Mecanismos cognitivos en la toma de decisiones arriesgadas en consumidores de cannabis

Abstract

The relationship between the use of cannabis and the decisionmaking processes was explored. A computerized version of the Iowa Gambling Task (Cards Software) in its normal and reverse version was used, and the Prospect Valence Learning (PVL) model, which characterize the process of decision-making based on the parameters: Recency, Consistency, Loss aversion and Utility shape, was applied.Seventy-three cannabis consumers and a control group with 73 nonconsumers participated in the study. In the normal mode, subjects in the control group scored higher than cannabis consumers. Both groups showed consistent responses and aversion to loss. Nonconsumers showed greater influence of the gain-loss frequency, while consumers were more influenced by the magnitude of the gain-loss.The influence of immediate choices was higher among consumers who showed a quick oblivion while in the control group this process was more gradual. In the reverse mode, task performance was better among control group participants. Both groups showed consistency, loss aversion, more influenced by the magnitude of the gain-loss, and low influence of immediate elections.The results show the relationship between drug use and the decision-

Age of onset of cannabis use and decision making under uncertainty

“…With respect to the λ values, we found some significant differences between groups, with lower values in the consumers. That is, the early-onset consumers perceived the losses as a neutral element, the late-onset consumers considered the gains and losses as equals, and in the control group there was loss aversion, which is partly coherent with previous findings ( Fridberg et al, 2010 ) because Alameda-Bailén et al (2014) obtained the opposite results, that is, loss aversion in consumers but not in the control group.…”

“…Moreover, regarding α values, the early-onset consumers showed a large magnitude of gains-losses, whereas frequency was more important in the control group, and the late-onset consumers were in an intermediate position. Alameda-Bailén et al (2014) and Fridberg et al (2010) have reported similar results. With respect to the λ values, we found some significant differences between groups, with lower values in the consumers.…”

“…Cannabis, like other substances, negatively affects health, inducing respiratory problems and mental and cognitive alterations (psychosis, anxiety, dependence, etc.). Memory and learning disorders ( Crane et al, 2013 ; Jager et al, 2006 ), and executive dysfunctions ( Alameda-Bailén, Paíno-Quesada & Mogedas-Valladares, 2012 ; Alameda-Bailén et al, 2014 ; Crean, Crane & Mason, 2011 ; Fontes et al, 2011 ), are also neuropsychological disorders related to cannabis use. There is some consensus about the determinants of the short and long-term consequences of cannabis use: age of onset of consumption, consumption frequency, consumption duration, the amount of tetrahydrocannabinol in the cannabis, etc.…”

“…Among the cognitive functions impaired by cannabis use, the decision-making processes are the most studied ( Alameda-Bailén, Paíno-Quesada & Mogedas-Valladares, 2012 ; Alameda-Bailén et al, 2014 ; Mogedas-Valladares & Alameda-Bailén, 2011 ). Such processes highlights the somatic marker hypothesis ( Damasio, 1994 ), a research paradigm in which all the variations of the decision-making processes of the different communities are evaluated through the Iowa Gambling Task (IGT; Bechara et al, 1994 ).…”

“…The PVL model has been applied to clinical samples and has allowed the identification of decision-making patterns in the IGT ( Ahn et al, 2008 , 2011 , 2014 ; Alameda-Bailén, Paíno-Quesada & Mogedas-Valladares, 2012 ; Alameda-Bailén et al, 2014 , 2017 ).…”