Brain Wiring Differences in People With Cannabis Use Disorder
People with cannabis use disorder showed altered white matter connectivity, particularly between parietal cortex and several cortical and subcortical regions.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
Compared to 38 healthy controls, 56 individuals with CUD had significantly increased structural connectivity across 9 brain connections involving the right parietal cortex and regions including left orbitofrontal cortex, temporal pole, hippocampus, and putamen. White matter density was higher in the corpus callosum but lower in the bilateral cingulum and right cerebellum.
Key Numbers
56 CUD participants vs. 38 controls. 9 edges showed increased connectivity (FDR corrected). White matter density higher in corpus callosum splenium, lower in bilateral cingulum and right cerebellum (FWE corrected).
How They Did This
MRI-based study comparing 56 individuals with CUD (median age 25) to 38 healthy controls (median age 31.5) using structural connectome analysis and fixel-based analysis (FBA).
Why This Research Matters
Understanding how cannabis use disorder affects brain wiring could help identify early markers of the condition and inform treatment approaches.
The Bigger Picture
Increased connectivity in some areas alongside decreased density in others suggests CUD involves complex reorganization of brain wiring rather than simple deterioration.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Cross-sectional design cannot determine whether white matter changes precede or follow cannabis use disorder. Age difference between groups could confound results. Relatively small sample sizes.
Questions This Raises
- ?Do these white matter changes reverse after sustained abstinence?
- ?Does the age at which regular cannabis use begins determine the pattern of white matter alterations?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- 9 brain connections showed increased connectivity in CUD; cingulum and cerebellum showed decreased density
- Evidence Grade:
- Advanced neuroimaging methods with statistical correction, but cross-sectional design and age mismatch between groups limit causal inference.
- Study Age:
- Published in 2024.
- Original Title:
- White matter alterations associated with chronic cannabis use disorder: a structural network and fixel-based analysis.
- Published In:
- Translational psychiatry, 14(1), 429 (2024)
- Authors:
- Maleki, Suzan(2), Hendrikse, Joshua, Richardson, Karyn, Segrave, Rebecca A, Hughes, Sam, Kayayan, Edouard, Oldham, Stuart, Syeda, Warda, Coxon, James P, Caeyenberghs, Karen, Domínguez D, Juan F, Solowij, Nadia, Lubman, Dan I, Suo, Chao, Yücel, Murat
- Database ID:
- RTHC-05505
Evidence Hierarchy
A snapshot of a population at one point in time.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
Does cannabis use disorder change brain structure?
This study found altered white matter connectivity and density in people with CUD, though whether these changes are caused by cannabis use or preceded it remains unknown.
Are these brain changes permanent?
The study could not answer this since it looked at one point in time. Whether changes reverse with abstinence requires longitudinal research.
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Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-05505APA
Maleki, Suzan; Hendrikse, Joshua; Richardson, Karyn; Segrave, Rebecca A; Hughes, Sam; Kayayan, Edouard; Oldham, Stuart; Syeda, Warda; Coxon, James P; Caeyenberghs, Karen; Domínguez D, Juan F; Solowij, Nadia; Lubman, Dan I; Suo, Chao; Yücel, Murat. (2024). White matter alterations associated with chronic cannabis use disorder: a structural network and fixel-based analysis.. Translational psychiatry, 14(1), 429. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41398-024-03150-0
MLA
Maleki, Suzan, et al. "White matter alterations associated with chronic cannabis use disorder: a structural network and fixel-based analysis.." Translational psychiatry, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41398-024-03150-0
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "White matter alterations associated with chronic cannabis us..." RTHC-05505. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/maleki-2024-white-matter-alterations-associated
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.