Functional hyperconnectivity between corticocerebellar networks and altered decision making in young adult cannabis users: Evidence from 7T and multivariate pattern analysis.
Psychiatry research. Neuroimaging March 1, 2023 Alan N. Francis, J. Camprodon, Francesca Filbey PhD
Cannabis users show deficits in decision-making that are linked to hyperconnectivity in corticocerebellar brain networks, particularly between the posterior cerebellum and regions involved in reward and self-control. In a study comparing 92 cannabis users with 92 non-users using high-resolution 7 Tesla MRI, users scored higher on the Iowa Gambling Task percentage of larger rewards and lower on percentage of smaller rewards, and had larger left nucleus accumbens volume. Resting-state functional connectivity was enhanced between the left cerebellum region 9 and the right nucleus accumbens, left pallidum, and left putamen, as well as between the posterior cerebellum and default mode network nodes. White matter microstructure showed no significant differences. These findings suggest that altered cerebellar connectivity may underlie decision-making problems in cannabis users, potentially contributing to difficulty quitting or relapse.