Associations between adolescent cannabis use and brain structure in psychosis

Hila Abush, Subroto Ghose, Erin A. Van Enkevort, Brett A. Clementz, Godfrey D. Pearlson, John A. Sweeney, Matcheri S. Keshavan, Carol A. Tamminga, Elena I. Ivleva

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

13 Scopus citations

Abstract

Associations between cannabis use and psychotic disorders suggest that cannabis may be a contributory risk factor in the neurobiology of psychosis. In this study, we examined brain structure characteristics, total and regional gray matter density (GMD), using Voxel Based Morphometry, in psychotic individuals, stratified by history of cannabis use (total n = 109). We also contrasted GMD estimates in individual diagnostic groups (schizophrenia/bipolar I disorder) with and without history of adolescent cannabis use (ACU). Individuals with psychosis as a whole, both with and without history of ACU, had lower total and regional GMD, compared to healthy controls. ACU was associated with attenuated GMD reductions, compared to non-users, especially in the schizophrenia cases, who showed robust GMD reductions in fronto-temporal and parietal cortex, as well as subcortical regions. Notably, total and regional GMD estimates in individuals with psychosis and ACU were not different from controls with no ACU. These data indicate that the history of ACU in psychotic individuals is associated with attenuated GMD abnormalities. Future investigations targeting potential unique etiological and risk factors associated with psychosis in individuals with ACU may help in understanding of the neurobiology of psychotic disorders and novel treatment options for these individuals.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)53-64
Number of pages12
JournalPsychiatry Research - Neuroimaging
Volume276
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 30 2018

Keywords

  • Cannabis
  • Gray matter density
  • Psychotic bipolar disorder
  • Schizophrenia
  • Voxel Based Morphometry

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Neuroscience (miscellaneous)
  • Radiology Nuclear Medicine and imaging
  • Psychiatry and Mental health

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