Effects of Cannabis Use on Neurocognition: A Scoping Review of MRI Studies

References

• Albaugh, M. D., J. Ottino-Gonzalez, A. Sidwell, C. Lepage, A. Juliano, M. M. Owens, B. Chaarani, P. Spechler, N. Fontaine, P. Rioux, et al. 2021. Association of cannabis use during adolescence with neurodevelopment. JAMA Psychiatry 78 (9):1–11. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2021.1258.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Ames, S. L., J. L. Grenard, A. W. Stacy, L. Xiao, Q. He, S. W. Wong, G. Xue, R. W. Wiers, and A. Bechara. 2013. Functional imaging of implicit marijuana associations during performance on an implicit association test (IAT). Behavioural Brain Research 256:494–502. doi: 10.1016/j.bbr.2013.09.013.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Batalla, A., J. Bos, A. Postma, and M. G. Bossong. 2021. The impact of cannabidiol on human brain function: A systematic review. Frontiers in Pharmacology 11:618184. doi: 10.3389/fphar.2020.618184.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Battistella, G., E. Fornari, A. Thomas, J. F. Mall, H. Chtioui, M. Appenzeller, J. M. Annoni, B. Favrat, P. Maeder, C. Giroud, et al. 2013. Weed or wheel! FMRI, behavioural, and toxicological investigations of how cannabis smoking affects skills necessary for driving. PLOS 8 (1):e52545. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0052545.
   Google Scholar
• Becker, B., D. Wagner, E. Gouzoulis-Mayfrank, E. Spuentrup, and J. Daumann. 2010. Altered parahippocampal functioning in cannabis users is related to the frequency of use. Psychopharmacology 209 (4):361–74. doi: 10.1007/s00213-010-1805-z.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Bhattacharyya, S., Z. Atakan, R. Martin-Santos, J. A. Crippa, J. Kambeitz, S. Malhi, V. Giampietro, S. Williams, M. Brammer, K. Rubia, et al. 2015. Impairment of inhibitory control processing related to acute psychotomimetic effects of cannabis. European Neuropsychopharmacology: The Journal of the European College of Neuropsychopharmacology 25 (1):26–37. doi: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2014.11.018.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Bloomfield, M. A. P., C. Hindocha, S. F. Green, M. B. Wall, R. Lees, K. Petrilli, H. Costello, M. O. Ogunbiyi, M. G. Bossong, and T. P. Freeman. 2019. The neuropsychopharmacology of cannabis: A review of human imaging studies. Pharmacology & Therapeutics 195:132–61. doi: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2018.10.006.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Bloomfield, M. A. P., Y. Yamamori, C. Hindocha, A. P. M. Jones, J. L. L. Yim, H. R. Walker, B. Statton, M. B. Wall, R. H. Lees, O. D. Howes, et al. 2022. The acute effects of cannabidiol on emotional processing and anxiety: A neurocognitive imaging study. Psychopharmacology 239 (5):1539–49. doi: 10.1007/s00213-022-06070-3.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Bossong, M. G., G. Jager, H. H. van Hell, L. Zuurman, J. M. Jansma, M. A. Mehta, J. M. van Gerven, R. S. Kahn, and N. F. Ramsey. 2012. Effects of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol administration on human encoding and recall memory function: A pharmacological fMRI study. Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience 24 (3):588–99. doi: 10.1162/jocn_a_00156.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Bourque, J., and S. Potvin. 2021. Cannabis and cognitive functioning: From acute to residual effects, from randomized controlled trials to prospective designs, 12. doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.596601.
   Google Scholar
• Broyd, S. J., H. H. van Hell, C. Beale, M. Yücel, and N. Solowij. 2016. Acute and chronic effects of cannabinoids on human cognition-a systematic review. Biological psychiatry 79 (7):557–67. doi: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2015.12.002.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Carey, S. E., L. Nestor, J. Jones, H. Garavan, and R. Hester. 2015. Impaired learning from errors in cannabis users: Dorsal anterior cingulate cortex and hippocampus hypoactivity. Drug and Alcohol Dependence 155:175–82. doi: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2015.07.671.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Cerdá, M., M. Wall, T. Feng, K. M. Keyes, A. Sarvet, J. Schulenberg, P. M. O’Malley, R. L. Pacula, S. Galea, and D. S. Hasin. 2017. Association of state recreational marijuana laws with adolescent marijuana use. JAMA Pediatrics 171 (2):142–49. doi: 10.1001/jamapediatrics.2016.3624.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Colizzi, M., P. McGuire, V. Giampietro, S. Williams, M. Brammer, and S. Bhattacharyya. 2018a. Modulation of acute effects of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol on psychotomimetic effects, cognition and brain function by previous cannabis exposure. European neuropsychopharmacology. The Journal of the European College of Neuropsychopharmacology 28 (7):850–62. doi: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2018.04.003.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Colizzi, M., P. McGuire, V. Giampietro, S. Williams, M. Brammer, and S. Bhattacharyya. 2018b. Previous cannabis exposure modulates the acute effects of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol on attentional salience and fear processing. Experimental and Clinical Psychopharmacology 26 (6):582–98. doi: 10.1037/pha0000221.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Conrod, P. J. 2022. Cannabis and brain health: What is next for developmental cohort studies? American Journal of Psychiatry 179 (5):317–18. doi: 10.1176/appi.ajp.20220245.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Enzi, B., S. Lissek, M. A. Edel, M. Tegenthoff, V. Nicolas, N. Scherbaum, G. Juckel, P. Roser, and A. Aleman. 2015. Alterations of monetary reward and punishment processing in chronic cannabis users: An FMRI study. PLOS 10 (3):e0119150. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0119150.
   Google Scholar
• Francis, A., J. Camprodon, and F. Filbey. 2023. Functional hyperconnectivity between corticocerebellar networks and altered decision making in young adult cannabis users: Evidence from 7T and multivariate pattern analysis. Psychiatry Research: Neuroimaging 331:0925–4927. doi: 10.1016/j.pscychresns.2023.111613.
   Google Scholar
• Freeman, T. P., R. A. Pope, M. B. Wall, J. A. Bisby, M. Luijten, C. Hindocha, C. Mokrysz, W. Lawn, A. Moss, M. A. P. Bloomfield, et al. 2018. Cannabis dampens the effects of music in brain regions sensitive to reward and emotion. The International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology 21 (1):21–32. doi: 10.1093/ijnp/pyx082.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Goud, S. S., M. S. Radhika, V. Indla, and N. Kolli. 2022. Cannabis use and effect of cannabis abstinence on cognitive functioning in young people — an observational case-control follow-up study from rehabilitation centre in Andhra Pradesh. Middle East Current Psychiatry 29 (1):61. doi: 10.1186/s43045-022-00228-7.
   Google Scholar
• Gruber, S. A., and D. A. Yurgelun-Todd. 2005. Neuroimaging of marijuana smokers during inhibitory processing: A pilot investigation. Brain Research 23 (1):107–18. doi: 10.1016/j.cogbrainres.2005.02.016.
   Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Hall, C. N., C. Howarth, Z. Kurth-Nelson, and A. Mishra. 2016. Interpreting BOLD: Towards a dialogue between cognitive and cellular neuroscience. Philosophical transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological Sciences 371 (1705):20150348. doi: 10.1098/rstb.2015.0348.
   Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Harding, I. H., N. Solowij, B. J. Harrison, M. Takagi, V. Lorenzetti, D. I. Lubman, M. L. Seal, C. Pantelis, and M. Yücel. 2012. Functional connectivity in brain networks underlying cognitive control in chronic cannabis users. Neuropsychopharmacology: Official Publication of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology 37 (8):1923–33. doi: 10.1038/npp.2012.39.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Hester, R., L. Nestor, and H. Garavan. 2009. Impaired error awareness and anterior cingulate cortex hypoactivity in chronic cannabis users. Neuropsychopharmacology: Official Publication of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology 34 (11):2450–58. doi: 10.1038/npp.2009.67.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Jadad, A. R., R. A. Moore, D. Carroll, C. Jenkinson, D. J. Reynolds, D. J. Gavaghan, and H. J. McQuay. 1996. Assessing the quality of reports of randomized clinical trials: Is blinding necessary? Controlled Clinical Trials 17 (1):1–12. doi: 10.1016/0197-2456(95)00134-4.
   PubMedGoogle Scholar
• Jager, G., R. S. Kahn, W. Van Den Brink, J. M. Van Ree, and N. F. Ramsey. 2006. Long-term effects of frequent cannabis use on working memory and attention: An fMRI study. Psychopharmacology 185 (3):358–68. doi: 10.1007/s00213-005-0298-7.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Jager, G., H. H. Van Hell, M. M. De Win, R. S. Kahn, W. Van Den Brink, J. M. Van Ree, and N. F. Ramsey. 2007. Effects of frequent cannabis use on hippocampal activity during an associative memory task. European Neuropsychopharmacology: The Journal of the European College of Neuropsychopharmacology 17 (4):289–97. doi: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2006.10.003.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Kanayama, G., J. Rogowska, H. G. Pope, S. A. Gruber, and D. A. Yurgelun-Todd. 2004. Spatial working memory in heavy cannabis users: A functional magnetic resonance imaging study. Psychopharmacology 176 (3–4):239–47. doi: 10.1007/s00213-004-1885-8.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Kober, H., E. E. DeVito, C. M. DeLeone, K. M. Carroll, and M. N. Potenza. 2014. Cannabis abstinence during treatment and one-year follow-up: Relationship to neural activity in men. Neuropsychopharmacology: Official Publication of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology 39 (10):2288–98. doi: 10.1038/npp.2014.82.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Kroon, E., L. Kuhns, and J. Cousijn. 2022. Context dependent differences in working memory related brain activity in heavy cannabis users. Psychopharmacology 239 (5):1373–85. doi: 10.1007/s00213-021-05956-y.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Kroon, E., L. N. Kuhns, A. M. Kaag, F. Filbey, and J. Cousijn. 2022. The role of sex in the association between cannabis use and working memory-related brain activity. Journal of Neuroscience Research 100 (6):1347–58. doi: 10.1002/jnr.25041.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Lawn, W., J. Hill, C. Hindocha, J. Yim, Y. Yamamori, G. Jones, H. Walker, S. F. Green, M. B. Wall, O. D. Howes, et al. 2020. The acute effects of cannabidiol on the neural correlates of reward anticipation and feedback in healthy volunteers. Journal of Psychopharmacology (Oxford, England) 34 (9):969–80. doi: 10.1177/0269881120944148.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Manza, P., E. Shokri-Kojori, and N. D. Volkow. 2020. Reduced segregation between cognitive and emotional processes in Cannabis dependence. Cerebral Cortex (New York, N.Y.: 1991)30 (2):628–39. doi: 10.1093/cercor/bhz113.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Mason, N. L., E. L. Theunissen, N. R. P. W. Hutten, D. H. Y. Tse, S. W. Toennes, J. F. A. Jansen, P. Stiers, and J. G. Ramaekers. 2021. Reduced responsiveness of the reward system is associated with tolerance to cannabis impairment in chronic users. Addiction Biology 26 (1):e12870. doi: 10.1111/adb.12870.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Mason, N. L., E. L. Theunissen, N. R. P. W. Hutten, D. H. Y. Tse, S. W. Toennes, P. Stiers, and J. G. Ramaekers. 2019. Cannabis induced increase in striatal glutamate associated with loss of functional corticostriatal connectivity. European Neuropsychopharmacology: The Journal of the European College of Neuropsychopharmacology 29 (2):247–56. doi: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2018.12.003.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Moher, D., A. Liberati, J. Tetzlaff, D. G. Altman, and PRISMA Group. 2009. Preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses: The PRISMA statement. Annals of Internal Medicine 151 (4):264–W64. doi: 10.7326/0003-4819-151-4-200908180-00135.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Nestor, L., R. Hester, and H. Garavan. 2010. Increased ventral striatal BOLD activity during non-drug reward anticipation in cannabis users. Neuroimage: Reports 49 (1):1133–43. doi: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2009.07.022.
   Google Scholar
• Owens, M. M., S. McNally, T. Petker, M. T. Amlung, I. M. Balodis, L. H. Sweet, and J. MacKillop. 2019. Urinary tetrahydrocannabinol is associated with poorer working memory performance and alterations in associated brain activity. Neuropsychopharmacology: Official Publication of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology 44 (3):613–19. doi: 10.1038/s41386-018-0240-4.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Pujol, J., L. Blanco-Hinojo, A. Batalla, M. López-Solà, B. J. Harrison, C. Soriano-Mas, J. A. Crippa, A. B. Fagundo, J. Deus, R. de la Torre, et al. 2014. Functional connectivity alterations in brain networks relevant to self-awareness in chronic cannabis users. Journal of Psychiatric Research 51:68–78. doi: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2013.12.008.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Rafei, P., T. Rezapour, S. A. H. Batouli, A. Verdejo-García, V. Lorenzetti, and J. Hatami. 2022. How do cannabis users mentally travel in time? Evidence from an fMRI study of episodic future thinking. Psychopharmacology 239 (5):1441–57. doi: 10.1007/s00213-021-06002-7.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Ritchay, M. M., A. A. Huggins, A. L. Wallace, C. L. Larson, and K. M. Lisdahl. 2021. Resting state functional connectivity in the default mode network: Relationships between cannabis use, gender, and cognition in adolescents and young adults. NeuroImage Clinical 30:102664. doi: 10.1016/j.nicl.2021.102664.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Roser, P., S. Lissek, M. Tegenthoff, V. Nicolas, G. Juckel, and M. Brüne. 2012. Alterations of theory of mind network activation in chronic cannabis users. Schizophrenia Research 139 (1–3):19–26. doi: 10.1016/j.schres.2012.05.020.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Sagar, K. A., and S. A. Gruber. 2019. Interactions between recreational cannabis use and cognitive function: Lessons from functional magnetic resonance imaging. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences 1451 (1):42–70. doi: 10.1111/nyas.13990.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Shollenbarger, S. G., J. Price, J. Wieser, and K. Lisdahl. 2015. Impact of cannabis use on prefrontal and parietal cortex gyrification and surface area in adolescents and emerging adults. Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience 16:46–53. doi: 10.1016/j.dcn.2015.07.004.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Skumlien, M., C. Mokrysz, T. P. Freeman, M. B. Wall, M. Bloomfield, R. Lees, A. Borissova, K. Petrilli, J. Carson, T. Coughlan, et al. 2022. Neural responses to reward anticipation and feedback in adult and adolescent cannabis users and controls. Neuropsychopharmacology: Official Publication of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology 47 (11):1976–83. doi: 10.1038/s41386-022-01316-2.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Smith, A. M., C. A. Longo, P. A. Fried, M. J. Hogan, and I. Cameron. 2010. Effects of marijuana on visuospatial working memory: An fMRI study in young adults. Psychopharmacology 210 (3):429–38. doi: 10.1007/s00213-010-1841-8.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Sneider, J. T., S. A. Gruber, J. Rogowska, M. M. Silveri, and D. A. Yurgelun-Todd. 2013. A preliminary study of functional brain activation among marijuana users during performance of a virtual water maze task. Journal of Addiction 2013:461029. doi: 10.1155/2013/461029.
   PubMedGoogle Scholar
• Spechler, P. A., C. A. Orr, B. Chaarani, K. J. Kan, S. Mackey, A. Morton, M. P. Snowe, K. E. Hudson, R. R. Althoff, Higgins, et al. 2015. Cannabis use in early adolescence: Evidence of amygdala hypersensitivity to signals of threat. Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience 16:63–70. doi: 10.1016/j.dcn.2015.08.007.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Stypulkowski, K., and R. E. Thayer. 2022. Long-term recreational cannabis use is associated with lower executive function and processing speed in a pilot sample of older adults. Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry and Neurology 35 (5):740–46. doi: 10.1177/08919887211049130.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Tervo-Clemmens, B., D. Simmonds, F. J. Calabro, N. L. Day, G. A. Richardson, and B. Luna. 2018a. Adolescent cannabis use and brain systems supporting adult working memory encoding, maintenance, and retrieval. Neuroimage: Reports 169:496–509. doi: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2017.12.041.
   Google Scholar
• Tervo-Clemmens, B., D. Simmonds, F. J. Calabro, D. F. Montez, J. A. Lekht, N. L. Day, G. A. Richardson, and B. Luna. 2018b. Early cannabis use and neurocognitive risk: A prospective functional neuroimaging study. Biological psychiatry. Biological Psychiatry: Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroimaging 3 (8):713–25. doi: 10.1016/j.bpsc.2018.05.004.
   PubMedGoogle Scholar
• van Hell, H. H., M. Vink, L. Ossewaarde, G. Jager, R. S. Kahn, and N. F. Ramsey. 2010. Chronic effects of cannabis use on the human reward system: An fMRI study. European Neuropsychopharmacology: The Journal of the European College of Neuropsychopharmacology 20 (3):153–63. doi: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2009.11.010.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Wang, X., H. Zhou, and Y. Hu. 2023. Altered neural associations with cognitive and emotional functions in cannabis dependence. Cerebral Cortex (New York, N.Y. : 1991) 33 (13):8724–33. doi: 10.1093/cercor/bhad153.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Weinstein, A., A. Livny, and A. Weizman. 2016. Brain imaging studies on the cognitive, pharmacological and neurobiological effects of cannabis in humans: Evidence From studies of adult users. Current Pharmaceutical Design 22 (42):6366–79. doi: 10.2174/1381612822666160822151323.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Wells, G., B. Shea, D. O’Connell, J. Peterson, V. Welch, M. Losos, and P. Tugwell. 2013. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) for assessing the quality of nonrandomized studies in meta-analyses. http://www.ohri.ca/programs/clinical_epidemiology/oxford.asp.
   Google Scholar
• Wesley, M. J., J. A. Lile, C. A. Hanlon, and L. J. Porrino. 2016. Abnormal medial prefrontal cortex activity in heavy cannabis users during conscious emotional evaluation. Psychopharmacology 233 (6):1035–44. doi: 10.1007/s00213-015-4180-y.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Wittemann, M., J. Brielmaier, M. Rubly, J. Kennel, F. Werler, M. M. Schmitgen, K. M. Kubera, D. Hirjak, N. D. Wolf, W. Reith, et al. 2021. Cognition and cortical thickness in heavy cannabis users. European Addiction Research 27 (2):115–22. doi: 10.1159/000509987.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Yip, S. W., E. E. DeVito, H. Kober, P. D. Worhunsky, K. M. Carroll, and M. N. Potenza. 2014. Pretreatment measures of brain structure and reward-processing brain function in cannabis dependence: An exploratory study of relationships with abstinence during behavioral treatment. Drug and Alcohol Dependence 140:33–41. doi: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2014.03.031.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Zhao, W., K. Zimmermann, X. Zhou, F. Zhou, M. Fu, C. Dernbach, D. Scheele, B. Weber, M. Eckstein, R. Hurlemann, et al. 2020. Impaired cognitive performance under psychosocial stress in cannabis-dependent men is associated with attenuated precuneus activity. Journal of Psychiatry & Neuroscience: JPN 45 (2):88–97. doi: 10.1503/jpn.190039.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Zimmermann, K., C. Walz, R. T. Derckx, K. M. Kendrick, B. Weber, B. Dore, K. N. Ochsner, R. Hurlemann, and B. Becker. 2017. Emotion regulation deficits in regular marijuana users. Human Brain Mapping 38 (8):4270–79. doi: 10.1002/hbm.23671.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Zuo, C. S., and S. E. Lukas. 2023. Chronic cannabis use alters dACC-striatal glutamatergic balance. Pharmacology, Biochemistry, and Behavior 225:173544. doi: 10.1016/j.pbb.2023.173544.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar