The effect of cannabis use on brain function in early psychosis
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The effect of cannabis use on brain function in early psychosis
IRAS ID
213630
Contact name
Sagnik Bhattacharyya
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
King's College London
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 4 months, 3 days
Research summary
Schizophrenia is a devastating psychotic disorder, accounting for over 1% of the worldwide burden of disability. Use of cannabis makes both developing and relapsing into psychotic illness more likely.
We do not quite know why this is. Psychosis is normally associated with abnormal levels of a brain chemical called dopamine. However cannabis does not appear to cause substantial changes in the dopamine system that fully explain this. Another explanation could be related to a brain chemical called glutamate. This study will therefore investigate brain glutamate in a group of patients with psychosis who use cannabis and compare them to patients who do not and another group of healthy volunteers. We will undertake a brain scan known as magnetic resonance spectroscopy for this. We will also compare groups to see if their brains function differently inside the scanner. This is because cannabis use is known to affect brain function and regions of the brain associated with memory and emotions.
This may guide us in future as to what type of treatments might work in patients with psychosis who continue to use cannabis. This is particularly important as the current treatments do not work well in this group.
REC name
London - Stanmore Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
17/LO/0577
Date of REC Opinion
9 May 2017
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion