Aberrant structural-functional coupling in adult cannabis users.
Dae-Jin Kim, Ashley M. Schnakenberg Martin, Yong-Wook Shin, Hang Joon Jo, Hu Cheng, Sharlene D. Newman, Olaf Sporns, William P Hetrick, Eli Calkins, Brian F O'Donnell
Human Brain Mapping January 2019 DOI: 10.1002/hbm.24369 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Observational cross-sectional study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 68 |
| Population | 37 current cannabis users and 31 healthy non-users |
| Topics | Cannabis |
| Keywords | Connectome Functional connectivity Structural connectivity Structural-functional coupling |
| Key findings | Current cannabis users showed globally preserved structural-functional connectivity coupling, but the association between this coupling and network topological characteristics was disrupted, most for shorter connections. Rich-club analysis revealed impaired coupling in the hippocampus and caudate, regions with high CB1 receptor density, which the authors suggest may relate to learning and habit formation changes in chronic use. |
Abstract
Cellular studies indicate that endocannabinoid type-1 retrograde signaling plays a major role in synaptic plasticity. Disruption of these processes by delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) could produce alterations either in structural and functional brain connectivity or in their association in cannabis (CB) users. Graph theoretic structural and functional networks were generated with diffusion tensor imaging and resting-state functional imaging in 37 current CB users and 31 healthy non-users. The primary outcome measures were coupling between structural and functional connectivity, global network characteristics, association between the coupling and network properties, and measures of rich-club organization. Structural-functional (SC-FC) coupling was globally preserved showing a positive association in current CB users. However, the users had disrupted associations between SC-FC coupling and network topological characteristics, most perturbed for shorter connections implying region-specific disruption by CB use. Rich-club analysis revealed impaired SC-FC coupling in the hippocampus and caudate of users. This study provides evidence of the abnormal SC-FC association in CB users. The effect was predominant in shorter connections of the brain network, suggesting that the impact of CB use or predispositional factors may be most apparent in local interconnections. Notably, the hippocampus and caudate specifically showed aberrant structural and functional coupling. These structures have high CB1 receptor density and may also be associated with changes in learning and habit formation that occur with chronic cannabis use.
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
Cited by 7
- The intersectionality of cannabis use and depression symptoms on functional brain topology in adults. Drug and Alcohol Dependence April 1, 2026
- Chronic cannabis use is associated with alterations in resting-state cerebellar-cortical connectivity. Psychopharmacology December 12, 2025
- Chronic cannabis use associated with subcortical topological reorganization of structural connectivity in adults. Drug and Alcohol Dependence September 1, 2024
- Daily Cannabidiol Administration for 10 Weeks Modulates Hippocampal and Amygdalar Resting-State Functional Connectivity in Cannabis Users: A Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Open-Label Clinical Trial Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research July 26, 2023
- Altered brain structural and functional connectivity in cannabis users Scientific Reports April 10, 2023
and 2 more in the library
Cites 12
- Resting-State Functional Connectivity Reflects Structural Connectivity in the Default Mode Network Cerebral Cortex April 9, 2008
- Development of functional and structural connectivity within the default mode network in young children Neuroimage April 11, 2010
- Attenuated frontal and sensory inputs to the basal ganglia in cannabis users Addiction Biology March 3, 2016
- Altered orbitofrontal activity and dorsal striatal connectivity during emotion processing in dependent marijuana users after 28 days of abstinence. Psychopharmacology March 2018
- Shared Predisposition in the Association Between Cannabis Use and Subcortical Brain Structure. JAMA Psychiatry October 2015
and 7 more in the library