Comparative study of neuropsychological and neurophysiological functioning in regular users of cannabis and healthy controls
Abstract
The objective of this study is to perform a comparative analysis of the cognitive functioning of a group of cannabis users and healthy controls, by applying neuropsychological tests and potential events related to mismatch negativity (MMN) and P3a in a 32-channel EEG, and evaluate its association with consumption characteristics. The sample consisted of 21 cannabis users (CN) and 22 healthy controls (SN) between 18 and 35 years old. The CN group scored higher on the WMS-III IA word list and Stroop time part A, while the SN group had reduced P3a amplitude in F3, C3, and FCZ and higher latency in F4. In relation to the characteristics of consumption, abstinence from cannabis presented a strong correlation with the percentage of retention in verbal memory, the latency of MMNd/P3a in C4 and the amplitude of P3a in F3, while the number of cannabis cigarettes presented a strong correlation with the latency of P3a in FCZ. In conclusion, our findings corroborate the presence of specific alterations. P3a stands out as a possible neurophysiological marker in clinical and translational research in this population.
References
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