Cannabis (THC) is the most widely used illicit drug in
We are examining neurocognitive and psychiatric consequences of THC use in young adults with respect to attention, inhibitory control, and social cognition in current and past cannabis users and nonusers at the beginning of the first year of college. They are monitored regularly over the course of one year to track changes in behavior in relation to THC use. In addition, schizotypal personality is assessed at baseline and a year later to test whether THC use increases psychosis-proneness or if pre-existing schizotypal personality increases the probability of using THC. Past studies have not been able to adequately address this question.
In sum, this project will enable us to further identify the potential neurocognitive and psychiatric consequences of THC in
young, healthy people and pinpoint possible neural circuits that may be
affected by THC. The outcome of this project will enable us to conduct focused
functional and structural neuroimaging studies of
adolescent and young adult THC users in the future in order to understand how
THC use may affect neural circuits in late adolescence and early adulthood and
whether these potential changes are permanent. Thus the outcome of this
proposal will directly form the basis for systematic neuroimaging
investigations of the origins of THC neurotoxicity
and THCÕs potential role in psychosis.