Neurodevelopmental Trajectories Associated with Prenatal Cannabis Exposure - Cannabis use during pregnancy has increased substantially, in conjunction with widespread decriminalization/legalization, changing public perceptions about harm, and evidence of cannabis’s antiemetic properties. Prior outcomes research on prenatal cannabis exposure is narrow in scope, as these older studies included research participants with polysubstance use (e.g., tobacco, alcohol, illicit drugs). In addition, prior research likely underestimated potential risks specific to cannabis use during pregnancy because modern strains are 10x more potent than they were 40 years ago. In our currently funded research, cannabis use is measured prospectively during pregnancy using weekly reports validated with labels and urine-based assays. Infants receive a neonatal neurobehavioral exam and multi-modal imaging (functional magnetic resonance imaging, myelin imaging, diffusion tensor imaging, and structural MRI) under natural sleep at 2-4 weeks-of-age and extensive neuropsychological follow-up assessments at 6 and 18 months. We propose to broaden the impact of this work by collecting longitudinal MRI scans concurrently with the 6- and 18-month neuropsychological visits. By focusing on the first 18 months of life, we aim to characterize cannabis-induced brain changes and dysregulated growth trajectories at a time when rapid synaptogenesis, axonal growth, and myelination is unfolding. In addition, we will test the hypothesis that prenatal cannabis exposure is more detrimental to females than males. This program of research aims to clarify potential health risks, enabling the general public to make better-informed choices surrounding cannabis use during pregnancy.
