Neural substrates underlying the negative impact of cannabinoid exposure during adolescence

Abstract

As cannabinoid use among the adolescent population becomes widespread with recent legalizations, understanding more about its effects on the developing brain becomes increasingly important. Adolescent cannabinoid use has been shown to elicit both short and long lasting effects on cortical function, in part due to its impact on maturing brain regions including the prefrontal cortex and associated inputs. This paper provides an overview of current state of knowledge on the lasting impact of repeated cannabinoid exposure on behavior and associated neural circuits in adolescents compared to other age groups. Data obtained from human and rodent literature are integrated to discuss potential neural mechanisms underpinning the enduring negative impact of cannabinoid exposure during this sensitive period of brain development.

Keywords: Adolescence; CB1R; Cannabinoid; Prefrontal cortex; THC.