A Systematic Review of Neurophysiological and Self-Report Psychological Inventories for Cannabis Use Disorder

Cannabis Use Disorder (CUD) poses significant risks to cognitive, emotional, and neurological functioning. This review aimed to (a) identify effective neurophysiological assessment tools (b) evaluate standardized self report psychological inventories, and (c) highlight their strengths and limitations in diagnosing and managing CUD.

A systematic literature review (SLR) was conducted in line with PRISMA 2020 guidelines. Peer-reviewed studies published between 2010 and 2022 were searched in PubMed, PsycINFO, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. Out of 797 identified records, 428 duplicates and 182 irrelevant studies were excluded. Following full-text screening, 58 studies met the inclusion criteria and were synthesized for analysis.

Neurological assessments including fMRI, MRI, EEG, DTI, and TCD provided critical evidence of structural and functional brain alterations in individuals with CUD, particularly in regions governing memory, decision-making, and emotional regulation. Psychological tools such as the Cannabis Problems Questionnaire (CPQ), Cannabis Abuse Screening Test (CAST), Cannabis Use Disorders Identification Test-Revised (CUDIT-R), Severity of Dependence Scale (SDS), Cannabis Use Problems Identification Test (CUPIT), and Marijuana Problem Scale (MPS) demonstrated strong psychometric properties, making them effective for clinical and research applications.

Integrating neurological and psychological assessments provides a comprehensive diagnostic framework for CUD. Such multidimensional approaches support early detection, enhance treatment planning, and inform evidence-based interventions for improved clinical outcomes.