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Effects of Cannabis on Neurocognitive Functioning: Recent Advances, Neurodevelopmental Influences, and Sex Differences

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Abstract

Decades of research have examined the effects of cannabis on neurocognition. Recent advances in this field provide us with a better understanding of how cannabis use influences neurocognition both acutely (during intoxication) and non-acutely (after acute effects subside). Evidence of problems with episodic memory is one of the most consistent findings reported; however, several other neurocognitive domains appear to be adversely affected by cannabis use under various conditions. There is significant variability in findings across studies, thus a discussion of potential moderators is increasingly relevant. The purpose of this review was to 1) provide an update on research of cannabis’ acute and non-acute effects on neurocognition, with a focus on findings since 2007 and 2) suggest and discuss how neurodevelopmental issues and sex differences may influence cannabis effects on neurocognition. Finally we discuss how future investigations may lead to better understanding of the complex interplay among cannabis, stages of neurodevelopment, and sex on neurocognitive functioning.

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Acknowledgments

This review was made possible by grants from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (K23 DA023560, R01 DA031176, and R01 DA033156, PI: Gonzalez) and (F31 DA032244-01, PI: Schuster). Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of NIDA or the National Institutes of Health.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA

    Natania A. Crane & Randi Melissa Schuster

  2. Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, King’s College London, London, UK

    Paolo Fusar-Poli

  3. Department of Psychology, Florida International University, 11200 S.W. 8th Street, Miami, FL, 33199, USA

    Raul Gonzalez

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  1. Natania A. Crane
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  2. Randi Melissa Schuster
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  3. Paolo Fusar-Poli
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Correspondence to Raul Gonzalez.

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Crane, N.A., Schuster, R.M., Fusar-Poli, P. et al. Effects of Cannabis on Neurocognitive Functioning: Recent Advances, Neurodevelopmental Influences, and Sex Differences. Neuropsychol Rev 23, 117–137 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11065-012-9222-1

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