Reduction of auditory P50 gating response in marihuana users: further supporting data.
This report attempts to replicate our recent finding of a significantly reduced sensory gating response in medically and psychiatrically normal chronic marihuana users. After exclusions, 10 normal heavy marihuana users (> or = 3 times per week) and 10 normal non-user controls were tested with the paired auditory P50 sensory gating procedure. Sensory gating ratios were significantly higher (i.e., impaired suppression) for THC users as compared to controls. Using combined data from the current and previous report, the degree of sensory gating impairment among THC users was significantly correlated with the frequency of marihuana use per week. Suggestions for further research are offered.
Patrick
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Psychiatry Department, Louisiana State University School of Medicine, Shreveport 71130-3932, USA.
Struve
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D000161:Acoustic Stimulation; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001307:Auditory Perception / Q000502:physiology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003213:Conditioning, Psychological / Q000502:physiology; D005072:Evoked Potentials, Auditory / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D002189:Marijuana Abuse / Q000503:physiopathology*