Some might say that marijuana is not a dangerous drug overall.
But new research released today suggests that it can have a profound negative impact on the development of the adolescent brain, and maybe even predispose one to schizophrenia.
With the drinking age at 21, many teens turn to marijuana as a way to get high. And many would argue, that given the two evils, marijuana is a lesser one. That can be debated at length, but consider the new research which shows that adolescents who are heavy pot smokers have visual changes on their brain scans--showing diminished development in key areas, which are important for higher level thinking.
Dr. Sanjeev Kumra, a researcher at Long Island Jewish Medical Center, says, “This is a fiber involved in language development that this is an area where there is growth and developing in late adolescence. They are becoming stronger as people get older.”
Actually, those areas are supposed to be getting stronger.
“During adolescents a number of different cognitive functions are continuing to grow and improve.We know the type of essay you can write at grade 9 is very different than the type of essay you can write in college. There must be parts of the brain that are growing that allow you to be able to think more in abstract terms to be able to use inferential thinking,” says Dr. Kumra.
But with heavy pot smoking, there’s now visual evidence this and other key parts of the brain may very well be damaged—perhaps permanently.
Research presented at the Radiological Society of North America’s Annual Meeting shows that heavy use of marijuana may be putting adolescents at risk for delayed development of an important area of the brain--in the language area.
It’s here--in the region of the arcuate fasiculus--fasiculus referring simply a bundle of nerve fibers which is now seen to be affected significantly by pot smoking.
The researchers compared the brains of non pot smoking kids to heavy smokers. They actually created an average brain of each group using a technique called diffusion tensor imaging.
“And then we subtract those two images to see where the brains are different. And that’s where we end up with these sort of orange blobs which tell us what these forebrains regions are different in those who smoke cannabis compared to the healthy individuals who don’t smoke cannabis,” says Dr. Kumra.
The researchers found the abnormalities were the same as those found in schizophrenics.
And when they looked at schizophrenics who smoked pot, the abnormalities were even more pronounced.
So in addition to interfering with normal brain development, heavy marijuana use in adolescents may also lead to an earlier onset of schizophrenia in those predisposed to the disorder.
“People who think that marijuana a is a safe drug or a benign drug, we have evidence that that may not be true and even more so for the adolescents who are at risk for schizophrenia. This may be a very dangerous drug for them to be using,” Dr. Kumra argues.
Marijuana is the most widely used illegal drug. Over 25 million individuals used it in 2003. Around 17 to 22 percent of high school students smoke pot at least on a monthly basis.
|
|
Gastroenterologist
Dr. Jonathan Cohen, M.D.
Empowered Doctor Medical Board
232 East 30th Street
New York,
NY
10016
Call 212-889-5544
Are you facing stomach or intestinal problems? Do you have disorders in your gastrointestinal tract? You should consider seeing Dr. Jonathan Cohen, M.D. from the Concorde Medical Group who specializes in gastroenterology and general internal medicine. His specialization in internal medicine comes from expertise in colonoscopies, gallbladder diseases, and complications relating to the pancreas and liver.
|
Mammogram Center - Mammography Center Westchester, NY
Radiology & Diagnostic Imaging | Women's Imaging Center
Lawrence Hospital Center | Outpatient Services
55 Palmer Avenue, First Floor
Bronxville,
NY
10708
Call (888) 544-1169
- If your doctor says you need a mammogram/ mammography the place to have it done is the Medical Imaging Unit at Lawrence Hospital Center, NY. Conveniently located across the street from the Bronxville Metro North Station the Medical Imaging unit will give you the attention you want and need.
|
MRI Westchester, New York
Radiology & Diagnostic Imaging | General Radiology Services
Lawrence Hospital Center | Outpatient Services
55 Palmer Avenue First Floor
Bronxville,
NY
10708
Call (888) 837-8158
Have you seen the women in your family suffer from breast cancer? Are you worried it could happen to you? For women with family histories, the risk of breast cancer may be higher than normal. This makes screening particularly important. At Lawrence Hospital in Westchester, New York women are offered MRI in addition to traditional mammography. For some women at risk for breast cancer, mammography may not be enough.
|
Vascular Surgery
Dr. Pravin M. Shah
Empowered Doctor Medical Board
83 South Bedford Road Suite 100
Mount Kisco,
NY
10549
Call (888) 547-1437
Pravin Shah MD, FACS is a Vascular Surgeon.
|
MRI Diagnostic Imaging Manhattan, NYC
Radiology & Diagnostic Imaging | General Radiology Services
Lawrence Hospital Center | Outpatient Services
55 Palmer Avenue, First Floor
Bronxville,
NY
10708
Call (888) 837-8158
Lawrence Hospital Medical Center offers Diagnostic Imaging services to the Manhattan, NYC. Diagnostic Imaging can catch the a disease in its early stages and help your doctor fully understand your condition. For Diagnostic Imaging in the Manhattan, NYC area Lawrence Hospital Medical Imaging
Center is one of the most trusted options.
|
Bone Density Testing Ridgefield, Fairfield County, Connecticut
Ridgefield Diagnostic Imaging
Ridgefield Diagnostic Imaging
901 Ethan Allen Highway
Ridgefield,
CT
06877
Call 888-610-2705
As women pass through the stage of menopause, osteoporosis becomes a greater concern in their lives. If not properly addressed, this can mean bones that are less dense and more susceptible to fracture later in life. You need to know if you are at risk and bone density testing at Ridgefield Diagnostic Imaging in Ridgefield, Fairfield County, Connecticut can help you get the peace of mind that comes with knowing.
|
X-Ray Imaging Services Ridgefield, Fairfield County, Connecticut
Ridgefield Diagnostic Imaging
Ridgefield Diagnostic Imaging
901 Ethan Allen Highway
Ridgefield,
CT
06877
Call 888-610-2705
Prompt x-rays are an important part of diagnosing medical conditions in today's world. In almost any area of medicine, an X-ray can make a difference in understanding what is happening inside of your body, so you want the best in the business to take care of you. In Ridgefield, Fairfield County, Connecticut, Ridgefield Diagnostic Imaging provides their community with quick and reliable imaging services so that they can get the treatment they need.
|
Breast Ultrasound and Core Biopsy Bronxville, Westchester County, New York
Radiology & Diagnostic Imaging | Women's Imaging Center
Lawrence Hospital Center | Outpatient Services
55 Palmer Avenue, First Floor
Bronxville,
NY
10708
Call (888) 544-1169
Breast cancer is a serious problem among American women. As a preventative measure, women should have regular ultrasounds and biopsy's (if necessary). If you live in the Bronxville area, Lawrence Hospital Medical Imaging Center provides quality care and will answer any question or concern you have about these procedures. They understand the anxiety that comes with having these tests, which is why they strive to bring your results as fast as possible with accuracy.
|
Breast Cancer Screening Westchester, New York
Radiology & Diagnostic Imaging | Women's Imaging Center
Lawrence Hospital Center | Outpatient Services
55 Palmer Avenue First Floor
Bronxville,
NY
10708
Call (888) 544-1169
You know you're supposed to have regular mammograms, but you've been putting it off. There never seems to be enough time, and besides, you've always been healthy. Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers in women and breast cancer screening is now more effective than ever at catching cancer before it has spread. Lawrence Hospital in Westchester, New York has an imaging center that offers state of the art technology for the detection and diagnosis of breast cancer.
|
Physician and Medical Educator
Dr. John D. Cahill
Empowered Doctor Medical Board
425 West 59th Street, Suite 8A
New York,
NY
10019
Call (212) 492-5500
Dr. John D. Cahill, M.D. is a physician and medical educator who founded the Center for Global Collaboration & Health Initiatives. While studying abroad in medical school and after his postgraduate medical training at Brown University, Dr. Cahill spent time in Southeast Asia & Africa. The problem was that there was a general lack of medical education towards the practice of emergency medicine, infectious diseases and public health. Dr. Cahill started to create basic simple training programs for the local healthcare providers in those regions. Therefore, Dr. Cahill created the Center because of the impact he has had on thousands of lives.
|
Digital Mammography Bronxville, Westchester County, New York
Radiology & Diagnostic Imaging | Women's Imaging Center
Lawrence Hospital Center | Outpatient Services
55 Palmer Avenue, First Floor
Bronxville,
NY
10708
Call (888) 544-1169
Are you in need of a digital mammography? Lawrence Hospital Medical imaging Center in Bronxville, Westchester County, New York provides this service as well as many other breast scanning services. The Center offers a variety of Radiological services including Digital Mammography with Computer Assisted Device (CAD); Breast and Ob/Gyn Ultrasound; Bone Density testing; and Digital Stereotactic Biopsy. In addition, Lawrence has trained technologists and board-certified Radiologists on staff to read patients' images.
|
Laser Spinal Surgery Houston, Texas
US Imaging, Inc.
US Imaging, Inc.
2525 W Bellfort St. #120
Houston,
TX
77054
Call 888-834-5028
It can feel like there is no escape when the terrible pain in your back has turned all the little pleasures in life into nightmares. You%u2019ve thought about surgery, but the possible complications make you nervous. Laser spinal surgery at US Imaging, Inc. in Houston, Texas is the answer.
|
CT /CAT SCAN Manhattan, NYC
Radiology & Diagnostic Imaging | General Radiology Services
Lawrence Hospital Center | Outpatient Services
55 Palmer Avenue, First Floor
Bronxville,
NY
10708
Call (888) 837-8158
|
Breast Cancer Detection MRI/CT Scan White Plains
Radiology & Diagnostic Imaging | Women's Imaging Center
Lawrence Hospital Center | Outpatient Services
55 Palmer Avenue First Floor
Bronxville,
NY
10708
Call (888) 544-1169
Did your mother have breast cancer? Your aunt? Your sister? For those who have seen the devastating effects of this deadly cancer in their own families, early breast cancer detection is imperative. For many women, mammogram is an effective screening tool. Women with risk factors, including a family history, may benefit from other screening tests, including MRI/CT scan. Lawrence Hospital, in the White Plains, New York area has a Women%u2019s Imaging Center that offers comprehensive screening for breast cancer.
|
Bariatric Surgeon
Elliot Goodman, MD
Empowered Doctor Medical Board
Beth Israel Medical Center 6th Floor 1st Ave & 16th St
NYC,
NY
10003
Call (888) 351-8607
Dr. Elliot Goodman is an Assistant Professor of Surgery at Albert Einstein College of Medicine and a Board Certified General Surgeon. Dr. Goodman and his staff treat each patient as an individual and design a treatment regimen that reflects the individuality of the patient.
|
Laser Spine Surgery Houston, Texas
US Imaging, Inc.
US Imaging, Inc.
2525 W Bellfort St. #120
Houston,
TX
77054
Call 888-834-5028
When the pain in your back is driving you insane, keeping you from sleeping, making you hesitate to pick up your children or grandchildren, you know that surgery may be the best option. At US Imaging, Inc. in Houston, Texas, laser spine surgery can help you get back to the life you used to have.
|
Laser Back Pain Houston, Texas
US Imaging, Inc.
US Imaging, Inc.
2525 W Bellfort St. #120
Houston,
TX
77054
Call 888-834-5028
Back surgery results are only effective statistically for two years. Imagine everything that you have to go through when you have major surgery. There is the fear of the unknown actual surgery and time away from family, friends and work. Laser Back Pain surgery focuses on where the problematic vertebrae are. In Houston, Texas, US Imaging will guide you through the process of laser surgery and see that you get the results you deserve.
|
Medical Imaging Manhattan, NYC
Radiology & Diagnostic Imaging | General Radiology Services
Lawrence Hospital Center | Outpatient Services
55 Palmer Avenue, First Floor
Bronxville,
NY
10708
Call (888) 837-8158
Advanced medical imaging can make all the difference to your condition. Lawrence Hospital Medical Imaging Center offers state-of the-art medical imaging equipment. For a variety of Medical imaging services from a reliable and experienced staff in Manhattan, NYC the best option is Lawrence Hospital Medical Imaging Center.
|
Breast Cancer Testing MRI/ CT Scan Harrison, NY
Radiology & Diagnostic Imaging | Women's Imaging Center
Lawrence Hospital Center | Outpatient Services
55 Palmer Avenue, First Floor
Bronxville,
NY
10708
Call (888) 544-1169
Early detection is a vital step in the process of surviving breast cancer. If caught early, treatment can begin right away with a better chance of success. Residents of Harrison should visit Lawrence Hospital Center Medical Imaging in Bronxville, NY, to undergo MRI and CT Scans for early breast cancer detection and prevent it from becoming a more serious threat.
| |