User:Pedak0/sandbox

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This is place to practice clicking the "edit" button and practice adding references (via the citation button). Please see Help:My_sandbox or contact User_talk:JenOttawa with any questions.

Link: Project Homepage and Resources


 * Note: Please use your sandbox to submit assignment # 3 by pasting it below. When uploading your improvements to the article talk page please share your exact proposed edit (not the full assignment 3).


 * Talk Page Template: CARL Medical Editing Initiative/Fall 2019/Talk Page Template

Cannabis use disorder
Pedram Akbari

Article: Cannabis use Disorder

Information to add: Add a section about developmental periods (neural development and proliferation).

Search strategy (Pubmed): “Cannabis” [Mesh] AND “Brain” [MeSH] AND “Development” [MeSH] AND Review[ptyp] – for article #1

Source identified:

1.	Prenderville JA, Kelly AM, Downer EJ. 2015. The role of cannabinoids in adult neurogenesis. Br J Pharmacol. Aug;172(16):3950-63. Reason for selection:
 * Reason for selection:

* Secondary source article * Abstract indicated a study relevant to our topic of interest * Published in reputable journal with high impact factor (6.81) * Study entails a details and thorough review of the literature * Outlines concordant results found in both animals and humans. * Dives into the microbiology of the concept, ensuring the accumulation of evidence * Provides a detailed background section on cannabinoids and adult neurogenesis * Provides both in vitro and in vivo results * Provides an easy to understand illustration * No conflict of interest from the authors * Recent publication (within the last 5 years)

Search strategy (Pubmed):

“Cannabis” [Mesh] AND “Neurogenesis” [MeSH] AND “Adult” [MeSH] AND Review[ptyp] – for article #2

Source identified:

2.	Curran HV, Freeman TP, Mokrysz C, Lewis DA, Morgan CJ, Parsons LH. 2016. Keep off the grass? Cannabis, cognition and addiction.Nat Rev Neurosci.May;17(5):293-306.


 * Reason for selection:

* Secondary source article * Outlines concordant results found in both animals and humans * Published in reputable journal with high impact factor (>33) * Describes research in various areas all related to cannabis use * Well cited publication (>180 citations) * Recent publication (within the last 5 years)

Search strategy(Google Scholar):

Searched Google Scholar for: “cannabis development period review”, and selected “since 2015” as a timeline for the searches.

Sources identified:

3.	Scott JC, Slomiak ST, Jones JD, Rosen AFG, Moore TM, Gur RC. 2018. Association of Cannabis With Cognitive Functioning in Adolescents and Young Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. JAMA Psychiatry. Jun 1;75(6):585-595 Reason for selection:


 * Reason for selection:

* Meta-analysis with comprehensive data sourcing (“PubMed, PsycInfo, Academic Search Premier, Scopus, and bibliographies of relevant reviews were searched for peer-reviewed, English-language studies from the date the databases began through May 2017”). * Published in reputable and high impact (15.9) journal * Very large collective sample size * Transparent and detailed outline of study selection for meta-analysis * Study information was extracted by two different researchers, with discrepancies being solved by a third researcher. * Strong statistical analysis.

Assignment # 3
Plan: Update the "Research" section of the article to help provide some more insight for readers with regards to the recent undertakings of the scientific community on this topic and help provide a scientific basis for the discussions taking place on the page.

Proposed changes:

The addition of the following small paragraph in the "research section of the wikipedia article:

"It has been established that cannabis use, similar to other drugs of abuse, causes abnormal brain activity and structural changes in several regions of the brain including the prefrontal cortex - a portion of the brain critical for executive functioning. Heavy cannabis use has been associated with reduced cognitive functioning, however, it's specific details are difficult to elucidate due to the use of additional substances of users, and lack of longitudinal studies. These limitations contribute to the lack of available therapies for cannabis use disorder."

1. Curran HV, Freeman TP, Mokrysz C, Lewis DA, Morgan CJ, Parsons LH. 2016. Keep off the grass? Cannabis, cognition and addiction.Nat Rev Neurosci.May;17(5):293-306.

2. Prenderville JA, Kelly AM, Downer EJ. 2015. The role of cannabinoids in adult neurogenesis. Br J Pharmacol. Aug;172(16):3950-63.

3. Scott JC, Slomiak ST, Jones JD, Rosen AFG, Moore TM, Gur RC. 2018. Association of Cannabis With Cognitive Functioning in Adolescents and Young Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. JAMA Psychiatry. Jun 1;75(6):585-595


 * Rationale for the addition of this statement:

I think someone coming onto this wikipedia page, and wanting to learn about the subject would perhaps be interested in some biological consequences of its consumption, and also what research in the field has been able to show and also not show. I believe this addition could perhaps be helpful in addressing those questions and concerns. I believe this statement best falls under the "research" category, because it is still very much an ongoing effort. As such, I wanted to include a statement which provided some evidence and results, however, also highlight the lack thereof.


 * Areas of ambiguity or controversy for the proposed change:

There are several independent studies which may claim they have elucidated the mechanisms and exact impact of cannabis of the brain, however, from my research I came to understand that this may not be the case. This is particularly due to the poorly controlled strain of cannabis used (which could significantly alter the impact of the substance). Thus, I decided to state that the exact impact of cannabis has not been elucidated and quantified, which may be somewhat controversial as some studies may disagree with this statement. However, looking at the collective field of data, I think it is appropriate level of detail to provide to the masses.


 * Validity issues or potential bias within the secondary source:

Although the sources I used were review articles, they are still not the highest tier on the hierarchy of study designs, as they have not done a complete and thorough search of the entire literature. Additionally they have not shared their research strategies in finding all the articles in which they cited. However, I believe these articles were still of high quality, and valuable in providing insight into the current landscape of cannabis use.