Study register · detailQuerschnittstudie (Beobachtung) · Adolescence & Development · 2019
Effects of Cannabis Use and Subclinical ADHD Symptomology on Attention Based Tasks in Adolescents and Young Adults
Wallace et al.·Archives of Clinical Neuropsychology
MixedGRADEVery low42 citations
Samplen = 72 Pat.
ControlNon-using control group
EndpointCPT Hit Rate Response
Blindingn.a.
DesignQuerschnittstudie (Beobachtung)
”Key finding
Cannabis users showed a significantly slowed reaction time on the CPT; subclinical ADHD symptoms did not contribute to attention deficits.
Summary
n=72 adolescents/young adults (cannabis users n=34, controls n=38); cannabis use significantly associated with slower CPT reaction time (attention); subclinical ADHD symptoms did not predict deficits and did not moderate cannabis effects; attention deficits in cannabis users primarily substance-related.
P
PopulationAdolescents and young adults, cannabis users (n=34) and control group (n=38), n=72 total
I
InterventionCannabis use (group comparison, no experimental intervention)
C
ControlNon-using control group (n=38)
O
OutcomeCannabis use significantly associated with slower CPT hit rate; subclinical ADHD symptoms do not predict attention deficits and also do not moderate cannabis effects
Confidence in the evidence
Very lowLowModerateHigh
Very low
The lowest GRADE level, the effect estimate remains uncertain.
<h4>Objective</h4>Research has demonstrated comorbidity between Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and cannabis use, and some have proposed that subclinical ADHD symptoms may explain attentional deficits in cannabis users. Here we investigated whether subclinical ADHD symptoms and cannabis use independently or interactively predict performance on attention tasks in adolescents and young adults.<h4>Method</h4>Seventy-two participants (cannabis users (MJ) = 34, Controls = 38) completed neuropsychological tasks of inhibition and attention. Parent report on the Child Behaviors Checklist reflected current ADHD symptoms. Multiple regression analyses examined whether ADHD symptoms and cannabis use independently or interactively predicted cognitive outcomes.<h4>Results</h4>Cannabis use was significantly associated with slower CPT hit rate response. Subclinical ADHD symptoms did not independently predict or moderate cannabis effects.<h4>Conclusions</h4>Cannabis users demonstrated slower response rate during an attentional task. Subclinical ADHD symptoms did not predict any deficits. As such, attention deficits seen in cannabis users are more related to substance use than ADHD symptomatology.