Investigating the residual effects of chronic cannabis use and abstinence on verbal and visuospatial learning
Journal article
Lorenzetti, Valentina, Takagi, Michael, van Dalen, Yvonne, Yücel, Murat and Solowij, Nadia. (2021). Investigating the residual effects of chronic cannabis use and abstinence on verbal and visuospatial learning. Frontiers in Psychiatry. 12, p. Article 663701. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2021.663701
Authors | Lorenzetti, Valentina, Takagi, Michael, van Dalen, Yvonne, Yücel, Murat and Solowij, Nadia |
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Abstract | Rationale: Regular cannabis users have been shown to differ from non-using controls in learning performance. It is unclear if these differences are specific to distinct domains of learning (verbal, visuospatial), exacerbate with extent of cannabis exposure and dissipate with sustained abstinence. Objective: This study examines different domains of learning (verbal, visuospatial) in current and abstaining cannabis users, and the role of chronicity of use. Methods: In a cross-sectional design, we examined 127 psychiatrically healthy participants (65 female) with mean aged of 34 years. Of these, 69 individuals were current regular cannabis users (mean 15 years use), 12 were former cannabis users abstinent for ~2.5 yrs (after a mean of 16 years use), and 46 were non-cannabis using controls. Groups were compared on verbal learning performance assessed via the California Verbal Learning Test (CVLT-II) and for visuospatial learning measured with the Brown Location Test (BLT). We explored the association between CVLT/BLT performance and cannabis use levels in current and former users. Results: Current cannabis use compared to non-use was associated with worse performance on select aspects of verbal learning (Long Delay Cued Recall) and of visuospatial learning (Retroactive Interference and LD Rotated Recall). Prolonged abstinence was associated with altered verbal learning but intact visuospatial learning. There were non-significant correlations between distinct cannabis use measures, age and learning in both current and former users. Conclusions: Our findings suggest cannabis use status (current use, former use) affects different domains of learning (verbal and visuospatial) in a distinct fashion. These findings might be accounted for in the design of cognitive interventions aimed to support abstinence in cannabis users. |
Keywords | cannabis; marijuana; verbal learning and memory; visuospatial learning; abstinence; tetrahydrocannabinol; California Verbal Learning Test—Second Edition; Brown learning test |
Year | 2021 |
Journal | Frontiers in Psychiatry |
Journal citation | 12, p. Article 663701 |
Publisher | Frontiers Research Foundation |
ISSN | 1664-0640 |
Digital Object Identifier (DOI) | https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2021.663701 |
Scopus EID | 2-s2.0-85109017845 |
Open access | Published as ‘gold’ (paid) open access |
Research or scholarly | Research |
Page range | 1-12 |
Funder | National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) |
Australian Research Council (ARC) | |
Publisher's version | License File Access Level Open |
Output status | Published |
Publication dates | |
Online | 17 Jun 2021 |
Publication process dates | |
Accepted | 10 May 2021 |
Deposited | 02 Sep 2021 |
ARC Funded Research | This output has been funded, wholly or partially, under the Australian Research Council Act 2001 |
Grant ID | NHMRC/459111 |
NHMRC/1117188 | |
ARC/FT110100752 |
https://acuresearchbank.acu.edu.au/item/8wv11/investigating-the-residual-effects-of-chronic-cannabis-use-and-abstinence-on-verbal-and-visuospatial-learning
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Publisher's version
OA_Lorenzetti_2021_Investigating_the_residual_effects_of_chronic.pdf | |
License: CC BY 4.0 | |
File access level: Open |
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