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Increased markers of inflammation after cannabis cessation and their association with psychotic symptoms

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 April 2023

Bruno Romeo Open the ORCID record for Bruno Romeo [Opens in a new window] ,
Valentine Lestra ,
Catherine Martelli ,
Ammar Amirouche ,
Amine Benyamina  and
Nora Hamdani
Bruno Romeo*
Affiliation:
APHP, Paul Brousse Hospital, Department of Psychiatry and Addictology, F-94800 Villejuif, France Unité de recherche UR Psychiatrie-Comorbidités-Addictions PSYCOMADD Université Paris Saclay, Paris, France
Valentine Lestra
Affiliation:
APHP, Paul Brousse Hospital, Department of Psychiatry and Addictology, F-94800 Villejuif, France
Catherine Martelli
Affiliation:
APHP, Paul Brousse Hospital, Department of Psychiatry and Addictology, F-94800 Villejuif, France Unité de recherche UR Psychiatrie-Comorbidités-Addictions PSYCOMADD Université Paris Saclay, Paris, France Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale U1299, Research Unit, NeuroImaging and Psychiatry, Paris Sud University- Paris Saclay University, Paris Descartes University, Digiteo Labs, Bâtiment 660, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
Ammar Amirouche
Affiliation:
APHP, Paul Brousse Hospital, Department of Psychiatry and Addictology, F-94800 Villejuif, France Unité de recherche UR Psychiatrie-Comorbidités-Addictions PSYCOMADD Université Paris Saclay, Paris, France
Amine Benyamina
Affiliation:
APHP, Paul Brousse Hospital, Department of Psychiatry and Addictology, F-94800 Villejuif, France Unité de recherche UR Psychiatrie-Comorbidités-Addictions PSYCOMADD Université Paris Saclay, Paris, France
Nora Hamdani
Affiliation:
Unité de recherche UR Psychiatrie-Comorbidités-Addictions PSYCOMADD Université Paris Saclay, Paris, France Cédiapsy, 87 rue d’Assas, 75006 Paris, France
*
Corresponding Author: Bruno Romeo, Email: brunoromeo@hotmail.fr
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Abstract

Introduction:

A dysbalance of the immune system in psychotic disorders has been well investigated. However, despite a higher prevalence of cannabis (THC) consumption in patients with psychosis, few studies have investigated the impact of this use on inflammatory markers.

Methods:

One hundred and two inpatients were included in this retrospective study. Leukocytic formula, hsCRP, fibrinogen levels and urinary THC were measured, and comparisons were performed at baseline and after 4 weeks of cannabis cessation between cannabis users (THC+) and non-users (THC−).

Results:

After cannabis cessation, we found a greater increase in leucocyte level (p < 0.01), monocyte level (p = 0.05) and a statistical trend to a highest increase of lymphocyte level (p = 0.06) between baseline and 4 weeks in the THC+ group as compared to the THC− group. At 4 weeks, highest leucocyte (p = 0.03), lymphocyte (p = 0.04) and monocyte (p < 0.01) counts were found in the THC+ group, whereas at baseline no difference was found. A positive correlation was found between monocyte count at 4 weeks and baseline Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) negative subscore (p = 0.045) and between the variation of monocyte count between baseline and 4 weeks and the PANSS total score at 4 weeks (p = 0.05).

Conclusion:

THC cessation is associated with an increase in inflammatory markers, including white blood cell, lymphocyte and monocyte levels, which correlates with symptomatology of patients with psychosis.

Keywords

Psychosiscannabis useinflammatory markers
Type
Original Article
Information
Acta Neuropsychiatrica , Volume 36 , Issue 2 , April 2024 , pp. 118 - 127
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Copyright
© The Author(s), 2023. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of Scandinavian College of Neuropsychopharmacology

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Footnotes

B.R. and V.L. had equally contributed to this work.

A.B. and N.H. had equally directed the writing of the article.

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