Abnormal brain activity in prefrontal brain regions in abstinent marijuana users.
Dana A Eldreth, John A Matochik, Jean L Cadet, Karen I Bolla
Neuroimage November 2004 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2004.07.032 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Observational case-control study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 22 |
| Population | 25-day abstinent heavy marijuana users (n = 11) and a matched comparison group (n = 11) |
| Duration | 25-day abstinence |
| Measures | modified version of the Stroop task, PET (15)O brain activity |
| Topics | Cannabis |
| Key findings | Abstinent heavy marijuana users showed no performance deficits on a modified Stroop task, but had hypoactivity in the left perigenual anterior cingulate cortex and left lateral prefrontal cortex and hyperactivity in the hippocampus bilaterally. The authors suggest users may recruit an alternative neural network as compensation, and that such differences may be a common denominator in maladaptive behaviors. |
Abstract
We used PET (15)O and a modified version of the Stroop task to determine if 25-day abstinent heavy marijuana (MJ) users have persistent deficits in executive cognitive functioning (ECF) and brain activity. Performance on a modified version of the Stroop task and brain activity was compared between 25-day abstinent, heavy marijuana users (n = 11), and a matched comparison group (n = 11). The 25-day abstinent marijuana users showed no deficits in performance on the modified version of the Stroop task when compared to the comparison group. Despite the lack of performance differences, the marijuana users showed hypoactivity in the left perigenual anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and the left lateral prefrontal cortex (LPFC) and hyperactivity in the hippocampus bilaterally, when compared to the comparison group. These results suggest that marijuana users display persistent metabolic alterations in brain regions responsible for ECF. It may be that marijuana users recruit an alternative neural network as a compensatory mechanism during performance on a modified version of the Stroop task. These differences in brain activity may be a common denominator in the evolution of maladaptive behaviors such as substance abuse and other neuropsychiatric disorders.
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 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 47
- Modulation of Mediotemporal and Ventrostriatal Function in Humans by Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol Archives of General Psychiatry April 1, 2009
- The neuropsychopharmacology of cannabis: A review of human imaging studies Pharmacology & Therapeutics October 20, 2018
- Neuroimaging in cannabis use: a systematic review of the literature Psychological Medicine July 23, 2009
- Tolerance and cross-tolerance to neurocognitive effects of THC and alcohol in heavy cannabis users Psychopharmacology October 30, 2010
- Effects of Cannabis on Impulsivity: A Systematic Review of Neuroimaging Findings Current Pharmaceutical Design May 10, 2014
and 42 more in the library
Cites 4
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- Effects of frequent marijuana use on memory-related regional cerebral blood flow. Pharmacology, Biochemistry, and Behavior May 2002
- Effects of marijuana on equilibrium, psychomotor performance, and simulated driving. Behavioural Pharmacology November 1998
- Increased susceptibility to memory intrusions and the Stroop interference effect during acute marijuana intoxication. Psychopharmacology 1987