Cognitive impairment in first psychotic episodes: The role of cannabis

Abstract

Introduction The role of cannabis on cognitive impairment in first-episode psychosis (FEP) is becoming more important, with multiple investigations on this regard, with heterogeneous results due to different methodologies. Objectives To evaluate the cognitive profile in patients who suffer a FEP, analyzing the potential effect of cannabis. Methods We present the preliminar results of a cross-sectional case-control study about the effect of cannabis on cognition, in patients suffering a FEP. We recruited a total of 41 FEP during the last two years. We investigated the theorical differences between those who were cannabis users (FEP-Cannabis+)(n=28) and not cannabis users (FEP-Cannabis-)(n=13). We included a control group with healthy subjects who were cannabis users (Healthy-Cannabis+)(n=24).Sociodemographic and clinical questionnaire was completed. The Screening Scale to evaluate Cognitive Impairment in Psychiatry(SCIP-S) and the Cannabis Abuse Screening Test (CAST) were used. The consumption pattern was also evaluated. Results In this study, cognitive impairment was found in FEP-Cannabis+,when compared with Healthy-Cannabis+.The most affected areas were immediate verbal learning (I-VL), delayed verbal learning (D-VL), processing speed (PS), and total score (TS). Significant differences were also observed in the cognitive profile of patients suffering FEP depending on their use of cannabis. FEP-Cannabis+) showed lower scores in PS, I-VL and TS. Conclusions Although several prognostic factors have been identified in FEP, to date there are no reliable markers for predicting the possible evolution of high-risk mental states to a FEP. More investigations are necessary in order to elucidate the role of cannabis in the cognitive impairment. Disclosure No significant relationships.

Keywords

• cannabis users
• cognitive impairment in first-episode psychosis
• psychosis
• first-episode psychosis