The effects of cannabis use on eye blinks and brain function

The "startle reflex" is a blink of the eyes when a sudden loud sound occurs – this reflex is controlled partly by brain areas that are affected by schizophrenia and also by a number of drugs, including cannabis. It is possible that these brain areas also influence attention and other cognition.

This experiment is investigating how cannabis use may affect eye blinks, attention and cognition, in people who do or don’t use cannabis, and in people who suffer from schizophrenia.

This research will tell us more about relationships among marijuana use, schizophrenia and brain function. This project is being supervised by Associate Professor Mathew Martin-Iverson.

Contact

Researcher Kirsty Scholes Phone: +61 8 9347 6492