Attention problems in young cannabis users are from cannabis, not subclinical ADHD
Cannabis use was associated with slower response times on attention tasks in adolescents and young adults, and subclinical ADHD symptoms did not explain or modify this relationship.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
Cannabis users demonstrated significantly slower hit rate response on the Continuous Performance Test (CPT), an attention task. Subclinical ADHD symptoms (measured by parent report) did not independently predict any attention deficits and did not moderate the effects of cannabis use on attention.
Key Numbers
72 participants (34 cannabis users, 38 controls). Cannabis use significantly predicted slower CPT hit rate. ADHD symptoms did not predict any cognitive outcomes.
How They Did This
Cross-sectional study of 72 participants (34 cannabis users, 38 controls) aged adolescents and young adults. Neuropsychological tasks of inhibition and attention were administered. ADHD symptoms assessed by parent report on the Child Behaviors Checklist.
Why This Research Matters
The suggestion that attention problems in cannabis users might simply reflect underlying ADHD is common. This study challenges that narrative by showing the deficits persist after accounting for subclinical ADHD.
The Bigger Picture
Ruling out subclinical ADHD as an explanation for cannabis-related attention deficits strengthens the case that cannabis use itself contributes to these cognitive effects.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Small sample size. Cross-sectional design. ADHD symptoms were subclinical (participants with diagnosed ADHD were excluded). Parent-reported ADHD symptoms may underestimate actual symptoms in this age group.
Questions This Raises
- ?Do these attention deficits resolve with sustained abstinence?
- ?Would findings differ in participants with diagnosed ADHD?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- ADHD symptoms did not explain cannabis attention deficits
- Evidence Grade:
- Small cross-sectional study that cannot establish causation, but usefully controlled for a common confounder.
- Study Age:
- 2019 study.
- Original Title:
- Effects of Cannabis Use and Subclinical ADHD Symptomology on Attention Based Tasks in Adolescents and Young Adults.
- Published In:
- Archives of clinical neuropsychology : the official journal of the National Academy of Neuropsychologists, 34(5), 700-705 (2019)
- Authors:
- Wallace, Alexander L(14), Wade, Natasha E(18), Hatcher, Kelah F, Lisdahl, Krista M
- Database ID:
- RTHC-02339
Evidence Hierarchy
A snapshot of a population at one point in time.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
Does cannabis cause attention problems or is it ADHD?
This study found cannabis use independently predicted slower attention task performance, and subclinical ADHD symptoms did not explain or modify this effect, suggesting the deficit is related to cannabis use itself.
What attention problems do cannabis users have?
Cannabis users showed slower response times on the Continuous Performance Test, a standard measure of sustained attention and vigilance.
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Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-02339APA
Wallace, Alexander L; Wade, Natasha E; Hatcher, Kelah F; Lisdahl, Krista M. (2019). Effects of Cannabis Use and Subclinical ADHD Symptomology on Attention Based Tasks in Adolescents and Young Adults.. Archives of clinical neuropsychology : the official journal of the National Academy of Neuropsychologists, 34(5), 700-705. https://doi.org/10.1093/arclin/acy080
MLA
Wallace, Alexander L, et al. "Effects of Cannabis Use and Subclinical ADHD Symptomology on Attention Based Tasks in Adolescents and Young Adults.." Archives of clinical neuropsychology : the official journal of the National Academy of Neuropsychologists, 2019. https://doi.org/10.1093/arclin/acy080
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Effects of Cannabis Use and Subclinical ADHD Symptomology on..." RTHC-02339. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/wallace-2019-effects-of-cannabis-use
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.