Neurocognitive consequences of chronic cannabis use : a systematic review and meta-analysis
Abstract
Cannabis is currently the most used illicit substance in the world with a global widespread distribution. Although its acute neurocognitive effects on human behaviour have been reported, there is a lack of robust analysis investigating the link, if any, between chronic cannabis use and neurocognitive function. A systematic review of the literature was conducted in order to identify relevant studies published from 2010 to 2019. A meta-analysis was performed on 13 selected studies testing performance of chronic cannabis users compared with non-users in six different neurocognitive domains. There was a low cross-sectional association between neurocognitive impairments and chronic cannabis use in cognitive impulsivity, cognitive flexibility, attention, short-term memory and long-term memory. No association was found between chronic cannabis use and motor impulsivity. By analysing a specific target population with strict inclusion criteria, these findings provide inconclusive evidence that there are cognitive impairments associated with chronic cannabis use. Future research is needed to determine if the findings of this metaanalysis are biased by the methodological limitations encountered.
Citation
Figureiredo , P , Tolomeo , S , Steele , D & Baldacchino , A M 2020 , ' Neurocognitive consequences of chronic cannabis use : a systematic review and meta-analysis ' , Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews , vol. 108 , pp. 358-369 . https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neubiorev.2019.10.014
Publication
Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews
Status
Peer reviewed
ISSN
0149-7634Type
Journal article
Rights
Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. This work has been made available online in accordance with publisher policies or with permission. Permission for further reuse of this content should be sought from the publisher or the rights holder. This is the author created accepted manuscript following peer review and may differ slightly from the final published version. The final published version of this work is available at https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neubiorev.2019.10.014
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