Cannabis Withdrawal Symptoms and Alcohol Use Predict Working Memory Scores in Young Adults
Mentor 1
Krista Lisdahl
Start Date
28-4-2023 12:00 AM
Description
This project aimed to examine the impact of concurrent cannabis and alcohol use on memory. Substance co-use has the potential for more dangerous outcomes, making it a public health concern. This project ultimately sought out to assess the impact of cannabis and alcohol co-use on verbal memory,. Seventy-nine cannabis-using adolescent and young adult participants abstained from use for three weeks before coming in for three consecutive weeks to complete a series of questionnaires and neuropsychological batteries. Using data from session one of this study, multiple linear regression models were run to investigate how reported alcohol use and Cannabis Withdrawal Scale scores together impact participants’ Hopkins Verbal Learning Test (HVLT) total recall and delayed recall T-scores. For the intents of this study, the 38 participants who reported a moderate level of cannabis use were analyzed. Results showed that cannabis withdrawal symptoms and alcohol use did significantly predict total recall(p = 0.033). Cannabis withdraw symptoms and alcohol use accounted for almost 18% of the variance in HVLT total recall scores. Overall, this research suggests that co-use of cannabis and alcohol may further impact working memory in young adults. In particular, alcohol use and cannabis withdrawal are linked with poorer total learning during adolescence. Longitudinal research would help provide causal evidence.
Cannabis Withdrawal Symptoms and Alcohol Use Predict Working Memory Scores in Young Adults
This project aimed to examine the impact of concurrent cannabis and alcohol use on memory. Substance co-use has the potential for more dangerous outcomes, making it a public health concern. This project ultimately sought out to assess the impact of cannabis and alcohol co-use on verbal memory,. Seventy-nine cannabis-using adolescent and young adult participants abstained from use for three weeks before coming in for three consecutive weeks to complete a series of questionnaires and neuropsychological batteries. Using data from session one of this study, multiple linear regression models were run to investigate how reported alcohol use and Cannabis Withdrawal Scale scores together impact participants’ Hopkins Verbal Learning Test (HVLT) total recall and delayed recall T-scores. For the intents of this study, the 38 participants who reported a moderate level of cannabis use were analyzed. Results showed that cannabis withdrawal symptoms and alcohol use did significantly predict total recall(p = 0.033). Cannabis withdraw symptoms and alcohol use accounted for almost 18% of the variance in HVLT total recall scores. Overall, this research suggests that co-use of cannabis and alcohol may further impact working memory in young adults. In particular, alcohol use and cannabis withdrawal are linked with poorer total learning during adolescence. Longitudinal research would help provide causal evidence.
