The Relation of Cannabis and Alcohol Use with Cortisol and Symptom Severity in Youth At- Risk for Psychosis Público
Feldman, Sara Melissa (2010)
Published
Abstract
Abstract
The Relation of Cannabis and Alcohol Use with Cortisol and Symptom
Severity in Youth At-
Risk for Psychosis
By Sara M. Feldman
Approximately half of the patients suffering from schizophrenia
have a lifetime comorbid
substance use disorder (SUD) diagnosis. Substance use among
psychotic patients is twice the
rate of use among healthy controls in the general population. SUDs
in schizophrenic patients are
associated with poorer clinical outcomes. Research shows that 25 to
45% of individuals who
meet criteria for the prodrome to schizophrenia convert to a
full-blown psychotic disorder within
2 to 5 years. Further, individuals who meet prodromal criteria are
increasingly likely to convert
to a psychotic disorder if they use cannabis. Experimental studies
where Delta-9-THC was
administered show acute increases in cortisol levels. The present
study examined the relation of
alcohol (AU) and cannabis use (CU) with cortisol levels and
symptoms in 33 healthy controls, 56
prodromal patients, and 40 psychiatric controls. The current study
hypothesized that prodromal
subjects who report CU will show elevated cortisol levels, as well
as more severe positive
symptoms. The present study indicated no relation of AU with
cortisol levels, symptoms, or
conversion to psychosis. Further, the findings indicated that CU
was not associated with
symptom severity or progression. However, CU was linked with
reduced cortisol levels. The
results are interpreted in light of past findings indicating that
youth with lower baseline cortisol
levels are more likely to become cannabis users in the future, and
that longer term CU is linked
with reduced cortisol levels. Thus, although CU results in an acute
increase in cortisol and
positive symptoms, initial CU and prolonged CU appears to be
associated with lower cortisol
levels.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Introduction......................................................................................................................................1
Method...........................................................................................................................................19
Results............................................................................................................................................24
Discussion......................................................................................................................................32
References......................................................................................................................................41
Tables.............................................................................................................................................49
Figures............................................................................................................................................56
About this Honors Thesis
School | |
---|---|
Department | |
Degree | |
Submission | |
Language |
|
Research Field | |
Palavra-chave | |
Committee Chair / Thesis Advisor | |
Committee Members |
Primary PDF
Thumbnail | Title | Date Uploaded | Actions |
---|---|---|---|
|
The Relation of Cannabis and Alcohol Use with Cortisol and Symptom Severity in Youth At- Risk for Psychosis () | 2018-08-28 12:33:15 -0400 |
|
Supplemental Files
Thumbnail | Title | Date Uploaded | Actions |
---|