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Brain Morphology of Cannabis Users With or Without Psychosis: A Pilot MRI Study

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Published on: August 18, 2020

Drug-related decrease in neuropsychological functions of abstinent drug users.

Ruth Janke van Holst¹, Thelma Schilt

¹Department of Psychiatry, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. r.j.vanholst@amc.uva.nl

Current Drug Abuse Reviews

|April 7, 2011

Summary

Frequent drug use, excluding cannabis, leads to lasting cognitive deficits, particularly in executive functions like inhibition and verbal memory. Understanding these neuropsychological impairments aids substance abuse treatment and intervention strategies.

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Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Psychology
Addiction Medicine

Background:

Substance abuse is a significant public health issue with potential long-term cognitive consequences.
Neuropsychological deficits can impact an individual's ability to engage in and benefit from treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

To review and synthesize findings on neuropsychological performance in abstinent users of various substances of abuse.
To identify substance-specific cognitive impairments and their persistence.

Main Methods:

Systematic literature search of studies published within the last five years.
Inclusion criteria: minimum 2 weeks of abstinence and a control group.
Focus on neuropsychological performance across different drug classes.

Main Results:

Sustained executive functioning deficits, especially in inhibition, were observed in users of cocaine, (meth)amphetamines, ecstasy, opiates, and alcohol.
Verbal memory impairments were noted in cocaine, (meth)amphetamines, and ecstasy users.
Cannabis use showed little evidence of sustained cognitive impairment in abstinent adults.

Conclusions:

Substance abuse, with the exception of cannabis, is linked to persistent cognitive deficits affecting executive functions and memory.
Identifying specific neuropsychological impairments can guide targeted treatment selection and improve intervention effectiveness for substance use disorders.