A preliminary DTI study showing no brain structural change associated with adolescent cannabis use

Harm Reduction Journal 2006, 9 May 2006

Lynn E DeLisi , Hilary C Bertisch , Kyle Brown , Magda Majcher , Arthica Bappal , Kamila U Szulc and Babak A Ardekani

Abstract (provisional)

Background

Few studies have examined whether cannabis has an effect on the developing adolescent brain using up-to-date Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) methods.

Methods

Analyses were performed on brain MRI scans from individuals who were frequent cannabis users (N=10) in adolescence and similar age and sex matched young adults who never used cannabis (N=10). 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, ventricles, and gray matter volumes of the temporal lobes, superior temporal gyrus and hippocampus/amygdala complex were also measured.

Results

While differences existed between groups, no pattern consistent with evidence of cerebral atrophy or loss of white matter integrity was detected.

Conclusions

Frequent cannabis use is unlikely to be neurotoxic to the normal developing brain.

http://www.harmreductionjournal.com/content/3/1/17