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Impact of cannabis use on prefrontal and parietal cortex gyrification and surface area in adolescents and emerging adults. Dev Cogn Neurosci 2015 Dec;16:46-53

Date

08/04/2015

Pubmed ID

26233614

Pubmed Central ID

PMC5289075

DOI

10.1016/j.dcn.2015.07.004

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-84938150529 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   31 Citations

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Regions undergoing maturation with CB1 receptors may be at increased risk for cannabis-induced alterations. Here, we examine the relationships between cannabis use and prefrontal (PFC) and inferior parietal gyrification and surface area (SA) in youth.

METHODS: Participants included 33 cannabis users and 35 controls (ages 18-25). Exclusions included co-morbid psychiatric/neurologic disorders and heavy other drug use. Multiple regressions and Pearson r correlations examined the effects of cannabis use on gyrification, SA and cognition.

RESULTS: Cannabis use was associated with decreased gyrification in: ventral-medial PFC (RH: [FDR corrected p=.02], LH: [FDR corrected p=.02]); medial PFC (RH: [FDR corrected p=.02], LH: [FDR corrected p=.02]); and frontal poles (RH: [FDR corrected p=.02], LH: [FDR corrected p=.02]). No differences were observed in bilateral hemispheres, PFC, dorsolateral, ventrolateral, or inferior parietal ROIs. Cannabis use was associated with marginally decreased SA in left: medial PFC [FDR corrected p=.09], and ventral lateral PFC: [FDR corrected p=.09]. In cannabis users, increased gyrification was associated with improved working-memory performance in right medial (p=.003), ventral-medial (p=.03), and frontal pole ROIs (p=.007).

CONCLUSIONS: Cannabis use was associated with reduced gyrification in PFC regions implicated in self-referential thought and social cognition. Results suggest that these gyrification characteristics may have cognitive implications.

Author List

Shollenbarger SG, Price J, Wieser J, Lisdahl K

Author

Jenessa Price PhD Associate Professor in the Surgery department at Medical College of Wisconsin




MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Adolescent
Adult
Cognition
Female
Functional Laterality
Gyrus Cinguli
Humans
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Male
Marijuana Abuse
Memory, Short-Term
Neuropsychological Tests
Parietal Lobe
Prefrontal Cortex
Psychomotor Performance
Self Report
Social Perception
Young Adult