MPI Literature Review- 2013
Wu et al. 2011. “Lasting Impacts of Prenatal Cannabis Exposure and the Role of Endogenous
Cannabinoids in the Developing Brain.” Future Neurology 6(4): 458-480.
Take-home-point: Individuals who were exposed to cannabis as fetuses experience cognitive deficits
throughout infancy, childhood, adolescence, and young adulthood. It is therefore likely that
maternal cannabis use impairs proper brain maturation and development.
Table: Findings from Wu et al’s literature review:
Original Source
Key Facts & Findings
1) Hutchings DE, Martin BR, Gamagaris Z,
- One-third of THC in the plasma crosses the
Miller N, Fico T. Plasma concentrations
placenta (1), and is secreted through breast milk
(2).
of Δ-9- tetrahydrocannabinol in dams
- Wu et al suggest that cannabis-use during
and fetuses following acute or multiple
pregnancy may have become particularly
prenatal dosing in rats. Life Sci. 1989;
problematic in recent years because THC
44(11):697–701. [PubMed: 2538691]
concentration levels have been increasing lately.
The effects of THC are dose-related, and so fetal
2) Perez-Reyes M, Wall ME. Presence of
cannabis exposure may be considerably more
Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol in human
dangerous today than in the 1980s, when many
milk. N Engl J Med.1982; 307(13):819–
studies of fetal cannabis exposure began.
820. [PubMed: 6287261]
Richardson GA, Day NL, Goldschmidt L. Prenatal
- Infants whose mothers used marijuana during
alcohol, marijuana, and tobacco use: infant
pregnancy experience exaggerated startle
mental and motor development. Neurotoxicol
response and difficulties getting used to new
Teratol. 1995; 17(4):479–487. [PubMed:
experiences.
7565494]
- Adolescents whose mothers used marijuana
during pregnancy experience hyperactivity,
Fried PA, Watkinson B, Gray R. Differential
inattention, and impaired executive functions (i.e.
effects on cognitive functioning in 13- to 16planning, working memory, attention, problem
yearolds
solving, etc.).
prenatally exposed to cigarettes and marihuana.
Neurotoxicol Teratol. 2003; 25(4):427–436.
[PubMed: 12798960]
Jutras-Aswad D, Dinieri JA, Harkany T, Hurd YL.
Neurobiological consequences of maternal
cannabis on human fetal development and its
neuropsychiatric outcome. Eur Arch Psychiatry
Clin Neurosci. 2009; 259(7):395–412. [PubMed:
19568685]
Schneider M. Cannabis use in pregnancy and
early life and its consequences: animal models.
Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci. 2009;
259(7):383–393. [PubMed: 19572160]
Shiono PH, Klebanoff MA, Nugent RP, et al. The
-
The study found that 11% of pregnant women
impact of cocaine and marijuana use on low
birth weight and preterm birth: a multicenter
study. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1995; 172(1 Pt
1):19– 27. [PubMed: 7847533]
Wu et al describe research that covers a
considerable time period. As a result, there are
many references. I can provide a long list if it
would be helpful.
El Marroun H, Tiemeier H, Steegers EA, et al.
Intrauterine Cannabis Exposure Affects Fetal
Growth Trajectories: The Generation R Study. J
Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2009
-
-
were using marijuana.
Wu et al suggest that marijuana usage rates in
pregnant women may not be considerably
different than those among non-pregnant
women.
Wu et al describe two longitudinal studies of
fetal marijuana exposure. In one, a Canadian
study (OPPS), the original participants were
primarily pregnant white women of high
socioeconomic status. In another (MHPCD), the
original participants were primarily pregnant
African American and white women of low
socioeconomic status living in Pittsburg, PA:
- Finding from the Canadian study: In the
neonatal stage (1-28 days old), fetal
marijuana exposure was highly correlated
with an increase in exaggerated startles,
tremors, and difficulties getting used to
light.
- Finding from both studies: For 3-4 year
olds, fetal marijuana exposure negatively
impacted verbal reasoning and short
term- memory development.
- Findings from both studies: When
children reached school age (ages 5-6),
they experienced higher levels of
impulsive and hyperactive behaviors.
- Findings from both studies: Problems of
depression, hyperactivity, inattention,
and impulsivity persist until children
reach 9-12 years old.
- Findings from the Canadian study:
Adolescents (ages 13-16) who were
heavily exposed to marijuana as fetuses
(more than .86 joints per day),
demonstrated shortcomings in visual
memory and analysis, and experienced
problems maintaining attention.
- Maternal cannabis use during pregnancy
was associated with growth restriction in
mid/ late pregnancy and lower birth weight.