INTERPRETATION Continued cannabis use after onset of psychosis predicts adverse outcome , including higher relapse rates , longer hospital admissions , and more severe positive symptoms than for individuals who discontinue cannabis use and those who are non-users .
BACKGROUND Although the link between cannabis use and development of psychosis is well established , less is known about the effect of continued versus discontinued cannabis use after the onset of psychosis .
We aim ed to summarise available evidence focusing on the relationship between continued and discontinued cannabis use after onset of psychosis and its relapse .
Effects of cannabis use status on cognitive function, in males with schizophrenia
Cognitive impairment and cannabis use are common among patients with schizophrenia . However , the moderating role of cannabis on cognition remains unclear . We sought to examine cognitive performance as a function of cannabis use patterns in schizophrenia . A secondary aim was to determine the effects of cumulative cannabis exposure on cognition . Cognition was assessed in male out patients with current cannabis dependence ( n=18 ) and no current cannabis use disorders ( n=29 ) . We then parsed non-current users into patients with lifetime cannabis dependence ( n=21 ) and no lifetime cannabis dependence ( n=8 ) . Finally , as an exploratory analysis , we examined relationships between cumulative cannabis exposure and cognition in lifetime dependent patients . Cross-sectional comparisons suggest that lifetime cannabis users demonstrate better processing speed than patients with no lifetime dependence . Exploratory analyses indicated that patients with current dependence exhibited robust negative relationships between cumulative cannabis exposure and cognition ; these associations were absent in former users . Cannabis status has minimal effects on cognition in males with schizophrenia . However , cumulative cannabis exposure significantly impairs cognition in current , but not former users , suggesting that the state dependent negative effects of cannabis may be reversed with sustained abstinence . Prospect i ve studies are needed to confirm these findings
INTERPRETATION Continued cannabis use after onset of psychosis predicts adverse outcome , including higher relapse rates , longer hospital admissions , and more severe positive symptoms than for individuals who discontinue cannabis use and those who are non-users .
BACKGROUND Although the link between cannabis use and development of psychosis is well established , less is known about the effect of continued versus discontinued cannabis use after the onset of psychosis .
We aim ed to summarise available evidence focusing on the relationship between continued and discontinued cannabis use after onset of psychosis and its relapse .