Adolescent synthetic cannabinoid users showed thinner brain cortex, especially those with ADHD
Adolescent synthetic cannabinoid users showed reduced cortical thickness in frontal brain regions, and those with comorbid ADHD showed even more widespread thinning plus different subcortical volume patterns.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
SC users with and without ADHD had reduced cortical thickness in left caudal middle frontal and left superior frontal areas compared to controls. SC users with ADHD also showed reduced thickness in right precentral and postcentral gyri. SC users without ADHD had increased right nucleus accumbens volume, which was not seen in SC+ADHD users.
Key Numbers
28 SC users (15 without ADHD, 13 with ADHD), 13 controls. Reduced cortical thickness: left caudal middle frontal and superior frontal (both SC groups). Additional right precentral/postcentral thinning (ADHD group only). Increased right nucleus accumbens (SC without ADHD only).
How They Did This
Structural MRI comparing 28 SC users (15 without ADHD, 13 with ADHD combined type) and 13 controls. Examined cortical thickness, surface area, and subcortical volumes.
Why This Research Matters
ADHD is overrepresented among adolescent substance users. This study shows that comorbid ADHD and synthetic cannabinoid use produce a different pattern of brain changes than either condition alone, suggesting additive or interactive effects.
The Bigger Picture
Synthetic cannabinoids are particularly popular among adolescents, and ADHD adolescents are particularly vulnerable to substance use. Understanding how these factors interact at the brain level could inform targeted interventions for this high-risk population.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Very small sample sizes limit generalizability. Cross-sectional design. Specific SC compounds unknown. Cannot determine whether brain changes preceded or followed SC use. No matching for other substance use.
Questions This Raises
- ?Does ADHD medication modify the brain effects of SC use?
- ?Would these cortical changes reverse with abstinence?
- ?Is the nucleus accumbens enlargement in non-ADHD SC users related to reward processing changes?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- ADHD worsens brain effects
- Evidence Grade:
- Rated preliminary because of very small sample sizes, though the finding of ADHD-specific patterns is novel.
- Study Age:
- Published in 2019.
- Original Title:
- Cortical Thickness and Subcortical Volumes in Adolescent Synthetic Cannabinoid Users with or Without ADHD: a Preliminary Study.
- Published In:
- Noro psikiyatri arsivi, 56(3), 167-172 (2019)
- Authors:
- Çolak, Çiğdem, Çelik, Zehra Çakmak, Zorlu, Nabi(2), Kitiı, Ömer, Yüncü, Zeki
- Database ID:
- RTHC-01990
Evidence Hierarchy
A snapshot of a population at one point in time.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
Do synthetic cannabinoids affect the teenage brain?
This study found reduced cortical thickness in frontal brain regions of adolescent SC users, suggesting negative effects on brain structure similar to but potentially different from natural cannabis.
Does ADHD make it worse?
SC users with ADHD showed more widespread cortical thinning than SC users without ADHD, suggesting the two conditions may have interactive effects on brain development.
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Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-01990APA
Çolak, Çiğdem; Çelik, Zehra Çakmak; Zorlu, Nabi; Kitiı, Ömer; Yüncü, Zeki. (2019). Cortical Thickness and Subcortical Volumes in Adolescent Synthetic Cannabinoid Users with or Without ADHD: a Preliminary Study.. Noro psikiyatri arsivi, 56(3), 167-172. https://doi.org/10.29399/npa.23495
MLA
Çolak, Çiğdem, et al. "Cortical Thickness and Subcortical Volumes in Adolescent Synthetic Cannabinoid Users with or Without ADHD: a Preliminary Study.." Noro psikiyatri arsivi, 2019. https://doi.org/10.29399/npa.23495
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Cortical Thickness and Subcortical Volumes in Adolescent Syn..." RTHC-01990. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/colak-2019-cortical-thickness-and-subcortical
Access the Original Study
Study data sourced from PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
This study breakdown was produced by the RethinkTHC research team. We analyze and report published research findings without making health recommendations. All interpretations are based solely on the published abstract and study data.