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Association Between Interleukin-6 and Neurocognitive Performance as a Function of Self-Reported Lifetime Marijuana Use in a Community Based Sample of African American Adults

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  22 September 2014

Larry Keen II  and
Arlener D. Turner
Larry Keen II*
Affiliation:
Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
Arlener D. Turner
Affiliation:
Center of Excellence on Disparities in HIV and Aging, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois
*
Correspondence and reprint requests to: Larry Keen, Jr., Clinical and Health Psychology, University of Florida, 2251 Center Drive, Room 3140, Gainesville, FL 32608. E-mail: larrydkeenii@phhp.ufl.edu
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Abstract

The purpose of the current study was to determine if self-reported lifetime marijuana use moderates the relationship between interleukin-6 (IL-6) and neurocognitive performance. Participants included 161 African American adults (50.3% women), with a mean age of 45.24 (SD=11.34). Serum was drawn upon entry into the study and participants completed a demographic questionnaire, which included drug use history, and a battery of neuropsychological tests. Using multiple regression analyses and adjusting for demographic covariates, the interaction term comprised of IL-6 and self-reported lifetime marijuana use was significantly associated with poorer performance on the Written (β=−.116; SE=.059; p=.049) and Oral trials (β=−.143; SE=.062; p=.022) of the Symbol Digit Modalities Test, as well as the Trail Making Test trial A (β=.157; SE=.071; p=.028). Current findings support previous literature, which presents the inverse relationship between IL-6 and neurocognitive dysfunction. The potential protective properties of marijuana use in African Americans, who are at increased risk for inflammatory diseases, are discussed. (JINS, 2014, 20, 773–783)

Keywords

Proinflammatory cytokineCannabisExecutive functionPsychomotor speedInflammationCognition
Type
Research Articles
Information
Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society , Volume 20 , Issue 8 , September 2014 , pp. 773 - 783
Copyright
Copyright © The International Neuropsychological Society 2014 

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