humulene and Brain-Diseases

Topics: Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; Antioxidants; Brain Diseases; Cannabidiol; Cannabis; Chemistry, Pharmaceutical; Humans; Neoplasms; Oxidative Stress

Cannabis consumption has varying effects over the whole life span, especially on achievements in the areas of schooling, professional life and performance in a social environment. Data from studies on remission from neurocognitive deficits following chronic cannabis consumption are ambiguous. The outcome range included everything from complete remission over considerable lasting deficits up to even chronic psychotic disorders. The data seem to be consistent however, when a differentiation between early begin of consumption (before the age of 16) and late begin of consumption is taken into account. Mainly those cannabis users with an early begin of consumption are prone to developing lasting neurocognitive deficits and even a decrease in grey substance volume, as well as an increase in the risk of psychosis. The correlation of this outcome with cannabis consumption during a phase of brain development that includes the consolidation of higher cognitive functions, awareness of social cues, planning of concepts and motivation as well as tools of functional control, is highly convincing. The endocannabinoid system reaches the point of highest receptor density during this age of 16/17 years, and many of the above-mentioned developmental processes are modulated by this system. A chronic damage to this system (e.g., down-regulation or desensitisation of CB1 receptors by exogenous cannabinoids) therefore holds the potential for permanent neurophysiological as well as neurocognitive deficits, and also for the development of psychotic disorders.

Topics: Brain Diseases; Cannabis; Causality; Comorbidity; Humans; Illicit Drugs; Incidence; Internationality; Marijuana Abuse; Psychoses, Substance-Induced; Risk Assessment; Risk Factors

A minority of alcohol abusers develop severe cerebral dysfunction in the form of Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome. There is also evidence to suggest that cerebral dysfunction, particularly impaired abstracting ability, occurs in that larger population of heavy drinkers who do not go on to develop the Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome. There is no consistent evidence that long-term marijuana, hallucinogen, or sedative use causes lasting neuropsychological disturbance. The deficits in abstract thinking reported by some LSD studies are similar to deficits others have reported among alcoholics. Since the LSD studies were not controlled for alcohol use, their interpretation is difficult. It appears that cerebrovascular accidents occur more frequently and at a younger age among amphetamine abusers. There is no reliable information about possible other long-term effects of stimulants on the brain per se (i.e., nonvascular complications). Abuse of intravenous narcotics has been associated with case reports of transverse myelitis and encephalitis. It is not known whether this pathology is a direct or hypersensitivity effect of narcotic drugs, of adulterants, or of infection.

Topics: Alcoholism; Amphetamines; Barbiturates; Brain Diseases; Cannabis; Cerebrovascular Disorders; Cocaine; Humans; Hypnotics and Sedatives; Lysergic Acid Diethylamide; Mescaline; Methylphenidate; Narcotics; Phenmetrazine; Psilocybin; Psychological Tests; Psychoses, Alcoholic; Substance-Related Disorders

Cannabis use is increasing worldwide despite the various health effects of this substance.. We report 2 cases of acute hippocampal encephalopathy in heavy cannabis users (>10 joints/d).. In both male patients, acute encephalitis was suspected. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) diffusion-weighted sequences showed bilateral high signal abnormalities in hippocampal regions. Patients had renal dysfunction, rhabdomyolysis, and inflammatory syndrome. Investigations showed no evidence of infectious or autoimmune encephalitides. Repeated electroencephalograms revealed no epileptic activity. Clinical, biological, and magnetic resonance imaging acute abnormalities improved within weeks. New exposure to cannabis yielded a new episode of encephalopathy. In both patients, severe long-lasting episodic memory impairment associated with hippocampal atrophy were observed several months later.. Health professionals should be aware of this cannabis-related syndrome given its severe and long-lasting effects.

Topics: Adult; Brain Diseases; Cannabis; Electroencephalography; Hippocampus; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Male; Marijuana Abuse; Neuropsychological Tests

The use of cannabis as both a therapeutic agent and recreational drug is common, and its availability is increasing as a result of legalization in many countries. Among older children, the manifestations of cannabis intoxication are numerous and include both neurological and systemic manifestations that are frequently non-specific. There have been only a few reports detailing cannabis intoxication in infants and toddlers. We describe three infants who presented to the emergency department with encephalopathic signs without prominent systemic manifestations. During the initial interview of caregivers, no history of exposure to neurotoxic agents was obtained. All three patients were subsequently diagnosed with cannabis intoxication based on urine toxic screens for delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). The infants recovered with supportive care that included fluids and monitoring. The non-specific symptomatology of cannabis intoxication in infants together with the wide differential for unexplained acute onset encephalopathy may delay diagnosis and lead to inappropriate procedures and interventions such as antimicrobial treatments and imaging studies.. Healthcare personnel of emergency rooms, urgent care centers, and general clinics should be aware of the potential risk of cannabis ingestion in young infants. A thorough medical history and toxic screen are warranted in all infants with unexplained decreased sensorium.

Topics: Brain Diseases; Cannabis; Diagnosis, Differential; Emergency Service, Hospital; Female; Humans; Infant; Male; Marijuana Abuse

Ultrastructural studies of layer V pyramidal neurons of the septal region of rhesus monkeys exposed to smoke of active marihuana and of those exposed to intravenous delta-9-THC revealed low volume density and various degrees of fragmentation and disorganization of rough endoplasmic reticulum. In contrast, no changes were observed in these neurons of the septal region of control monkeys (unexposed monkeys and one monkey exposed to smoke of inactive marihuana). There were no significant differences in volume density of mitochondria or golgi apparatus between exposed animals and controls.

Topics: Animals; Brain Diseases; Cannabis; Cell Count; Dronabinol; Endoplasmic Reticulum; Golgi Apparatus; Haplorhini; Macaca mulatta; Mitochondria; Septum Pellucidum

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Brain Diseases; Cannabis; Cognition Disorders; Female; Hallucinations; Humans; Male; Paranoid Disorders

Computerized transaxial tomography (CTT) studies of 12 young men having histories of heavy cannabis smoking revealed no evidence of cerebral atrophy.

Topics: Adult; Age Factors; Atrophy; Brain; Brain Diseases; Cannabis; Humans; Male; Substance-Related Disorders; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Computed tomographic scans were obtained from 19 men with long histories of heavy marijuana smoking and who were also observed to smoke large amounts of marijuana under research ward conditions. The ventricular system and subarachnoid spaces were normal in size and showed no indication of atrophic change.

Topics: Adult; Age Factors; Amphetamines; Atrophy; Barbiturates; Brain; Brain Diseases; Cannabis; Humans; Male; Sex Factors; Substance-Related Disorders; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Topics: Brain Diseases; Cannabis; Chromosome Aberrations; Humans; Infertility, Male; Lung Diseases; Lymphocyte Activation; Male; Mitosis; Oligospermia; Substance-Related Disorders

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Atrophy; Brain Diseases; Cannabis; Dementia; Female; Humans; Male; Substance-Related Disorders

Topics: Adult; Age Factors; Animals; Atrophy; Brain; Brain Diseases; Cannabis; Cognition Disorders; Haplorhini; Humans; Rats; Substance-Related Disorders; Time Factors

Topics: Brain; Brain Diseases; Cannabis; Cognition; Humans; Legislation, Drug; Perception; Substance-Related Disorders

Topics: Adult; Brain Diseases; Cannabis; Humans; Pneumoencephalography; Social Conformity; Substance-Related Disorders

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Brain Diseases; Cannabis; Humans; Pneumoencephalography; Substance-Related Disorders

Topics: Brain Diseases; Cannabis; Humans; Psychometrics; Substance-Related Disorders

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Atrophy; Brain; Brain Diseases; Cannabis; Electroencephalography; Humans; Pneumoencephalography; Substance-Related Disorders

Topics: Atrophy; Brain Diseases; Cannabis; Humans; Substance-Related Disorders

Topics: Adult; Aged; Atrophy; Brain; Brain Diseases; Cannabis; Cerebral Ventriculography; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Substance-Related Disorders

Topics: Adolescent; Brain Diseases; Cannabis; Epilepsy, Temporal Lobe; Humans; Substance-Related Disorders

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Atrophy; Brain Diseases; Cannabis; Humans

Topics: Adult; Anxiety; Brain Diseases; Cannabis; Delusions; Depression; Fear; Humans; Paranoid Disorders; Psychoses, Substance-Induced; Schizophrenia; Students; Substance-Related Disorders; Universities