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Abstract
Volatile substance misuse is common during early adolescence; however, limited work has been conducted investigating the neurobiological effects of such use on the developing brain. While both animal and human studies report cognitive and neurobiological harm associated with volatile substance misuse during adolescence (particularly involving white matter structures), the complex psychosocial characteristics of volatile substance misusers confound the specificity of reported volatile substance-related pathology in human subjects. In addition, few studies have examined whether cognitive and neurobiological recovery occurs with abstinence, although there is some literature indicating that neurological and cognitive improvement is possible, but relates to the frequency and duration of previous use. Longitudinal studies utilizing well-matched control samples are required to fully delineate the short- and long-term impact of volatile substance misuse on adolescent brain development.
THE AUTHORS
Michael Takagi, Ph.D., is a Post-Doctoral Research Fellow at Melbourne Neuropsychiatry Centre in Melbourne. Dr. Takagi completed his Ph.D. in 2008 investigating the neuropsychological and neurobiological effects of volatile substance misuse during adolescence. Presently, he is involved in a study investigating the neurocognitive correlates of differing patterns of cannabis use on memory across the lifespan. His main interest is the cognitive and neurobiological effect of drugs of abuse on the developing brain.
Dan I. Lubman, Ph.D., is the Director of Turning Point Alcohol and Drug Centre and Professor of Addiction Studies and Services at Monash University. Dr. Lubman's research focuses on investigating the impact of alcohol and drug use among young people. His work explores the impact of substance use on adolescent brain development, as well as the development of targeted early intervention programs.
Murat Yücel, Ph.D., is a Clinical Neuropsychologist who has been working in the field of neuropsychiatry. Broadly, his research tries to understand the neuropsychology and neurobiology of mental illness. More specifically, he is interested in the research of neural, psychological, and pharmacological bases of impulsive and compulsive behaviors seen across substance-related, psychiatric, neurological, and personality disorders. He is also interested in the links between heavy cannabis use, neurocognition, and psychosis.
Notes
1 The journal's style utilizes the category substance abuse as a diagnostic category. Substances are used or misused; living organisms are and can be abused. Editor's note.