Neurobehavioral Mechanisms of Psychotic-Like Experiences and Cannabis Use

As cannabis use has increased steadily over the past decade, there is critical need to evaluate early cannabis use as a potential risk factor for the development of psychosis. Neurobehavioral mechanisms underlying novelty salience could clarify how cannabis exposure may influence subclinical psychotic-like experiences (PLEs). The present study leveraged dynamic functional connectivity and task-fMRI to assess the role of novelty processing in cannabis use and PLEs. A group of brain regions dynamically tied to the salience network while viewing short films were found to increase their activation as a function of stimulus novelty during a novelty bandit task. PLEs were associated with the interaction between novelty encoding in a region of temporo-occipital cortex and exploration to gain rewards. This interaction was specific to those with a history of cannabis use, suggesting a potential neurobehavioral mechanism linking cannabis exposure and PLEs during adolescent through young adult development.