Effects of regular cannabis use on neurocognition, brain structure, and function: a systematic review of findings in adults

Mind–body exercise has been proposed to confer both physical and mental health benefits. However, there is no clear consensus on the neural mechanisms underlying the improvements in health. Herein, we conducted a systematic review to reveal which brain region or network is regulated by mind–body exercise. PubMed, Web of Science, PsycINFO, SPORTDiscus, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure databases were systematically searched to identify cross-sectional and intervention studies using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to explore the effect of mind–body exercise on brain structure and function, from their inception to June 2020. The risk of bias for cross-sectional studies was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) checklist, whereas that of interventional studies was analyzed using the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) scale. A total of 15 studies met the inclusion criteria. Our analysis revealed that mind–body exercise modulated brain structure, brain neural activity, and functional connectivity, mainly in the prefrontal cortex, hippocampus/medial temporal lobe, lateral temporal lobe, insula, and the cingulate cortex, as well as the cognitive control and default mode networks, which might underlie the beneficial effects of such exercises on health. However, due to the heterogeneity of included studies, more randomized controlled trials with rigorous designs, similar measured outcomes, and whole-brain analyses are warranted.

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The Impact of Physical Activity on Brain Structure and Function in Youth: A Systematic Review

PEDIATRICS ◽

10.1542/peds.2018-4032 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 144 (4) ◽

pp. e20184032 ◽

Cited By ~ 16

Author(s):

Sarah Ruth Valkenborghs ◽

Michael Noetel ◽

Charles H. Hillman ◽

Michael Nilsson ◽

Jordan J. Smith ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Systematic Review ◽

Brain Structure ◽

Structure And Function ◽

Brain Structure And Function ◽

And Function ◽

The Impact

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Effects of Adolescent Cannabis Use on Brain Structure and Function

Contemporary Health Issues on Marijuana ◽

10.1093/med-psych/9780190263072.003.0005 ◽

2018 ◽

pp. 91-121

Author(s):

Randi Melissa Schuster ◽

Jodi Gilman ◽

A. Eden Evins

Keyword(s):

Sexual Maturation ◽

Brain Structure ◽

Age Of Onset ◽

Higher Order ◽

Structure And Function ◽

Negative Association ◽

Cannabis Use ◽

Neurocognitive Outcomes ◽

Brain Structure And Function ◽

And Function

The nature, severity, and persistence of effects of cannabis use on the structure and function of the developing adolescent brain is an active area of research. This chapter will review what is known about these relationships during adolescence (i.e., the time between initiation of sexual maturation and completion of higher-order cognitive development; i.e., ages 10–24). In general, the authors find that cannabis has a negative association with neurocognition beyond acute intoxication and that earlier age of onset of regular cannabis use is associated with worse neurocognitive outcomes. The discussion highlights critical relationships between cannabis and brain development, and underlines areas that are incompletely understood and should be further studied to be adequately informed for this era of rapid policy change regarding cannabis regulation.

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