How cannabis affects teen brain development and thinking
Official title: Microglia-mediated adverse effect of cannabis on prefrontal cortex maturation and cognitive function
Funded at Johns Hopkins University · NIH-11251991 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This research looks at whether THC in cannabis changes brain immune cells during adolescence and harms thinking and self-control in teens and young adults.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Johns Hopkins University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project start | January 1, 2025 |
| Project end | November 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $709,558 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DA060630-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11251991 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
The research is aimed at teenagers and young adults who used cannabis heavily during adolescence or started regular use before adulthood.
✕Less likely to help
People who never used cannabis during adolescence or whose cognitive problems come from other causes may not directly benefit from these findings.
What this research studies
Researchers will use laboratory models that mimic adolescent THC exposure to see how microglia (the brain’s immune cells) change in the prefrontal cortex. They will analyze molecular signals in microglia, record neuron activity, and link those changes to behavior tests for attention and impulse control. The team will use genetic mouse models that reflect human risk factors and combine cellular, molecular, and behavioral experiments to connect biology with cognitive outcomes. Results will point toward whether targeting microglia could prevent or reduce cannabis-related thinking problems.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could identify biological targets to prevent or treat thinking and self-control problems linked to heavy adolescent cannabis use.
How similar studies have gone: Previous animal studies have shown microglial changes and behavioral deficits after adolescent THC exposure, but the detailed molecular pathways are largely unproven.
Where this research is happening
-
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kamiya, Atsushi — Johns Hopkins University
- Study coordinator: Kamiya, Atsushi
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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.