Effects of synthetic cannabinoids on psychomotor, sensory and cognitive functions relevant for safe driving
Recreational use of Synthetic Cannabinoids (SCs), one of the largest groups of New Psychoactive Substances (NPS), has increased globally over the past few years. Driving is a structured process requiring the cooperation of several cognitive and psychomotor functions, organized in different levels of...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2022-09-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Psychiatry |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2022.998828/full |
| _version_ | 1828374126785462272 |
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| author | Vasco Orazietti Giuseppe Basile Raffaele Giorgetti Arianna Giorgetti Arianna Giorgetti |
| author_facet | Vasco Orazietti Giuseppe Basile Raffaele Giorgetti Arianna Giorgetti Arianna Giorgetti |
| author_sort | Vasco Orazietti |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Recreational use of Synthetic Cannabinoids (SCs), one of the largest groups of New Psychoactive Substances (NPS), has increased globally over the past few years. Driving is a structured process requiring the cooperation of several cognitive and psychomotor functions, organized in different levels of complexity. Each of these functions can be affected when Driving Under the Influence (DUI) of SCs. In order to reduce the likelihood of SC-related road accidents, it is essential to understand which areas of psychomotor performance are most affected by these substances, as well as the severity of impairment. For this purpose, a multiple database- literature review of recent experimental studies in humans and animals regarding the psychomotor effects of SCs has been performed. Despite the many limitations connected to experimental studies on humans, results showed a consistency between animal and human data. SCs appear to impair psychomotor performance in humans, affecting different domains related to safe driving even at low doses. Cases of DUI of SC have been repeatedly reported, although the exact prevalence is likely to be underestimated due to current analytical and interpretative issues. For this reason, an accurate physical examination performed by trained and experienced personnel has a primary role in recognizing signs of impairment in case of strong suspicion of SC consumption. The identification of a suspected case should be followed by reliable laboratory examination. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-14T07:28:46Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-ef9364f301eb4660b10db24436d96a2f |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1664-0640 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-14T07:28:46Z |
| publishDate | 2022-09-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Psychiatry |
| spelling | doaj.art-ef9364f301eb4660b10db24436d96a2f2022-12-22T02:05:56ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Psychiatry1664-06402022-09-011310.3389/fpsyt.2022.998828998828Effects of synthetic cannabinoids on psychomotor, sensory and cognitive functions relevant for safe drivingVasco Orazietti0Giuseppe Basile1Raffaele Giorgetti2Arianna Giorgetti3Arianna Giorgetti4Department of Excellence of Biomedical Sciences and Public Health, Marche Polytechnic University of Ancona, Ancona, ItalyIstituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Galeazzi Orthopedics Institute, Milan, ItalyDepartment of Excellence of Biomedical Sciences and Public Health, Marche Polytechnic University of Ancona, Ancona, ItalyDepartment of Excellence of Biomedical Sciences and Public Health, Marche Polytechnic University of Ancona, Ancona, ItalyUnit of Legal Medicine, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, ItalyRecreational use of Synthetic Cannabinoids (SCs), one of the largest groups of New Psychoactive Substances (NPS), has increased globally over the past few years. Driving is a structured process requiring the cooperation of several cognitive and psychomotor functions, organized in different levels of complexity. Each of these functions can be affected when Driving Under the Influence (DUI) of SCs. In order to reduce the likelihood of SC-related road accidents, it is essential to understand which areas of psychomotor performance are most affected by these substances, as well as the severity of impairment. For this purpose, a multiple database- literature review of recent experimental studies in humans and animals regarding the psychomotor effects of SCs has been performed. Despite the many limitations connected to experimental studies on humans, results showed a consistency between animal and human data. SCs appear to impair psychomotor performance in humans, affecting different domains related to safe driving even at low doses. Cases of DUI of SC have been repeatedly reported, although the exact prevalence is likely to be underestimated due to current analytical and interpretative issues. For this reason, an accurate physical examination performed by trained and experienced personnel has a primary role in recognizing signs of impairment in case of strong suspicion of SC consumption. The identification of a suspected case should be followed by reliable laboratory examination.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2022.998828/fullpsychomotor performancedriving abilitydriving impairmentsynthetic cannabinoidsSpice |
| spellingShingle | Vasco Orazietti Giuseppe Basile Raffaele Giorgetti Arianna Giorgetti Arianna Giorgetti Effects of synthetic cannabinoids on psychomotor, sensory and cognitive functions relevant for safe driving Frontiers in Psychiatry psychomotor performance driving ability driving impairment synthetic cannabinoids Spice |
| title | Effects of synthetic cannabinoids on psychomotor, sensory and cognitive functions relevant for safe driving |
| title_full | Effects of synthetic cannabinoids on psychomotor, sensory and cognitive functions relevant for safe driving |
| title_fullStr | Effects of synthetic cannabinoids on psychomotor, sensory and cognitive functions relevant for safe driving |
| title_full_unstemmed | Effects of synthetic cannabinoids on psychomotor, sensory and cognitive functions relevant for safe driving |
| title_short | Effects of synthetic cannabinoids on psychomotor, sensory and cognitive functions relevant for safe driving |
| title_sort | effects of synthetic cannabinoids on psychomotor sensory and cognitive functions relevant for safe driving |
| topic | psychomotor performance driving ability driving impairment synthetic cannabinoids Spice |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2022.998828/full |
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