05/11/2007 00:00:00
Ireland: Cannabis far more toxic to the adolescent brain
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CANNABIS is far more toxic to the brains of young people who are exposed
to the drug, than it is to adults, according to ground-breaking new
Irish research.
The unpublished work, by scientists at Trinity College, Dublin, includes
technology which actually takes photographs of subjects' brains.
Studies into cannabis, running in tandem, point to a difference in the
way the brain operates for cannabis users and non-cannabis users.
But the research also suggests that the drug is more toxic to youngsters.
Dr Hugh Garavan, who is leading one of the studies is examining the
prefrontal cortex which is used for decision making, and the hippocampus
which is used for memory.
"We are finding differences with cannabis users. The hippocampus is
being driven to work harder, perhaps to overcompensate for the drug."
Memory loss, psychosis and paranoia are some of the symptoms that might
be linked to these skewed "brain pictures".
Dr Garavan added that the hippocampus is one of the last regions to
develop properly. "Adolescents are more likely to experiment but their
brains may not yet be mature."
but see also Cannabis not dangerous for young people
http://ccguide.org.uk/news/shownewsarticle.php?articleid=12916
http://www.independent.ie/template/ver1-0/forum/filter.jsp
Source:
http://www.ukcia.org/news/shownewsarticle.php?articleid=12984
Author:
Irish Independent via UKCIA
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