Preliminary findings demonstrating latent effects of early adolescent marijuana use onset on cortical architecture.
Francesca Filbey, Tim McQueeny, Samuel J DeWitt, Virendra Mishra
Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience December 2015 DOI: 10.1016/j.dcn.2015.10.001 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Cross-sectional observational study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 42 |
| Population | Adolescent marijuana users |
| Measures | cortical thickness, gray/white matter border contrast (GWR), local gyrification index (LGI) |
| Topics | Cannabis |
| Keywords | Adolescence Cortical thickness Freesurfer Gyrification Morphology |
| Key findings | Among early-onset marijuana users (before age 16), more years of use and greater current consumption were associated with thicker cortex, increased gray/white matter border contrast, and decreased local gyrification in the anterior dorsolateral frontal cortex, while late-onset users showed the opposite pattern. The authors suggest these divergent associations are consistent with disruptions in brain maturation, particularly pruning. |
Abstract
As the most commonly used illicit substance during early adolescence, long-term or latent effects of early adolescent marijuana use across adolescent developmental processes remain to be determined. We examined cortical thickness, gray/white matter border contrast (GWR) and local gyrification index (LGI) in 42 marijuana (MJ) users. Voxelwise regressions assessed early-onset (age <16) vs. late-onset (≥16 years-old) differences and relationships to continued use while controlling for current age and alcohol use. Although groups did not differ by onset status, groups diverged in their correlations between cannabis use and cortical architecture. Among early-onset users, continued years of MJ use and current MJ consumption were associated with thicker cortex, increased GWR and decreased LGI. Late-onset users exhibited the opposite pattern. This divergence was observed in all three morphological measures in the anterior dorsolateral frontal cortex (p<.05, FWE-corrected). Divergent patterns between current MJ use and elements of cortical architecture were associated with early MJ use onset. Considering brain development in early adolescence, findings are consistent with disruptions in pruning. However, divergence with continued use for many years thereafter suggests altered trajectories of brain maturation during late adolescence and beyond.
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 6
- Cognition and Cortical Thickness in Heavy Cannabis Users European Addiction Research October 20, 2020
- Adolescent exposure to Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol alters the transcriptional trajectory and dendritic architecture of prefrontal pyramidal neurons. Molecular Psychiatry April 2019
- Marijuana Matters: Reviewing the Impact of Marijuana on Cognition, Brain Structure and Function, & Exploring Policy Implications and Barriers to Research International Review of Psychiatry May 4, 2018
- Associations between Adolescent Cannabis Use and Brain Structure in Psychosis Psychiatry Research Neuroimaging March 28, 2018
- Evidence for the Risks and Consequences of Adolescent Cannabis Exposure. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry March 2017
and 1 more in the library
Cites 8
- The impact of initiation: Early onset marijuana smokers demonstrate altered Stroop performance and brain activation. Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience December 2015
- Long-term effects of marijuana use on the brain. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences November 25, 2014
- Effects of cannabis on the adolescent brain. Current Pharmaceutical Design 2014
- Association of Cannabis Use during Adolescence, Prefrontal CB1 Receptor Signaling, and Schizophrenia. Frontiers in Pharmacology 2012
- Altered prefrontal and insular cortical thickness in adolescent marijuana users. Behavioural Brain Research June 20, 2011
and 3 more in the library