This does not occur in the non-using controls. The activation of chemical metabolism pathways in the brains of users, as compared to the controls, could lead to the drive and compulsion to self-administer the drug observed in addicted individuals. This sophisticated use of PET scanning which illustrates individual regions of the brain and their abilities to metabolise glucose, the main energy source of the brain, documents an abnormality in chronic users of marijuana. The location of the abnormality in the cerebellum could account for the motor defects and lack of coordination previously reported in these subjects. This has obvious implications for public safety and operation of motor vehicles by marijuana users.
Researcher calls for more studies of impact of marijuana on brain.
His suggestion that matched studies must be done to measure intellectual ability prior to the onset of drug use is seemingly impractical in that it would require being able to predetermine who would use illicit drugs. However, more well designed and controlled studies in this area would certainly be useful. Material used in this publication has been reviewed and commented on by William M. Bennett M.D., Professor of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, Clinical Pharmacology and Hypertension at Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland, Oregon. Drug Watch Oregon, P.O. Box 5853, Portland, Oregon 97228-5853.