Marijuana use associated with worse verbal learning and delayed recall in a sample of young adults
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Published version
Date
2019-02
Authors
LaSpada, Natalia
Delker, Erin
Blanco, Estela
Encina, Pamela
Caballero, Gabriela
Delva, Jorge
Burrows, Raquel
Lozoff, Betsy
Gahagan, Sheila
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Published version
OA Version
Citation
N. Laspada, E. Delker, E. Blanco, P. Encina, G. Caballero, J. Delva, R. Burrows, B. Lozoff, S. Gahagan. 2019. "Marijuana use associated with worse verbal learning and delayed recall in a sample of young adults." Revista Médica de Chile, Volume 147, Issue 2, pp.206-211. https://doi.org/10.4067/s0034-98872019000200206
Abstract
BACKGROUND: There is concern about the cognitive consequences of marijuana consumption. AIM: To assess the influence of current and past marijuana use and frequency on verbal learning and memory in a sample of adults aged 21 years old. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Marijuana use was assessed using a clinician administered interview in 654 participants (56% females), who reported frequency of use, age of first use and whether its use led to problems in their lives. The CogState International Shopping List was administered to assess learning and memory. RESULTS: Seventy percent reported ever using marijuana, 46% consuming during the past year and 27% during the past 30 days. The latter scored significantly lower on delayed recall. Current and frequent use were significantly associated with lower accuracy in verbal learning and memory. CONCLUSIONS: In this cohort of adults aged 21 years old, marijuana use was prevalent and related to worse verbal memory.
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This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.