Neurotoxicity of Synthetic Cannabinoids Versus Cannabis in Adolescents

Neuropsychiatric effects from synthetic cannabinoids were more severe than those from cannabis in this multicenter case registry study of adolescents presenting to the emergency department.

Using a multicenter case registry (Toxicology Investigators Consortium), researchers analyzed neuropsychiatric effects of synthetic cannabinoid (SC) versus cannabis use in patients aged 13 to 19 years who presented to 65 U.S. emergency departments (EDs) with self-reported or witnessed exposure from 2010 to 2018. All patients were seen by a board-certified medical toxicologist. The study excluded patients who used both SC and cannabis but did include those who used either substance in conjunction with other drugs.

Records for 415 patients were evaluated for neuropsychiatric signs and symptoms: agitation, coma, central nervous system (CNS) depression, seizures, delirium, hallucinations, toxic psychosis, and extrapyramidal signs. Compared with …

Reviewing Author

Carolyn K. Holland, MD, MEd, FACEP, FAAP

Disclosures

EquityGeneral Electric

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesSociety for Academic Emergency Medicine (Program Committee Chief Resident Forum Subcommittee Chair); American College of Emergency Physicians (Education Committee member)

Carolyn K. Holland, MD, MEd, FACEP, FAAP

Disclosures

EquityGeneral Electric

Neurotoxicity of Synthetic Cannabinoids Versus Cannabis in Adolescents

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Reviewing Author