[Cognitive deterioration after consumption of cannabis].
OBJECTIVE
The use of cannabis in humans causes several malfunctions in the cognitive performance, but it remains unclear if these alterations are reversible after the abstinence.


METHODS
The author carries out a wide bibliographical review from the first studies including a large number of subjects, which results are not reliable due to methodological defects. Recent researches, using more strict criteria and modern techniques of neuroimaging, show a subtle and permanent fail in several cognitive functions.


CONCLUSIONS
We consider that long term cannabis use (more than 15 years) would lead to a subtle and permanent impairment in cognitive performance, mainly in the capacity of retain new information (probably due to inability to filter tangential information).
Núñez-Domínguez
L A
LA
Clínica San Francisco Javier, Pamplona, España. land@abc.ibernet.com
D000208:Acute Disease; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D002189:Marijuana Abuse / Q000150:complications*; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013997:Time Factors; D014584:User-Computer Interface