Psychotic experiences are linked to cannabis use in adolescents in the community because of common underlying environmental risk factors.

ABSTRACT: Cannabis users are more likely to have psychotic experiences (PEs). The degree to which these associations are driven by genetic or environmental influences in adolescence is unknown. This study estimated the genetic and environmental contributions to the relationship between cannabis use and PEs. Specific PEs were measured in a community-based twin sample (4830 16-year-old pairs) using self-reports and parent-reports. Adolescents reported on ever using cannabis. Multivariate liability threshold structural equation model-fitting was conducted. Cannabis use was significantly correlated with PEs. Modest heritability (37%), common environmental influences (55%) and unique environment (8%) were found for cannabis use. For PEs, modest heritability (27-54%), unique environmental influences (E=12

SUBMITTER: Shakoor S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4445918 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature