EEG of chronic marijuana users during abstinence: Relationship to years of marijuana use, cerebral blood flow and thyroid function

Abstract

Objective-Marijuana abuse is associated with neurological changes including increases in frontal EEG alpha during abstinence. Research is needed to assess to what extent these EEG patterns are indicative of cerebral perfusion deficits.Methods-We recorded the resting eyes closed EEG of 75 abstinent marijuana users and 33 control subjects. Fifty-six marijuana users used marijuana for less than eight years and 19 used for eight years or more. The EEG evaluation occurred within 72 hours of admission to an inpatient unit. Fiftynine marijuana users remained abstinent for a month and were tested twice. Supplemental psychological and physiological data were also collected.Results-Log alpha2 and beta2 power at posterior sites were significantly lower for the marijuana abusers that used eight years or more than the other marijuana abusers and the control subjects. These EEG changes continued for the month of abstinence. The marijuana users who used marijuana for more than eight years, also, had lower heart rates and thyroid function (T4) compared to the other marijuana users and the control subjects.Conclusions-Chronic marijuana use was also associated with reduced EEG power in alpha and beta bands at posterior sites. These reductions in EEG power appear to be related to cerebral perfusion deficits and/or thyroid function in marijuana abusers.Significance-Our results suggest EEG, cerebral blood flow velocity, cardiovascular and thyroid function alterations in marijuana abuser with an extended period of use. These alterations reflect under arousal in these systems.

EEG abnormalities in psychopath and non-psychopath violent offenders

“…A recent research had showed an association between duration of marijuana use and reduction in alpha and beta power at posterior electrode locations. 48 Due to marijuana being the illicit drug most referred to the subjects in our sample; it is difficult to rule out its effects on EEG findings, mainly in alpha power band.…”

Chronic Cannabis Abuse, Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol and Thyroid Function

“…This study described subtle lower levels of T 4 in cannabis abusers compared to control subjects; but all of these values were within the standard range [ 3 ] . TSH was not signifi cantly diff erent between the 2 groups [ 3 ] . A study that was intended to relate thyroid function tests to serum THC levels in humans, which would provide more insights in the interplay of THC and thyroid hormones, could not be found in the literature.…”

“…Data about the eff ect of cannabis on thyroid function in humans are very rare. To the best of my knowledge, there is only one study published on this subject [ 3 ] . This study described subtle lower levels of T 4 in cannabis abusers compared to control subjects; but all of these values were within the standard range [ 3 ] .…”

“…To the best of my knowledge, there is only one study published on this subject [ 3 ] . This study described subtle lower levels of T 4 in cannabis abusers compared to control subjects; but all of these values were within the standard range [ 3 ] . TSH was not signifi cantly diff erent between the 2 groups [ 3 ] .…”

Review of Rationale for Neurofeedback Application in Adolescent Substance Abusers with Comorbid Disruptive Behavioral Disorders

“…Clear differences were reported between crack cocaine-dependent subjects who began using as adolescents and subjects who began using as adults. EEG effects of chronic marijuana users during abstinence are reported to be associated with reduced power in alpha and beta bands at posterior sites (Herning, Better, & Cadet, 2008). Chronic marijuana users were earlier found to have an increase in frontal EEG alpha power (Struve et al, 1994).…”