Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 28, 2025
Brain Morphology of Cannabis Users With or Without Psychosis: A Pilot MRI Study
Published on: August 18, 2020
Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis Associated With Chronic Cannabis Abuse
Tugce Akcan1, Milan Gajera1, Javad Najjar Mojarrab1
1Internal Medicine, Marshfield Clinic Health System, Marshfield, USA.
Abstract:
Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) is a rare monophasic immune-mediated inflammatory disorder characterized by multifocal demyelinating lesions of the central nervous system. Clinically, it is distinguished by a variety of acute neurological deficits, including varying degrees of mental state changes and white matter abnormalities detected by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). We present a challenging case of a young woman who developed ADEM as a result of chronic cannabis abuse. This, to the best of our knowledge, is the second case report of ADEM linked to cannabis abuse.
Insights
Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) is a rare inflammatory brain disorder. This case report details a young woman who developed ADEM following chronic cannabis abuse, a rare but significant association.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimmunology
- Neurology
- Toxicology
Background:
- Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) is an immune-mediated inflammatory demyelinating disorder of the central nervous system.
- ADEM typically presents with acute neurological deficits and multifocal white matter lesions on MRI.
- The etiology of ADEM is often post-infectious or post-vaccination, but other triggers are increasingly recognized.
Observation:
- A young woman presented with acute neurological deficits.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed multifocal white matter abnormalities consistent with ADEM.
- The patient had a history of chronic cannabis abuse.
Findings:
- The patient was diagnosed with acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM).
- The neurological condition was attributed to chronic cannabis abuse.
- This represents the second reported case linking ADEM to cannabis use.
Implications:
- Chronic cannabis abuse may be an underrecognized trigger for ADEM.
- Further research is needed to elucidate the potential pathophysiological mechanisms linking cannabis and ADEM.
- Clinicians should consider substance abuse, including cannabis, in the differential diagnosis of ADEM, especially in young individuals.
