Investigating the causal effect of cannabis use on cognitive function with a quasi-experimental co-twin design.

ABSTRACT:

Background

It is unclear whether cannabis use causes cognitive decline; several studies show an association between cannabis use and cognitive decline, but quasi-experimental twin studies have found little support for a causal effect. Here, we evaluate the association of cannabis use with general cognitive ability and executive functions (EFs) while controlling for genetic and shared environmental confounds in a longitudinal twin study.

Methods

We first examined the phenotypic associations between cannabis initiation, frequency, and use disorder with cognitive abilities, while also controlling for pre-use general cognitive ability and other substance involvement. We tested the concurrent association between the cannabis use variables and cognitive abilities in late adolescen

SUBMITTER: Ross JM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7179798 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature