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Tolerance and cross-tolerance to neurocognitive effects of THC and alcohol in heavy cannabis users

Psychopharmacology, ISSN: 0033-3158, Vol: 214, Issue: 2, Page: 391-401
2011
  • 147
    Citations
  • 0
    Usage
  • 221
    Captures
  • 5
    Mentions
  • 122
    Social Media
Metric Options:   Counts1 Year3 Year

Metrics Details

  • Citations
    147
  • Captures
    221
  • Mentions
    5
    • News Mentions
      4
      • News
        4
    • Blog Mentions
      1
      • Blog
        1
  • Social Media
    122
    • Shares, Likes & Comments
      122
      • Facebook
        122

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Article Description

Introduction: Previous research has shown that heavy cannabis users develop tolerance to the impairing effects of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) on neurocognitive functions. Animal studies suggest that chronic cannabis consumption may also produce cross-tolerance for the impairing effects of alcohol, but supportive data in humans is scarce. Purpose: The present study was designed to assess tolerance and cross-tolerance to the neurocognitive effects of THC and alcohol in heavy cannabis users. Methods: Twenty-one heavy cannabis users participated in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, three-way study. Subjects underwent three alcohol-dosing conditions that were designed to achieve a steady blood alcohol concentration of about 0, 0.5, and 0.7 mg/ml during a 5-h time window. In addition, subjects smoked a THC cigarette (400 μg/kg) at 3 h post-onset of alcohol dosing during every alcohol condition. Performance tests were conducted repeatedly between 0 and 7 h after onset of drinking and included measures of perceptual motor control (critical tracking task), dual task processing (divided-attention task), motor inhibition (stop-signal task), and cognition (Tower of London). Results: Alcohol significantly impaired critical tracking, divided attention, and stop-signal performance. THC generally did not affect task performance. However, combined effects of THC and alcohol on divided attention were bigger than those by alcohol alone. Conclusion: In conclusion, the present study generally confirms that heavy cannabis users develop tolerance to the impairing effects of THC on neurocognitive task performance. Yet, heavy cannabis users did not develop cross-tolerance to the impairing effects of alcohol, and the presence of the latter even selectively potentiated THC effects on measures of divided attention. © 2010 The Author(s).

Bibliographic Details

Ramaekers, Johannes G; Theunissen, Eef L; de Brouwer, Marjolein; Toennes, Stefan W; Moeller, Manfred R; Kauert, Gerhold

Springer Science and Business Media LLC

Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmaceutics

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