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Therapeutic Effects Of Prolonged Cannabidiol Treatment On Psychological Symptoms And Cognitive Function In Regular Cannabis Users: A Pragmatic Open-Label Clinical Trial, Nadia Solowij, Samantha J. Broyd, Camilla Beale, Julie-Anne Prick, Lisa-Marie Greenwood, Hendrika H. Van Hell, Chao Suo, Peter Galettis, Nagesh B. Pai, Shanlin Fu, Rodney J. Croft, Jennifer H. Martin, Murat Yucel Jan 2018

Therapeutic Effects Of Prolonged Cannabidiol Treatment On Psychological Symptoms And Cognitive Function In Regular Cannabis Users: A Pragmatic Open-Label Clinical Trial, Nadia Solowij, Samantha J. Broyd, Camilla Beale, Julie-Anne Prick, Lisa-Marie Greenwood, Hendrika H. Van Hell, Chao Suo, Peter Galettis, Nagesh B. Pai, Shanlin Fu, Rodney J. Croft, Jennifer H. Martin, Murat Yucel

Faculty of Social Sciences - Papers (Archive)

Chronic cannabis use has been associated with impaired cognition and elevated psychological symptoms, particularly psychotic-like experiences.


Prolonged Cannabidiol Treatment Effects On Hippocampal Subfield Volumes In Current Cannabis Users, Camilla Beale, Samantha J. Broyd, Yann Chye, Mark M. Schira, Peter Galettis, Jennifer H. Martin, Murat Yucel, Nadia Solowij Jan 2018

Prolonged Cannabidiol Treatment Effects On Hippocampal Subfield Volumes In Current Cannabis Users, Camilla Beale, Samantha J. Broyd, Yann Chye, Mark M. Schira, Peter Galettis, Jennifer H. Martin, Murat Yucel, Nadia Solowij

Faculty of Social Sciences - Papers (Archive)

No abstract provided.


Effect Of Cannabis Use In People With Chronic Non-Cancer Pain Prescribed Opioids: Findings From A 4-Year Prospective Cohort Study, Gabrielle Campbell, Wayne Hall, Amy Peacock, Nicholas Lintzeris, Raimondo Bruno, Briony K. Larance, Suzanne Nielsen, Milton Cohen, Gary Chan, Richard P. Mattick, Fiona Blyth, Marian D. Shanahan, Timothy Dobbins, Michael P. Farrell, Louisa Degenhardt Jan 2018

Effect Of Cannabis Use In People With Chronic Non-Cancer Pain Prescribed Opioids: Findings From A 4-Year Prospective Cohort Study, Gabrielle Campbell, Wayne Hall, Amy Peacock, Nicholas Lintzeris, Raimondo Bruno, Briony K. Larance, Suzanne Nielsen, Milton Cohen, Gary Chan, Richard P. Mattick, Fiona Blyth, Marian D. Shanahan, Timothy Dobbins, Michael P. Farrell, Louisa Degenhardt

Faculty of Social Sciences - Papers (Archive)

Background Interest in the use of cannabis and cannabinoids to treat chronic non-cancer pain is increasing, because of their potential to reduce opioid dose requirements. We aimed to investigate cannabis use in people living with chronic non-cancer pain who had been prescribed opioids, including their reasons for use and perceived effectiveness of cannabis; associations between amount of cannabis use and pain, mental health, and opioid use; the effect of cannabis use on pain severity and interference over time; and potential opioid-sparing effects of cannabis. Methods The Pain and Opioids IN Treatment study is a prospective, national, observational cohort of people …


The Effects And Impact Of Second-Hand Cannabis Smoke Exposure On Nurses Working In The Community, Miguel Iglesias, Joy Pertile, Luke J. Molloy, Alex Chan Jan 2018

The Effects And Impact Of Second-Hand Cannabis Smoke Exposure On Nurses Working In The Community, Miguel Iglesias, Joy Pertile, Luke J. Molloy, Alex Chan

Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health - Papers: Part B

This article explores the work, health and safety risks that may be associated with the exposure of nurses to second-hand cannabis smoke while working in the community. Emerging evidence suggests the benefits of cannabis in the treatment of several chronic and terminal illnesses. This has led to some countries, like Australia, decriminalising or legalising the use of cannabis for medicinal purposes. Smoked cannabis is one of several routes of administration. However, cannabis smoke may have an impact on those in close proximity to the consuming patient. As a result, community healthcare workers, including nurses, may passively inhale cannabis substances while …


Electrophysiological Investigation Of Auditory Mismatch Negativity: A Brain-Based Biomarker Of N-Methyl-D-Aspartate Signalling, Lisa-Marie Greenwood Jan 2017

Electrophysiological Investigation Of Auditory Mismatch Negativity: A Brain-Based Biomarker Of N-Methyl-D-Aspartate Signalling, Lisa-Marie Greenwood

University of Wollongong Thesis Collection 2017+

Inconsistent reports on the therapeutic efficacy of increasing synaptic glycine concentration have raised doubt as to the benefit of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAr) mediated treatments for schizophrenia. Categorising individuals based on broad diagnostic criteria does not appear to adequately identify individuals who will benefit from such treatments. Mismatch negativity (MMN) may be a suitable biomarker of NMDAr function, to help clarify the neurobiological relationship between pharmacological intervention and clinical treatment efficacy. MMN is an auditory event-related potential elicited following the presentation of a deviant stimulus, when it violates an established sequence stored in echoic memory. MMN is a robust deficit in …


The Neurobiology Of Cannabis Use Disorders: A Call For Evidence, Valentina Lorenzetti, Janna Cousijn, Nadia Solowij, Hugh Garavan, C Suo, Murat Yucel, Antonio Verdejo-Garcia Jan 2016

The Neurobiology Of Cannabis Use Disorders: A Call For Evidence, Valentina Lorenzetti, Janna Cousijn, Nadia Solowij, Hugh Garavan, C Suo, Murat Yucel, Antonio Verdejo-Garcia

Faculty of Social Sciences - Papers (Archive)

Using cannabis is perceived by many as relatively harmless, but the adverse effects of problematic cannabis use are significant.


Mismatch Negativity And P50 Sensory Gating In Abstinent Former Cannabis Users, Samantha J. Broyd, Lisa-Marie Greenwood, Hendrika H. Van Hell, Rodney J. Croft, Hannah Coyle, Benjamin Lee-Bates, Juanita Todd, Stuart J. Johnstone, Patricia Michie, Nadia Solowij Jan 2016

Mismatch Negativity And P50 Sensory Gating In Abstinent Former Cannabis Users, Samantha J. Broyd, Lisa-Marie Greenwood, Hendrika H. Van Hell, Rodney J. Croft, Hannah Coyle, Benjamin Lee-Bates, Juanita Todd, Stuart J. Johnstone, Patricia Michie, Nadia Solowij

Faculty of Social Sciences - Papers (Archive)

Prolonged heavy exposure to cannabis is associated with impaired cognition and brain functional and structural alterations. We recently reported attenuated mismatch negativity (MMN) and altered P50 sensory gating in chronic cannabis users. This study investigated the extent of brain functional recovery (indexed by MMN and P50) in chronic users after cessation of use. Eighteen ex-users (median 13.5 years prior regular use; median 3.5 years abstinence) and 18 nonusers completed (1) a multifeature oddball task with duration, frequency, and intensity deviants and (2) a P50 paired-click paradigm. Trend level smaller duration MMN amplitude and larger P50 ratios (indicative of poorer sensory …


The Role Of Cannabinoids In Neuroanatomic Alterations In Cannabis Users, Valentina Lorenzetti, Nadia Solowij, Murat Yuecel Jan 2016

The Role Of Cannabinoids In Neuroanatomic Alterations In Cannabis Users, Valentina Lorenzetti, Nadia Solowij, Murat Yuecel

Faculty of Social Sciences - Papers (Archive)

The past few decades have seen a marked change in the composition of commonly smoked cannabis. These changes primarily involve an increase of the psychoactive compound Delta(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and a decrease of the potentially therapeutic compound cannabidiol (CBD). This altered composition of cannabis may be linked to persistent neuroanatomic alterations typically seen in regular cannabis users. In this review, we summarize recent findings from human structural neuroimaging investigations. We examine whether neuroanatomic alterations are 1) consistently observed in samples of regular cannabis users, particularly in cannabinoid receptor-high areas, which are vulnerable to the effects of high circulating levels of THC, …


Clinical Trials Of Medicinal Cannabis For Appetite-Related Symptoms From Advanced Cancer: A Survey Of Preferences, Attitudes And Beliefs Among Patients Willing To Consider Participation, Tim Luckett, Jane Phillips, Nicholas Lintzeris, David J. Allsop, J Lee, Nadia Solowij, Jennifer H. Martin, L Lam, R Aggarwal, Nikki Mccaffrey, David C. Currow, R Chye, Melanie Lovell, Iain Prof Iain Mcgregor, Meera Agar Jan 2016

Clinical Trials Of Medicinal Cannabis For Appetite-Related Symptoms From Advanced Cancer: A Survey Of Preferences, Attitudes And Beliefs Among Patients Willing To Consider Participation, Tim Luckett, Jane Phillips, Nicholas Lintzeris, David J. Allsop, J Lee, Nadia Solowij, Jennifer H. Martin, L Lam, R Aggarwal, Nikki Mccaffrey, David C. Currow, R Chye, Melanie Lovell, Iain Prof Iain Mcgregor, Meera Agar

Faculty of Social Sciences - Papers (Archive)

Australian clinical trials are planned to evaluate medicinal cannabis in a range of clinical contexts. Aims: To explore the preferences, attitudes and beliefs of patients eligible and willing to consider participation in a clinical trial of medicinal cannabis for poor appetite and appetite-related symptoms from advanced cancer.


Hippocampal Harms, Protection And Recovery Following Regular Cannabis Use, Murat Yucel, Valentina Lorenzetti, C Suo, Andrew Zalesky, Alex Fornito, Michael J. Takagi, Daniel Lubman, Nadia Solowij Jan 2016

Hippocampal Harms, Protection And Recovery Following Regular Cannabis Use, Murat Yucel, Valentina Lorenzetti, C Suo, Andrew Zalesky, Alex Fornito, Michael J. Takagi, Daniel Lubman, Nadia Solowij

Faculty of Social Sciences - Papers (Archive)

Shifting policies towards legalisation of cannabis for therapeutic and recreational use raise significant ethical issues for health-care providers seeking evidence-based recommendations. We investigated whether heavy cannabis use is associated with persistent harms to the hippocampus, if exposure to cannabidiol offers protection, and whether recovery occurs with abstinence. To do this, we assessed 111 participants: 74 long-term regular cannabis users (with an average of 15.4 years of use) and 37 non-user healthy controls. Cannabis users included subgroups of participants who were either exposed to Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) but not to cannabidiol (CBD) or exposed to both, and former users with sustained abstinence. …


Are Cannabis Expectancies Related To Subjective Drug Experiences And Schizotypy?, Emma Barkus, Tahlia Muddle, John Stirling, Shon Lewis Jan 2015

Are Cannabis Expectancies Related To Subjective Drug Experiences And Schizotypy?, Emma Barkus, Tahlia Muddle, John Stirling, Shon Lewis

Faculty of Social Sciences - Papers (Archive)

Objective: There is an established literature on cannabis expectancies and how these relate to patterns of cannabis use and clinical outcomes. However increasingly we are becoming interested in how cannabis expectancies shape the subjective experiences people have during drug use, and vice versa. Here we present data reporting how cannabis expectancies relate to subjective experiences after cannabis. Additionally we will determine whether an index of psychosis proneness (schizotypy) is related to cannabis expectancies. Method: A sample of recreational cannabis users (n=137) completed the brief Schizotypal Personality Questionnaire, the Cannabis Experiences Questionnaire and the Marijuana Effects Expectancy Questionnaire. Results: Cannabis expectancies …


Gross Morphological Brain Changes With Chronic, Heavy Cannabis Use, Valentina Lorenzetti, Nadia Solowij, Sarah Whittle, Alex Fornito, Daniel Lubman, Christos Pantelis, Murat Yücel Jan 2015

Gross Morphological Brain Changes With Chronic, Heavy Cannabis Use, Valentina Lorenzetti, Nadia Solowij, Sarah Whittle, Alex Fornito, Daniel Lubman, Christos Pantelis, Murat Yücel

Faculty of Social Sciences - Papers (Archive)

We investigated the morphology of multiple brain regions in a rare sample of 15 very heavy cannabis users with minimal psychiatric comorbidity or significant exposure to other substances (compared with 15 age- and IQ-matched non-cannabis-using controls) using manual techniques. Heavy cannabis users demonstrated smaller hippocampus and amygdala volumes, but no alterations of the orbitofrontal and anterior- and paracingulate cortices, or the pituitary gland. These findings indicate that chronic cannabis use has a selective and detrimental impact on the morphology of the mediotemporal lobe.


An Investigation Of Mismatch Negativity In Current And Ex-Cannabis Users Using A Feature Controlled Method, Felicity Webster, Samantha Broyd, Lisa-Marie Greenwood, Rodney J. Croft, Juanita Todd, Patricia Michie, Stuart Johnstone, Benjamin Lee-Bates, Hannah Coyle, Nadia Solowij Jan 2013

An Investigation Of Mismatch Negativity In Current And Ex-Cannabis Users Using A Feature Controlled Method, Felicity Webster, Samantha Broyd, Lisa-Marie Greenwood, Rodney J. Croft, Juanita Todd, Patricia Michie, Stuart Johnstone, Benjamin Lee-Bates, Hannah Coyle, Nadia Solowij

Faculty of Social Sciences - Papers (Archive)

Abstract presented at the 23rd Australasian Society for Psychophysiology Conference, 20-22 Nov 2013, Wollongong, Australia


Chronic Effects Of Cannabis On Sensory Gating, Samantha J. Broyd, Lisa-Marie Greenwood, Rodney Croft, Anna Dalecki, Juanita Todd, Patricia T. Michie, Stuart J. Johnstone, Nadia Solowij Jan 2013

Chronic Effects Of Cannabis On Sensory Gating, Samantha J. Broyd, Lisa-Marie Greenwood, Rodney Croft, Anna Dalecki, Juanita Todd, Patricia T. Michie, Stuart J. Johnstone, Nadia Solowij

Faculty of Social Sciences - Papers (Archive)

Chronic cannabis use has been associated with neurocognitive deficits, alterations in brain structure and function, and with psychosis. This study investigated the effects of chronic cannabis use on P50 sensory-gating in regular users, and explored the association between sensory gating, cannabis use history and the development of psychotic-like symptoms. Twenty controls and 21 regular cannabis users completed a P50 paired-click (S1 and S2) paradigm with an inter-pair interval of 9. s. The groups were compared on P50 amplitude to S1 and S2, P50 ratio (S2/S1) and P50 difference score (S1-S2). While cannabis users overall did not differ from controls on …


Familial Analysis Of Mmn In Cannabis Users: A Case Study, Felicity Webster, Samantha Broyd, Rodney J. Croft, Hendrika H. Van Hell, Lisa-Marie Greenwood, Stuart Johnstone, Juanita Todd, Patricia Michie, Nadia Solowij Jan 2013

Familial Analysis Of Mmn In Cannabis Users: A Case Study, Felicity Webster, Samantha Broyd, Rodney J. Croft, Hendrika H. Van Hell, Lisa-Marie Greenwood, Stuart Johnstone, Juanita Todd, Patricia Michie, Nadia Solowij

Faculty of Social Sciences - Papers (Archive)

Abstract presented at the 23rd Australasian Society for Psychophysiology Conference, 20-22 Nov 2013, Wollongong, Australia


Smoking Mull: A Grounded Theory Model On The Dynamics Of Combined Tobacco And Cannabis Use Among Men, A Banbury, Avigdor Zask, Stacy M. Carter, Eric Van Beurden, R Tokley, Megan Passey, Jan Copeland Jan 2013

Smoking Mull: A Grounded Theory Model On The Dynamics Of Combined Tobacco And Cannabis Use Among Men, A Banbury, Avigdor Zask, Stacy M. Carter, Eric Van Beurden, R Tokley, Megan Passey, Jan Copeland

Faculty of Social Sciences - Papers (Archive)

Issue addressed Australians' use of cannabis has been increasing. Over a third of Australians (35.4%) have used cannabis at some time in their lives and 10.3% are recent users. Almost two‐thirds of cannabis users combine cannabis with tobacco. The aim of this study was to understand the process of mulling - smoking tobacco and cannabis together - using a grounded theory approach. Methods Twenty‐one in‐depth semistructured interviews were conducted with men aged 25-34 and living on the North Coast of New South Wales. Interviews explored participants' smoking practices, histories and cessation attempts. Results A model describing mulling behaviour and the …


Alteration To Hippocampal Shape In Cannabis Users With And Without Schizophrenia, Nadia Solowij, Mark Walterfang, Daniel I. Lubman, Sarah Whittle, Valentina Lorenzetti, Martin Styner, Dennis Velakoulis, Christos Pantelis, Murat Yuecel Jan 2013

Alteration To Hippocampal Shape In Cannabis Users With And Without Schizophrenia, Nadia Solowij, Mark Walterfang, Daniel I. Lubman, Sarah Whittle, Valentina Lorenzetti, Martin Styner, Dennis Velakoulis, Christos Pantelis, Murat Yuecel

Faculty of Social Sciences - Papers (Archive)

Abnormalities in hippocampal morphology are characteristic of schizophrenia and have also been reported in chronic cannabis users. There is a paucity of research investigating potential additive effects of cannabis use on brain pathology associated with schizophrenia. In this study, we performed hippocampal shape analysis in cannabis-using and non-using patients with schizophrenia, healthy cannabis users and healthy non-using controls. Hippocampal shape changes were observed in each group relative to controls, with the greatest degree of alterations (i.e., deflations across the hippocampus, and with an anterior predisposition), in cannabis-using schizophrenia patients. These alterations were associated with cannabis use patterns and psychotic symptoms.


Reflection Impulsivity In Adolescent Cannabis Users: A Comparison With Alcohol-Using And Non-Substance-Using Adolescents, Nadia Solowij, Katy A. Jones, Megan E. Rozman, Sasha M. Davis, Joseph Ciarrochi, Patrick C. L Heaven, Nicole Pesa, Dan I. Lubman, Murat Yucel Jan 2012

Reflection Impulsivity In Adolescent Cannabis Users: A Comparison With Alcohol-Using And Non-Substance-Using Adolescents, Nadia Solowij, Katy A. Jones, Megan E. Rozman, Sasha M. Davis, Joseph Ciarrochi, Patrick C. L Heaven, Nicole Pesa, Dan I. Lubman, Murat Yucel

Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Papers (Archive)

Rationale Reflection impulsivity-a failure to gather and evaluate information before making a decision-is a critical component of risk-taking and substance use behaviours, which are highly prevalent during adolescence. Objectives and methods The Information Sampling Test was used to assess reflection impulsivity in 175 adolescents (mean age 18.3, range 16.5-20; 55% female)-48 cannabis users (2.3 years use, 10.8 days/month), 65 alcohol users, and 62 non-substance-using controls-recruited from a longitudinal cohort and from the general community and matched for education and IQ. Cannabis and alcohol users were matched on levels of alcohol consumption. Results Cannabis users sampled to the lowest degree of …


The Effects Of Regular Long-Term Cannabis Use On Auditory Mismatch Negativity (Mmn), Lisa-Marie Greenwood, Samantha J. Broyd, Rodney J. Croft, Patricia T. Michie, Juanita Todd, Stuart J. Johnstone, Robyn Murray, Nadia Solowij Jan 2012

The Effects Of Regular Long-Term Cannabis Use On Auditory Mismatch Negativity (Mmn), Lisa-Marie Greenwood, Samantha J. Broyd, Rodney J. Croft, Patricia T. Michie, Juanita Todd, Stuart J. Johnstone, Robyn Murray, Nadia Solowij

Faculty of Social Sciences - Papers (Archive)

Abstract presented at the 3rd Biennial Schizophrenia International Research Conference Florence, Italy 14-18 April 2012


Does Cannabis Cause Lasting Brain Damage?, Nadia Solowij, Murat Yucel, Valentina Lorenzetti, Dan Lubman Jan 2012

Does Cannabis Cause Lasting Brain Damage?, Nadia Solowij, Murat Yucel, Valentina Lorenzetti, Dan Lubman

Faculty of Social Sciences - Papers (Archive)

Until recently, it was possible to state with some confi - dence that there was no evidence of cannabis-related brain damage in humans. There was some support from the animal literature, but few human studies had been conducted where the findings could not be explained by methodological or other confounding factors. Recent evidence for gross morphological, connectivity and microstructural changes has now emerged that warrants further consideration. If cannabis were found to alter the structural integrity of the brain, then this may assist us to understand the mechanisms by which cannabis triggers psychotic symptoms or overt psychosis in vulnerable individuals.


Genetic Modulation Of The Long-Term Effects Of Cannabis On Brain Structure, Function And Symptomatology, Nadia Solowij, Francesca Fernandez, Robin Murray, Murat Yucel Jan 2012

Genetic Modulation Of The Long-Term Effects Of Cannabis On Brain Structure, Function And Symptomatology, Nadia Solowij, Francesca Fernandez, Robin Murray, Murat Yucel

Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute

Published abstract from the 3rd Biennial Schizophrenia International Research Conference Florence, Italy 14-18 April 2012


Functional Connectivity In Brain Networks Underlying Cognitive Control In Chronic Cannabis Users, Ian H. Harding, Nadia Solowij, Ben J. Harrison, Michael Takagi, Valentina Lorenzetti, Dan I. Lubman, Marc L. Seal, Christos Pantelis, Murat Yucel Jan 2012

Functional Connectivity In Brain Networks Underlying Cognitive Control In Chronic Cannabis Users, Ian H. Harding, Nadia Solowij, Ben J. Harrison, Michael Takagi, Valentina Lorenzetti, Dan I. Lubman, Marc L. Seal, Christos Pantelis, Murat Yucel

Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Papers (Archive)

The long-term effect of regular cannabis use on brain function underlying cognitive control remains equivocal. Cognitive control abilities are thought to have a major role in everyday functioning, and their dysfunction has been implicated in the maintenance of maladaptive drug-taking patterns. In this study, the Multi-Source Interference Task was employed alongside functional magnetic resonance imaging and psychophysiological interaction methods to investigate functional interactions between brain regions underlying cognitive control. Current cannabis users with a history of greater than 10 years of daily or near-daily cannabis smoking (n=21) were compared with age, gender, and IQ-matched non-using controls (n=21). No differences in …


The Impact Of Cannabis Use On Cognitive Functioning In Patients With Schizophrenia: A Meta-Analysis Of Existing Findings And New Data In A First-Episode Sample, Murat Yücel, Emre Bora, Daniel I. Lubman, Nadia Solowij, Warrick J. Brewer, Sue M. Cotton, Phillipe Conus, Michael J. Takagi, Alex Fornito, Stephen J. Wood, Patrick D. Mcgorry, Christos Pantelis Jan 2012

The Impact Of Cannabis Use On Cognitive Functioning In Patients With Schizophrenia: A Meta-Analysis Of Existing Findings And New Data In A First-Episode Sample, Murat Yücel, Emre Bora, Daniel I. Lubman, Nadia Solowij, Warrick J. Brewer, Sue M. Cotton, Phillipe Conus, Michael J. Takagi, Alex Fornito, Stephen J. Wood, Patrick D. Mcgorry, Christos Pantelis

Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Papers (Archive)

Cannabis use is highly prevalent among people with schizophrenia, and coupled with impaired cognition, is thought to heighten the risk of illness onset. However, while heavy cannabis use has been associated with cognitive deficits in long-term users, studies among patients with schizophrenia have been contradictory. This article consists of 2 studies. In Study I, a meta-analysis of 10 studies comprising 572 patients with established schizophrenia (with and without comorbid cannabis use) was conducted. Patients with a history of cannabis use were found to have superior neuropsychological functioning. This finding was largely driven by studies that included patients with a lifetime …


Cerebellar White-Matter Changes In Cannabis Users With And Without Schizophrenia, N Solowij, M Yucel, C Respondek, S Whittle, E Lindsay, C Pantelis, D I. Lubman Jan 2011

Cerebellar White-Matter Changes In Cannabis Users With And Without Schizophrenia, N Solowij, M Yucel, C Respondek, S Whittle, E Lindsay, C Pantelis, D I. Lubman

Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Papers (Archive)

Background. The cerebellum is rich in cannabinoid receptors and implicated in the neuropathology of schizophrenia. Long-term cannabis use is associated with functional and structural brain changes similar to those evident in schizophrenia, yet its impact on cerebellar structure has not been determined. We examined cerebellar grey and white matter in cannabis users with and without schizophrenia. Method. Seventeen patients with schizophrenia and 31 healthy controls were recruited ; 48% of the healthy group and 47% of the patients were long-term heavy cannabis users (mean 19.7 and 17.9 years near daily use respectively). Cerebellar measures were extracted from structural 3-T magnetic …


Verbal Learning And Memory In Adolescent Cannabis Users, Alcohol Users And Non-Users, Nadia Solowij, Katy A. Jones, Megan E. Rozman, Sasha M. Davis, Joseph Ciarrochi, Patrick C. L Heaven, Dan I. Lubman, Murat Yucel Jan 2011

Verbal Learning And Memory In Adolescent Cannabis Users, Alcohol Users And Non-Users, Nadia Solowij, Katy A. Jones, Megan E. Rozman, Sasha M. Davis, Joseph Ciarrochi, Patrick C. L Heaven, Dan I. Lubman, Murat Yucel

Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Papers (Archive)

Rationale Long-term heavy cannabis use can result in memory impairment. Adolescent users may be especially vulnerable to the adverse neurocognitive effects of cannabis. Objectives and methods In a cross-sectional and prospective neuropsychological study of 181 adolescents aged 16–20 (mean 18.3 years), we compared performance indices from one of the most widely used measures of learning and memory—the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test—between cannabis users (n=52; mean 2.4 years of use, 14 days/month, median abstinence 20.3 h), alcohol users (n=67) and non-user controls (n=62) matched for age, education and premorbid intellectual ability (assessed prospectively), and alcohol consumption for cannabis and alcohol …


Cannabis And Cognition: Short- And Long-Term Effects, Nadia Solowij, Nicole Pesa Jan 2011

Cannabis And Cognition: Short- And Long-Term Effects, Nadia Solowij, Nicole Pesa

Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Papers (Archive)

Twenty years ago cannabis was generally perceived to be a benign drug with few significant adverse effects. As outlined elsewhere in this book, evidence has since mounted in the scientific literature for a range of harms associated with the use of cannabis, including the development of dependence and health-related harms (see also Hall and Solowij, 1998; Hall and Degenhardt, 2009). As the overall theme of this book indicates, an association between cannabis use and the development of psychotic symptoms or overt psychosis has grown to be recognized as a significant potential harm, and investigating the mechanisms by which cannabis may …


Cognitive Abnormalities And Cannabis Use, Nadia Solowij, Nicole Pesa Jan 2010

Cognitive Abnormalities And Cannabis Use, Nadia Solowij, Nicole Pesa

Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Papers (Archive)

OBJECTIVE: Evidence that cannabis use impairs cognitive function in humans has been accumulating in recent decades. The purpose of this overview is to update knowledge in this area with new findings from the most recent literature. METHOD: Literature searches were conducted using the Web of Science database up to February 2010. The terms searched were: "cannabi*" or "marijuana", and "cogniti*" or "memory" or "attention" or "executive function", and human studies were reviewed preferentially over the animal literature. DISCUSSION: Cannabis use impairs memory, attention, inhibitory control, executive functions and decision making, both during the period of acute intoxication and beyond, persisting …


Harms To Body And Soul: An Ideological Balancing Act For Preventing And Reducing Cannabis Use, Nadia Solowij Jan 2010

Harms To Body And Soul: An Ideological Balancing Act For Preventing And Reducing Cannabis Use, Nadia Solowij

Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Papers (Archive)

In their piece for debate, Macleod & Hickman [1] present some credible arguments around the ways in which ideology may shape evidence and policy and describe the inevitable use of select aspects of scientific evidence to advance an agenda and drive funding directions. While the strength of evidence regarding causality in the association between cannabis and schizophrenia may not be incontrovertible, some of their arguments are indeed driven by their own ideology and advancement of their proposition that the main harmassociated with cannabis use pertains to its intimate relation to tobacco use, and that this, and the development of dependence, …


Guide D'Aide A L'Arret Du Cannabis (Guide To Quitting Cannabis), B. F. S. Grenyer, Nadia Solowij, R Peters Jan 2009

Guide D'Aide A L'Arret Du Cannabis (Guide To Quitting Cannabis), B. F. S. Grenyer, Nadia Solowij, R Peters

Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute

Ce guide a pour objectif d’aider les personnes qui envisagent d’arrêter de consommer du cannabis. Il peut aussi apporter des informations utiles à des personnes qui n’éprouvent pas actuellement le besoin d’arrêter. Il vous accompagnera de manière pratique, au long des différentes étapes du processus d’arrêt. Il vous aidera à identifi er les motivations qui vous poussent à consommer, les circonstances dans lesquelles vous fumez, mais également les raisons qui vous incitent à arrêter.


Personality And Cannabis Use, Emma Barkus Jan 2008

Personality And Cannabis Use, Emma Barkus

Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Papers (Archive)

Cannabis is one of the most widely used illegal substances in the world. Its use has been reported to be over-represented in many psychiatric conditions and has frequently been found to predate the onset of psychiatric symptoms. However, cannabis may also have detrimental effects on the general population. Factors that predict the onset of use are receiving increased attention to aid in identifying groups of young people who may be more prone to consume cannabis. Personality traits may be one such factor as they are readily identifiable and offer information that can be used for improved targeting of educational material …