Cognitive performance in a placebo-controlled pharmacotherapy trial for youth with marijuana dependence. (June 2015) - Roten, Amanda
Abstract: Background: Adolescent marijuana use is associated with neurocognitive impairment, but further work is needed to assess the relationship between treatment-associated abstinence and cognitive performance. Methods: This secondary analysis, conducted in the context of a marijuana cessation pharmacotherapy trial in adolescents, examined cognitive performance at baseline and at two time points during treatment using the CNS Vital Signs assessment battery. Results: Abstinence from marijuana, relative to continued use, as assessed via urine cannabinoid testing, was associated with significant improvement in composite memory ( p < 0.001), verbal memory (the most impacted component of composite memory) ( p < 0.001), and psychomotor performance ( p = 0.045) scores. Conclusions: These findings suggest that some domains of cognitive performance improve significantly even in the early stages of treatment-associated abstinence. Highlights: Cognitive performance was measured using CNS Vital Signs® . Abstinence was significantly associated with increased composite memory scores. Abstinence was significantly associated with increased verbal memory scores. Abstinence was significantly associated with modest increase in psychomotor speed. No significant differences in cognitive performance between placebo and control.