Influence of recent cannabis use on altered spectral entropy modulation and connectivity strength in patients with psychosis

Abstract

Cannabis use is highly prevalent in individuals with psychosis, raising concerns about its influence on brain function. Electroencephalography (EEG) studies have identified alterations in brain activity in psychosis, including changes in spectral entropy (SE) modulation and connectivity strength (CS). However, the degree to which cannabis use contributes to these alterations remains unclear. This study investigated the effects of recent cannabis use on specific EEG measures previously found to be altered in psychosis: (i) SE modulation, (ii) pre-stimulus theta and broadband CS, and (iii) baseline CS in the gamma band. We focused specifically on the immediate effects of recent cannabis use, without considering factors like tetrahydrocannabinol content, frequency of use, or age of onset. We included 93 patients with psychosis (32 recent cannabis users, 61 non-users) and 86 age- and sex-matched healthy controls (HC; all non-users). Recent cannabis use was defined as any consumption within the past week, assessed through a clinical interview and confirmed by urinalysis. Patients had diagnosis of schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. EEG data were recorded during a P300 task, and SE modulation and baseline CS were calculated. Both patient groups (cannabis users and non-users) exhibited significantly impaired SE modulation and elevated gamma and broadband CS, compared to HC. Crucially, no significant differences were found between the two patient groups in any of the EEG measures. Recent cannabis use does not appear to be the primary driver of the observed electrophysiological alterations in psychosis. Impaired SE modulation and increased CS are likely core features of psychosis itself, independent of recent cannabis exposure. This suggests that these EEG abnormalities may represent underlying vulnerability markers for psychosis. However, further research is needed to explore the potential long-term and early-onset effects of cannabis use on brain function in individuals with psychosis.