| http://www.frontiersin.org/humanneuroscience/paper/10.3389/neuro.09/053.2009/
| Løberg E and Hugdahl K (2009) Cannabis use and cognition in schizophrenia. Front.
Hum. Neurosci. 3:53. doi:10.3389/neuro.09.053.2009
|
|
| People with schizophrenia frequently report cannabis use, and cannabis may be a
risk factor for schizophrenia, mediated through effects on brain function and
biochemistry. Thus, it is conceivable that cannabis may also influence cognitive
functioning in this patients group. We report data from our own laboratory on the
use of cannabis by schizophrenia patients, and review the existing literature on the
effects of cannabis on cognition in schizophrenia and related psychosis. Of the 23
studies that were found, 14 reported that the cannabis users had better cognitive
performance than the schizophrenia non-users. Eight studies reported no or minimal
differences in cognitive performance in the two groups, but only one study reported
better cognitive performance in the schizophrenia non-user group. Our own results
confirm the overall impression from the literature review of better cognitive
performance in the cannabis user group. These paradoxical findings may have
several explanations, which are discussed. We suggest that cannabis causes a
transient cognitive breakdown enabling the development of psychosis, imitating the
typical cognitive vulnerability seen in schizophrenia. This is further supported by an
earlier age of onset and fewer neurological soft signs in the cannabis-related
schizophrenia group, suggesting an alternative pathway to psychosis.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

From: Pat Millslagle
To: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Mime-Version: 1.0
Subject: Re: MAPS: Loberg 2009 Cannabis, cognition,
        and Schizophrenia   FWD from Tom Roberts
Date: Thu, 3 Dec 2009 09:52:49 -0800

Ridiculous from the first part of the first sentence:

> >| People with schizophrenia frequently report cannabis use...


OK, my turn:

-Serial killers and problem drinkers frequently report tobacco use...
-Researchers frequently report using their desired conclusions to  
support their final conclusions...
-People with schizophrenia frequently report encounters with  
researchers...
-Researchers frequently report cannabis use...

This is George Orwell meets Jonathan Swift. How I wish they were not  
serious. So on one hand,

> >cannabis may be a risk factor for schizophrenia

but on the other

> >the (schizophrenia) cannabis users had better cognitive performance  
> >than the schizophrenia non-users

but then

> >(this) suggest(s) an alternative pathway to psychosis (from cannabis  
> >use)

What in the world is one to conclude from this? That if you want to be  
the best schizoprenic you can be, use cannabis?

Studies have shown that studies will show what you want them to show,  
and results and conclusions are very much dependent upon the source of  
the funding for the studies. Would it be cynical or merely curious to  
wonder where the money for this study came from? Taking a broader  
view, would it be possible at all that this is an attempt to torpedo  
the medical marijuana movement? It sure seems to me that this is the  
same bogus 'gateway drug' argument, repackaged for the new millennium.

('Alternative Pathway to Psychosis' -- weren't they a warmup band for  
Quicksilver Messenger Service back in '68?)