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Characterizing psychosis-relevant phenomena and cognitive function in a unique population with isolated, chronic and very heavy cannabis exposure

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  16 October 2019

Deepak Cyril D'Souza ,
Suhas Ganesh ,
Jose Cortes-Briones ,
Michael H. Campbell  and
Maisha K. Emmanuel
Deepak Cyril D'Souza*
Affiliation:
Schizophrenia and Neuropharmacology Research Group, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, USA Abraham Ribicoff Research Facilities, Connecticut Mental Health Center, New Haven, CT, USA Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
Suhas Ganesh
Affiliation:
Schizophrenia and Neuropharmacology Research Group, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, USA Abraham Ribicoff Research Facilities, Connecticut Mental Health Center, New Haven, CT, USA Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
Jose Cortes-Briones
Affiliation:
Schizophrenia and Neuropharmacology Research Group, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, USA Abraham Ribicoff Research Facilities, Connecticut Mental Health Center, New Haven, CT, USA Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
Michael H. Campbell
Affiliation:
Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of the West Indies, Kingston, Jamaica
Maisha K. Emmanuel
Affiliation:
Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of the West Indies, Kingston, Jamaica
*
Author for correspondence: Deepak Cyril D'Souza, E-mail: deepak.dsouza@yale.edu
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Abstract

Background

The literature on psychosis-relevant outcomes in cannabis users does not adequately address the confounding effects of other substance use/misuse and psychiatric disorders.

Methods

We studied a unique population for whom cannabis use is central and necessary to their way of life. They are forbidden from using other substances, including tobacco and alcohol. Their use of cannabis is heavy, chronic, and begins early. The cases were compared with matched controls who did not use cannabis, alcohol, or drugs. The controls were from the same location and shared similar beliefs and lifestyle, except for cannabis use. Attenuated psychosis-relevant phenomena were assessed with the Schizotypal Personality Questionnaire (SPQ) and cognitive functioning with a culture-neutral computerized cognitive battery.

Results

Fifteen cases and 12 matched controls were studied. The cases averaged >30 000 lifetime cannabis exposures. Relative to controls, the cases had significantly higher mean (s.d.) SPQ scores 24 (14.32) v. 13 (8.92), p = 0.031; and poorer cognitive performance, reflected by a lower mean (s.d.) composite cognitive score −0.23 (0.32) v. +0.28 (0.52), p = 0.03. Moderate to large effect sizes were noted for differences in tests of attention, psychomotor speed, working memory, cognitive flexibility, visuo-spatial processing, and verbal memory. A subsample of cases had higher SPQ scores and worse cognitive performance than their siblings not using cannabis.

Conclusion

Heavy, chronic, and early cannabis use that is not confounded by other drug use is associated with psychosis-relevant phenomena and cognitive deficits. The findings are relevant to the evolving attitudes and laws about cannabis.

Keywords

Cannabischronicchronic-usecognitionpsychosisschizotypy
Type
Original Articles
Information
Psychological Medicine , Volume 50 , Issue 14 , October 2020 , pp. 2452 - 2459
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Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2019

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Footnotes

*

Joint last authors.

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