A Comparison of Symptoms and Family History in Schizophrenia With and Without Prior Cannabis Use: Implication for the Concept of Cannabis Psychosis
J. Boydell et al., “A comparison of symptoms and family history in schizophrenia with and without prior cannabis use: implications for the concept of cannabis psychosis,” Schizophrenia Research 93, issue 1 (July 2007): 203-210.
Schizophrenia is a chronic, severe, and disabling disorder that affects about 1% of the adult population. This study examines the theory that marijuana use is associated with a distinct form of schizophrenia, different in symptoms and marked by greater genetic susceptibility than classic schizophrenia. Such a difference in disease presentation would support the idea of marijuana as a cause of some schizophrenia-like psychoses.
This study found previous marijuana use had no significant association with symptoms or family history of disease in a group of schizophrenia patients. The authors conclude, " This argues against a distinct schizophrenia-like psychosis caused by cannabis."
Free abstract and full text for a fee available at: http://www.schres-journal.com/article/S0920-9964(07)00150-8/abstract
