Influence of cannabis abuse on schizophrenic psychopathology

Abstract

A study was carried out on a group of 95 schizophrenic patients (DSM-III-R criteria) under the age of 35, 23 of whom were cannabis abusers in the past year. The objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of cannabis on positive and negative schizophrenic symptoms, evaluated using Andreasen's Scales for the Assessment of Positive and Negative Symptoms (SAPS and SANS). There were no statistically significant differences between the groups on the SAPS; the group of cannabis abusers had higher scores except for the delusions subscale. On the SANS nonabusers scored higher, with a significant difference on the alogia subscale. The results suggest that the consumption of cannabis by schizophrenic patients could attenuate negative symptoms, which would support the self-medication hypothesis of cannabis abuse.

Quality of life among dually diagnosed and non-substance-using male schizophrenia outpatients

“…[23][24][25][26][27][28] However, not all studies have shown this. [29][30][31][32] One explanation for the earlier age of onset of psychosis in comorbid patients is that the illness is precipitated by substance use. It nevertheless remains uncertain whether this effect is limited to people with a predisposition to psychosis.…”

Development of CIE-10 and DSM-IV cannabis disorders / Desarrollo de la CIE-10 y el DSM-IV para trastornos por cánnabis

“…2) que no hay diferencias entre síntomas psicóticos de esquizofrénicos cannabistas y esquizofrénicos no cannabistas (Rottanburgh et al, 1982;Peralta y Cuesta, 1992); 3) y que al consumirse cánnabis hay decremento de síntomas negativos (Rottanburgh et al, 1982;Peralta y Cuesta, 1992). …”

Psychotische Störungen und Drogenmissbrauch bei Jugendlichen

“…Nach der Definition des ICD-10 ist dies nicht möglich, obwohl Fälle dieser Art in der internationalen Literatur vielfach beschrieben wurden (BRON, 1980, FLAUM, 1996, IWANAMI et al, 1994, McGUIRE, 1995 (BRON, 1980, HAMBRECHT et al, 1996, REMSCHMIDT, 1973 (ANDREASON et al, 1989, FLAUM, 1996, IWANAMI et al, 1994, MARTINEZ-AREVALO et al, 1994, MATHERS & GHODSE, 1992, McGUIRE, 1994, McGUIRE et al, 1995, TÄSCHNER, 1983 (BRON et al, 1980, JULIEN, 1997, HAMBRECHT et al, 1996, McGUIRE et al, 1994 McGUIRE et al, 1994, PERALTA, 1992, MILIN, 1996, DIXON et al, 1991 …”

“…Die Motivation zum Missbrauch psychotroper Substanzen gleicht einem komplexen (KNUDSEN et al, 1984, KOSTEN & ZIEDONIS, 1997, MILLER et al, 1989, PERALTA et al, 1992, SCHNEIER et al, 1987 …”