Journal article
Increased Likelihood of Falling in Older Cannabis Users vs. Non-Users
Brain sciences, Vol.11(2), pp.1-12
02/01/2021
DOI: 10.3390/brainsci11020134
PMCID: PMC7909838
PMID: 33494171
Abstract
Cannabis is one of the most common drugs in the United States and is the third most prevalent substance consumed by adults aged 50 years and older. Normal aging is associated with physiological changes that make older adults vulnerable to impaired function and geriatric conditions (e.g., falls, cognitive impairment). However, the impact of medical cannabis use on fall risk in older adults remains unexplored. The purpose of this study was to investigate if cannabis use in older adults influences fall risk, cognitive function, and motor function. It was hypothesized that older chronic cannabis users would perform worse than non-users on gait, balance, and cognitive tests. Sixteen older adults, split into cannabis Users and age- and sex-matched Non-Users groups (n = 8/group), participated in the study. The results indicate a higher fall risk, worse one leg standing balance performance, and slower gait speed in Users vs. Non-Users. No significant differences in cognitive function were found. Thus, chronic cannabis use was purported to exacerbate the poorer balance control and slower gait velocity associated with normal aging. Future mechanistic (e.g., neuroimaging) investigations of the short- and long-term effects of using a variety of cannabis products (e.g., THC/CBD ratios, routes of administration) on cognitive function, motor function, and fall incidence in older adults are suggested.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Increased Likelihood of Falling in Older Cannabis Users vs. Non-Users
- Creators
- Craig D. Workman - University of IowaAlexandra C. Fietsam - University of IowaJacob Sosnoff - University of Illinois Urbana-ChampaignThorsten Rudroff - University of Iowa
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Brain sciences, Vol.11(2), pp.1-12
- DOI
- 10.3390/brainsci11020134
- PMID
- 33494171
- PMCID
- PMC7909838
- NLM abbreviation
- Brain Sci
- ISSN
- 2076-3425
- eISSN
- 2076-3425
- Publisher
- Mdpi
- Number of pages
- 12
- Grant note
- R21 AG0643308-01 / National Institute on Aging; United States Department of Health & Human Services; National Institutes of Health (NIH) - USA; NIH National Institute on Aging (NIA)
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 02/01/2021
- Academic Unit
- Neurology; Health, Sport, and Human Physiology
- Record Identifier
- 9984259638902771
Metrics
11 Record Views