Cognitive Effects of Cannabis Use in Older Adults
Author Information
Author(s): Anquillare Elizabeth, Coromac-Medrano Juliamaria, Neiderman Adrianna, Thayer Rachel
Primary Institution: University of Colorado Colorado Springs
Hypothesis
This study aimed to identify relationships between subjective and objective cognition in older adults who use cannabis.
Conclusion
The study found that subjective cognitive complaints in older adults who use cannabis are associated with their performance on cognitive tasks, particularly in executive functioning.
Supporting Evidence
- Worse performance on a switching task was negatively associated with subjective attention, memory, and executive function.
- Worse performance on an inhibition task was negatively associated with better subjective attention, memory, and executive function.
- Subjective cognition was more closely associated with executive functioning performance than with memory or attention performance.
Takeaway
Older adults who use cannabis might think their memory and attention are worse than they actually are, especially when it comes to tasks that require switching between different activities.
Methodology
Participants completed online questionnaires about their subjective cognition and took part in a brief cognitive assessment battery.
Potential Biases
Potential biases may arise from self-reported measures of cognition.
Limitations
The sample size was small and may not represent the broader population of older adults who use cannabis.
Participant Demographics
Participants were aged 60 to 79, with 94% being White and 59% women, and had an average of 15.94 years of education.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.05
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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