration level of several proton and phosphorus metabolites in cannabis users compared to non-users. In particular, energy-related phosphates such as adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and inorganic phosphate (Pi) were reduced in all regions under investigation. Phosphocreatine (PCr) showed lowered values mainly in the left basal ganglia and the left frontal white matter.
Conclusion: The results suggest that the increased risk of functional brain disorders observed in long-term cannabis users could be caused by an impairment of the energy metabolism of the brain, but this needs to be verified in future studies.
Comparable studies
Other cross-sectional and survey studies on cannabis, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cannabis use before age 15 and subsequent executive functioning 104 chronic cannabis users (49 early-onset before age 15, 55 late-onset after age 15)... | 2011 | Observational cross-sectional study | n = 148 |
| Patterns of simultaneous polysubstance use in drug using university students Drug-using university students | 2006 | Cross-sectional survey | n = 149 |
| Persisting Reductions in Cannabis, Opioid, and Stimulant Misuse After Naturalistic Psychedelic Use: An Online Survey Online survey respondents | 2020 | Cross-sectional survey | |
| User perceptions of the benefits and harms of hallucinogenic drug use: A web-based questionnaire study Users of hallucinogenic drugs who completed a web-based questionnaire | 2010 | Cross-sectional survey | n = 600 |
| Illicit Use of LSD or Psilocybin, but not MDMA or Nonpsychedelic Drugs, is Associated with Mystical Experiences in a Dose-Dependent Manner Adults recruited from the MAPS website and newsletter, most reporting use of various... | 2012 | Cross-sectional survey | n = 337 |
Citations in the library
Cites 13
- Evidence That Cannabis Exposure, Abuse, and Dependence Are Related to Glutamate Metabolism and Glial Function in the Anterior Cingulate Cortex: A 1H-Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy Study Frontiers in Psychiatry August 20, 2020
- A systematic review of neuroimaging and acute cannabis exposure in age-of-risk for psychosis Translational Psychiatry April 13, 2021
- Cognition and Cortical Thickness in Heavy Cannabis Users European Addiction Research October 20, 2020
- A Review of Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy Studies in Marijuana using Adolescents and Adults. Journal of Addiction Research & Therapy April 24, 2013
- Neurochemical alterations in adolescent chronic marijuana smokers: a proton MRS study. Neuroimage July 1, 2011
and 8 more in the library