Project Summary

Lynn L. Johnson, Pharm. D. (Young Investigator 2005) of the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, proposes studying the impact of marijuana use on schizophrenics, 25 percent of whom abuse the substance. Although some suggest that people with schizophrenia may use marijuana to self medicate against hallucinations, delusions and the depression and anxiety from these symptoms, it is unknown if the substance makes users feel better or worse. Marijuana intoxication in non-schizophrenics generally causes decreased recall of words and may decrease reaction time and inhibitions. Additionally, marijuana may cause distractibility as demonstrated by difficulty in subjects keeping their eyes on a moving target and in other tasks. However, marijuana may have different effects in schizophrenia. Cannabis (marijuana) receptors are concentrated in the brain and cannabinoid system maladjustment may be associated with the difficulty in thinking found in schizophrenia. The proposed research project aims to study if clinical symptoms, learning, memory, inhibition and distractibility are improved or made worse by the acute ingestion of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the active ingredient in marijuana.

Program Area: SCHIZOPHRENIA/PSYCHOTIC DISORDERS\Schizophrenia\Substance Abuse

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