• Français

Centre de recherche
Tuesday, October 22 2024

Cannabis use in adolescence: visible effects on brain structure

A collaborative study conducted at CHU Sainte-Justine sheds light on how cannabis use affects brain development in young people.

MONTRÉAL, October 22, 2024 – Cannabis use may lead to thinning of the cerebral cortex in adolescents according to a recent study led by CHU Sainte-Justine researchers Graciela Piñeyro and Tomas Paus. A collaborative effort between two research laboratories with complementary approaches, the study demonstrates that THC – or tetrahydrocannabinol, an active substance in cannabis – causes shrinkage of the dendritic arborization, neurons’ “network of antennae” whose role is critical for communication between neurons. This results in the atrophy of certain regions of the cerebral cortex – bad news at an age when the brain is maturing. 

Tomas Paus“If we take the analogy of the brain as a computer, the neurons would be the central processor, receiving all information via the synapses through the dendritic network,” explains Tomas Paus, who is also a professor of psychiatry and neuroscience at Université de Montréal. “So a decrease in the data input to the central processor by dendrites makes it harder for the brain to learn new things, interact with people, cope with new situations, etc. In other words, it makes the brain more vulnerable to everything that can happen in a young person’s life.”  

A multi-level approach to better understand the effect on humans

This project is notable for the complementary, multi-level nature of the methods used. “By analyzing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans of the brains of a cohort of teenagers, we had already shown that young people who used cannabis before the age of 16 had a thinner cerebral cortex,” explains Tomas Paus. “However, this research method doesn’t allow us to draw any conclusions about causality, or to really understand THC’s effect on the brain cells.” 

Given the limitations of MRI, the introduction of the mouse model by Graciela Pineyro’s team was key. “The model made it possible to demonstrate that THC modifies the expression of certain genes affecting the structure and function of synapses and dendrites,” explains Graciela Pineyro, who is also a professor in the Department of Pharmacology and Physiology at Université de Montréal. “The result is atrophy of the dendritic arborescence that could contribute to the thinning observed in certain regions of the cortex.” Interestingly, these genes were also found in humans, particularly in the thinner cortical regions of the cohort adolescents of experimented with cannabis. By combining their distinct research methods, the two teams were thus able to determine with a high degree of certainty that the sames genes targeted by THC in the mouse model were also associated to cortical thinning observed in adolescents who had used cannabis.

With cannabis use on the rise among North American youth, and commercial cannabis products containing increasing concentrations of THC, it’s imperative that we improve our understanding of how this substance affects brain maturation and cognition. This successful collaborative study, involving cutting-edge techniques in cellular and molecular biology, imaging and bioinformatics analysis, is a step in the right direction for the development of effective public health measures.

Graciela Piñeyro (centre), accompanied by Iness Charfi and Derek Norman

Graciela Piñeyro, centre, with postdoctoral fellow Iness Charfi and research associate Derek Robertson. © CHU Sainte-Justine

about the study

The article “Cells and Molecules Underpinning Cannabis-Related Variations in Cortical Thickness during Adolescence” was published by Xavier Navarri, … Graciela Pineyro and Tomas Paus in the Journal of Neuroscience.
 

Persons mentioned in the text
About this page
Updated on 10/23/2024
Created on 10/18/2024
Alert or send a suggestion
 

Grow Beyond our wildest dreams

With the support of donors like you, at the heart of the Grow Beyond campaign, we are leading healthcare teams towards the opportunities offered by science and new technologies, so that every child, no matter where in Quebec, has access to the unique expertise and know-how of CHU Sainte-Justine. Together, let's join forces for their future.

Grow Beyond with us.

Contact Us

514 345-4931

Légal

© 2006-2014 CHU Sainte-Justine.
All rights reserved.
Terms of Use, Confidentiality, Security

Avertissement

Les informations contenues dans le site « CHU Sainte-Justine » ne doivent pas être utilisées comme un substitut aux conseils d’un médecin dûment qualifié et autorisé ou d’un autre professionnel de la santé. Les informations fournies ici le sont à des fins exclusivement éducatives et informatives.

Consultez votre médecin si vous croyez être malade ou composez le 911 pour toute urgence médicale.

CHU Sainte-Justine