Cannabis and cognitive functioning in multiple sclerosis: The role of gender. Issue 2 (June 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Patel, Viral P; Feinstein, Anthony
• Is Part Of: Multiple sclerosis journal, experimental, translational and clinical. Volume 3:Issue 2(2017)
• Publication Date: 2017-06
• Subjects: Multiple sclerosis -- cognition -- cannabis -- gender; Multiple sclerosis -- Periodicals; 616.834
• DOI: 10.1177/2055217317713027
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2055-2173

Abstract

Background: Cognitive function in people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) is associated with gender differences and the use of smoked/ingested cannabis. Objective: The objective of this report is to explore a possible gender-cannabis interaction associated with cognitive dysfunction in PwMS. Methods: A retrospective analysis was undertaken of cognitive data collected from 140 PwMS. A general linear model was conducted to determine gender and cannabis effects on processing speed (SDMT), verbal (CVLT-II) and visual (BVMT-R) memory, and executive functions (D-KEFS), while controlling for age and years of education. Results: Cannabis was smoked at least once a month by 33 (23.6%) participants. Cannabis users were more impaired on the SDMT ( p = 0.044). Men, who comprised 30.7% of the entire sample and 42.2% of cannabis users, were more impaired on the CVLT-II (total learning, p = 0.001; delayed recall, p = 0.004). A cannabis-gender interaction was found with the CVLT-II delayed recall ( p = 0.049) and BVMT-R total learning ( p = 0.014), where male cannabis users performed more poorly than female. Conclusion: Males with MS may be particularly vulnerable to the cognitive side effects of smoked cannabis use.