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Brain Morphology of Cannabis Users With or Without Psychosis: A Pilot MRI Study
Published on: August 18, 2020
Cerebellar white-matter changes in cannabis users with and without schizophrenia
N Solowij1, M Yücel, C Respondek
1School of Psychology, University of Wollongong, Australia. nadia@uow.edu.au
Psychological Medicine
|April 7, 2011
Summary
Long-term heavy cannabis use significantly reduces cerebellar white matter volume in healthy individuals and those with schizophrenia. This structural change in the cerebellum is similar to alterations seen in schizophrenia, suggesting cannabis may impact brain development.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
- Neuroimaging
Background:
- The cerebellum plays a role in schizophrenia neuropathology.
- Cannabis use is linked to brain changes resembling schizophrenia.
- The impact of cannabis on cerebellar structure remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate cerebellar grey and white matter volumes in cannabis users with and without schizophrenia.
- To compare cerebellar structure between healthy individuals, cannabis users, and schizophrenia patients.
Main Methods:
- Structural 3-Tesla MRI scans were analyzed using semi-automated methods.
- Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) and correlational analyses were performed.
- Participants included 17 schizophrenia patients and 31 healthy controls, with significant proportions of long-term heavy cannabis users in both groups.
Main Results:
- Cerebellar white-matter volume was reduced in both healthy cannabis users (23.9%) and schizophrenia patients (17.7%) compared to healthy non-users.
- Cannabis users with schizophrenia showed the most pronounced reduction (29.7%).
- No significant differences were found in cerebellar grey matter or total volumes; however, total cerebellar volume correlated negatively with duration of cannabis use in healthy users.
Conclusions:
- Long-term heavy cannabis use is associated with reduced cerebellar white matter, mirroring changes seen in schizophrenia.
- Cannabis use may exacerbate cerebellar structural alterations in schizophrenia patients.
- Cannabis may interfere with brain maturation processes relevant to schizophrenia.
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