Neurocognitive consequences of chronic cannabis use: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Pedro Rafael Figueiredo, Serenella Tolomeo, Douglas Steele, Alexander Baldacchino (Lead / Corresponding author)

    Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

    74 Citations (Scopus)
    49 Downloads (Pure)

    Abstract

    Cannabis is currently the most used illicit substance in the world with a global widespread distribution. Although its acute neurocognitive effects on human behaviour have been reported, there is a lack of robust analysis investigating the link, if any, between chronic cannabis use and neurocognitive function. A systematic review of the literature was conducted in order to identify relevant studies published from 2010 to 2019. A meta-analysis was performed on 13 selected studies testing performance of chronic cannabis users compared with non-users in six different neurocognitive domains. There was a low cross-sectional association between neurocognitive impairments and chronic cannabis use in cognitive impulsivity, cognitive flexibility, attention, short-term memory and long-term memory. No association was found between chronic cannabis use and motor impulsivity. By analysing a specific target population with strict inclusion criteria, these findings provide inconclusive evidence that there are cognitive impairments associated with chronic cannabis use. Future research is needed to determine if the findings of this meta-analysis are biased by the methodological limitations encountered.
    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)358-369
    Number of pages12
    JournalNeuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews
    Volume108
    Early online date9 Nov 2019
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - Jan 2020

    Keywords

    • Cannabis
    • Chronic Cannabis Use
    • Neuropsychology
    • Impulsivity
    • Memory
    • Intelligence
    • Attention
    • Cognitive Flexibility
    • Meta-analysis
    • Cognitive flexibility
    • Chronic Cannabis use

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • Neuropsychology and Physiological Psychology
    • Cognitive Neuroscience
    • Behavioral Neuroscience

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