Cannabis and Cognition in Schizophrenia: Systematic Review of Research Published from 2011 To 2024
摘要
There is a worldwide trend toward liberalizing cannabis and increased cannabis potency which may be contributing to increased rates of use. Cannabis use is prevalent among individuals with schizophrenia though the literature on its association with cognitive dysfunction remains mixed. This systematic review examined research (2011–2024) on cannabis use and cognition in schizophrenia building on a previous review that covered studies from 2005 to 2010. We synthesized data from fifteen studies (total n = 828) comparing cognition in individuals with schizophrenia with cannabis use (SzCan+) to individuals with schizophrenia without cannabis use (SzCan-) using composite z-scores and effect sizes.
Recent FindingsSzCan + outperformed SzCan- in attention (d = 1.09, large effect), motor functioning (d = 0.56, medium effect), nonverbal memory (d = 0.53, medium effect), verbal memory (d = 0.30, medium effect), working memory (d = 0.20, small effect), and processing speed (d = 0.18, small effect). In contrast, SzCan + had poorer premorbid functioning than SzCan- (d=-1.00, large effect) and poorer performance in language (d=-0.40, medium effect) and general cognition (d=-0.30, medium effect). Negligible effects were demonstrated in executive functioning (d = 0.13) with SzCan + outperforming SzCan-.
SummaryCannabis use in schizophrenia was associated with better cognition in select domains and poorer cognition in other domains, rather than uniform performance. While the findings are partially consistent with earlier reviews, these findings diverge from a more consistent pattern of better performance with cannabis use. Future research should employ longitudinal study designs to better clarify the direction of the relationship between cannabis use and cognition in people with schizophrenia.