Abnormal cerebellar morphometry in abstinent adolescent marijuana users

Examination of gamma-aminobutyric acid and glutamate-glutamine levels in association with impulsive behavior in adolescent marijuana users

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of the acute administration of marijuana (MJ) on cardiovascular (CV) function and CNS pharmacokinetics (PK) of [(15)O]water in occasional (O) versus chronic (C) MJ users. Each subject received four injections of [(15)O]water (one prior and three postsmoking) on two occasions in which they received active or placebo MJ. For each injection, measures of CV function and CNS PK [(15)O]water were made. Postsmoking, MJ influenced all measured CV and [(15)O]water PK parameters. C users reported significantly lower "highness" and smaller heart rate (HR) changes, which resulted in reduced rate pressure product (RPP) changes compared to O users, even though Delta(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol levels were higher, whereas changes in blood pressure (BP), arrival time, and [(15)O]water concentration were not significantly different between the groups. Significant CV changes resulted in changes in the whole-body distribution of cardiac output rather than changes in cerebral blood flow. Chronic MJ use produces tolerance to the HR increases induced by acute MJ smoking compared to changes observed in occasional users, without changing the effects on BP and [(15)O]water PK.

Objectives The interplay between marijuana legislation, perceptions of risks associated with marijuana use, and marijuana-related risk behaviors is an ever changing and complex issue. Marijuana impaired driving is of concern as legalization continues to expand in the United States. While driving after using marijuana has been shown to be prevalent among adults, little research has examined the behavior in adolescents. The aim of the present study was to examine the prevalence of driving after using marijuana among U.S. adolescents, with an examination of the relationship to age of marijuana initiation and marijuana usage patterns. Methods We analyzed data from the 2017 Youth Risk Behavior Survey, a nationally representative sample of high schools students in the U.S. The sample was current marijuana users, defined as past 30 day use. Driving after using marijuana was the main outcome variable, with analyses examining the association between the outcome and age of initiation and patterns of use. Prevalence ratios were obtained by modeling Poisson regression to examine factors associated with driving under the influence of marijuana. Results Nearly half of all marijuana users reported driving after use during the past 30 days, and did not differ between males and females. Prevalence of driving after using marijuana was significantly higher among heavy users (PR = 2.8; 95% CI 2.1–3.6). A higher prevalence of driving after drinking alcohol (PR = 1.7; 95% CI 1.5–1.9) was also found among those who had driven after using marijuana. Conclusions Among adolescent marijuana users, the prevalence of driving after using marijuana was high. Enhanced surveillance, prevention, and control measures are necessary to mitigate the negative impacts of marijuana consumption and related behaviors.

F208. Association Between Anterior Cingulate GABA Levels and Attention in Marijuana Using Adolescents

Although the endogenous cannabinoid system modulates bowel function, our understanding of the impact of recreational marijuana (MJ) use on bowel motility is limited. This study examines the effect of MJ on self-reported bowel function among a large cohort of US adults. We identified adults (age: 20-59 years) who completed both the drug use and bowel health questionnaires in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey over a 6-year period from 2005 to 2010 (n = 9,645). Constipation and diarrhea were defined according to stool form (Bristol Stool Form Scale) and/or frequency criteria. Adjusted odds ratios (AORs) for likelihood of constipation or diarrhea were estimated in a multinomial logistic model according to MJ use status. Overall, constipation prevalence was lower among those with recent MJ use compared with those with past/never use (7.5% vs 10.2%, P = 0.03). Recent MJ use was associated with a 30% decreased odds of constipation (crude odds ratio: 0.71 [0.56-0.98], P = 0.005), which persisted after stepwise adjustment for age and other demographic factors including sex, ethnicity, education, body mass index, and socioeconomic status (AOR: 0.64 [0.49-0.83], P = 0.001); comorbidities, substance use (alcohol, tobacco, heroin, and cocaine), constipating medications, general health condition, rigorous physical activity, and emotional disturbances (AOR: 0.68 [0.48-0.93], P = 0.016); and diet (AOR: 0.68 [0.52-0.89], P = 0.006). There was no association between recent MJ use and diarrhea. In a nationally representative sample of community-dwelling US adults, recent MJ use was associated with decreased odds of constipation, counter to the known physiologic effects of cannabinoids on colonic motility.

Adverse Cardiovascular, Cerebrovascular, and Peripheral Vascular Effects of Marijuana Inhalation: What Cardiologists Need to Know

Failure to sustain prepulse inhibition in adolescent marijuana users

Pain management can be challenging following bariatric surgery, and patients with obesity tend to increase opioid use after undergoing surgery. This report quantifies marijuana (MJ) use and its relationship to pain and other surgery-related outcomes in a population from a state that has legalized MJ. Data were collected for consecutive patients undergoing weight reduction surgeries between May 1, 2014 and July 31, 2015. Demographics, preoperative comorbidities, medications, and perioperative opioid use were analyzed. The primary outcome evaluated was inpatient opioid pain medication use quantified using natural log morphine equivalents. Secondary outcomes included percentage of total body weight loss after three months, postoperative complications, and changes in medical comorbidities. A total of 434 patients, among whom 36 (8.3%) reported MJ use, comprised the study population. Perioperative opioid requirements were significantly higher in the MJ-user group (natural log morphine equivalents of 3.92 vs 3.52, p = 0.0015) despite lower subjective pain scores (3.70 vs 4.24, p = 0.07). MJ use did not affect percentage of 90-day total body weight loss, development of postoperative complications, or improvement in medical comorbidities. Perioperative opioid use was significantly higher in the MJ-user group despite lower subjective pain scores. The difference in opioid requirements suggests an interaction between MJ use and opioid tolerance or pain threshold. The percentage of total body weight loss, improvement in medical comorbidity, and incidence of postoperative complications at 90-day follow-up were not affected by MJ use in this cohort analysis.

Background Identifying factors that can be targeted in intervention/prevention programs aimed at reducing marijuana (MJ)-related consequences is of critical concern due to the changing legislative landscape of MJ. The dualistic model of passion for MJ has indicated that two factors, obsessive passion (OP) and harmonious passion (HP), have unique effects associated with MJ use outcomes. New research suggests that a quadripartite approach could provide a more nuanced method to interpret risk and protective factors associated with MJ use. Therefore, we used moderation to investigate the associations among OP, HP, and MJ use outcomes. Method A community sample of frequent MJ users was recruited using internet-based advertisements and completed web-based surveys (n = 161; M age = 27.3, SD = 8.9; Male = 87%; White/Caucasian = 86%; M past 30-day MJ use = 22.3, SD = 9.9). HP was tested as the moderator between OP, and MJ-related outcomes and conditional effects (±1 SD) were examined when interaction effects were significant. Results Only main effects for OP had a relation to quantity/frequency of MJ use and MJ intoxication, while main effects for OP and HP were associated with reduction attempts. Interaction effects were significant for MJ consequences, craving, and life satisfaction. Neither OP nor HP were significantly associated with substance use outcomes. Conclusions Findings demonstrate that Pure OP and Mixed Passion are associated with greater risk. Mixed Passion may be a precursor to Pure OP and experiencing MJ-related consequences. Furthermore, Mixed Passion and Pure OP may be important targets for intervention/prevention programs designed to reduce negative outcomes.

Assessing the overlap between tobacco and marijuana: Trends in patterns of co-use of tobacco and marijuana in adults from 2003–2012

Cerebellar vermis abnormalities and cognitive functions in individuals with Williams syndrome

Una eleccion dificil E. Kummer, el algebrista aleman, era mas bien malo en aritmetica. Siempre que tenia que resolver en clase la mas simple operacion de esta disciplina, recurria a sus alumnos. En una ocasion necesitaba calcular 7x9. 7x9, —empezo— 7x9 son pues esto 7x9 son . Un alumno sugirio 61. Kummer escribio 61 en la pizarra. Senor —dijo otro alumno— son 69. Venga, caballeros, venga, —dijo Kummer— no pueden ser ambos: o es uno o es otro.

Peer Influence on Marijuana Use in Different Types of Friendships

ABSTRACTTo date, little is known about psychosocial and behavioral effects of marijuana (MJ) use among youths in substance abuse disorder (SUD) treatment. We recruited 80 youths (Mage = 20.4 ± 3.5 years old) to participate in an aftercare pilot program from SUD treatment programs in Southern California. This article explores differences in psychosocial and behavioral treatment outcomes between youths in SUD treatment for MJ compared to youths in treatment for another primary substance other than MJ (i.e., stimulants, opioids, alcohol). Youths in SUD treatment for MJ reported being less likely to quit, continued MJ use at treatment completion, less substance use severity, less psychosocial distress, and fewer criminal behaviors compared to youths who received treatment for substances other than MJ. There were differences in HIV-risk outcomes in the past year; however, both groups reported risky sexual behavior in the past month at treatment discharge.

PurposeThe purpose of the study is to examine (1) whether family and peer marijuana use are independently related to adolescent marijuana use in Chile, (2) whether family and peer marijuana use are associated with adolescent marijuana dependence in adolescents using marijuana, and (3) whether the adolescent’s age moderates the association between family or peer use and adolescent marijuana use and/or dependence.MethodThis study used data from the National Survey on Drug Use in the General Population in Chile (a cross-sectional observational study), which was conducted in 2008 and 2010 in 4413 adolescents aged 12–19. Adolescents answered questions about their past-year marijuana use and dependence (ICD-10 criteria) and the marijuana use of their family and peers. Logistic regressions were performed while controlling for confounders.ResultsAdolescents who had a family member who used marijuana were five times more likely to use the drug. Adolescents with a close friend who used marijuana were eight times more likely to use marijuana. When adolescents were using marijuana, they were three times more likely to be dependent if they had a family member who used the drug. However, no significant relationship was found between peer use and dependence. No statistically significant interactions were found between family or peer use and age.ConclusionFamily and peer marijuana use was independently associated with adolescent’s past-year marijuana use; however, only family marijuana use was statistically associated with adolescent’s marijuana dependence.