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Brain Morphology of Cannabis Users With or Without Psychosis: A Pilot MRI Study
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Association between cannabis use and brain structure and function: an observational and Mendelian randomisation

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Lifetime cannabis use in older adults is linked to brain structure and function differences, but these associations are likely not causal. Further research is needed to understand these non-causal links in aging brains.

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Gerontology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Adolescent cannabis use is linked to brain harm.
  • Older adult cannabis use is rising but understudied.
  • Impact of cannabis on aging brain health requires investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate associations between cannabis use and brain structure/function in older adults.
  • To explore observational and genetic links.
  • To determine if cannabis use causally impacts brain health in later life.

Main Methods:

  • Examined 3,641 cannabis users and 12,255 controls from UK Biobank.
  • Utilized brain imaging (MRI) for structure and functional connectivity.
  • Employed Mendelian randomization to assess causality.

Main Results:

  • Cannabis use associated with poorer white matter integrity (lower fractional anisotropy, higher mean diffusivity).
  • Linked to weaker functional connectivity in default mode and central executive networks.
  • Mendelian randomization found no evidence of causal relationships.

Conclusions:

  • Observed associations between lifetime cannabis use and brain changes in older adults are likely not causal.
  • Findings suggest potential residual confounding factors.
  • Further research is needed to elucidate mechanisms of these non-causal associations.