Cannabis use has been associated with psychosis and cognitive dysfunction. Some evidence suggests that the acute behavioral and neurocognitive effects of the main active ingredient in cannabis, (-)-trans-Delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Delta 9-THC), might be modulated by previous cannabis exposure. However, this has not been investigated either using a control group of non-users, or following abstinence in modest cannabis users, who represent the majority of recreational users. Twenty-four healthy men participated in a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, repeated-measures, within-subject, Delta 9-THC challenge study. Compared to non-users (N=12; <5 lifetime cannabis joints smoked), abstinent modest cannabis users (N=12; 24.5 +/- 9 lifetime cannabis joints smoked) showed worse performance and stronger right hemispheric activation during cognitive processing, independent of the acute challenge (all P=0.047). Acute Delta 9-THC administration produced transient anxiety and psychotomimetic symptoms (all P=0.02), the latter being greater in non-users compared to users (P=0.040). Non-users under placebo (control group) activated specific brain areas to perform the tasks, while deactivating others. An opposite pattern was found under acute (Delta 9-THC challenge in non-users) as well as residual (cannabis users under placebo) effect of Delta 9-THC. Under Delta 9-THC, cannabis users showed brain activity patterns intermediate between those in non-users under placebo (control group), and non-users under Delta 9-THC (acute effect) and cannabis users under placebo (residual effect). In non-users, the more severe the Delta 9-THC-induced psychotomimetic symptoms and cognitive impairments, the more pronounced was the neurophysiological alteration (all P=0.036). Previous modest cannabis use blunts the acute behavioral and neurophysiological effects of Delta 9-THC, which are more marked in people who have never used cannabis. (C) 2018 Elsevier B.V. and ECNP. All rights reserved.
Modulation of acute effects of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol on psychotomimetic effects, cognition and brain function by previous cannabis exposure
Colizzi, Marco;
2018-01-01
Abstract
Cannabis use has been associated with psychosis and cognitive dysfunction. Some evidence suggests that the acute behavioral and neurocognitive effects of the main active ingredient in cannabis, (-)-trans-Delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Delta 9-THC), might be modulated by previous cannabis exposure. However, this has not been investigated either using a control group of non-users, or following abstinence in modest cannabis users, who represent the majority of recreational users. Twenty-four healthy men participated in a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, repeated-measures, within-subject, Delta 9-THC challenge study. Compared to non-users (N=12; <5 lifetime cannabis joints smoked), abstinent modest cannabis users (N=12; 24.5 +/- 9 lifetime cannabis joints smoked) showed worse performance and stronger right hemispheric activation during cognitive processing, independent of the acute challenge (all P=0.047). Acute Delta 9-THC administration produced transient anxiety and psychotomimetic symptoms (all P=0.02), the latter being greater in non-users compared to users (P=0.040). Non-users under placebo (control group) activated specific brain areas to perform the tasks, while deactivating others. An opposite pattern was found under acute (Delta 9-THC challenge in non-users) as well as residual (cannabis users under placebo) effect of Delta 9-THC. Under Delta 9-THC, cannabis users showed brain activity patterns intermediate between those in non-users under placebo (control group), and non-users under Delta 9-THC (acute effect) and cannabis users under placebo (residual effect). In non-users, the more severe the Delta 9-THC-induced psychotomimetic symptoms and cognitive impairments, the more pronounced was the neurophysiological alteration (all P=0.036). Previous modest cannabis use blunts the acute behavioral and neurophysiological effects of Delta 9-THC, which are more marked in people who have never used cannabis. (C) 2018 Elsevier B.V. and ECNP. All rights reserved.
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