Cannabis dependence is a serious problem worldwide and it is of growing importance in the United States as marijuana becomes increasingly legal.
A new study published online by JAMA Psychiatry examined what specific genetic variants might contribute to cannabis dependence.
Joel Gelernter, M.D., of the Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Conn., and coauthors conducted a genome-wide association study for DSM-IV cannabis dependence criterion in three independent substance dependence study groups among African American and European American participants.
The authors report cannabis dependence has a genetic risk component that may overlap with other psychiatric disorders.
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To read the full article and a related editorial by James T. R. Walters, M.R.C.Psych., of Cardiff University, Wales, and coauthors, please visit the For The Media website.
( JAMA Psychiatry . Published online March 30, 2016. doi:10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2016.0036. Available pre-embargo to the media at http://media.jamanetwork.com .)
Editor's Note: The article contains conflict of interest and funding/support disclosures. Please see the article for additional information, including other authors, author contributions and affiliations, financial disclosures, funding and support, etc.
Media Advisory: To contact study corresponding author Joel Gelernter, M.D., call William Hathaway at 203-432-1322 or email william.hathaway@yale.edu . To contact corresponding editorial author James T. R. Walters, M.R.C.Psych., email waltersjt@cardiff.ack.uk
JAMA Psychiatry