64.1 the neurobiology of adolescent cannabis use

Adolescents are uniquely vulnerable to substance use because of region- and timing-specific differences in brain development. Ongoing brain development also increases the vulnerability of the brain to structural and functional changes because of environmental exposures such as substance use. In particular, the brain is uniquely sensitive to changes in endocannabinoid (eCB) signaling during adolescence, and repeated exposure to cannabis can contribute to disruption of excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmission.
Source: Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry - Category: Psychiatry Authors: Tags: Clinical Perspectives 64 Source Type: research