The impact of regular cannabis use on the human brain: A review of structural neuroimaging studies

Authors

Valentina Lorenzetti, University of Melbourne
Dan I. Lubman, Monash University
Alex Fornito, University of Melbourne
Sarah Whittle, University of Melbourne
Michael J. Takagi, University of MelbourneFollow
Nadia Solowij, University of WollongongFollow
Murat Yucel, University of Melbourne

RIS ID

82012

Publication Details

Lorenzetti, V., Lubman, D. I., Fornito, A., Whittle, S., Takagi, M. J., Solowij, N. & Yucel, M. (2013). The impact of regular cannabis use on the human brain: A review of structural neuroimaging studies. In P. M. Miller (Eds.), Biological Research on Addiction (pp. 711-728). San Diego, United States: Academic Press.

Abstract

This chapter reviews structural neuroimaging studies examining the impact of regular cannabis exposure, cannabis use patterns, and psychopathology/neurocognitive measure on the human brain. Regular cannabis exposure was related to alterations in medial temporal, frontal, and cerebellar brain regions, which were most apparent in heavier using groups. A series of complex relationships between cannabis use patterns, psychopathology/neurocognitive measures, and brain volumes were apparent. Despite many methodological issues across studies to date, there is emerging evidence that regular cannabis use is related to adverse outcomes on human brain structure.