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Cognitive Performance as a Predictor of Negative Affect Reduction After Medical Cannabis Use Among Older Adults

Award Number: F31AG099591
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON AGING
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: FELLOWSHIP/SCHOLARSHIP/STUDENT LOANS
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 08/17/2026
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 04/16/2028

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Cognitive Performance as a Predictor of Negative Affect Reduction After Medical Cannabis Use Among Older Adults - PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT Rates of medical cannabis (MC) use are rapidly increasing among older adults. Individuals may elect to use MC in place of traditional therapeutics to treat a vast array of health-related concerns. While sufficient evidence exists to support MC use for symptoms such as chronic pain and nausea, for other frequently reported motives, such as mood and anxiety disorders, evidence is still relatively inconclusive and contradictory. This is especially true for older adults, who often face compounding morbidity and polypharmacy. Multiple theoretical models highlight that cognitive abilities serve as a key resource used for effective emotion regulation, thus, age-related cognitive decline may require shifts in regulatory strategies. Recent studies indicate that older individuals experience immediate reductions in negative affect (NA) after MC use. While this may be beneficial for some, for others, this may lead to increased mental health symptoms over time, escalating rates of use, and heightened risk for cannabis use disorder (CUD) symptoms. The proposed study aims to investigate whether individual differences in cognitive ability among older adults influence the efficacy of MC for improvement of NA; and to examine downstream impact on symptoms of cannabis use disorder. This study takes a novel approach attempting to untangle the mixed findings indicating MC as both a potential therapeutic for psychiatric diagnoses, and as a risk factor for escalating mental health problems, utilizing a combination of ecological momentary assessment (EMA) and longitudinal (6-month) follow up. A sample of 100 adults (age 65+) who use MC for psychiatric reasons will be recruited from our study partner, a nationwide cannabis prescription-granting organization and dispensary. Eligible participants will remotely complete baseline cognitive (working memory, inhibitory control, and processing speed) measures, a 28-day EMA data collection period assessing cannabis use and NA at 6 time points per day, and a 6 month follow up survey to assess CUD symptoms over time. A multilevel linear regression model will be conducted (Aim 1) to test the effects of cognitive capacity (working memory, inhibitory control, and processing speed) on the efficacy of MC for NA reduction among older adults. Between-subjects regression analyses will be conducted (Aim 2) to examine the predictive influence of emotionality and cognition on CUD symptoms, and (Aim 3) to evaluate a mediation effect of NA reduction on the relationship between cognitive abilities and CUD symptoms. This study will add to the growing body of literature characterizing MC use among older adults and may aid in identification of individual risk and protective factors related to momentary NA reductions after MC. In combination with other findings, these results will inform practitioner and patient decision-making involving MC use for the treatment of mental health symptoms.


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2026 ( Subtotal = $37,467 )
2026	2026	THE UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL FLORIDA BOARD OF TRUSTEES	4000 CENTRAL FLORIDA BLVD	ORLANDO	FL	32816	ORANGE	USA	Aging Research	001	1	8/21/2026	NEW	$0
2026	2026	THE UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL FLORIDA BOARD OF TRUSTEES	4000 CENTRAL FLORIDA BLVD	ORLANDO	FL	32816	ORANGE	USA	Aging Research	000	1	8/7/2026	NEW	$37,467
2026	2026	THE UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL FLORIDA BOARD OF TRUSTEES	4000 CENTRAL FLORIDA BLVD	ORLANDO	FL	32816	ORANGE	USA	Aging Research	002	1	8/21/2026	NEW	$0
														Subtotal = $37,467

Grand Total All Awards = $37,467

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Cognitive Performance as a Predictor of Negative Affect Reduction After Medical Cannabis Use Among Older Adults

Award Number: F31AG099591

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON AGING

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: FELLOWSHIP/SCHOLARSHIP/STUDENT LOANS

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 08/17/2026

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 04/16/2028

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