Abstract
We conducted a systematic review to assess the evidence for specific effects of cannabis on impulsivity, disinhibition and motor control. The review had a specific focus on neuroimaging findings associated with acute and chronic use of the drug and covers literature published up until May 2012. Seventeen studies were identified, of which 13 met the inclusion criteria; three studies investigated acute effects of cannabis (1 fMRI, 2 PET), while six studies investigated non-acute functional effects (4 fMRI, 2 PET), and four studies investigated structural alterations. Functional imaging studies of impulsivity studies suggest that prefrontal blood flow is lower in chronic cannabis users than in controls. Studies of acute administration of THC or marijuana report increased brain metabolism in several brain regions during impulsivity tasks. Structural imaging studies of cannabis users found differences in reduced prefrontal volumes and white matter integrity that might mediate the abnormal impulsivity and mood observed in marijuana users. To address the question whether impulsivity as a trait precedes cannabis consumption or whether cannabis aggravates impulsivity and discontinuation of usage more longitudinal study designs are warranted.
Keywords: Cannabis, marijuana, cannabinoids, impulsivity, inhibition, neuroimaging, magnetic resonance imaging, MRI, fMRI.
Current Pharmaceutical Design
Title:Effects of Cannabis on Impulsivity: A Systematic Review of Neuroimaging Findings
Volume: 20 Issue: 13
Author(s): Johannes Wrege, Andre Schmidt, Anna Walter, Renata Smieskova, Kerstin Bendfeldt, Ernst-Wilhelm Radue, Undine E. Lang and Stefan Borgwardt
Affiliation:
Keywords: Cannabis, marijuana, cannabinoids, impulsivity, inhibition, neuroimaging, magnetic resonance imaging, MRI, fMRI.
Abstract: We conducted a systematic review to assess the evidence for specific effects of cannabis on impulsivity, disinhibition and motor control. The review had a specific focus on neuroimaging findings associated with acute and chronic use of the drug and covers literature published up until May 2012. Seventeen studies were identified, of which 13 met the inclusion criteria; three studies investigated acute effects of cannabis (1 fMRI, 2 PET), while six studies investigated non-acute functional effects (4 fMRI, 2 PET), and four studies investigated structural alterations. Functional imaging studies of impulsivity studies suggest that prefrontal blood flow is lower in chronic cannabis users than in controls. Studies of acute administration of THC or marijuana report increased brain metabolism in several brain regions during impulsivity tasks. Structural imaging studies of cannabis users found differences in reduced prefrontal volumes and white matter integrity that might mediate the abnormal impulsivity and mood observed in marijuana users. To address the question whether impulsivity as a trait precedes cannabis consumption or whether cannabis aggravates impulsivity and discontinuation of usage more longitudinal study designs are warranted.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Wrege Johannes, Schmidt Andre, Walter Anna, Smieskova Renata, Bendfeldt Kerstin, Radue Ernst-Wilhelm, Lang E. Undine and Borgwardt Stefan, Effects of Cannabis on Impulsivity: A Systematic Review of Neuroimaging Findings, Current Pharmaceutical Design 2014; 20 (13) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/13816128113199990428
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/13816128113199990428 |
Print ISSN 1381-6128 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1873-4286 |
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
- Announcements
Related Articles
-
ENaC Modulators and Renal Disease
Current Molecular Pharmacology Effects of Natural Products on Mcl-1 Expression and Function
Current Medicinal Chemistry Amendatory Effect of Flavonoids in Alzheimer's Disease Against Mitochondrial Dysfunction
Current Drug Targets Genetic Enhancement in Sport: Just Another Form of Doping?
Recent Patents on DNA & Gene Sequences In Vivo Uptake of β-Amyloid by Non-Plaque Associated Microglia
Current Alzheimer Research A Review on Plasmodium falciparum-Protein Farnesyltransferase Inhibitors as Antimalarial Drug Targets
Current Drug Targets Enzymatic Activity and Protein Interactions in Alpha/Beta Hydrolase Fold Proteins: Moonlighting Versus Promiscuity
Protein & Peptide Letters Knockdown of miR-124 Reduces Depression-like Behavior by Targeting CREB1 and BDNF
Current Neurovascular Research Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacokinetic Variability of Heroin and its Metabolites: Review of the Literature
Current Clinical Pharmacology Calpain-1 and Calpain-2 in the Brain: Dr. Jekill and Mr Hyde?
Current Neuropharmacology The NK-1 Receptor is Involved in the Antitumoural Action of L-733,060 and in the Mitogenic Action of Substance P on Human Pancreatic Cancer Cell Lines
Letters in Drug Design & Discovery Preoperative Levosimendan. A New Way for Organoprotection
Current Pharmaceutical Design Meet Our Editorial Board Member
Current Alzheimer Research Overlapping Molecular Signatures in Parkinson's Patient Leukocytes Before and After Treatment and in Mouse Model Brain Regions
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets Can Apolipoproteins and Complement Factors be Biomarkers of Alzheimer’s Disease?
Current Alzheimer Research Editorial (Thematic Issue: Pharmacologic Strategies with Afterload Reduction in Low Cardiac Output Syndrome After Pediatric Cardiac Surgery)
Current Vascular Pharmacology Bromelain Degrades Aβ1-42 Monomers and Soluble Aggregates: An In Vitro Study in Cerebrospinal Fluid of Alzheimer’s Disease Patients
Current Alzheimer Research Charge Deficient Analogues of the Natural Polyamines
Current Pharmaceutical Design An Aβ Sequestration Approach Using Non-Antibody Aβ Binding Agents
Current Alzheimer Research An Update on the Role of Nitric Oxide in the Neurodegenerative Processes of Parkinson's Disease
Current Medicinal Chemistry