title: Marijuana abusers are at increased risk for stroke. Preliminary evidence from cerebrovascular perfusion data.
abstract: We have recorded blood flow velocity in the anterior and middle cerebral arteries by transcranial Doppler sonography in abstinent marijuana abusers (n = 16) and control subjects (n = 19) to assess the effects of prolonged marijuana use of the cerebrovascular system. The pulsatility index, a measure of cerebrovascular resistance, and systolic velocity were significantly (p < 0.005) increased in marijuana abusers compared to the control subjects. These findings suggest that cerebral perfusion observed in 18-30 year old marijuana abusers is comparable to that of normal 60 year-olds. Thus, chronic abuse of marijuana might be a risk factor for stroke.
authors.affiliation: Molecular Neuropsychiatry Section, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA. rherning@intra.nida.nih.gov
authors.forename: R I
authors.initials: RI
authors.lastname: Herning
authors.forename: W E
authors.initials: WE
authors.lastname: Better
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tate
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Cadet
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D020771:Anterior Cerebral Artery / Q000502:physiology*; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity / Q000502:physiology; D002560:Cerebrovascular Circulation / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D002189:Marijuana Abuse / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology*; D020768:Middle Cerebral Artery / Q000502:physiology*; D011673:Pulsatile Flow / Q000502:physiology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D020521:Stroke / Q000139:chemically induced