Learning and Memory Performances in Adolescent Users of Alcohol and Marijuana: Interactive Effects

Abstract

ABSTRACT. Objective: Lifetime alcohol hangover and withdrawal symptoms in youth have been shown to predict poorer recall of verbal and nonverbal information, as well as reduced visuospatial skills. Some evidence has suggested that negative effects of alcohol on the brain may be buffered in part by potential neuroprotective properties of cannabinoids. We hypothesized that a history of more alcohol hangover symptoms would predict worse performances on measures of verbal and visual memory, and that this relationship would be moderated by marijuana involvement. Method: Participants were 130 adolescents (65 with histories of heavy marijuana use, and 65 non-marijuana-using controls), ranging in age from 15.7 to 19.1 years. Neuropsychological tests for visual and verbal memory and interviews assessing lifetime and recent substance use, hangover/withdrawal symptoms, and abuse and dependence criteria were administered. Results: Regression models revealed that greater alcohol hangover symptoms predicted worse verbal learning (p < .05) and memory (p < .05) (California Verbal Learning Test, Second Edition) scores for non-marijuana users, but alcohol hangover symptoms were not linked to performance among marijuana users. Alcohol hangover symptoms did not predict visual memory in either group. Conclusions: Results confi rm previous studies linking adolescent heavy drinking to reduced verbal learning and memory performance. However, this relationship is not seen in adolescents with similar levels of alcohol involvement who also are heavy users of marijuana. (J. Stud. Alcohol Drugs, 71, 885-894, 2010)

Neurotoxic Effects of Alcohol in Adolescence

“…In addition to findings by Squeglia et al (2009) that show negative dose-dependent relationships between drinking and neurocognitive performance, we have also seen negative relationships between alcohol withdrawal symptoms and learning and memory performance. For instance, Mahmood and colleagues found that among adolescent alcohol users ages 15 to 19, greater hangover symptoms were associated with poorer performance on measures of immediate and delayed recall (Mahmood et al 2010). …”

The effect of alcohol use on human adolescent brain structures and systems

“…Negative relationships between alcohol withdrawal symptoms and learning and memory performance have also been found. For instance, among adolescent alcohol users ages 15–19, greater hangover symptoms were associated with poorer performance on measures of immediate and delayed recall (Mahmood et al, 2010). …”

Alcohol Consumption and Executive Functions in Adolescents: A Systematic Review

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