Interactions between cannabis and schizophrenia in humans and rodents

AbstractIn this review, we provide an overview of the relationship between cannabis use and the development of schizophrenia, using both animal and human studies. We further discuss the potential neural mechanism that may mediate the relationship between cannabis use and schizophrenia symptoms. We finally provide clinical implications and future studies that can further elucidate the relationship between cannabis and schizophrenia.

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Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Metabolic Syndrome: Current Understanding and Potential Clinical Implications

Stem Cells International ◽

10.1155/2016/2892840 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 2016 ◽

pp. 1-10 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Kenichi Matsushita

Keyword(s):

Metabolic Syndrome ◽

Stem Cells ◽

Mesenchymal Stem Cells ◽

Severe Obesity ◽

Current Understanding ◽

Clinical Implications ◽

Future Studies ◽

Global Epidemic ◽

Major Factors ◽

The Relationship

Metabolic syndrome is an obesity-based, complicated clinical condition that has become a global epidemic problem with a high associated risk for cardiovascular disease and mortality. Dyslipidemia, hypertension, and diabetes or glucose dysmetabolism are the major factors constituting metabolic syndrome, and these factors are interrelated and share underlying pathophysiological mechanisms. Severe obesity predisposes individuals to metabolic syndrome, and recent data suggest that mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) contribute significantly to adipocyte generation by increasing the number of adipocytes. Accordingly, an increasing number of studies have examined the potential roles of MSCs in managing obesity and metabolic syndrome. However, despite the growing bank of experimental and clinical data, the efficacy and the safety of MSCs in the clinical setting are still to be optimized. It is thus hoped that ongoing and future studies can elucidate the roles of MSCs in metabolic syndrome and lead to MSC-based therapeutic options for affected patients. This review discusses current understanding of the relationship between MSCs and metabolic syndrome and its potential implications for patient management.

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The Relationship between Cannabis Use and Cognition in People with Bipolar Disorder: A Systematic Scoping Review

10.1101/2020.04.24.20078535 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

T. Jordan Walter ◽

Nina Pocuca ◽

Jared W. Young ◽

Mark A. Geyer ◽

Arpi Minassian ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Bipolar Disorder ◽

Cognitive Impairment ◽

Scoping Review ◽

Web Of Science ◽

Cannabis Use ◽

Inclusion Criteria ◽

Cognitive Domains ◽

Future Studies ◽

Experimental Trials ◽

The Relationship

ABSTRACTBipolar disorder (BD) and cannabis use are highly comorbid and are each associated with cognitive impairment. It is therefore important to understand the relationship between cannabis use and cognition in people with BD, as cannabis use in BD may be associated with greater cognitive impairment. We performed a scoping review to determine how much and what is currently known in this field. We systematically searched PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, Web of Science, and PsycINFO for studies on the relationship between cannabis and cognition in people with BD or relevant animal models. Six observational human studies met inclusion criteria. Two studies found cannabis use in BD was associated with better performance in some cognitive domains, while three studies found no association. One study found cannabis use in BD was associated with worse overall cognition. Overall, most identified studies suggest cannabis use is not associated with significant cognitive impairment in BD; however, the scope of knowledge in this field is limited, and more systematic studies are clearly required. Future studies should focus on longitudinal and experimental trials, as well as well-controlled observational studies with rigorous quantification of the onset, frequency, quantity, duration, and type of cannabis use.

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High-intensity cannabis use and hospitalization: a prospective cohort study of street-involved youth in Vancouver, Canada

Harm Reduction Journal ◽

10.1186/s12954-021-00501-8 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Hudson Reddon ◽

M.-J. Milloy ◽

Evan Wood ◽

Ekaterina Nosova ◽

Thomas Kerr ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Prospective Cohort ◽

Estimating Equation ◽

Cannabis Use ◽

Vulnerable Groups ◽

Care Utilization ◽

Generalized Estimating Equation ◽

At Risk Youth ◽

Future Studies ◽

Youth Study ◽

The Relationship

Abstract Background There is concern that cannabis use negatively affects vulnerable groups such as youth; however, the relationship between cannabis use and health care utilization has not been well characterized in this population. We longitudinally evaluated the association between daily cannabis use and hospitalization among a prospective cohort of street-involved youth. Methods Data were collected from the At-Risk Youth Study (ARYS) in Vancouver, Canada, from September 2005 to May 2015. Participants were interviewed semi-annually and multivariable generalized estimating equation (GEE) logistic regression was used to examine the relationship between daily cannabis use and hospitalization. Results A total of 1216 participants (31.2% female) were included in this analysis, and 373 (30.7%) individuals reported hospitalization at some point during the study period. In a multivariable GEE analysis, daily cannabis use was not significantly associated with hospitalization (Adjusted Odds Ratio [AOR] = 1.17, 95% Confidence interval [CI] = 0.84, 1.65). We did observe a significant interaction between daily cannabis use and sex (AOR = 0.51, 95% CI = 0.34, 0.77), whereby cannabis use was associated with a decreased odds of hospitalization among males (AOR = 0.60, 95% CI = 0.47, 0.78), yet was not significantly associated with hospitalization among females (AOR = 1.19, 95% CI = 0.84, 1.67). Conclusions The finding that daily cannabis use was not associated with hospitalization among street-involved youth is encouraging given the high rates of cannabis use in this population and the expansion of cannabis legalization and regulation. Future studies, however, are warranted to monitor possible changes in the consequences of cannabis use as cannabis legalization and regulation increase internationally.

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Interoception, categorization, and symptom perception

10.1093/oso/9780198811930.003.0011 ◽

2018 ◽

Author(s):

Omer Van den Bergh ◽

Nadia Zacharioudakis ◽

Sibylle Petersen

Keyword(s):

Decision Making ◽

Medical Practice ◽

Disease Model ◽

Clinical Implications ◽

Symptom Perception ◽

Symptom Reports ◽

The Relationship ◽

Accurate Reflection

Medical practice and the disease model importantly rely on the accuracy assumption of symptom perception: patients’ symptom reports are a direct and accurate reflection of physiological dysfunction. This implies that symptoms can be used as a read-out of dysfunction and that remedying the dysfunction removes the symptoms. While this assumption is viable in many instances of disease, the relationship between symptoms and physiological dysfunction is highly variable and, in a substantial number of cases, completely absent. This chapter considers symptom perception as a form of unconscious inferential somatic decision-making that compellingly produces consciously experienced symptoms. At a mechanistic level, this perspective removes the categorical distinction between symptoms that are closely associated with physiological dysfunction and those that are not. In addition, it brings symptom perception in accordance with general theories of perception. Some clinical implications to understand and treat symptoms poorly related to physiological dysfunction are discussed.

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Implications of Autonomous Vehicles for Accessibility and Transport Equity: A Framework Based on Literature

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su13084448 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (8) ◽

pp. 4448

Author(s):

Alberto Dianin ◽

Elisa Ravazzoli ◽

Georg Hauger

Keyword(s):

Conceptual Model ◽

Transport System ◽

Urban Areas ◽

Autonomous Vehicles ◽

Scientific Literature ◽

Social Groups ◽

Future Studies ◽

Social Accessibility ◽

The Relationship

Increasing accessibility and balancing its distribution across space and social groups are two fundamental goals to make transport more sustainable and equitable. In the next decades, autonomous vehicles (AVs) could significantly transform the transport system, influencing accessibility and transport equity. In particular, depending on the assumed features of AVs (e.g., private or collective) and the considered spatial, social, and regulative context (e.g., rural or urban areas), impacts may be very different. Nevertheless, research in this field is still limited, and the relationship between AV assumptions and accessibility impacts is still partially unclear. This paper aims to provide a framework of the key and emerging aspects related to the implications of AVs for accessibility and transport equity. To set this framework, we perform an analysis of the scientific literature based on a conceptual model describing the implications of AVs for the distribution of accessibility across space and social groups. We recognize four main expected impacts of AVs on accessibility: (1) accessibility polarization, (2) accessibility sprawl, (3) exacerbation of social accessibility inequities, and (4) alleviation of social accessibility inequities. These impacts are described and analyzed in relation to the main AV assumptions expected to trigger them through different mechanisms. Based on the results, some recommendations for future studies intending to focus on the relation between AVs, accessibility, and transport equity are provided.

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Association between obstructive sleep apnea and persistent-postural perceptual dizziness

Journal of Vestibular Research ◽

10.3233/ves-201508 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-6

Author(s):

Anand K. Bery ◽

Jayson Lee Azzi ◽

Andre Le ◽

Naomi S. Spitale ◽

Judith Leech ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Obstructive Sleep Apnea ◽

Sleep Apnea ◽

Sensitivity And Specificity ◽

Berlin Questionnaire ◽

Future Studies ◽

Obstructive Sleep ◽

Chronic Dizziness ◽

Patients At Risk ◽

The Mean ◽

The Relationship

BACKGROUND: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) has been linked to vestibular dysfunction, but no prior studies have investigated the relationship between Persistent Postural Perceptual Dizziness (PPPD), a common cause of chronic dizziness, and OSA. OBJECTIVE AND METHODS: We determined the frequency of OSA in an uncontrolled group of PPPD patients from a tertiary dizziness clinic based on polysomnogram (PSG). We then assessed the sensitivity and specificity of common OSA questionnaires in this population. RESULTS: Twenty-five patients with PPPD underwent PSG (mean age 47, 60% female, mean BMI 29.5). A majority, or 56%, of patients were diagnosed with OSA, and in most, the OSA was severe. OSA patients were older (56 years versus 40 years, p = 0.0006) and had higher BMI (32 versus 26, p = 0.0078), but there was no clear gender bias (56% versus 64% female, p = 1.00). The mean sensitivity and specificity of the STOP BANG questionnaire for detecting OSA was 86% and 55%, respectively. Sensitivity and specificity of the Berlin Questionnaire was 79% and 45%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of OSA was much higher in our small PPPD group than in the general population. Screening questionnaires appear to demonstrate good sensitivity to detect PPPD patients at risk of OSA in this small study. Future studies should confirm these findings and determine whether treatment of OSA improves symptoms in PPPD.

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What Matters for Job Security? Exploring the Relationships among Symbolic, Instrumental Images, and Attractiveness for Corporations in South Korea

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su13094854 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (9) ◽

pp. 4854

Author(s):

Juyeon Oh ◽

Seunghwan Myeong

Keyword(s):

Undergraduate Students ◽

Organizational Context ◽

Job Security ◽

Corporate Image ◽

Causal Claim ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Future Studies ◽

Collectivistic Cultures ◽

Symbolic Image ◽

The Relationship

This study examines the extent to which the symbolic and instrumental images and attractiveness toward an organization are related. This study further focuses on global human resource management and reports findings from two studies: Study 1 uses the data from undergraduate students, and Study 2 cross-validates the findings of Study 1 by using actual data from employees. The distinction of this study from previous works is that the present work focuses on a Korean organizational context (collectivistic cultures) and the differences between the potential applicants and employees in the perception of an organization′s attractiveness. Furthermore, it investigates the relationship between the symbolic and instrumental images toward organizations, unlike existing relative research. The results show that the symbolic and instrumental images are related, and the perceptions of the corporate image differ for the potential applicants and employees in the context of collectivistic cultures. The more competent employees consider their organization to be, the more job security they perceive their organization to provide. Moreover, the symbolic image of being competent is negatively related to the instrumental image of job security. Since this study used cross-sectional data, future studies need to use longitudinal data to establish our model′s causal claim empirically and investigate the underlying reasons behind these differences.

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Cannabis use, sedentary behavior, and physical activity in a nationally representative sample of US adults

Harm Reduction Journal ◽

10.1186/s12954-021-00496-2 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Lydia Q. Ong ◽

John Bellettiere ◽

Citlali Alvarado ◽

Paul Chavez ◽

Vincent Berardi

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Sedentary Behavior ◽

Vigorous Physical Activity ◽

Health Impact ◽

Cannabis Use ◽

Objective Measures ◽

Health And Nutrition ◽

Nationally Representative ◽

The Relationship ◽

Potential Public Health

Abstract Background Prior research examining the relationship between cannabis use, sedentary behavior, and physical activity has generated conflicting findings, potentially due to biases in the self-reported measures used to assess physical activity. This study aimed to more precisely explore the relationship between cannabis use and sedentary behavior/physical activity using objective measures. Methods Data were obtained from the 2005–2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. A total of 2,092 participants (ages 20–59; 48.8% female) had accelerometer-measured sedentary behavior, light physical activity, and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity. Participants were classified as light, moderate, frequent, or non-current cannabis users depending on how often they used cannabis in the previous 30 days. Multivariable linear regression estimated minutes in sedentary behavior/physical activity by cannabis use status. Logistic regression modeled self-reported moderate-to-vigorous physical activity in relation to current cannabis use. Results Fully adjusted regression models indicated that current cannabis users’ accelerometer-measured sedentary behavior did not significantly differ from non-current users. Frequent cannabis users engaged in more physical activity than non-current users. Light cannabis users had greater odds of self-reporting physical activity compared to non-current users. Conclusions This study is the first to evaluate the relationship between cannabis use and accelerometer-measured sedentary behavior and physical activity. Such objective measures should be used in other cohorts to replicate our findings that cannabis use is associated with greater physical activity and not associated with sedentary behavior in order to fully assess the potential public health impact of increases in cannabis use.

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Association between Friends’ Use of Nicotine and Cannabis and Intake of both Substances among Adolescents

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18020695 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (2) ◽

pp. 695

Author(s):

Rachel Herold ◽

Rachel Boykan ◽

Allison Eliscu ◽

Héctor E. Alcalá ◽

Maciej L. Goniewicz

Keyword(s):

New York ◽

Peer Influence ◽

Behavioral Problems ◽

Secondary Analysis ◽

Cannabis Use ◽

Urinary Biomarker ◽

Urinary Cotinine ◽

Multivariable Analyses ◽

Cannabis Smoking ◽

The Relationship

Nicotine and cannabis use are common among adolescents and may be associated with behavioral problems, poor academic outcomes and use disorders. The goals of this analysis were the following: (1) Describe the influence of friends’ nicotine and cannabis smoking and vaping on self-reported use. (2) Describe the relationship between friends’ nicotine and cannabis use on participants’ urinary biomarkers of nicotine (cotinine) and cannabis (11-nor-9-carboxy-Δ⁹tetrahydrocannabinol=THC-COOH). This is a secondary analysis of survey and biomarker data collected in adolescents aged 12–21 between April 2017 and April 2018, in Long Island, New York. Bivariate and multivariable analyses were conducted using SPSS 26. A cutoff value of ≥10 ng/mL was used to signify recent usage for urinary cotinine and THC-COOH levels. Over one-third of the 517 surveyed adolescents reported using tobacco and one-third reported using cannabis. A significant relationship between friends’ substance use and self-use was found. For both tobacco and cannabis, over 90% (p < 0.01) of participants with urinary biomarker levels above cutoff had friends who used the respective substance. Friends’ nicotine and friends’ cannabis use were each independently associated with urinary biomarker levels for those substances (for nicotine, beta = 88.29, p = 0.03; for cannabis, beta = 163.58, p = 0.03). Friends’ use of nicotine and cannabis is associated with adolescents’ intake, as well as the physiological exposure to those substances. These findings underscore the importance of including peer influence in the discussion with adolescents about tobacco and cannabis use.

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Investigating Relationships Between Alcohol and Cannabis Use in an Online Survey of Cannabis Users: A Focus on Cannabinoid Content and Cannabis for Medical Purposes

Frontiers in Psychiatry ◽

10.3389/fpsyt.2020.613243 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 11 ◽

Author(s):

Hollis C. Karoly ◽

Raeghan L. Mueller ◽

Chrysta C. Andrade ◽

Kent E. Hutchison

Keyword(s):

Alcohol Consumption ◽

Survey Data ◽

Online Survey ◽

Medical Condition ◽

Cannabis Use ◽

Medical Cannabis ◽

Drinking Frequency ◽

The Relationship ◽

Drinking Occasion

Cannabis is commonly used among people who drink alcohol, but findings are mixed regarding the direction of this relationship. The type of cannabis used [high-cannabidiol (CBD) vs. high-delta-9tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)] and motives for use (i.e., whether cannabis is used to treat a medical condition) may influence the relationship between cannabis and drinking. Specifically, CBD has shown preclinical promise in reducing alcohol consumption, and medical cannabis users report using cannabis to reduce drinking. This study leverages survey data from cannabis users who drink alcohol (N = 533). Respondents were categorized as using cannabis to treat (CTT) a medical condition or as individuals whose cannabis use is not intended to treat (NCTT) a medical condition and grouped based on the THC/CBD ratio of the flower or edible cannabis they typically use (e.g., “High-THC/CBD,” “Medium-THC/CBD” and “Low-THC/CBD”). The CTT group (n = 412) reported drinking significantly less frequently than the NCTT group (n = 121). Cannabinoid content of flower cannabis was associated with alcohol consumed on cannabis-use days, such that individuals in the High-THC/CBD group drink more on cannabis-use days compared to the Medium-THC/CBD group. Cannabinoid content of edible cannabis was associated with drinks per drinking occasion, such that the High-THC/CBD group consumed the most drinks and the Low-THC/CBD group consumed the fewest. For both edible and flower groupings, higher-THC/CBD cannabis was associated with more frequent co-use than lower-THC/CBD cannabis. Results suggest that whether someone uses cannabis to treat a medical condition may impact their drinking frequency, and the cannabinoid content in flower and edible cannabis impacts alcohol consumption.

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