Neuroscience 2002 Abstract
| Presentation Number: | 900.12 |
|---|---|
| Abstract Title: | LONG-TERM CANNABIS USERS EMPLOY DIFFERENT DECISION-MAKING STRATEGIES THAN CONTROLS IN A RISK-TAKING TASK. |
| Authors: |
Whitlow, C. T.*1
; Livengood, L. B.1
; Hart, S. L.1
; Lamborn, C. M.1
; Liguori, A.1
; Frasca, T. A.2
; Laurienti, P. J.3
; Porrino, L. J.1
1Departments of Physiology & Pharmacology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 2Psychiatry, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 3and Radiology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC |
| Primary Theme and Topics |
Neurological and Psychiatric Conditions - Addiction and Drugs of Abuse -- Opioids and others |
| Secondary Theme and Topics | Cognition and Behavior<br />- Motivation and Emotion |
| Session: |
900. Addiction and drugs of abuse: opioids and others V Poster |
| Presentation Time: | Thursday, November 7, 2002 11:00 AM-12:00 PM |
| Location: | Hall A2-B3 Z-72 |
| Keywords: | DRUG ABUSE, CANNABINOIDS, MOTIVATION, COGNITION |
A number of studies have shown that long-term abusers of alcohol, cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine exhibit impairments on the “Gambling Task,” developed by Bechara and colleagues, which tests the ability to balance immediate rewards against future negative consequences (Petry et al. 1998, Mazas et al. 2000, Grant et al. 2000, Bechara et al. 2001). The purpose of the present study was to determine if similar impairments would be seen in chronic cannabis users. To this end, we compared Gambling Task performance of long-term cannabis users (daily marijuana use for at least 5 years, and the presence of urinary cannabinoids), to controls (no more than 50 life-time marijuana uses, and no urinary cannabinoids). Chronic marijuana users chose significantly more cards from the decks that yielded high immediate gains despite higher future losses (net score = -15.1 ± 36, mean±SEM), as compared to controls (36.5 ± 15). In contrast to Gambling Task performance, no significant differences were observed on the performance of several other neuropsychological measures, such as pattern recognition memory, delayed-match-to-sample, intra/extra-dimensional set shift, and Stockings of Cambridge. These data suggest that long-term cannabis use is associated with impaired performance on a decision-making task. Furthermore, these data suggest that there may be some similarities between the neuropsychological effects of chronic marijuana use and the chronic use of other drugs of abuse on tasks that involve rewards and penalties.
Supported by DA05911 (CTW), DA10230 (LJP).
Sample Citation:
[Authors]. [Abstract Title]. Program No. XXX.XX. 2002 Neuroscience Meeting Planner. Orlando, FL: Society for Neuroscience, 2002. Online.
Copyright © 2002-2025 Society for Neuroscience; all rights reserved. Permission to republish any abstract or part of any abstract in any form must be obtained in writing by SfN office prior to publication.
