Long-term effects of chronic (−)-trans-Δ⁹-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) use on the working memory of adolescents and adults
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Date
2020
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Rīgas Stradiņa universitāte
Rīga Stradiņš University
Rīga Stradiņš University
Abstract
Ievads: Marihuāna ir pasaulē visbiežāk lietotā psihoaktīvā viela, it īpaši pusaudžu vecumā, kad norit ļoti svarīgs smadzeņu attīstības periods. Tā kā atsevišķas valstis šo vielu ir legalizējušas vai apspriež tās legalizāciju, kā arī pamatojoties uz ziņojumiem par medicīniskiem ieguvumiem, tā popularitāte un pieņemšana sabiedrībā aug. Tajā pašā laikā, maz tiek runāts par atšķirīgajiem marihuānas veidiem: marihuānu, kas satur psihoaktīvo kanabinoidu (–)-Δ9-trans-tetrahidrokanabinolu (THC), un medicīnisko marihuānu, kas pārsvarā satur ne-psihoaktīvo kanabinoida kanabidiolu (CBD) un gandrīz nemaz nesatur THC. Veicinot marihuānas legalizāciju, varētu paaugstināties pieejamība dažāda veida un potences medikamentam, kas iespējams palielinātu THC uzņemšanu populācijā. Ja marihuānas lietošana netiks regulēta likuma kārtībā, palielinās medicīniskā personāla atbildība par tās potenciālajiem riskiem.
Darba atmiņa (DA) ir ļoti plaši pētīta kognitīvā funkcija, ko THC ietekmē nelabvēlīgi. Tas ir
kognitīvo procesu stūrakmens, nepieciešams kā inteleģences veidošanās procesā, tā loģiskās
domāšanas un adekvātas uzvedības formēšanā. DA traucējumi nozīmīgi ietekmē indivīda
panākumus kā sociālajā, tā profesionālajā dzīvē.
Mērķis: Šis literatūras apraksts apkopo līdzšinējos zinātniskos atklājumus un saistību starp hronisku THC uzņemšanu un DA izmaiņām. Darba mērķis bija noskaidrot THC ietekmi uz DA un to saistītos faktorus.
Metodes: PubMed datubāzē tika meklēti tādi atslēgas vārdi, kā THC, Cannabis, Tetrahydrocannabinol, working memory, cognition and longterm effects .Tika apkopoti raksti, kas tapuši laika periodā no 2009-2019 gadam. Izslēgšanas kritēriji bija pētījumi ar dzīvniekiem, ja dalībnieki nebija sasnieguši 12 gadu vecumu, specifiskas komorbiditātes un etniskās/ģeogrāfiskās grupas, kā arī akūti THC ekspozīcijas efekti.
Rezultāti un Secinājumi: No 1277 rakstiem pēc izslēgšanas kritēriju izskatīšanas tika apskatīti 50 zinātniskie raksti. Literatūras atlase tika atspoguļota PRISMA plūsmas diagrammā. Lielākajā daļā gadījumu hroniska saskarsme ar THC, it īpaši jaunā vecumā, notiekot bieži un ilgstoši, ir saistāma ar DA deficītu. Kompensatorie smadzeņu mehānismi var maskēt DA darbības traucējumus. THC blakusefektu izpausmes var variēt un to ietekmē dažādi faktori, piemēram, ģenētiskie, dzimums, medikamenta potence/sastāvs, smadzeņu attīstības pakāpe un kognitīvā funkcija pirms saskarsmes ar THC, uzvedības un motivācijas faktori. Mēnesi ilga atturēšanās no marihuānas veicina DA deficīta mazināšanos lielākajai daļai indivīdu.
Background: Cannabis is the worldwide most commonly consumed illicit psychogenic drug, especially in adolescent age, which is a crucial period of brain development. Since countries have legalized the drug, or are discussing its legalization due to potential medical benefits, its popularity and social acceptance are further growing. Meanwhile, the important differentiation between Cannabis, containing the psychoactive Cannabinoid (–)-Δ9-trans-Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), and medical Cannabis, containing mainly the non-psychoactive Cannabinoid Cannabidiol (CBD) and close to no THC, is not always sufficiently provided. Increasing legalization of Cannabis, could lead to higher availability of all forms and potencies of the drug, and subsequent higher consumption of THC in the population. If Cannabis use is not regulated legally, the responsibility for medical professionals, to be aware of its potential risks, increases. The working memory (WM) is not the only, but the most widely studied part of cognition, that can be affected negatively by THC exposure. It is a core cognitive process, crucial for intelligence, logical thinking and appropriate behavior. Its disruption significantly affects a person’s success in social and professional life. Aim: This literature review summarizes the current scientific findings on the relationship between chronic THC consumption and WM changes. It aims to clarify the extend of THC related WM deficits and which additional factors play an important role in their development. Methods: The database PubMed was searched, using the key words THC, Cannabis, Tetrahydrocannabinol, working memory, cognition and longterm effects. Papers published in 2009 until 2019 were included. 1277 papers were identified, from which 50 papers met the previously established criteria. Exclusion criteria were animal studies, participants <12 years old, specific co-morbidities or ethnic/geographical groups and acute effects of THC exposure. The selection of the papers for the research was performed according to the PRISMA flow diagram. Results and Conclusions: In most cases chronic THC exposure, especially early onset, frequent and prolonged, leads to working memory deficits. Compensatory brain mechanisms, can mask WM impairments. Vulnerability to THC side effects differs, and is modulated by many factors, including genetic factors, gender, potency/compositions of the drug, brain development and cognitive function prior to THC exposure, behavioral and motivational factors. A month of Cannabis abstinence leads to partial reversal of THC induced WM deficits in most individuals.
Background: Cannabis is the worldwide most commonly consumed illicit psychogenic drug, especially in adolescent age, which is a crucial period of brain development. Since countries have legalized the drug, or are discussing its legalization due to potential medical benefits, its popularity and social acceptance are further growing. Meanwhile, the important differentiation between Cannabis, containing the psychoactive Cannabinoid (–)-Δ9-trans-Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), and medical Cannabis, containing mainly the non-psychoactive Cannabinoid Cannabidiol (CBD) and close to no THC, is not always sufficiently provided. Increasing legalization of Cannabis, could lead to higher availability of all forms and potencies of the drug, and subsequent higher consumption of THC in the population. If Cannabis use is not regulated legally, the responsibility for medical professionals, to be aware of its potential risks, increases. The working memory (WM) is not the only, but the most widely studied part of cognition, that can be affected negatively by THC exposure. It is a core cognitive process, crucial for intelligence, logical thinking and appropriate behavior. Its disruption significantly affects a person’s success in social and professional life. Aim: This literature review summarizes the current scientific findings on the relationship between chronic THC consumption and WM changes. It aims to clarify the extend of THC related WM deficits and which additional factors play an important role in their development. Methods: The database PubMed was searched, using the key words THC, Cannabis, Tetrahydrocannabinol, working memory, cognition and longterm effects. Papers published in 2009 until 2019 were included. 1277 papers were identified, from which 50 papers met the previously established criteria. Exclusion criteria were animal studies, participants <12 years old, specific co-morbidities or ethnic/geographical groups and acute effects of THC exposure. The selection of the papers for the research was performed according to the PRISMA flow diagram. Results and Conclusions: In most cases chronic THC exposure, especially early onset, frequent and prolonged, leads to working memory deficits. Compensatory brain mechanisms, can mask WM impairments. Vulnerability to THC side effects differs, and is modulated by many factors, including genetic factors, gender, potency/compositions of the drug, brain development and cognitive function prior to THC exposure, behavioral and motivational factors. A month of Cannabis abstinence leads to partial reversal of THC induced WM deficits in most individuals.
Description
Medicīna
Medicine
Veselības aprūpe
Health Care
Medicine
Veselības aprūpe
Health Care
Keywords
THC, Cannabis, Tetrahydrocannabinol, working memory, cognition and longterm effects, THC, Cannabis, Tetrahydrocannabinol, working memory, cognition and longterm effects