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

J Int Neuropsychol Soc. 2014 Sep;20(8):773-83. doi: 10.1017/S1355617714000691.

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.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Black or African American / psychology
  • Cognition Disorders / etiology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Interleukin-6 / metabolism*
  • Male
  • Marijuana Smoking / metabolism*
  • Marijuana Smoking / psychology*
  • Middle Aged
  • Neuropsychological Tests
  • Psychomotor Performance
  • Regression Analysis
  • Residence Characteristics
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Interleukin-6