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Brain Morphology of Cannabis Users With or Without Psychosis: A Pilot MRI Study
Published on: August 18, 2020
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Marijuana-related Reversible Cerebral Vasoconstriction Syndrome
Takahisa Mikami1,2, Reiichiro Obata1, Daniel I Steinberg1
1Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Mount Sinai Beth Israel, USA.
Internal Medicine (Tokyo, Japan)
|October 8, 2020
Summary
Recreational marijuana use can lead to serious cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events. This case study highlights reversible cerebral vasospasm syndrome (RCVS) in a chronic marijuana user, emphasizing prompt diagnosis and treatment for recovery.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Toxicology
Background:
- The increasing legalization of recreational marijuana correlates with reported cardiovascular and cerebrovascular complications.
- Limited research exists on reversible cerebral vasospasm syndrome (RCVS) specifically linked to marijuana use.
Observation:
- A unique case of recurrent subcortical infarction in the watershed areas of the brain is presented.
- The patient had a history of chronic daily marijuana use over several years.
Findings:
- The patient exhibited bilateral anterior cerebral artery vasoconstriction.
- Symptoms resolved rapidly with treatment, and cerebral vasoconstriction normalized on follow-up imaging.
- These clinical and imaging findings strongly support a diagnosis of RCVS.
Implications:
- This case underscores the potential cerebrovascular risks associated with chronic marijuana consumption.
- Early recognition and management of RCVS in marijuana users are crucial for favorable outcomes.
- Further research is warranted to elucidate the mechanisms and prevalence of marijuana-associated RCVS.
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