Neuropsychological effects of marijuana

Abstract

This study assigned 81 non-naïve subjects, divided into low- and high-dose groups, to four experimental conditions (marijuana/marijuana, marijuana/placebo, placebo/marijuana and placebo/placebo) for two sessions separated by about one week. The low dose was 4.8 mg. Delta(9)-THC followed by 2.4 mg. one hour later. The high dose was 9.1 mg. followed by 4.5 mg. one hour later. A battery of neuropsychological tests was administered.The low dose produced generalized impairment of all mental processes (concept formation, memory, tactile form discrimination and motor function) and the effect was generalized to all modalities. The high dose resulted in more extensive impairment, again generalized.The drug effects noted were explained in terms of generalized impairment of central integrative processes. The effects of marijuana on learning as well as memory were explained in terms of impaired output (recall), but the impairment was transient.