How Cannabis Affects Brain Development in Adolescents
Impact of Cannabis on Prefrontal Maturation
This work explores how cannabis use during teenage years might change brain development, especially in areas important for thinking and emotions.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Illinois at Chicago NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-11123434 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Many observations suggest a link between cannabis use in adolescence and difficulties with thinking and managing emotions later in life. Our goal is to understand the specific brain changes that make teenagers more vulnerable to these effects. We are focusing on how the prefrontal cortex, a brain region that matures during adolescence, is affected by cannabis. Understanding these changes could help us develop ways to protect adolescent brains.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This foundational work is not directly recruiting patients, but future studies building on this could involve adolescents who have used cannabis or those at risk.
Not a fit: Individuals not affected by or concerned about the impact of cannabis on adolescent brain development may not directly benefit from this specific research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to better strategies for preventing and treating cognitive and emotional problems linked to adolescent cannabis use.
How similar studies have performed: Previous human studies have shown associations between adolescent cannabis use and later cognitive and emotional challenges, but the underlying brain mechanisms are still being uncovered.
Where this research is happening
Chicago, UNITED STATES
- University of Illinois at Chicago — Chicago, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Tseng, Kuei-Yuan — University of Illinois at Chicago
- Study coordinator: Tseng, Kuei-Yuan
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.