Cannabis and Cognitive Function in Multiple Sclerosis: Findings From a Large Consecutive Clinical Sample.

BACKGROUND

Cannabis is commonly used in persons with MS (pwMS) for symptom relief. Previous studies investigating the effects of cannabis on objective cognitive functioning in MS have yielded mixed results.

AIM: To examine associations of recreational cannabis use with objective cognitive performance in a large, consecutive clinical sample of pwMS.

METHODS

In a cross-sectional study, 847 pwMS provided information on cannabis consumption and were administered the Minimal Assessment of Cognitive Function in MS (MACFIMS) battery, assessing memory, executive function, language, and processing speed. Cognitive performance of cannabis users (N = 254) and nonusers (N = 593) was compared by means of a one-way MANOVA. Multiple linear regressions then examined whether cannabis use independently predicted cognitive test results.

RESULTS

A significant effect of cannabis use on cognitive performance was observed, F(11, 692) = 1.955, p = 0.030, Wilks λ = 0.970, with users performing significantly poorer than nonusers on the SDMT [F(1, 703) = 6.099, p = 0.014]. Regression models, taking into account covariates (age, education, disease duration, anxiety, and fatigue) revealed that cannabis independently predicted performance on the SDMT, PASAT-3, and PASAT-2, all p < 0.001. Models explained 15.8%, 7.1%, and 8.7% of variance, respectively.

CONCLUSION

This cross-sectional study provides evidence that cannabis use is associated with poorer processing speed and working memory in pwMS, thereby presenting a possible additional risk factor for cognitive impairment. This finding takes on added concern in light of cannabis use increasing with its legalization, and the worldwide increase of cannabis potency.