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"It is concluded that frequent cannabis use is unlikely to be neurotoxic to
the normal developing adolescent brain."
Harm Reduction Journal 2006, 3:17 doi:10.1186/1477-7517-3-17
A preliminary DTI study showing no brain structural change associated with
adolescent cannabis use
Publication date 9 May 2006
Article URL http://www.harmreductionjournal.com/content/3/1/17
Lynn E. DeLisi(1,2)*, Hilary C. Bertisch,(2), Kamila U. Szulc, (2), Magda
Majcher(1), Kyle Brown(1), Arthika Bappal(1), Babak A. Ardekani(1,2)
(1) The Center for Advanced Brain Imaging, The Nathan S. Kline Institute for
Psychiatric Research, Orangeburg, New York, U.S.A. (2) The Department of
Psychiatry, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York,
U.S.A.
Address all correspondence to: Lynn E. DeLisi, M.D.
Professor of Psychiatry, New York University and Associate Director, Center
for Advanced Brain Imaging, 140 Old Orangeburg Road, Orangeburg, New York
10962 USA; Phone: 845-398-5514; Fax: 845-398-7542; E-Mail: DeLisi76@AOL.com
Abstract: Analyses were performed on brain MRI scans from individuals who
were frequent cannabis users (N=10; 9 males, 1 female, mean age 21.1±2.9,
range: 18-27) in adolescence and similar age and sex matched young adults
who never used cannabis (N=10; 9 males, 1 female, mean age of 23.0±4.4,
range: 17-30). Cerebral atrophy and white matter integrity were determined
using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) to quantify the apparent diffusion
coefficient (ADC) and the fractional anisotropy (FA). Whole brain volumes,
lateral ventricular volumes, and gray matter volumes of the
amygdala-hippocampal complex, superior temporal gyrus, and entire temporal
lobes (excluding the amygdala-hippocampal complex) were also measured.
While differences existed between groups, no pattern consistent with
evidence of cerebral atrophy or loss of white matter integrity was detected.
It is concluded that frequent cannabis use is unlikely to be neurotoxic to
the normal developing adolescent brain.
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