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The neuropsychological consequences of cannabis use in schizophrenia: a preliminary analysis

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  24 June 2014

K Croaker ,
R Langdo  and
P Ward
K Croaker
Affiliation:
Schizophrenia Research Unit, Liverpool Hospital Macquarie University
R Langdo
Affiliation:
Schizophrenia Research Unit, Liverpool Hospital Macquarie Centre for Cognitive Science
P Ward
Affiliation:
Schizophrenia Research Unit, Liverpool Hospital School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
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Abstract

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Type
Abstracts from ‘Brainwaves’— The Australasian Society for Psychiatric Research Annual Meeting 2006, 6–8 December, Sydney, Australia
Information
Acta Neuropsychiatrica , Volume 18 , Issue 6 , December 2006 , pp. 282
Copyright
Copyright © 2006 Blackwell Munksgaard

Background:

There has been considerable controversy regarding the possible causal role of cannabis use in the development of schizophrenia; there have also been contradictory findings concerning the impact of cannabis use on neuropsychological function in schizophrenia and in non-psychiatric samples. This paper presents preliminary data comparing neuropsychological task performances of people with a diagnosis of schizophrenia with and without cannabis use.

Methods:

Participants included 17 individuals with a diagnosis of schizophrenia (10 without cannabis use, plus 3 with current cannabis use, combined with 4 for whom cannabis use was significant at onset but is no longer in use, to make the 7 members of the cannabis-using group). All participants were tested on neuropsychological measures covering a range of cognitive domains (executive functioning, memory, learning, attention and information processing speed). Psycho-pathological assessments (eg depression, symptom ratings) and detailed drug use measures were also conducted.

Results:

The cannabis-using group was more symptomatic, had lower levels of current intelligence and showed greater impulsivity as indexed by the CPT, compared with the non-cannabis-using group. There were trends toward greater recognition memory deficits and arousal deficits as indexed by the CPT in the cannabis-using group.

Conclusions:

Cannabis use in schizophrenia may be associated with greater symptom severity and increased deficits in impulse control and current intelligence. Although preliminary, these results are inconsistent with the self-medication hypothesis, as symptoms are exacerbated by cannabis.