01/10/2007 00:00:00
Smoked Marijuana Improved ADHD Driver's Performance
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Science: THC normalized impaired psychomotor performance and mood in a
patient with hyperactivity disorder
BBSNews 2007-10-01 -- (IACM) Scientists at the Department for Forensic
and Traffic Medicine of the University of Heidelberg, Germany,
investigated the effects of cannabis on driving related functions in a
28 year old man with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). He
had violated traffic regulations several times in recent years and his
driving licence was revoked due to driving under the influence of
cannabis. He showed abnormal behaviour, seemed to be significantly
maladjusted and his concentration was heavily impaired while sober
during the first meeting with a psychologist. He was allowed to perform
driving related tests under the influence of the cannabis compound
dronabinol (THC), which his doctor had prescribed him to treat his
symptoms. The examiner expected that he was not able to drive a car
under the acute influence of THC.
But at the second visit his behaviour was markedly improved and he
performed average and partly above-average in all tests on reaction
speed, sustained attention, visual orientation, perception speed and
divided attention. A blood sample taken after the tests revealed a high
THC concentration of 71 ng/ml in blood serum. He admitted later to have
smoked cannabis and not taken dronabinol, because it was too expensive.
Researchers noted that "people with ADHD are found to violate traffic
regulations, to commit criminal offences and to be involved in traffic
accidents more often than the statistical norm" and conclude from their
investigation that "it has to be taken into account that in persons with
ADHD THC may have atypical and even performance-enhancing effects."
(Source: Strohbeck-Kuehner P, Skopp G, Mattern R. Fahrtüchtigkeit trotz
(wegen) THC. [Fitness to drive in spite (because) of THC] [Article in
German] Arch Kriminol 2007;220(1-2):11-9.)
http://bbsnews.net/article.php/20071001105829361
Source:
http://www.ukcia.org/news/shownewsarticle.php?articleid=12877
Author:
BBSNews via UKCIA
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