A Review of Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy Studies in Marijuana using Adolescents and Adults.
Jennifer T Sneider, Yasmin Mashhoon, Marisa M Silveri
Journal of Addiction Research & Therapy April 24, 2013 DOI: 10.4172/2155-6105.s4-010 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Systematic review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Adolescents and adults who use marijuana, as studied in the eight existing MRS studies |
| Topics | Cannabis |
| Keywords | Adolescence Adulthood Magnetic resonance spectroscopy Neurochemistry |
| Key findings | The authors argue that there is a relative paucity of MRS studies characterizing neurometabolite changes in marijuana users, with only eight existing studies in adolescents and adults. They contend that future research addressing sex differences, onset and duration of use, abstinence, and age is warranted to more thoroughly characterize the neurochemical correlates of chronic marijuana use. |
Abstract
Marijuana (MJ) remains the most widely used illicit drug of abuse, and accordingly, is associated with adverse effects on mental and physical health, and neurocognitive decline. Studies investigating the neurobiology of underlying MJ effects have demonstrated structural and functional alterations in brain areas that contain moderate to high concentrations of cannabinoid (CB1) receptors and that are implicated in MJ-related cognitive decrements. Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H MRS), a non-invasive imaging technique used to assess neurochemistry, has been widely applied to probe a variety of substance-abusing populations. To date, however, there is a relative paucity of MRS published studies characterizing changes in neurometabolite concentrations in MJ users. Thus, the current review provides a summary of data from the eight existing MRS studies of MJ use in adolescents and adults, as well as interpretations and implications of study findings. Future MRS studies that address additional factors such as sex differences, onset and duration of use, abstinence and age, are warranted, and would lead to a more thorough characterization of potential neurochemical correlates of chronic MJ use, which would fill critical gaps in the existing literature.
Comparable studies
Other systematic reviews and meta-analyses on cannabis, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Effects of cannabis use on outcomes of psychotic disorders: systematic review People with psychotic disorders, as examined in 13 longitudinal studies | 2008 | Systematic review | |
| The Impact of Cannabis Use on Cognitive Functioning in Patients With Schizophrenia: A Meta-analysis of Existing Findings and New Data in a First-Episode Sample Patients with established schizophrenia (meta-analysis: 572) and patients with... | 2010 | Meta-analysis and cross-sectional observational study | n = 700 |
| Medicinal cannabis for psychiatric disorders: a clinically-focused systematic review | 2020 | Systematic review | |
| Neuroimaging in cannabis use: a systematic review of the literature Cannabis users and controls in neuroimaging studies | 2009 | Systematic review | |
| Human Laboratory Studies on Cannabinoids and Psychosis. Healthy human subjects and individuals with schizophrenia | 2016 | Systematic review |
Citations in the library
Cited by 9
- Reduced responsiveness of the reward system is associated with tolerance to cannabis impairment in chronic users Addiction Biology December 22, 2019
- Unraveling the Intoxicating and Therapeutic Effects of Cannabis Ingredients on Psychosis and Cognition Frontiers in Psychology May 14, 2020
- Impact of cannabis use on brain metabolism using 31P and 1H magnetic resonance spectroscopy Neuroradiology September 22, 2023
- Reduced responsiveness of the reward system underlies tolerance to cannabis impairment in chronic users bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory) July 19, 2019
- The good, the bad, and the intoxicated 2021
and 4 more in the library
Cites 13
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- Neurochemical alterations in adolescent chronic marijuana smokers: a proton MRS study. Neuroimage July 1, 2011
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- Why so impulsive? White matter alterations are associated with impulsivity in chronic marijuana smokers. Experimental and Clinical Psychopharmacology June 2011
- An evidence based review of acute and long-term effects of cannabis use on executive cognitive functions. Journal of Addiction Medicine March 2011
and 8 more in the library