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Oliver D, Chesney E, Cullen AE, Davies C, Englund A, Gifford G, Kerins S, Lalousis PA, Logeswaran Y, Merritt K, Zahid U, Crossley NA, McCutcheon RA, McGuire P, Fusar-Poli P. Exploring causal mechanisms of psychosis risk. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2024; 162:105699. [PMID: 38710421 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2024.105699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2023] [Revised: 02/17/2024] [Accepted: 04/28/2024] [Indexed: 05/08/2024]
Abstract
Robust epidemiological evidence of risk and protective factors for psychosis is essential to inform preventive interventions. Previous evidence syntheses have classified these risk and protective factors according to their strength of association with psychosis. In this critical review we appraise the distinct and overlapping mechanisms of 25 key environmental risk factors for psychosis, and link these to mechanistic pathways that may contribute to neurochemical alterations hypothesised to underlie psychotic symptoms. We then discuss the implications of our findings for future research, specifically considering interactions between factors, exploring universal and subgroup-specific factors, improving understanding of temporality and risk dynamics, standardising operationalisation and measurement of risk and protective factors, and developing preventive interventions targeting risk and protective factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominic Oliver
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK; NIHR Oxford Health Biomedical Research Centre, Oxford, UK; OPEN Early Detection Service, Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK; Early Psychosis: Interventions and Clinical-Detection (EPIC) Lab, Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK.
| | - Edward Chesney
- Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK; Addictions Department, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, 4 Windsor Walk, London SE5 8AF, UK
| | - Alexis E Cullen
- Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK; Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Sweden
| | - Cathy Davies
- Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK; Department of Neuroimaging, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Amir Englund
- Addictions Department, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, 4 Windsor Walk, London SE5 8AF, UK
| | - George Gifford
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Sarah Kerins
- Early Psychosis: Interventions and Clinical-Detection (EPIC) Lab, Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK; Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Paris Alexandros Lalousis
- Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK; Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Ludwig-Maximilian-University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Yanakan Logeswaran
- Early Psychosis: Interventions and Clinical-Detection (EPIC) Lab, Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK; Department of Biostatistics & Health Informatics, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Kate Merritt
- Division of Psychiatry, Institute of Mental Health, UCL, London, UK
| | - Uzma Zahid
- Department of Psychology, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Nicolas A Crossley
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK; Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Chile
| | - Robert A McCutcheon
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK; Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK; Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK
| | - Philip McGuire
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK; NIHR Oxford Health Biomedical Research Centre, Oxford, UK; OPEN Early Detection Service, Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK
| | - Paolo Fusar-Poli
- Early Psychosis: Interventions and Clinical-Detection (EPIC) Lab, Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK; Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Ludwig-Maximilian-University Munich, Munich, Germany; Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy; OASIS Service, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London SE11 5DL, UK
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Wu J, Hua L, Liu W, Yang X, Tang X, Yuan S, Zhou S, Ye Q, Cui S, Wu Z, Lai L, Tang C, Wang L, Yi W, Yao L, Xu N. Electroacupuncture Exerts Analgesic Effects by Restoring Hyperactivity via Cannabinoid Type 1 Receptors in the Anterior Cingulate Cortex in Chronic Inflammatory Pain. Mol Neurobiol 2024; 61:2949-2963. [PMID: 37957422 PMCID: PMC11043129 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-023-03760-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023]
Abstract
As one of the commonly used therapies for pain-related diseases in clinical practice, electroacupuncture (EA) has been proven to be effective. In chronic pain, neurons in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) have been reported to be hyperactive, while the mechanism by which cannabinoid type 1 receptors (CB1Rs) in the ACC are involved in EA-mediated analgesic mechanisms remains to be elucidated. In this study, we investigated the potential central mechanism of EA analgesia. A combination of techniques was used to detect the expression and function of CB1R, including quantitative real-time PCR (q-PCR), western blot (WB), immunofluorescence (IF), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and in vivo multichannel optical fibre recording, and neuronal activity was examined by in vivo two-photon imaging and in vivo electrophysiological recording. We found that the hyperactivity of pyramidal neurons in the ACC during chronic inflammatory pain is associated with impairment of the endocannabinoid system. EA at the Zusanli acupoint (ST36) can reduce the hyperactivity of pyramidal neurons and exert analgesic effects by increasing the endocannabinoid ligands anandamide (AEA), 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) and CB1R. More importantly, CB1R in the ACC is one of the necessary conditions for the EA-mediated analgesia effect, which may be related to the negative regulation of the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) by the activation of CB1R downregulating NR1 subunits of NMDAR (NR1) via histidine triad nucleotide-binding protein 1 (HINT1). Our study suggested that the endocannabinoid system in the ACC plays an important role in acupuncture analgesia and provides evidence for a central mechanism of EA-mediated analgesia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junshang Wu
- Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Libo Hua
- South China Research Center for Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Medical College of Acu-Moxi and Rehabilitation, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wenhao Liu
- South China Research Center for Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Medical College of Acu-Moxi and Rehabilitation, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaoyun Yang
- South China Research Center for Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Medical College of Acu-Moxi and Rehabilitation, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
- Research Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Xiaorong Tang
- South China Research Center for Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Medical College of Acu-Moxi and Rehabilitation, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Si Yuan
- South China Research Center for Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Medical College of Acu-Moxi and Rehabilitation, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Sheng Zhou
- South China Research Center for Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Medical College of Acu-Moxi and Rehabilitation, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qiuping Ye
- Department of Rehabilitation MedicineThe Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shuai Cui
- Acupuncture and Meridian Research Institute, Anhui Academy of Chinese Medicine, Anhui, China
| | - Zhennan Wu
- South China Research Center for Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Medical College of Acu-Moxi and Rehabilitation, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lanfeng Lai
- South China Research Center for Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Medical College of Acu-Moxi and Rehabilitation, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Chunzhi Tang
- South China Research Center for Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Medical College of Acu-Moxi and Rehabilitation, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lin Wang
- South China Research Center for Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Medical College of Acu-Moxi and Rehabilitation, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wei Yi
- South China Research Center for Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Medical College of Acu-Moxi and Rehabilitation, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lulu Yao
- South China Research Center for Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Medical College of Acu-Moxi and Rehabilitation, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Nenggui Xu
- South China Research Center for Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Medical College of Acu-Moxi and Rehabilitation, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China.
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Chester LA, Englund A, Chesney E, Oliver D, Wilson J, Sovi S, Dickens AM, Oresic M, Linderman T, Hodsoll J, Minichino A, Strang J, Murray RM, Freeman TP, McGuire P. Effects of Cannabidiol and Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol on Plasma Endocannabinoid Levels in Healthy Volunteers: A Randomized Double-Blind Four-Arm Crossover Study. Cannabis Cannabinoid Res 2024; 9:188-198. [PMID: 36493386 PMCID: PMC10874814 DOI: 10.1089/can.2022.0174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: The effects of cannabis are thought to be mediated by interactions between its constituents and the endocannabinoid system. Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) binds to central cannabinoid receptors, while cannabidiol (CBD) may influence endocannabinoid function without directly acting on cannabinoid receptors. We examined the effects of THC coadministered with different doses of CBD on plasma levels of endocannabinoids in healthy volunteers. Methods: In a randomized, double-blind, four-arm crossover study, healthy volunteers (n=46) inhaled cannabis vapor containing 10 mg THC plus either 0, 10, 20, or 30 mg CBD, in four experimental sessions. The median time between sessions was 14 days (IQR=20). Blood samples were taken precannabis inhalation and at 0-, 5-, 15-, and 90-min postinhalation. Plasma concentrations of THC, CBD, anandamide, 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG), and related noncannabinoid lipids were measured using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Results: Administration of cannabis induced acute increases in plasma concentrations of anandamide (+18.0%, 0.042 ng/mL [95%CI: 0.023-0.062]), and the noncannabinoid ethanolamides, docosatetraenylethanolamide (DEA; +35.8%, 0.012 ng/mL [95%CI: 0.008-0.016]), oleoylethanolamide (+16.1%, 0.184 ng/mL [95%CI: 0.076-0.293]), and N-arachidonoyl-L-serine (+25.1%, 0.011 ng/mL [95%CI: 0.004-0.017]) (p<0.05). CBD had no significant effect on the plasma concentration of anandamide, 2-AG or related noncannabinoid lipids at any of three doses used. Over the four sessions, there were progressive decreases in the preinhalation concentrations of anandamide and DEA, from 0.254 ng/mL [95%CI: 0.223-0.286] to 0.194 ng/mL [95%CI: 0.163-0.226], and from 0.039 ng/mL [95%CI: 0.032-0.045] to 0.027 ng/mL [95%CI: 0.020-0.034] (p<0.05), respectively. Discussion: THC induced acute increases in plasma levels of anandamide and noncannabinoid ethanolamides, but there was no evidence that these effects were influenced by the coadministration of CBD. It is possible that such effects may be evident with higher doses of CBD or after chronic administration. The progressive reduction in pretreatment anandamide and DEA levels across sessions may be related to repeated exposure to THC or participants becoming less anxious about the testing procedure and requires further investigation. The study was registered on clinicaltrials.gov (NCT05170217).
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucy A. Chester
- Department of Psychosis Studies and Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Amir Englund
- National Addiction Centre (NAC), Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Edward Chesney
- Department of Psychosis Studies and Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Dominic Oliver
- Department of Psychosis Studies and Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Psychiatry, Oxford University, Warneford Hospital, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Jack Wilson
- The Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use, The University of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Simina Sovi
- Department of Psychosis Studies and Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Alex M. Dickens
- Turku Bioscience Center, University of Turku and Åbo Akademi University, Turku, Finland
- Department of Chemistry, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Matej Oresic
- Turku Bioscience Center, University of Turku and Åbo Akademi University, Turku, Finland
- School of Medical Sciences, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
| | - Tuomas Linderman
- Turku Bioscience Center, University of Turku and Åbo Akademi University, Turku, Finland
| | - John Hodsoll
- Department of Biostatistics and Health Informatics, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Amedeo Minichino
- Department of Psychosis Studies and Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Psychiatry, Oxford University, Warneford Hospital, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - John Strang
- National Addiction Centre (NAC), Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Robin M. Murray
- Department of Psychosis Studies and Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Tom P. Freeman
- Department of Psychology, University of Bath, Bath, United Kingdom
| | - Philip McGuire
- Department of Psychosis Studies and Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Psychiatry, Oxford University, Warneford Hospital, Oxford, United Kingdom
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Peng ZW, Zhou CH, Xue SS, Yu H, Shi QQ, Xue F, Chen YH, Tan QR, Wang HN. High-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation regulates neural oscillations of the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex in mice by modulating endocannabinoid signalling. J Affect Disord 2023; 331:217-228. [PMID: 36965621 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2023.03.066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2022] [Revised: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 03/18/2023] [Indexed: 03/27/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neural oscillations play a role in the antidepressant effects of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS). However, the effects of high-frequency rTMS on the neural oscillations of the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and hippocampus (HPC) and its molecular mechanism have not been fully clarified. METHODS The depressive-like behaviours, local field potentials (LFPs) of the ventral HPC (vHPC)-mPFC, and alternations of endocannabinoid system (ECS) in the HPC and mPFC were observed after rTMS treatment. Meanwhile, depressive-like behaviours and LFPs were also observed after cannabinoid type-1 receptor (CB1R) antagonist AM281 or monoacylglycerol lipase inhibitor JZL184 injection. Moreover, the antidepressant effect of rTMS was further assessed in glutamatergic-CB1R and gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA)-ergic -CB1R knockout mice. RESULTS Alternations of endocannabinoids and energy value and synchronisation of mPFC-vHPC, especially the decrease of theta oscillation induced by CUMS, were alleviated by rTMS. JZL184 has similar effects to rTMS and AM281 blocked the effects of rTMS. GABAergic-CB1R deletion inhibited CUMS-induced depressive-like behaviours whereas Glutaminergic-CB1R deletion dampened the antidepressant effects of rTMS. LIMITATIONS The immediate effect of rTMS on field-potential regulation was not observed. Moreover, the role of region-specific regulation of the ECS in the antidepressant effect of rTMS was unclear and the effects of cell-specific CB1R knockout on neuronal oscillations of the mPFC and vHPC should be further investigated. CONCLUSION Endocannabinoid system mediated the antidepressant effects and was involved in the regulation of LFP in the vHPC-mPFC of high-frequency rTMS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zheng-Wu Peng
- Department of Psychiatry, Xijing Hospital, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an 710032, China; Department of Toxicology, Shaanxi Key Lab of Free Radical Biology and Medicine, The Ministry of Education Key Lab of Hazard Assessment and Control in Special Operational Environment, School of Public Health, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an 710032, China
| | - Cui-Hong Zhou
- Department of Psychiatry, Xijing Hospital, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an 710032, China; Department of Toxicology, Shaanxi Key Lab of Free Radical Biology and Medicine, The Ministry of Education Key Lab of Hazard Assessment and Control in Special Operational Environment, School of Public Health, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an 710032, China
| | - Shan-Shan Xue
- Department of Psychiatry, Xijing Hospital, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an 710032, China
| | - Huan Yu
- Department of Psychiatry, Xijing Hospital, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an 710032, China
| | - Qing-Qing Shi
- Department of Psychiatry, Xijing Hospital, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an 710032, China
| | - Fen Xue
- Department of Psychiatry, Xijing Hospital, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an 710032, China
| | - Yi-Huan Chen
- Department of Psychiatry, Xijing Hospital, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an 710032, China
| | - Qing-Rong Tan
- Department of Psychiatry, Xijing Hospital, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an 710032, China.
| | - Hua-Ning Wang
- Department of Psychiatry, Xijing Hospital, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an 710032, China.
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Springer SD, Spooner RK, Schantell M, Arif Y, Frenzel MR, Eastman JA, Wilson TW. Regular recreational Cannabis users exhibit altered neural oscillatory dynamics during attention reorientation. Psychol Med 2023; 53:1205-1214. [PMID: 34889178 PMCID: PMC9250753 DOI: 10.1017/s0033291721002671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cannabis is the most widely used illicit drug in the United States and is often associated with changes in attention function, which may ultimately impact numerous other cognitive faculties (e.g. memory, executive function). Importantly, despite the increasing rates of cannabis use and widespread legalization in the United States, the neural mechanisms underlying attentional dysfunction in chronic users are poorly understood. METHODS We used magnetoencephalography (MEG) and a modified Posner cueing task in 21 regular cannabis users and 32 demographically matched non-user controls. MEG data were imaged in the time-frequency domain using a beamformer and peak voxel time series were extracted to quantify the oscillatory dynamics underlying use-related aberrations in attentional reorienting, as well as the impact on spontaneous neural activity immediately preceding stimulus onset. RESULTS Behavioral performance on the task (e.g. reaction time) was similar between regular cannabis users and non-user controls. However, the neural data indicated robust theta-band synchronizations across a distributed network during attentional reorienting, with activity in the bilateral inferior frontal gyri being markedly stronger in users relative to controls (p's < 0.036). Additionally, we observed significantly reduced spontaneous theta activity across this distributed network during the pre-stimulus baseline in cannabis users relative to controls (p's < 0.020). CONCLUSIONS Despite similar performance on the task, we observed specific alterations in the neural dynamics serving attentional reorienting in regular cannabis users compared to controls. These data suggest that regular cannabis users may employ compensatory processing in the prefrontal cortices to efficiently reorient their attention relative to non-user controls.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seth D. Springer
- Institute for Human Neuroscience, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Boys Town, NE, USA
- College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Rachel K. Spooner
- Institute for Human Neuroscience, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Boys Town, NE, USA
- College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Mikki Schantell
- Institute for Human Neuroscience, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Boys Town, NE, USA
- College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Yasra Arif
- Institute for Human Neuroscience, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Boys Town, NE, USA
- College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Michaela R. Frenzel
- Institute for Human Neuroscience, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Boys Town, NE, USA
- College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Jacob A. Eastman
- Institute for Human Neuroscience, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Boys Town, NE, USA
- College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Tony W. Wilson
- Institute for Human Neuroscience, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Boys Town, NE, USA
- College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
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De Felice M, Chen C, Rodríguez-Ruiz M, Szkudlarek HJ, Lam M, Sert S, Whitehead SN, Yeung KKC, Rushlow WJ, Laviolette SR. Adolescent Δ-9-tetrahydrocannabinol exposure induces differential acute and long-term neuronal and molecular disturbances in dorsal vs. ventral hippocampal subregions. Neuropsychopharmacology 2023; 48:540-551. [PMID: 36402837 PMCID: PMC9852235 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-022-01496-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Revised: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 10/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Chronic exposure to Δ-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) during adolescence is associated with long-lasting cognitive impairments and enhanced susceptibility to anxiety and mood disorders. Previous evidence has revealed functional and anatomical dissociations between the posterior vs. anterior portions of the hippocampal formation, which are classified as the dorsal and ventral regions in rodents, respectively. Notably, the dorsal hippocampus is critical for cognitive and contextual processing, whereas the ventral region is critical for affective and emotional processing. While adolescent THC exposure can induce significant morphological disturbances and glutamatergic signaling abnormalities in the hippocampus, it is not currently understood how the dorsal vs. ventral hippocampal regions are affected by THC during neurodevelopment. In the present study, we used an integrative combination of behavioral, molecular, and neural assays in a neurodevelopmental rodent model of adolescent THC exposure. We report that adolescent THC exposure induces long-lasting memory deficits and anxiety like-behaviors concomitant with a wide range of differential molecular and neuronal abnormalities in dorsal vs. ventral hippocampal regions. In addition, using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization imaging mass spectrometry (MALDI-IMS), we show for the first time that adolescent THC exposure induces significant and enduring dysregulation of GABA and glutamate levels in dorsal vs. ventral hippocampus. Finally, adolescent THC exposure induced dissociable dysregulations of hippocampal glutamatergic signaling, characterized by differential glutamatergic receptor expression markers, profound alterations in pyramidal neuronal activity and associated oscillatory patterns in dorsal vs. ventral hippocampal subregions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta De Felice
- Addiction Research Group, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, N6A 3K7, Canada
- Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, N6A 3K7, Canada
| | - Chaochao Chen
- Department of Chemistry, Western University, London, ON, N6A3K7, Canada
| | - Mar Rodríguez-Ruiz
- Addiction Research Group, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, N6A 3K7, Canada
- Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, N6A 3K7, Canada
| | - Hanna J Szkudlarek
- Addiction Research Group, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, N6A 3K7, Canada
- Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, N6A 3K7, Canada
| | - Michael Lam
- Department of Chemistry, Western University, London, ON, N6A3K7, Canada
| | - Selvi Sert
- Addiction Research Group, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, N6A 3K7, Canada
- Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, N6A 3K7, Canada
| | - Shawn N Whitehead
- Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, N6A 3K7, Canada
| | - Ken K-C Yeung
- Department of Chemistry, Western University, London, ON, N6A3K7, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry, Western University, London, ON, N6A 5C1, Canada
| | - Walter J Rushlow
- Addiction Research Group, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, N6A 3K7, Canada
- Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, N6A 3K7, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, N6A 3K7, Canada
| | - Steven R Laviolette
- Addiction Research Group, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, N6A 3K7, Canada.
- Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, N6A 3K7, Canada.
- Department of Psychiatry, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, N6A 3K7, Canada.
- Lawson Health Research Institute, London, ON, N6A 4V2, Canada.
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Scheyer A, Yasmin F, Naskar S, Patel S. Endocannabinoids at the synapse and beyond: implications for neuropsychiatric disease pathophysiology and treatment. Neuropsychopharmacology 2023; 48:37-53. [PMID: 36100658 PMCID: PMC9700791 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-022-01438-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2022] [Revised: 08/10/2022] [Accepted: 08/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Endocannabinoids (eCBs) are lipid neuromodulators that suppress neurotransmitter release, reduce postsynaptic excitability, activate astrocyte signaling, and control cellular respiration. Here, we describe canonical and emerging eCB signaling modes and aim to link adaptations in these signaling systems to pathological states. Adaptations in eCB signaling systems have been identified in a variety of biobehavioral and physiological process relevant to neuropsychiatric disease states including stress-related disorders, epilepsy, developmental disorders, obesity, and substance use disorders. These insights have enhanced our understanding of the pathophysiology of neurological and psychiatric disorders and are contributing to the ongoing development of eCB-targeting therapeutics. We suggest future studies aimed at illuminating how adaptations in canonical as well as emerging cellular and synaptic modes of eCB signaling contribute to disease pathophysiology or resilience could further advance these novel treatment approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Farhana Yasmin
- Northwestern Center for Psychiatric Neuroscience, Chicago, IL, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Saptarnab Naskar
- Northwestern Center for Psychiatric Neuroscience, Chicago, IL, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Sachin Patel
- Northwestern Center for Psychiatric Neuroscience, Chicago, IL, USA.
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA.
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8
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A zebrafish HCT116 xenograft model to predict anandamide outcomes on colorectal cancer. Cell Death Dis 2022; 13:1069. [PMID: 36564370 PMCID: PMC9789132 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-022-05523-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2022] [Revised: 12/08/2022] [Accepted: 12/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Colon cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. In recent years, cannabinoids have been extensively studied for their potential anticancer effects and symptom management. Several in vitro studies reported anandamide's (AEA) ability to block cancer cell proliferation and migration, but evidence from in vivo studies is still lacking. Thus, in this study, the effects of AEA exposure in zebrafish embryos transplanted with HCT116 cells were evaluated. Totally, 48 hpf xenografts were exposed to 10 nM AEA, 10 nM AM251, one of the cannabinoid 1 receptor (CB1) antagonist/inverse agonists, and to AEA + AM251, to verify the specific effect of AEA treatment. AEA efficacy was evaluated by confocal microscopy, which demonstrated that these xenografts presented a smaller tumor size, reduced tumor angiogenesis, and lacked micrometastasis formation. To gain deeper evidence into AEA action, microscopic observations were completed by molecular analyses. RNA seq performed on zebrafish transcriptome reported the downregulation of genes involved in cell proliferation, angiogenesis, and the immune system. Conversely, HCT116 cell transcripts resulted not affected by AEA treatment. In vitro HCT116 culture, in fact, confirmed that AEA exposure did not affect cell proliferation and viability, thus suggesting that the reduced tumor size mainly depends on direct effects on the fish rather than on the transplanted cancer cells. AEA reduced cell proliferation and tumor angiogenesis, as suggested by socs3 and pcnp mRNAs and Vegfc protein levels, and exerted anti-inflammatory activity, as indicated by the reduction of il-11a, mhc1uba, and csf3b mRNA. Of note, are the results obtained in groups exposed to AM251, which presence nullifies AEA's beneficial effects. In conclusion, this study promotes the efficacy of AEA in personalized cancer therapy, as suggested by its ability to drive tumor growth and metastasis, and strongly supports the use of zebrafish xenograft as an emerging model platform for cancer studies.
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9
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Schantell M, Springer SD, Arif Y, Sandal ME, Willett MP, Johnson HJ, Okelberry HJ, O’Neill JL, May PE, Bares SH, Wilson TW. Regular cannabis use modulates the impact of HIV on the neural dynamics serving cognitive control. J Psychopharmacol 2022; 36:1324-1337. [PMID: 36416285 PMCID: PMC9835727 DOI: 10.1177/02698811221138934] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cannabis use and HIV are independently associated with decrements in cognitive control. However, the combined effects of HIV and regular cannabis use on the brain circuitry serving higher-order cognition are unclear. AIMS Investigate the interaction between cannabis and HIV on neural interference effects during the flanker task and spontaneous activity in regions underlying higher-order cognition. METHODS The sample consisted of 100 participants, including people with HIV (PWH) who use cannabis, PWH who do not use cannabis, uninfected cannabis users, and uninfected nonusers. Participants underwent an interview regarding their substance use history and completed the Eriksen flanker task during magnetoencephalography (MEG). MEG data were imaged in the time-frequency domain and oscillatory maps depicting the neural flanker interference effect were probed for group differences. Voxel time series were then assessed for group-level differences in spontaneous activity. RESULTS Group differences in behavioral performance were identified along with group differences in theta and alpha neural interference responses in higher-order regions across the cortex, with nonusers with HIV generally exhibiting the most aberrant responses. Likewise, time series analyses indicated that nonusers with HIV also had significantly elevated spontaneous alpha activity in the left inferior frontal and dorsolateral prefrontal cortices (dlPFC). Finally, we found that spontaneous and oscillatory alpha activity were significantly coupled in the inferior frontal cortex and dlPFC among cannabis users, but not nonusers. CONCLUSIONS Regular cannabis use appears to suppress the impact of HIV on spontaneous and oscillatory alpha deficits in the left inferior frontal cortex and dlPFC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mikki Schantell
- Institute for Human Neuroscience, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Boys Town, NE, USA,College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC), Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Seth D Springer
- Institute for Human Neuroscience, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Boys Town, NE, USA,College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC), Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Yasra Arif
- Institute for Human Neuroscience, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Boys Town, NE, USA
| | - Megan E Sandal
- Institute for Human Neuroscience, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Boys Town, NE, USA
| | - Madelyn P Willett
- Institute for Human Neuroscience, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Boys Town, NE, USA
| | - Hallie J Johnson
- Institute for Human Neuroscience, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Boys Town, NE, USA
| | - Hannah J Okelberry
- Institute for Human Neuroscience, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Boys Town, NE, USA
| | - Jennifer L O’Neill
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC), Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Pamela E May
- Department of Neurological Sciences, University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC), Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Sara H Bares
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC), Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Tony W Wilson
- Institute for Human Neuroscience, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Boys Town, NE, USA,College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC), Omaha, NE, USA,Department of Pharmacology & Neuroscience, Creighton University, Omaha, NE, USA
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10
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Syed SA, Schnakenberg Martin AM, Cortes-Briones JA, Skosnik PD. The Relationship Between Cannabinoids and Neural Oscillations: How Cannabis Disrupts Sensation, Perception, and Cognition. Clin EEG Neurosci 2022:15500594221138280. [PMID: 36426543 DOI: 10.1177/15500594221138280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Disruptions in neural oscillations are believed to be one critical mechanism by which cannabinoids, such as delta-9-tetrahyrdrocannabinol (THC; the primary psychoactive constituent of cannabis), perturbs brain function. Here we briefly review the role of synchronized neural activity, particularly in the gamma (30-80 Hz) and theta (4-7 Hz) frequency range, in sensation, perception, and cognition. This is followed by a review of clinical studies utilizing electroencephalography (EEG) which have demonstrated that both chronic and acute cannabinoid exposure disrupts neural oscillations in humans. We also offer a hypothetical framework through which endocannabinoids modulate neural synchrony at the network level. This also includes speculation on how both chronic and acute cannabinoids disrupt functionally relevant neural oscillations by altering the fine tuning of oscillations and the inhibitory/excitatory balance of neural circuits. Finally, we highlight important clinical implications of such oscillatory disruptions, such as the potential relationship between cannabis use, altered neural synchrony, and disruptions in sensation, perception, and cognition, which are perturbed in disorders such as schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shariful A Syed
- Department of Psychiatry, 12228Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.,VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, USA
| | - Ashley M Schnakenberg Martin
- Department of Psychiatry, 12228Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.,VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, USA
| | - Jose A Cortes-Briones
- Department of Psychiatry, 12228Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.,VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, USA
| | - Patrick D Skosnik
- Department of Psychiatry, 12228Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.,VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, USA
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11
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Katta MR, Valisekka SS, Agarwal P, Hameed M, Shivam S, Kaur J, Prasad S, Bethineedi LD, Lavu DV, Katamreddy Y. Non-pharmacological integrative therapies for chronic cancer pain. J Oncol Pharm Pract 2022; 28:1859-1868. [DOI: 10.1177/10781552221098437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Objective Chronic pain is one of the most detrimental symptoms exhibited by cancer patients, being an indication for opioid therapy in up to half of the patients’ receiving chemotherapy and in 90% of advanced cases. Various successful non-pharmacological integrative therapy options have been explored and implemented to improve the quality of life in these patients. This review aims to highlight the mechanisms implicated; assessment tools used for cancer pain and summarize current evidence on non-pharmacological approaches in the treatment of chronic cancer pain. Data sources A review of the literature was conducted using a combination of MeSH keywords including “Chronic cancer pain,” “Assessment,” “Non-pharmacological management,” and “Integrative therapy.” Data summary Data on the approach and assessment of chronic cancer pain as well as non-pharmacological integrative options have been displayed with the help of figures and tables. Of note, non-pharmacological integrative management was divided into three subcategories; physical therapy (involving exercise, acupuncture, massage, and transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation), psychosocial therapy (e.g. mindful practices, supportive therapy), and herbal supplementation. Conclusions The use of non-pharmacological integrative therapy in the management of chronic cancer pain has been grossly underestimated and must be considered before or as an adjuvant of other treatment regimens to ensure appropriate care.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Pahel Agarwal
- Bhaskar Medical College, Hyderabad, Telangana, India
| | - Maha Hameed
- AlFaisal University, College of Medicine, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Swadha Shivam
- Bhaskar Medical College, Hyderabad, Telangana, India
| | | | - Sakshi Prasad
- Faculty of Medicine, National Pirogov Memorial Medical University, Vinnytsya, Ukraine
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12
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Fradkin SI, Silverstein SM. Resistance to Depth Inversion Illusions: A Biosignature of Psychosis with Potential Utility for Monitoring Positive Symptom Emergence and Remission in Schizophrenia. Biomark Neuropsychiatry 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bionps.2022.100050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
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13
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Barbieri M, Tirri M, Bilel S, Arfè R, Corli G, Marchetti B, Caruso L, Soukupova M, Cristofori V, Serpelloni G, Marti M. Synthetic cannabinoid JWH-073 alters both acute behavior and in vivo/vitro electrophysiological responses in mice. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:953909. [PMID: 36339851 PMCID: PMC9634257 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.953909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2022] [Accepted: 10/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
JWH-073 is a synthetic cannabinoid (SCB) that is illegally marketed within an "herbal blend", causing psychoactive effects more intense than those produced by Cannabis. Users report that JWH-073 causes less harmful effects than other SCBs, misrepresenting it as a "safe JWH-018 alternative", which in turn prompts its recreational use. The present study is aimed to investigate the in vivo pharmacological activity on physiological and neurobehavioral parameters in male CD-1 mice after acute 1 mg/kg JWH-073 administration. To this aim we investigate its effect on sensorimotor (visual, acoustic, and tactile), motor (spontaneous motor activity and catalepsy), and memory functions (novel object recognition; NOR) in mice coupling behavioral and EEG data. Moreover, to clarify how memory function is affected by JWH-073, we performed in vitro electrophysiological studies in hippocampal preparations using a Long-Term Potentiation (LTP) stimulation paradigm. We demonstrated that acute administration of JWH-073 transiently decreased motor activity for up to 25 min and visual sensorimotor responses for up to 105 min, with the highest effects at 25 min (~48 and ~38%, respectively), while the memory function was altered up to 24 h (~33%) in treated-mice as compared to the vehicle. EEG in the somatosensory cortex showed a maximal decrease of α (~23%) and γ (~26%) bands at 15 min, β (~26%) band at 25 min, a maximal increase of θ (~14%) band at 25 min and δ (~35%) band at 2 h, and a significant decrease of θ (~18%), α (~26%), and β (~10%) bands during 24 h. On the other hand, EEG in the hippocampus showed a significant decrease of all bands from 10 min to 2 h, with the maximal effect at 30 min for θ (~34%) and γ (~26%) bands and 2 h for α (~36%), β (~29%), and δ (~15%) bands. Notably, the δ band significant increase both at 5 min (~12%) and 24 h (~19%). Moreover, in vitro results support cognitive function impairment (~60% of decrease) by interfering with hippocampal synaptic transmission and LTP generation. Our results suggest that JWH-073 deeply alters brain electrical responsiveness with minor behavioral symptoms. Thus, it poses a subtle threat to consumers who mistakenly consider it safer than other SCBs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mario Barbieri
- Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Micaela Tirri
- Department of Translational Medicine, Section of Legal Medicine and Laboratory for Technologies of Advanced Therapies (LTTA) Centre, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Sabrine Bilel
- Department of Translational Medicine, Section of Legal Medicine and Laboratory for Technologies of Advanced Therapies (LTTA) Centre, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Raffaella Arfè
- Department of Translational Medicine, Section of Legal Medicine and Laboratory for Technologies of Advanced Therapies (LTTA) Centre, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Giorgia Corli
- Department of Translational Medicine, Section of Legal Medicine and Laboratory for Technologies of Advanced Therapies (LTTA) Centre, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Beatrice Marchetti
- Department of Translational Medicine, Section of Legal Medicine and Laboratory for Technologies of Advanced Therapies (LTTA) Centre, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Caruso
- Department of Environment and Prevention Sciences, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Marie Soukupova
- Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Virginia Cristofori
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Giovanni Serpelloni
- Neuroscience Clinical Center and Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) Unit, Verona, Italy
| | - Matteo Marti
- Department of Translational Medicine, Section of Legal Medicine and Laboratory for Technologies of Advanced Therapies (LTTA) Centre, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy.,Department for Anti-Drug Policies, Collaborative Center of the National Early Warning System, Presidency of the Council of Ministers, Rome, Italy
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14
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Binkowska AA, Jakubowska N, Krystecka K, Galant N, Piotrowska-Cyplik A, Brzezicka A. Theta and Alpha Oscillatory Activity During Working Memory Maintenance in Long-Term Cannabis Users: The Importance of the Polydrug Use Context. Front Hum Neurosci 2021; 15:740277. [PMID: 34733146 PMCID: PMC8558244 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2021.740277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2021] [Accepted: 09/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Impairments in various subdomains of memory have been associated with chronic cannabis use, but less is known about their neural underpinnings, especially in the domain of the brain's oscillatory activity. Aims: To investigate neural oscillatory activity supporting working memory (WM) in regular cannabis users and non-using controls. We focused our analyses on frontal midline theta and posterior alpha asymmetry as oscillatory fingerprints for the WM's maintenance process. Methods: 30 non-using controls (CG) and 57 regular cannabis users-27 exclusive cannabis users (CU) and 30 polydrug cannabis users (PU) completed a Sternberg modified WM task with a concurrent electroencephalography recording. Theta, alpha and beta frequency bands were examined during WM maintenance. Results: When compared to non-using controls, the PU group displayed increased frontal midline theta (FMT) power during WM maintenance, which was positively correlated with RT. The posterior alpha asymmetry during the maintenance phase, on the other hand, was negatively correlated with RT in the CU group. WM performance did not differ between groups. Conclusions: Both groups of cannabis users (CU and PU), when compared to the control group, displayed differences in oscillatory activity during WM maintenance, unique for each group (in CU posterior alpha and in PU FMT correlated with performance). We interpret those differences as a reflection of compensatory strategies, as there were no differences between groups in task performance. Understanding the psychophysiological processes in regular cannabis users may provide insight on how chronic use may affect neural networks underlying cognitive processes, however, a polydrug use context (i.e., combining cannabis with other illegal substances) seems to be an important factor.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Natalia Jakubowska
- SWPS University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Warsaw, Poland.,Polish-Japanese Academy of Information Technology, Warsaw, Poland
| | | | | | | | - Aneta Brzezicka
- SWPS University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Warsaw, Poland
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15
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Pirbhoy PS, Jonak CR, Syed R, Argueta DA, Perez PA, Wiley MB, Hessamian K, Lovelace JW, Razak KA, DiPatrizio NV, Ethell IM, Binder DK. Increased 2-arachidonoyl-sn-glycerol levels normalize cortical responses to sound and improve behaviors in Fmr1 KO mice. J Neurodev Disord 2021; 13:47. [PMID: 34645383 PMCID: PMC8513313 DOI: 10.1186/s11689-021-09394-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2021] [Accepted: 09/20/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Individuals with Fragile X syndrome (FXS) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) exhibit an array of symptoms, including sociability deficits, increased anxiety, hyperactivity, and sensory hyperexcitability. It is unclear how endocannabinoid (eCB) modulation can be targeted to alleviate neurophysiological abnormalities in FXS as behavioral research reveals benefits to inhibiting cannabinoid (CB) receptor activation and increasing endocannabinoid ligand levels. Here, we hypothesize that enhancement of 2-arachidonoyl-sn-glycerol (2-AG) in Fragile X mental retardation 1 gene knock-out (Fmr1 KO) mice may reduce cortical hyperexcitability and behavioral abnormalities observed in FXS. Methods To test whether an increase in 2-AG levels normalized cortical responses in a mouse model of FXS, animals were subjected to electroencephalography (EEG) recording and behavioral assessment following treatment with JZL-184, an irreversible inhibitor of monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL). Assessment of 2-AG was performed using lipidomic analysis in conjunction with various doses and time points post-administration of JZL-184. Baseline electrocortical activity and evoked responses to sound stimuli were measured using a 30-channel multielectrode array (MEA) in adult male mice before, 4 h, and 1 day post-intraperitoneal injection of JZL-184 or vehicle. Behavior assessment was done using the open field and elevated plus maze 4 h post-treatment. Results Lipidomic analysis showed that 8 mg/kg JZL-184 significantly increased the levels of 2-AG in the auditory cortex of both Fmr1 KO and WT mice 4 h post-treatment compared to vehicle controls. EEG recordings revealed a reduction in the abnormally enhanced baseline gamma-band power in Fmr1 KO mice and significantly improved evoked synchronization to auditory stimuli in the gamma-band range post-JZL-184 treatment. JZL-184 treatment also ameliorated anxiety-like and hyperactivity phenotypes in Fmr1 KO mice. Conclusions Overall, these results indicate that increasing 2-AG levels may serve as a potential therapeutic approach to normalize cortical responses and improve behavioral outcomes in FXS and possibly other ASDs. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s11689-021-09394-x.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia S Pirbhoy
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, 92521, USA
| | - Carrie R Jonak
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, 92521, USA
| | - Rashid Syed
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, 92521, USA
| | - Donovan A Argueta
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, 92521, USA
| | - Pedro A Perez
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, 92521, USA
| | - Mark B Wiley
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, 92521, USA
| | - Keon Hessamian
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, 92521, USA
| | - Jonathan W Lovelace
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, 92521, USA
| | - Khaleel A Razak
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, 92521, USA
| | - Nicholas V DiPatrizio
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, 92521, USA
| | - Iryna M Ethell
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, 92521, USA
| | - Devin K Binder
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, 92521, USA.
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16
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Christopher-Hayes NJ, Lew BJ, Wiesman AI, Schantell M, O'Neill J, May PE, Swindells S, Wilson TW. Cannabis use impacts pre-stimulus neural activity in the visual cortices of people with HIV. Hum Brain Mapp 2021; 42:5446-5457. [PMID: 34464488 PMCID: PMC8519863 DOI: 10.1002/hbm.25634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2021] [Revised: 07/13/2021] [Accepted: 08/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
People with HIV (PWH) use cannabis at a higher rate than the general population, but the influence on neural activity is not well characterized. Cannabis use among PWH may have a beneficial effect, as neuroinflammation is known to be a critical problem in PWH and cannabis use has been associated with a reduction in proinflammatory markers. Thus, it is important to understand the net impact of cannabis use on brain and cognitive function in PWH. In this study, we collected magnetoencephalographic (MEG) brain imaging data on 81 participants split across four demographically matched groups (i.e., PWH using cannabis, controls using cannabis, non‐using PWH, and non‐using controls). Participants completed a visuospatial processing task during MEG. Time–frequency resolved voxel time series were extracted to identify the dynamics of oscillatory and pre‐stimulus baseline neural activity. Our results indicated strong theta (4–8 Hz), alpha (10–16 Hz), and gamma (62–72 Hz) visual oscillations in parietal–occipital brain regions across all participants. PWH exhibited significant behavioral deficits in visuospatial processing, as well as reduced theta oscillations and elevated pre‐stimulus gamma activity in visual cortices, all of which replicate prior work. Strikingly, chronic cannabis use was associated with a significant reduction in pre‐stimulus gamma activity in the visual cortices, such that PWH no longer statistically differed from controls. These results provide initial evidence that cannabis use may normalize some neural aberrations in PWH. This study fills an important gap in understanding the impact of cannabis use on brain and cognitive function in PWH.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Brandon J Lew
- Institute for Human Neuroscience, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Boys Town, Nebraska, USA.,College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC), Omaha, Nebraska, USA
| | - Alex I Wiesman
- Institute for Human Neuroscience, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Boys Town, Nebraska, USA.,College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC), Omaha, Nebraska, USA.,Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montréal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Mikki Schantell
- Institute for Human Neuroscience, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Boys Town, Nebraska, USA.,College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC), Omaha, Nebraska, USA
| | - Jennifer O'Neill
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, UNMC, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
| | - Pamela E May
- Department of Neurological Sciences, UNMC, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
| | - Susan Swindells
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, UNMC, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
| | - Tony W Wilson
- Institute for Human Neuroscience, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Boys Town, Nebraska, USA.,College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC), Omaha, Nebraska, USA
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17
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Rangel-Pacheco A, Lew BJ, Schantell MD, Frenzel MR, Eastman JA, Wiesman AI, Wilson TW. Altered fronto-occipital connectivity during visual selective attention in regular cannabis users. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2021; 238:1351-1361. [PMID: 33241479 PMCID: PMC8068572 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-020-05717-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2020] [Accepted: 11/10/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES Cognitive processing impairments have been associated with acute cannabis use, but there is mixed evidence regarding the cognitive effects of chronic cannabis use. Several neuroimaging studies have noted selective-attention processing differences in those who chronically use cannabis, but the neural dynamics governing the altered processing is unclear. METHODS Twenty-four adults reporting at least weekly cannabis use in the past 6 months on the Cannabis Use Disorder Identification Test - Revised were compared to 24 demographically matched controls who reported no prior cannabis use. All participants completed a visual selective attention processing task while undergoing magnetoencephalography. Time-frequency windows of interest were identified using a data-driven method, and spectrally specific neural activity was imaged using a beamforming approach. RESULTS All participants performed within normal range on the cognitive task. Regular cannabis users displayed an aberrant cognitive interference effect in the theta (4-8 Hz) frequency range shortly after stimulus onset (i.e., 0-250 ms) in the right occipital cortex. Cannabis users also exhibited altered functional connectivity between the right prefrontal cortex and right occipital cortices in comparison to controls. CONCLUSIONS Individuals with a history of regular cannabis use exhibited abnormal theta interference activity in the occipital cortices, as well as altered prefrontal-occipital functional connectivity in the theta range during a visual selective attention task. Such differences may reflect compensatory processing, as these participants performed within normal range on the task. Understanding the neural dynamics in chronic, regular cannabis users may provide insight on how long-term and/or frequent use may affect neural networks underlying cognitive processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abril Rangel-Pacheco
- Institute for Human Neuroscience, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Boys Town, NE, USA,College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Brandon J. Lew
- Institute for Human Neuroscience, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Boys Town, NE, USA,College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Mikki D. Schantell
- Institute for Human Neuroscience, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Boys Town, NE, USA,College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Michaela R. Frenzel
- Institute for Human Neuroscience, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Boys Town, NE, USA
| | - Jacob A. Eastman
- Institute for Human Neuroscience, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Boys Town, NE, USA
| | - Alex I. Wiesman
- College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA,Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Tony W. Wilson
- Institute for Human Neuroscience, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Boys Town, NE, USA,College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
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18
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Kahan MD, Breithaupt A, Nash K, Numis AL. Seizure and Interictal Electroencephalographic (EEG) Changes with Cannabinoid Concentrate Use. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF CASE REPORTS 2021; 22:e931360. [PMID: 33866321 PMCID: PMC8063765 DOI: 10.12659/ajcr.931360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The electroencephalographic (EEG) findings associated with tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) use, particularly in concentrated form, are not well-described, despite the current widespread availability of these products. There is a lack of prior research describing the EEG findings in adolescent cannabis users, and the effects of THC on the seizure threshold have been variably reported. CASE REPORT A 17-year-old girl with no prior history of seizures or known seizure risk factors presented to an Emergency Department with acutely abnormal behavior in the setting of daily vaping of highly concentrated THC marijuana ("wax"). On admission, she had a witnessed generalized tonic-clonic seizure. Urine toxicology was positive for THC, and an extensive evaluation for other etiologies of her encephalopathy was unrevealing. Extended EEG on admission showed mild diffuse background slowing with occasional bifronto-centrally predominant sharp and spike wave discharges. Seven days later, without interim antiseizure medications, a repeat extended EEG showed resolution of the previously seen interictal findings. CONCLUSIONS The clinical and EEG findings were temporally associated with the patient's use of concentrated THC and may represent a constellation of symptoms of a THC wax toxidrome. In this case, THC was associated with lowering the seizure threshold and triggering a provoked seizure in an adolescent with no prior evidence of seizure tendency. This case also suggests the possibility of THC concentrate itself generating epileptiform discharges, as has previously been described with synthetic cannabinoid use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madeline D Kahan
- Department of Neurology, University of California San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Andrew Breithaupt
- Department of Neurology, University of California San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Kendall Nash
- Department of Neurology, University of California San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Adam L Numis
- Department of Neurology, University of California San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco, CA, USA
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19
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Ritchay MM, Huggins AA, Wallace AL, Larson CL, Lisdahl KM. Resting state functional connectivity in the default mode network: Relationships between cannabis use, gender, and cognition in adolescents and young adults. Neuroimage Clin 2021; 30:102664. [PMID: 33872994 PMCID: PMC8080071 DOI: 10.1016/j.nicl.2021.102664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2020] [Revised: 04/01/2021] [Accepted: 04/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Cannabis is the most commonly used illicit substance in the United States, and nearly 1 in 4 young adults are current cannabis users. Chronic cannabis use is associated with changes in resting state functional connectivity (RSFC) in the default mode network (DMN) in adolescents and young adults; results are somewhat inconsistent across studies, potentially due to methodological differences. The aims of the present study were to examine potential differences in DMN RSFC between cannabis users and controls, and to examine, as an exploratory analysis, if gender moderated any findings. We further examined whether differences in RSFC related to differences in performance on selected neuropsychological measures. MATERIALS AND METHODS Seventy-seven 16-26-year-old participants underwent an MRI scan (including resting state scan), neuropsychological battery, toxicology screening, and drug use interview. Differences in DMN connectivity were examined between groups (cannabis vs. control) and with an exploratory group by gender interaction, using a left posterior cingulate cortex (PCC) seed-based analysis conducted in AFNI. RESULTS Cannabis users demonstrated weaker connectivity than controls between the left PCC and various DMN nodes, and the right Rolandic operculum/Heschl's gyrus. Cannabis users demonstrated stronger connectivity between the left PCC and the cerebellum and left supramarginal gyrus. The group by gender interaction was not significantly associated with connectivity differences. Stronger left PCC-cerebellum connectivity was associated with poorer performance on cognitive measures in cannabis users. In controls, intra-DMN connectivity was positively correlated with performance on a speeded selective/sustained attention measure. DISCUSSION Consistent with our hypotheses and other studies, cannabis users demonstrated weaker connectivity between the left PCC and DMN nodes. Chronic THC exposure may alter GABA and glutamate concentrations, which may alter brain communication. Future studies should be conducted with a larger sample size and examine gender differences and the mechanism by which these differences may arise.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan M Ritchay
- University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Department of Psychology, 2441 E. Hartford Ave Garland 224, Milwaukee, 53211 WI, USA
| | - Ashley A Huggins
- University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Department of Psychology, 2441 E. Hartford Ave Garland 224, Milwaukee, 53211 WI, USA
| | - Alexander L Wallace
- University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Department of Psychology, 2441 E. Hartford Ave Garland 224, Milwaukee, 53211 WI, USA
| | - Christine L Larson
- University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Department of Psychology, 2441 E. Hartford Ave Garland 224, Milwaukee, 53211 WI, USA
| | - Krista M Lisdahl
- University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Department of Psychology, 2441 E. Hartford Ave Garland 224, Milwaukee, 53211 WI, USA.
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20
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Durieux LJA, Gilissen SRJ, Arckens L. Endocannabinoids and cortical plasticity: CB1R as a possible regulator of the excitation/inhibition balance in health and disease. Eur J Neurosci 2021; 55:971-988. [PMID: 33427341 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.15110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2020] [Revised: 01/04/2021] [Accepted: 01/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The endocannabinoid system has been linked to neurological disorders in which the excitation inhibition (E/I) balance in the neocortex is dysregulated, such as schizophrenia. The main endocannabinoid receptor type 1 of the central nervous system-CB1R-is expressed on different cell types, that when activated, modulate the cortical E/I balance. Here we review how CB1R signalling contributes to phases of heightened plasticity of the neocortex. We review the major role of the CB1R in cortical plasticity throughout life, including the early life sensory critical periods, the later maturation phase of the association cortex in adolescence, and the adult phase of sensory deprivation-induced cortical plasticity. Endocannabinoid-mediated long-term potentiation and depression of synapse strength fine-tune the E/I balance in visual, somatosensory and association areas. We emphasize how a distinct set of key endocannabinoid-regulated elements such as GABA and glutamate release, basket parvalbumin interneurons, somatostatin interneurons and astrocytes, are essential for normal cortical plasticity and dysregulated in schizophrenia. Even though a lot of data has been gathered, mechanistic knowledge about the exact CB1R-based modulation of excitation and/or inhibition is still lacking depending on cortical area and maturation phase in life. We emphasize the importance of creating such detailed knowledge for a better comprehension of what underlies the dysregulation of the neocortex in schizophrenic patients in adulthood. We propose that taking age, brain area and cell type into consideration when modulating the cortical E/I imbalance via cannabinoid-based pharmacology may pave the way for better patient care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucas J A Durieux
- KU Leuven, Department of Biology, Laboratory of Neuroplasticity and Neuroproteomics, Leuven, Belgium.,Leuven Brain Institute, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Sara R J Gilissen
- KU Leuven, Department of Biology, Laboratory of Neuroplasticity and Neuroproteomics, Leuven, Belgium.,Leuven Brain Institute, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Lutgarde Arckens
- KU Leuven, Department of Biology, Laboratory of Neuroplasticity and Neuroproteomics, Leuven, Belgium.,Leuven Brain Institute, Leuven, Belgium
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21
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Allick A, Park G, Kim K, Vintimilla M, Rathod K, Lebo R, Nanavati J, Hammond CJ. Age- and Sex-Related Cortical Gray Matter Volume Differences in Adolescent Cannabis Users: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Voxel-Based Morphometry Studies. Front Psychiatry 2021; 12:745193. [PMID: 34925090 PMCID: PMC8671465 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.745193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2021] [Accepted: 09/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Adolescent-onset cannabis use is rising in the era of marijuana legalization. Recent imaging studies have identified neuroanatomical differences between adult cannabis users and controls that are more prominent in early-onset users. Other studies point to sex-dependent effects of cannabis. Methods: A systematic review following PRISMA guidelines and subsequent effect-size seed-based d mapping (SDM) meta-analyses were conducted to investigate relationships between age (across the 12-to-21-year-old developmental window), sex, and gray matter volume (GMV) differences between cannabis using (CU) and typically developing (TD) youth. Results: Our search identified 1,326 citations, 24 of which were included in a qualitative analysis. A total of 6 whole-brain voxel-based morphometry (VBM) studies comparing regional GMV between 357 CU [mean (SD) age = 16.68 (1.28); 71% male] and 404 TD [mean (SD) age = 16.77 (1.36); 63% male] youth were included in the SDM-meta-analysis. Meta-analysis of whole-brain VBM studies identified no regions showing significant GMV difference between CU and TD youth. Meta-regressions showed divergent effects of age and sex on cortical GMV differences in CU vs. TD youth. Age effects were seen in the superior temporal gyrus (STG), with older-aged CU youth showing decreased and younger-aged CU youth showing increased STG GMV compared to age-matched TD youth. Parallel findings in the STG were also observed in relation to duration of CU (years) in supplemental meta-regressions. Regarding sex effects, a higher proportion of females in studies was associated with increased GMV in the middle occipital gyrus in CU vs. TD youth. Conclusions: These findings suggest that GMV differences between CU and TD youth, if present, are subtle, and may vary as a function of age, cumulative cannabis exposure, and sex in young people. Whether age- and sex-related GMV differences are attributable to common predispositional factors, cannabis-induced neuroadaptive changes, or both warrant further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aliyah Allick
- Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States.,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Grace Park
- Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States.,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Kwon Kim
- Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States.,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Michelle Vintimilla
- Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States.,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Krutika Rathod
- Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States.,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Rachael Lebo
- Welch Medical Library, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States.,I.D. Weeks Library, Health Sciences Department, University of South Dakota, Vermillion, SD, United States
| | - Julie Nanavati
- Welch Medical Library, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Christopher J Hammond
- Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States.,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States.,Behavioral Pharmacology Research Unit, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
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22
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Anderson DE, Madhavan D, Swaminathan A. Global brain network dynamics predict therapeutic responsiveness to cannabidiol treatment for refractory epilepsy. Brain Commun 2020; 2:fcaa140. [PMID: 33376981 PMCID: PMC7751013 DOI: 10.1093/braincomms/fcaa140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2019] [Revised: 06/29/2020] [Accepted: 07/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Refractory epilepsy is a chronic brain network disorder characterized by unresponsiveness to multiple (>2) anti-epileptic drugs. Cannabidiol, a non-psychotropic neuroactive substance, is an emerging anti-epileptic treatment that was recently approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of refractory epilepsy, especially Lennox Gastaut syndrome and Dravet syndrome. Here, we evaluated associations between global brain network dynamics and related changes and responsiveness to cannabidiol therapy using a combination of electroencephalography phase coherence and graph theoretical analyses. Refractory epilepsy patients with Lennox Gastaut syndrome or Dravet syndrome underwent serial electroencephalography testing prior to and during cannabidiol treatment. Patients showing greater than 70% seizure frequency reduction were classified as treatment responders for the purposes of this study. We calculated inter-electrode electroencephalography phase coherence in delta (1–3 Hz), theta (4–7 Hz), alpha (8–12 Hz) and beta (13–30 Hz) frequency bands. Graph theoretical analysis of brain network dynamics was extracted from phase coherence to evaluate measures of network integration (i.e. characteristic path length, global efficiency and degree) and segregation (i.e. modularity and transitivity). We found that responders, relative to non-responders, showed increased network integration—as indexed by relatively higher global efficiency and lower degree—and increased network segregation—as indexed by relatively higher modularity—exclusively in the beta-frequency band. We also found that larger cannabidiol dosages were associated with increased network integration—as indexed by higher global efficiency with increasing dose—and increased network segregation—as indexed by lower transitivity with increasing dose—in the delta, theta and alpha frequency bands. In summary, we demonstrate novel effects of cannabidiol on brain network dynamics with important implications for the treatment of refractory epilepsy and, possibly, across broader research applications in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- David E Anderson
- Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-5540, USA
| | - Deepak Madhavan
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Omaha, NE 68198-8440, USA
| | - Arun Swaminathan
- Department of Neurological Sciences, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Boys Town, NE 68010, USA
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23
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Fernández-Ruiz J, Galve-Roperh I, Sagredo O, Guzmán M. Possible therapeutic applications of cannabis in the neuropsychopharmacology field. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol 2020; 36:217-234. [PMID: 32057592 DOI: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2020.01.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2019] [Revised: 01/08/2020] [Accepted: 01/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Cannabis use induces a plethora of actions on the CNS via its active chemical ingredients, the so-called phytocannabinoids. These compounds have been frequently associated with the intoxicating properties of cannabis preparations. However, not all phytocannabinoids are psychotropic, and, irrespective of whether they are psychotropic or not, they have also shown numerous therapeutic properties. These properties are mostly associated with their ability to modulate the activity of an intercellular communication system, the so-called endocannabinoid system, which is highly active in the CNS and has been found altered in many neurological disorders. Specifically, this includes the neuropsychopharmacology field, with diseases such as schizophrenia and related psychoses, anxiety-related disorders, mood disorders, addiction, sleep disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, anorexia nervosa and other feeding-related disorders, dementia, epileptic syndromes, as well as autism, fragile X syndrome and other neurodevelopment-related disorders. Here, we gather, from a pharmacological and biochemical standpoint, the recent advances in the study of the therapeutic relevance of the endocannabinoid system in the CNS, with especial emphasis on the neuropsychopharmacology field. We also illustrate the efforts that are currently being made to investigate at the clinical level the potential therapeutic benefits derived from elevating or inhibiting endocannabinoid signaling in animal models of neuropsychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier Fernández-Ruiz
- Instituto Universitario de Investigación en Neuroquímica, Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Universidad Complutense, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain; Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria (IRYCIS), Madrid, Spain.
| | - Ismael Galve-Roperh
- Instituto Universitario de Investigación en Neuroquímica, Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Universidad Complutense, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain; Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria (IRYCIS), Madrid, Spain
| | - Onintza Sagredo
- Instituto Universitario de Investigación en Neuroquímica, Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Universidad Complutense, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain; Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria (IRYCIS), Madrid, Spain
| | - Manuel Guzmán
- Instituto Universitario de Investigación en Neuroquímica, Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Universidad Complutense, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain; Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria (IRYCIS), Madrid, Spain.
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24
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Ganesh S, Cortes-Briones J, Ranganathan M, Radhakrishnan R, Skosnik PD, D’Souza DC. Psychosis-Relevant Effects of Intravenous Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol: A Mega Analysis of Individual Participant-Data from Human Laboratory Studies. Int J Neuropsychopharmacol 2020; 23:559-570. [PMID: 32385508 PMCID: PMC7710917 DOI: 10.1093/ijnp/pyaa031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2020] [Revised: 04/22/2020] [Accepted: 05/05/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION There is increasing interest in the relationship between cannabinoids and psychosis. While individual human laboratory studies have been critical in demonstrating that cannabinoids (e.g., delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol [THC]) can induce acute transient psychosis-like effects in healthy human volunteers, combining data from multiple studies offers a fine-grained view of these effects. METHODS THC-induced psychosis-relevant effects were examined using a data repository of 10 double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover studies with 400 i.v. THC infusions in healthy human volunteers. The Positive and Negative Syndrome scale was used to measure psychotomimetic effects. The profile of symptoms, frequency of a response, its relationship to THC dose and substance use, latent structure in Positive and Negative Syndrome scale response, and the relationships between psychotomimetic and perceptual alteration symptoms were evaluated. RESULTS Clinically meaningful increases in positive symptoms were noted in 44.75% infusions; conceptual disorganization, hallucinations, blunted affect, somatic concern, motor retardation, and poor attention were the items most frequently altered by THC. The increase in Positive and Negative Syndrome scale positive symptoms was positively associated with THC dose (beta = 11.13, SE = 4.94, Wald χ 2 = 19.88, P < .001) and negatively associated with frequent cannabis use (beta = -0.575, SE = 0.14, Wald χ 2 = 18.13, P < .001). Furthermore, positive symptoms were strongly correlated with Clinician Administered Dissociative States Scale perceptual alterations score (rs = 0.514, P < .001). CONCLUSION Intravenous administration of THC consistently induces psychotomimetic effects that include symptoms across Positive and Negative Syndrome scale domains. Moreover, healthy individuals who frequently use cannabis have a blunted psychotomimetic response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suhas Ganesh
- Schizophrenia Neuropharmacology Research Group, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT,Abraham Ribicoff Research Facilities, Connecticut Mental Health Center, New Haven, CT,Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT
| | - Jose Cortes-Briones
- Schizophrenia Neuropharmacology Research Group, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT,Abraham Ribicoff Research Facilities, Connecticut Mental Health Center, New Haven, CT,Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT
| | - Mohini Ranganathan
- Schizophrenia Neuropharmacology Research Group, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT,Abraham Ribicoff Research Facilities, Connecticut Mental Health Center, New Haven, CT,Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT
| | - Rajiv Radhakrishnan
- Schizophrenia Neuropharmacology Research Group, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT,Abraham Ribicoff Research Facilities, Connecticut Mental Health Center, New Haven, CT,Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT
| | - Patrick D Skosnik
- Schizophrenia Neuropharmacology Research Group, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT,Abraham Ribicoff Research Facilities, Connecticut Mental Health Center, New Haven, CT,Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT
| | - Deepak Cyril D’Souza
- Schizophrenia Neuropharmacology Research Group, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT,Abraham Ribicoff Research Facilities, Connecticut Mental Health Center, New Haven, CT,Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT,Correspondence: Prof Deepak Cyril D’Souza, MD, Psychiatry Service, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT 06516 ()
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25
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Deconstructing the neurobiology of cannabis use disorder. Nat Neurosci 2020; 23:600-610. [PMID: 32251385 DOI: 10.1038/s41593-020-0611-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2018] [Accepted: 02/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
There have been dramatic changes worldwide in the attitudes toward and consumption of recreational and medical cannabis. Cannabinoid receptors, which mediate the actions of cannabis, are abundantly expressed in brain regions known to mediate neural processes underlying reward, cognition, emotional regulation and stress responsivity relevant to addiction vulnerability. Despite debates regarding potential pathological consequences of cannabis use, cannabis use disorder is a clinical diagnosis with high prevalence in the general population and that often has its genesis in adolescence and in vulnerable individuals associated with psychiatric comorbidity, genetic and environmental factors. Integrated information from human and animal studies is beginning to expand insights regarding neurobiological systems associated with cannabis use disorder, which often share common neural characteristics with other substance use disorders, that could inform prevention and treatment strategies.
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26
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de Salas-Quiroga A, García-Rincón D, Gómez-Domínguez D, Valero M, Simón-Sánchez S, Paraíso-Luna J, Aguareles J, Pujadas M, Muguruza C, Callado LF, Lutz B, Guzmán M, de la Prida LM, Galve-Roperh I. Long-term hippocampal interneuronopathy drives sex-dimorphic spatial memory impairment induced by prenatal THC exposure. Neuropsychopharmacology 2020; 45:877-886. [PMID: 31982904 PMCID: PMC7075920 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-020-0621-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2019] [Revised: 01/13/2020] [Accepted: 01/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Prenatal exposure to Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the most prominent active constituent of cannabis, alters neurodevelopmental plasticity with a long-term functional impact on adult offspring. Specifically, THC affects the development of pyramidal neurons and GABAergic interneurons via cannabinoid CB1 receptors (CB1R). However, the particular contribution of these two neuronal lineages to the behavioral alterations and functional deficits induced by THC is still unclear. Here, by using conditional CB1R knockout mice, we investigated the neurodevelopmental consequences of prenatal THC exposure in adulthood, as well as their potential sex differences. Adult mice that had been exposed to THC during embryonic development showed altered hippocampal oscillations, brain hyperexcitability, and spatial memory impairment. Remarkably, we found a clear sexual dimorphism in these effects, with males being selectively affected. At the neuronal level, we found a striking interneuronopathy of CCK-containing interneurons in the hippocampus, which was restricted to male progeny. This THC-induced CCK-interneuron reduction was not evident in mice lacking CB1R selectively in GABAergic interneurons, thus pointing to a cell-autonomous THC action. In vivo electrophysiological recordings of hippocampal LFPs revealed alterations in hippocampal oscillations confined to the stratum pyramidale of CA1 in male offspring. In addition, sharp-wave ripples, a major high-frequency oscillation crucial for learning and memory consolidation, were also altered, pointing to aberrant circuitries caused by persistent reduction of CCK+ basket cells. Taken together, these findings provide a mechanistic explanation for the long-term interneuronopathy responsible for the sex-dimorphic cognitive impairment induced by prenatal THC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adán de Salas-Quiroga
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria (IRYCIS), Instituto Universitario de Investigación Neuroquímica (IUIN), Complutense University, 28040, Madrid, Spain. .,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), 28049, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Daniel García-Rincón
- 0000 0001 2157 7667grid.4795.fDepartment of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria (IRYCIS), Instituto Universitario de Investigación Neuroquímica (IUIN), Complutense University, 28040 Madrid, Spain ,0000 0004 1762 4012grid.418264.dCentro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), 28049 Madrid, Spain
| | - Daniel Gómez-Domínguez
- 0000 0001 2177 5516grid.419043.bInstituto Cajal, CSIC, Avda Dr Arce 37, 28002 Madrid, Spain
| | - Manuel Valero
- 0000 0001 2177 5516grid.419043.bInstituto Cajal, CSIC, Avda Dr Arce 37, 28002 Madrid, Spain
| | - Samuel Simón-Sánchez
- 0000 0001 2157 7667grid.4795.fDepartment of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria (IRYCIS), Instituto Universitario de Investigación Neuroquímica (IUIN), Complutense University, 28040 Madrid, Spain ,0000 0004 1762 4012grid.418264.dCentro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), 28049 Madrid, Spain
| | - Juan Paraíso-Luna
- 0000 0001 2157 7667grid.4795.fDepartment of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria (IRYCIS), Instituto Universitario de Investigación Neuroquímica (IUIN), Complutense University, 28040 Madrid, Spain ,0000 0004 1762 4012grid.418264.dCentro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), 28049 Madrid, Spain
| | - José Aguareles
- 0000 0001 2157 7667grid.4795.fDepartment of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria (IRYCIS), Instituto Universitario de Investigación Neuroquímica (IUIN), Complutense University, 28040 Madrid, Spain ,0000 0004 1762 4012grid.418264.dCentro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), 28049 Madrid, Spain
| | - Mitona Pujadas
- 0000 0004 1767 9005grid.20522.37Integrative Pharmacology and Systems Neuroscience Research Group, Neurosciences Research Program, Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Carolina Muguruza
- 0000000121671098grid.11480.3cDepartment of Pharmacology, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU and Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Leioa, Spain
| | - Luis F. Callado
- 0000000121671098grid.11480.3cDepartment of Pharmacology, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU and Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Leioa, Spain
| | - Beat Lutz
- grid.410607.4Institute of Physiological Chemistry, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Manuel Guzmán
- 0000 0001 2157 7667grid.4795.fDepartment of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria (IRYCIS), Instituto Universitario de Investigación Neuroquímica (IUIN), Complutense University, 28040 Madrid, Spain ,0000 0004 1762 4012grid.418264.dCentro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), 28049 Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Ismael Galve-Roperh
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria (IRYCIS), Instituto Universitario de Investigación Neuroquímica (IUIN), Complutense University, 28040, Madrid, Spain. .,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), 28049, Madrid, Spain.
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27
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Abstract
Drug consumption is driven by a drug's pharmacological effects, which are experienced as rewarding, and is influenced by genetic, developmental, and psychosocial factors that mediate drug accessibility, norms, and social support systems or lack thereof. The reinforcing effects of drugs mostly depend on dopamine signaling in the nucleus accumbens, and chronic drug exposure triggers glutamatergic-mediated neuroadaptations in dopamine striato-thalamo-cortical (predominantly in prefrontal cortical regions including orbitofrontal cortex and anterior cingulate cortex) and limbic pathways (amygdala and hippocampus) that, in vulnerable individuals, can result in addiction. In parallel, changes in the extended amygdala result in negative emotional states that perpetuate drug taking as an attempt to temporarily alleviate them. Counterintuitively, in the addicted person, the actual drug consumption is associated with an attenuated dopamine increase in brain reward regions, which might contribute to drug-taking behavior to compensate for the difference between the magnitude of the expected reward triggered by the conditioning to drug cues and the actual experience of it. Combined, these effects result in an enhanced motivation to "seek the drug" (energized by dopamine increases triggered by drug cues) and an impaired prefrontal top-down self-regulation that favors compulsive drug-taking against the backdrop of negative emotionality and an enhanced interoceptive awareness of "drug hunger." Treatment interventions intended to reverse these neuroadaptations show promise as therapeutic approaches for addiction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nora D Volkow
- National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Michael Michaelides
- National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Ruben Baler
- National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
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28
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Abstract
The chemical and biological nonproliferation regime stands at a watershed moment, when failure seems a real possibility. After the unsuccessful outcome of the 2016 Eighth Review Conference, the future of the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention is uncertain. As the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) approaches its Fourth Review Conference in 2018, it has almost completed removing the huge stocks of chemical weapons, but it now faces the difficult organizational task of moving its focus to preventing the reemergence of chemical weapons at a time when the international security situation appears to be increasingly more difficult and dangerous. In this article, we assess the current and near-term state (5-10 years) and impact of three related areas of science and technology that could be of dual-use concern: targeted delivery of agents to the central nervous system (CNS), particularly by means of nanotechnology; direct impact of nanomaterials on synaptic functions in the CNS; and neuronal circuits in the brain that might be targeted by those with hostile intent. We attempt to assess the implications of our findings, particularly for the consideration of the problem of state-level interest in so-called nonlethal incapacitating chemical agents for law enforcement at the CWC Review Conference in 2018, but also more generally for the longer-term future of the chemical and biological nonproliferation regime.
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Dariš B, Tancer Verboten M, Knez Ž, Ferk P. Cannabinoids in cancer treatment: Therapeutic potential and legislation. Bosn J Basic Med Sci 2019; 19:14-23. [PMID: 30172249 DOI: 10.17305/bjbms.2018.3532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 100] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2018] [Accepted: 05/31/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The plant Cannabis sativa L. has been used as an herbal remedy for centuries and is the most important source of phytocannabinoids. The endocannabinoid system (ECS) consists of receptors, endogenous ligands (endocannabinoids) and metabolizing enzymes, and plays an important role in different physiological and pathological processes. Phytocannabinoids and synthetic cannabinoids can interact with the components of ECS or other cellular pathways and thus affect the development/progression of diseases, including cancer. In cancer patients, cannabinoids have primarily been used as a part of palliative care to alleviate pain, relieve nausea and stimulate appetite. In addition, numerous cell culture and animal studies showed antitumor effects of cannabinoids in various cancer types. Here we reviewed the literature on anticancer effects of plant-derived and synthetic cannabinoids, to better understand their mechanisms of action and role in cancer treatment. We also reviewed the current legislative updates on the use of cannabinoids for medical and therapeutic purposes, primarily in the EU countries. In vitro and in vivo cancer models show that cannabinoids can effectively modulate tumor growth, however, the antitumor effects appear to be largely dependent on cancer type and drug dose/concentration. Understanding how cannabinoids are able to regulate essential cellular processes involved in tumorigenesis, such as progression through the cell cycle, cell proliferation and cell death, as well as the interactions between cannabinoids and the immune system, are crucial for improving existing and developing new therapeutic approaches for cancer patients. The national legislation of the EU Member States defines the legal boundaries of permissible use of cannabinoids for medical and therapeutic purposes, however, these legislative guidelines may not be aligned with the current scientific knowledge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Dariš
- Department of Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Maribor, Maribor, Slovenia.
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30
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Boggs DL, Cortes-Briones JA, Surti T, Luddy C, Ranganathan M, Cahill JD, Sewell AR, D'Souza DC, Skosnik PD. The dose-dependent psychomotor effects of intravenous delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ 9-THC) in humans. J Psychopharmacol 2018; 32:1308-1318. [PMID: 30255720 DOI: 10.1177/0269881118799953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Binding studies have demonstrated that levels of the cannabinoid receptor type-1 are highest in the basal ganglia and cerebellum, two areas critical for motor control. However, no studies have systematically examined the dose-related effects of intravenous delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, the primary cannabinoid receptor type-1 partial agonist in cannabis, on broad domains of psychomotor function in humans. AIMS Therefore, three domains of psychomotor function were assessed in former cannabis users (cannabis abstinent for a minimum of three months; n=23) in a three test-day, within-subject, double-blind, randomized, cross-over, and counterbalanced study during which they received intravenous delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (placebo, 0.015 mg/kg, and 0.03 mg/kg). METHODS Gross motor function was assessed via the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery Motor Screening Task, fine motor control via the Lafayette Instrument Grooved Pegboard task, and motor timing via a Paced Finger-Tapping Task. In addition, the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery Rapid Visual Processing Task was utilized to determine whether delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol-induced motor deficits were confounded by disruptions in sustained attention. RESULTS/OUTCOMES Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol resulted in robust dose-dependent deficits in fine motor control (Grooved Pegboard Task) and motor timing (Paced Finger-Tapping Task), while gross motor performance (Motor Screening Task) and sustained attention (Rapid Visual Processing Task) were unimpaired. Interestingly, despite the observed dose-dependent increases in motor impairment and blood levels of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, subjects reported similar levels of intoxication in the two drug conditions. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION These data suggest that while several domains of motor function are disrupted by delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, subjective feelings of intoxication are dissociable from cannabinoid-induced psychomotor effects. Results are discussed in terms of the potential neural mechanisms of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol in motor structures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Douglas L Boggs
- 1 Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, West Haven, CT, USA.,2 Psychiatry Service, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, USA
| | - Jose A Cortes-Briones
- 1 Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, West Haven, CT, USA.,2 Psychiatry Service, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, USA
| | - Toral Surti
- 1 Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, West Haven, CT, USA.,2 Psychiatry Service, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, USA
| | - Christina Luddy
- 1 Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, West Haven, CT, USA.,2 Psychiatry Service, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, USA
| | - Mohini Ranganathan
- 1 Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, West Haven, CT, USA.,2 Psychiatry Service, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, USA
| | - John D Cahill
- 1 Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, West Haven, CT, USA.,2 Psychiatry Service, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, USA
| | - Andrew R Sewell
- 1 Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, West Haven, CT, USA.,2 Psychiatry Service, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, USA
| | - Deepak C D'Souza
- 1 Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, West Haven, CT, USA.,2 Psychiatry Service, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, USA
| | - Patrick D Skosnik
- 1 Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, West Haven, CT, USA.,2 Psychiatry Service, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, USA
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31
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Smit DJA, Wright MJ, Meyers JL, Martin NG, Ho YYW, Malone SM, Zhang J, Burwell SJ, Chorlian DB, de Geus EJC, Denys D, Hansell NK, Hottenga J, McGue M, van Beijsterveldt CEM, Jahanshad N, Thompson PM, Whelan CD, Medland SE, Porjesz B, Lacono WG, Boomsma DI. Genome-wide association analysis links multiple psychiatric liability genes to oscillatory brain activity. Hum Brain Mapp 2018; 39:4183-4195. [PMID: 29947131 PMCID: PMC6179948 DOI: 10.1002/hbm.24238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2017] [Revised: 04/26/2018] [Accepted: 05/21/2018] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Oscillatory activity is crucial for information processing in the brain, and has a long history as a biomarker for psychopathology. Variation in oscillatory activity is highly heritable, but current understanding of specific genetic influences remains limited. We performed the largest genome-wide association study to date of oscillatory power during eyes-closed resting electroencephalogram (EEG) across a range of frequencies (delta 1-3.75 Hz, theta 4-7.75 Hz, alpha 8-12.75 Hz, and beta 13-30 Hz) in 8,425 subjects. Additionally, we performed KGG positional gene-based analysis and brain-expression analyses. GABRA2-a known genetic marker for alcohol use disorder and epilepsy-significantly affected beta power, consistent with the known relation between GABAA interneuron activity and beta oscillations. Tissue-specific SNP-based imputation of gene-expression levels based on the GTEx database revealed that hippocampal GABRA2 expression may mediate this effect. Twenty-four genes at 3p21.1 were significant for alpha power (FDR q < .05). SNPs in this region were linked to expression of GLYCTK in hippocampal tissue, and GNL3 and ITIH4 in the frontal cortex-genes that were previously implicated in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. In sum, we identified several novel genetic variants associated with oscillatory brain activity; furthermore, we replicated and advanced understanding of previously known genes associated with psychopathology (i.e., schizophrenia and alcohol use disorders). Importantly, these psychopathological liability genes affect brain functioning, linking the genes' expression to specific cortical/subcortical brain regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dirk J. A. Smit
- Psychiatry departmentAmsterdam Neuroscience, Academic Medical Center, University of AmsterdamThe Netherlands
| | - Margaret J. Wright
- Queensland Brain Institute, University of QueenslandBrisbaneAustralia
- Centre of Advanced Imaging, University QueenslandBrisbaneAustralia
| | - Jacquelyn L. Meyers
- Henri Begleiter Neurodynamics Lab., Department of PsychiatryState University of New York Downstate Medical CenterBrooklynNew York
| | | | | | | | - Jian Zhang
- Henri Begleiter Neurodynamics Lab., Department of PsychiatryState University of New York Downstate Medical CenterBrooklynNew York
| | - Scott J. Burwell
- Department of PsychologyUniversity of MinnesotaMinneapolisMinnesota
| | - David B. Chorlian
- Henri Begleiter Neurodynamics Lab., Department of PsychiatryState University of New York Downstate Medical CenterBrooklynNew York
| | - Eco J. C. de Geus
- Biological Psychology, Amsterdam Public Health research institute, Vrije Universiteit AmsterdamThe Netherlands
| | - Damiaan Denys
- Psychiatry departmentAmsterdam Neuroscience, Academic Medical Center, University of AmsterdamThe Netherlands
| | | | - Jouke‐Jan Hottenga
- Biological Psychology, Amsterdam Public Health research institute, Vrije Universiteit AmsterdamThe Netherlands
| | - Matt McGue
- Department of PsychologyUniversity of MinnesotaMinneapolisMinnesota
| | | | - Neda Jahanshad
- Imaging Genetics Center, USC Mark and Mary Stevens Neuroimaging and Informatics Institute, Keck School of Medicine of University of Southern CaliforniaMarina del ReyCalifornia
| | - Paul M. Thompson
- Imaging Genetics Center, USC Mark and Mary Stevens Neuroimaging and Informatics Institute, Keck School of Medicine of University of Southern CaliforniaMarina del ReyCalifornia
| | - Christopher D. Whelan
- Imaging Genetics Center, USC Mark and Mary Stevens Neuroimaging and Informatics Institute, Keck School of Medicine of University of Southern CaliforniaMarina del ReyCalifornia
| | | | - Bernice Porjesz
- Henri Begleiter Neurodynamics Lab., Department of PsychiatryState University of New York Downstate Medical CenterBrooklynNew York
| | | | - Dorret I. Boomsma
- Biological Psychology, Amsterdam Public Health research institute, Vrije Universiteit AmsterdamThe Netherlands
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32
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Laurikainen H, Tuominen L, Tikka M, Merisaari H, Armio RL, Sormunen E, Borgan F, Veronese M, Howes O, Haaparanta-Solin M, Solin O, Hietala J. Sex difference in brain CB1 receptor availability in man. Neuroimage 2018; 184:834-842. [PMID: 30296558 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2018.10.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2018] [Revised: 09/20/2018] [Accepted: 10/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The endocannabinoid system (ECS) has a widespread neuromodulatory function in the central nervous system and is involved in important aspects of brain function including brain development, cortical rhythms, plasticity, reward, and stress sensitivity. Many of these effects are mediated via the cannabinoid CB1 receptor (CB1R) subtype. Animal studies convincingly show an interaction between the ECS and sex hormones, as well as a sex difference of higher brain CB1R in males. Human in vivo studies of sex difference have yielded discrepant findings. Gender differences in CB1R availability were investigated in vivo in 11 male and 11 female healthy volunteers using a specific CB1R tracer [18F]FMPEP-d2 and positron emission tomography (PET). Regional [18F]FMPEP-d2 distribution volume was used as a proxy for CB1R availability. In addition, we explored whether CB1R availability is linked to neuropsychological functioning. Relative to females, CB1R availability was on average 41% higher in males (p = 0.002) with a regionally specific effect larger in the posterior cingulate and retrosplenial cortices (p = 0.001). Inter-subject variability in CB1R availability was similar in both groups. Voxel-based analyses revealed an inverse association between CB1R availability and visuospatial working memory task performance in both groups (p < 0.001). A CB1R sex difference with a large effect size was observed and should be considered in the design of CB1R-related studies on neuropsychiatric disorders. The behavioural correlates and clinical significance of this difference remain to be further elucidated, but our studies suggest an association between CB1R availability and working memory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heikki Laurikainen
- Turku PET Centre, Turku University Hospital, Finland; Department of Psychiatry, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Finland
| | - Lauri Tuominen
- Turku PET Centre, Turku University Hospital, Finland; Department of Psychiatry, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Finland; Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Maria Tikka
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Finland
| | | | - Reetta-Liina Armio
- Turku PET Centre, Turku University Hospital, Finland; Department of Psychiatry, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Finland
| | - Elina Sormunen
- Turku PET Centre, Turku University Hospital, Finland; Department of Psychiatry, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Finland
| | - Faith Borgan
- Psychosis Studies Department, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, UK
| | - Mattia Veronese
- Department of Neuroimaging, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, UK
| | - Oliver Howes
- Psychosis Studies Department, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, UK
| | | | - Olof Solin
- Turku PET Centre, Turku University Hospital, Finland
| | - Jarmo Hietala
- Turku PET Centre, Turku University Hospital, Finland; Department of Psychiatry, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Finland.
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Storozhuk MV, Zholos AV. TRP Channels as Novel Targets for Endogenous Ligands: Focus on Endocannabinoids and Nociceptive Signalling. Curr Neuropharmacol 2018; 16:137-150. [PMID: 28440188 PMCID: PMC5883376 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x15666170424120802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2017] [Revised: 04/04/2017] [Accepted: 04/14/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Chronic pain is a significant clinical problem and a very complex pathophysiological phenomenon. There is growing evidence that targeting the endocannabinoid system may be a useful approach to pain alleviation. Classically, the system includes G protein-coupled receptors of the CB1 and CB2 subtypes and their endogenous ligands. More recently, several subtypes of the large superfamily of cation TRP channels have been coined as “ionotropic cannabinoid receptors”, thus highlighting their role in cannabinoid signalling. Thus, the aim of this review was to explore the intimate connection between several “painful” TRP channels, endocannabinoids and nociceptive signalling. Methods: Research literature on this topic was critically reviewed allowing us not only summarize the existing evidence in this area of research, but also propose several possible cellular mechanisms linking nociceptive and cannabinoid signaling with TRP channels. Results: We begin with an overview of physiology of the endocannabinoid system and its major components, namely CB1 and CB2 G protein-coupled receptors, their two most studied endogenous ligands, anandamide and 2-AG, and several enzymes involved in endocannabinoid biosynthesis and degradation. The role of different endocannabinoids in the regulation of synaptic transmission is then discussed in detail. The connection between the endocannabinoid system and several TRP channels, especially TRPV1-4, TRPA1 and TRPM8, is then explored, while highlighting the role of these same channels in pain signalling. Conclusion: There is increasing evidence implicating several TRP subtypes not only as an integral part of the endocannabinoid system, but also as promising molecular targets for pain alleviation with the use of endo- and phytocannabinoids, especially when the function of these channels is upregulated under inflammatory conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maksim V Storozhuk
- A.A. Bogomoletz Institute of Physiology, National Academy of Science of Ukraine, 4 Bogomoletz Street, Kiev 01024, Ukraine
| | - Alexander V Zholos
- A.A. Bogomoletz Institute of Physiology, National Academy of Science of Ukraine, 4 Bogomoletz Street, Kiev 01024, Ukraine.,Educational and Scientific Centre "Institute of Biology and Medicine", Taras Shevchenko Kiev National University, 2 Academician Glushkov Avenue, Kiev 03022, Ukraine
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34
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Secci ME, Mascia P, Sagheddu C, Beggiato S, Melis M, Borelli AC, Tomasini MC, Panlilio LV, Schindler CW, Tanda G, Ferré S, Bradberry CW, Ferraro L, Pistis M, Goldberg SR, Schwarcz R, Justinova Z. Astrocytic Mechanisms Involving Kynurenic Acid Control Δ 9-Tetrahydrocannabinol-Induced Increases in Glutamate Release in Brain Reward-Processing Areas. Mol Neurobiol 2018; 56:3563-3575. [PMID: 30151725 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-018-1319-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2018] [Accepted: 08/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The reinforcing effects of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in rats and monkeys, and the reinforcement-related dopamine-releasing effects of THC in rats, can be attenuated by increasing endogenous levels of kynurenic acid (KYNA) through systemic administration of the kynurenine 3-monooxygenase inhibitor, Ro 61-8048. KYNA is a negative allosteric modulator of α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (α7nAChRs) and is synthesized and released by astroglia, which express functional α7nAChRs and cannabinoid CB1 receptors (CB1Rs). Here, we tested whether these presumed KYNA autoreceptors (α7nAChRs) and CB1Rs regulate glutamate release. We used in vivo microdialysis and electrophysiology in rats, RNAscope in situ hybridization in brain slices, and primary culture of rat cortical astrocytes. Acute systemic administration of THC increased extracellular levels of glutamate in the nucleus accumbens shell (NAcS), ventral tegmental area (VTA), and medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). THC also reduced extracellular levels of KYNA in the NAcS. These THC effects were prevented by administration of Ro 61-8048 or the CB1R antagonist, rimonabant. THC increased the firing activity of glutamatergic pyramidal neurons projecting from the mPFC to the NAcS or to the VTA in vivo. These effects were averted by pretreatment with Ro 61-8048. In vitro, THC elicited glutamate release from cortical astrocytes (on which we demonstrated co-localization of the CB1Rs and α7nAChR mRNAs), and this effect was prevented by KYNA and rimonabant. These results suggest a key role of astrocytes in interactions between the endocannabinoid system, kynurenine pathway, and glutamatergic neurotransmission, with ramifications for the pathophysiology and treatment of psychiatric and neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria E Secci
- Behavioral Neuroscience Research Branch, Intramural Research Program, Department of Health and Human Services, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, 251 Bayview Blvd., Baltimore, MD, 21224, USA
| | - Paola Mascia
- Behavioral Neuroscience Research Branch, Intramural Research Program, Department of Health and Human Services, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, 251 Bayview Blvd., Baltimore, MD, 21224, USA
| | - Claudia Sagheddu
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Monserrato, Italy
| | - Sarah Beggiato
- Maryland Psychiatric Research Center, Department of Psychiatry, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Miriam Melis
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Monserrato, Italy
| | - Andrea C Borelli
- Department of Medical Sciences, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Maria C Tomasini
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Leigh V Panlilio
- Behavioral Neuroscience Research Branch, Intramural Research Program, Department of Health and Human Services, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, 251 Bayview Blvd., Baltimore, MD, 21224, USA
| | - Charles W Schindler
- Behavioral Neuroscience Research Branch, Intramural Research Program, Department of Health and Human Services, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, 251 Bayview Blvd., Baltimore, MD, 21224, USA
| | - Gianluigi Tanda
- Molecular Targets and Medications Discovery Branch, Intramural Research Program, Department of Health and Human Services, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Sergi Ferré
- Molecular Targets and Medications Discovery Branch, Intramural Research Program, Department of Health and Human Services, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Charles W Bradberry
- Behavioral Neuroscience Research Branch, Intramural Research Program, Department of Health and Human Services, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, 251 Bayview Blvd., Baltimore, MD, 21224, USA
| | - Luca Ferraro
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Marco Pistis
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Monserrato, Italy
- National Research Council of Italy (CNR), Section of Cagliari, Neuroscience Institute, Monserrato, Italy
| | - Steven R Goldberg
- Behavioral Neuroscience Research Branch, Intramural Research Program, Department of Health and Human Services, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, 251 Bayview Blvd., Baltimore, MD, 21224, USA
| | - Robert Schwarcz
- Maryland Psychiatric Research Center, Department of Psychiatry, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Zuzana Justinova
- Behavioral Neuroscience Research Branch, Intramural Research Program, Department of Health and Human Services, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, 251 Bayview Blvd., Baltimore, MD, 21224, USA.
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35
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Lupica CR, Hoffman AF. Cannabinoid disruption of learning mechanisms involved in reward processing. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2018; 25:435-445. [PMID: 30115765 PMCID: PMC6097761 DOI: 10.1101/lm.046748.117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2018] [Accepted: 07/06/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The increasing use of cannabis, its derivatives, and synthetic cannabinoids for medicinal and recreational purposes has led to burgeoning interest in understanding the addictive potential of this class of molecules. It is estimated that ∼10% of marijuana users will eventually show signs of dependence on the drug, and the diagnosis of cannabis use disorder (CUD) is increasing in the United States. The molecule that sustains the use of cannabis is Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC), and our knowledge of its effects, and those of other cannabinoids on brain function has expanded rapidly in the past two decades. Additionally, the identification of endogenous cannabinoid (endocannabinoid) systems in brain and their roles in physiology and behavior, demonstrate extensive involvement of these lipid signaling molecules in regulating CNS function. Here, we examine roles for endogenous cannabinoids in shaping synaptic activity in cortical and subcortical brain circuits, and we discuss mechanisms in which exogenous cannabinoids, such as Δ9-THC, interact with endocannabinoid systems to disrupt neuronal network oscillations. We then explore how perturbation of the interaction of this activity within brain reward circuits may lead to impaired learning. Finally, we propose that disruption of cellular plasticity mechanisms by exogenous cannabinoids in cortical and subcortical circuits may explain the difficulty in establishing viable cannabinoid self-administration models in animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carl R Lupica
- Electrophysiology Research Section, National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Maryland 21224, USA
| | - Alexander F Hoffman
- Electrophysiology Research Section, National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Maryland 21224, USA
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36
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Skosnik PD, Hajós M, Cortes-Briones JA, Edwards CR, Pittman BP, Hoffmann WE, Sewell AR, D'Souza DC, Ranganathan M. Cannabinoid receptor-mediated disruption of sensory gating and neural oscillations: A translational study in rats and humans. Neuropharmacology 2018; 135:412-423. [PMID: 29604295 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2018.03.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2017] [Revised: 03/26/2018] [Accepted: 03/27/2018] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Cannabis use has been associated with altered sensory gating and neural oscillations. However, it is unclear which constituent in cannabis is responsible for these effects, or whether these are cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1R) mediated. Therefore, the present study in humans and rats examined whether cannabinoid administration would disrupt sensory gating and evoked oscillations utilizing electroencephalography (EEG) and local field potentials (LFPs), respectively. Human subjects (n = 15) completed four test days during which they received intravenous delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC), cannabidiol (CBD), Δ9-THC + CBD, or placebo. Subjects engaged in a dual-click paradigm, and outcome measures included P50 gating ratio (S2/S1) and evoked power to S1 and S2. In order to examine CB1R specificity, rats (n = 6) were administered the CB1R agonist CP-55940, CP-55940+AM-251 (a CB1R antagonist), or vehicle using the same paradigm. LFPs were recorded from CA3 and entorhinal cortex. Both Δ9-THC (p < 0.007) and Δ9-THC + CBD (p < 0.004) disrupted P50 gating ratio compared to placebo, while CBD alone had no effect. Δ9-THC (p < 0.048) and Δ9-THC + CBD (p < 0.035) decreased S1 evoked theta power, and in the Δ9-THC condition, S1 theta negatively correlated with gating ratios (r = -0.629, p < 0.012 (p < 0.048 adjusted)). In rats, CP-55940 disrupted gating in both brain regions (p < 0.0001), and this was reversed by AM-251. Further, CP-55940 decreased evoked theta (p < 0.0077) and gamma (p < 0.011) power to S1, which was partially blocked by AM-251. These convergent human/animal data suggest that CB1R agonists disrupt sensory gating by altering neural oscillations in the theta-band. Moreover, this suggests that the endocannabinoid system mediates theta oscillations relevant to perception and cognition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick D Skosnik
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA.
| | - Mihály Hajós
- Department of Comparative Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Jose A Cortes-Briones
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Chad R Edwards
- Developmental Neuropsychological Services, P.C., South Bend, IN 46615, USA
| | - Brian P Pittman
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - William E Hoffmann
- Department of Comparative Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Andrew R Sewell
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Deepak C D'Souza
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Mohini Ranganathan
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
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Sherif MA, Cortes-Briones JA, Ranganathan M, Skosnik PD. Cannabinoid-glutamate interactions and neural oscillations: implications for psychosis. Eur J Neurosci 2018; 48:2890-2902. [PMID: 29247465 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.13800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2017] [Revised: 12/06/2017] [Accepted: 12/07/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed A. Sherif
- Department of Psychiatry; Yale University School of Medicine; VA Connecticut Healthcare System Building 5, Suite C-214 950 Campbell Avenue West Haven CT 06516 USA
| | - Jose A. Cortes-Briones
- Department of Psychiatry; Yale University School of Medicine; VA Connecticut Healthcare System Building 5, Suite C-214 950 Campbell Avenue West Haven CT 06516 USA
| | - Mohini Ranganathan
- Department of Psychiatry; Yale University School of Medicine; VA Connecticut Healthcare System Building 5, Suite C-214 950 Campbell Avenue West Haven CT 06516 USA
| | - Patrick D. Skosnik
- Department of Psychiatry; Yale University School of Medicine; VA Connecticut Healthcare System Building 5, Suite C-214 950 Campbell Avenue West Haven CT 06516 USA
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Javitt DC, Lee M, Kantrowitz JT, Martinez A. Mismatch negativity as a biomarker of theta band oscillatory dysfunction in schizophrenia. Schizophr Res 2018; 191:51-60. [PMID: 28666633 DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2017.06.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2017] [Revised: 06/11/2017] [Accepted: 06/14/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Mismatch negativity (MMN) is among the best established biomarkers of cortical dysfunction in schizophrenia. MMN generators are localized primarily to primary and secondary auditory regions, and are known to reflect activity mediated by cortical N-methyl-d-aspartate-type glutamate receptors (NMDAR). Nevertheless, mechanisms underlying MMN generation at the local circuit level remain incompletely understood. This review synthesizes recent advances in circuit-level conceptualization of MMN based upon neuro-oscillatory findings. In the neuro-oscillatory (aka event-related spectral perturbation, ERSP) approach, responses to sensory stimuli are decomposed into underlying frequency bands prior to analysis. MMN reflects activity primarily in theta (4-7Hz) frequency band, which is thought to depend primarily upon interplay between cortical pyramidal neurons and somatostatin (SST)-type local circuit GABAergic interneurons. Schizophrenia-related deficits in theta generation are also observed not only in MMN, but also in other auditory and visual contexts. At the local circuit level, SST interneurons are known to maintain tonic inhibition over cortical pyramidal interneurons. SST interneurons, in turn, are inhibited by a class of interneurons expressing vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP). In rodents, SST interneurons have been shown to respond differentially to deviant vs. standard stimuli, and inhibition of SST interneurons has been found to selectively inhibit deviance-related activity in rodent visual cortex. Here we propose that deficits in theta frequency generation, as exemplified by MMN, may contribute significantly to cortical dysfunction in schizophrenia, and may be tied to impaired interplay between cortical pyramidal neurons and local circuit SST-type GABAergic interneurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel C Javitt
- Division of Experimental Therapeutics, Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, United States; Schizophrenia Research Division, Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, Orangeburg, NY 10962, United States.
| | - Migyung Lee
- Division of Experimental Therapeutics, Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, United States; Schizophrenia Research Division, Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, Orangeburg, NY 10962, United States
| | - Joshua T Kantrowitz
- Division of Experimental Therapeutics, Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, United States; Schizophrenia Research Division, Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, Orangeburg, NY 10962, United States
| | - Antigona Martinez
- Division of Experimental Therapeutics, Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, United States; Schizophrenia Research Division, Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, Orangeburg, NY 10962, United States
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Ruggiero RN, Rossignoli MT, De Ross JB, Hallak JEC, Leite JP, Bueno-Junior LS. Cannabinoids and Vanilloids in Schizophrenia: Neurophysiological Evidence and Directions for Basic Research. Front Pharmacol 2017; 8:399. [PMID: 28680405 PMCID: PMC5478733 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2017.00399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2017] [Accepted: 06/06/2017] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Much of our knowledge of the endocannabinoid system in schizophrenia comes from behavioral measures in rodents, like prepulse inhibition of the acoustic startle and open-field locomotion, which are commonly used along with neurochemical approaches or drug challenge designs. Such methods continue to map fundamental mechanisms of sensorimotor gating, hyperlocomotion, social interaction, and underlying monoaminergic, glutamatergic, and GABAergic disturbances. These strategies will require, however, a greater use of neurophysiological tools to better inform clinical research. In this sense, electrophysiology and viral vector-based circuit dissection, like optogenetics, can further elucidate how exogenous cannabinoids worsen (e.g., tetrahydrocannabinol, THC) or ameliorate (e.g., cannabidiol, CBD) schizophrenia symptoms, like hallucinations, delusions, and cognitive deficits. Also, recent studies point to a complex endocannabinoid-endovanilloid interplay, including the influence of anandamide (endogenous CB1 and TRPV1 agonist) on cognitive variables, such as aversive memory extinction. In fact, growing interest has been devoted to TRPV1 receptors as promising therapeutic targets. Here, these issues are reviewed with an emphasis on the neurophysiological evidence. First, we contextualize imaging and electrographic findings in humans. Then, we present a comprehensive review on rodent electrophysiology. Finally, we discuss how basic research will benefit from further combining psychopharmacological and neurophysiological tools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafael N Ruggiero
- Department of Neuroscience and Behavioral Sciences, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São PauloRibeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Matheus T Rossignoli
- Department of Neuroscience and Behavioral Sciences, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São PauloRibeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Jana B De Ross
- Department of Neuroscience and Behavioral Sciences, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São PauloRibeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Jaime E C Hallak
- Department of Neuroscience and Behavioral Sciences, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São PauloRibeirão Preto, Brazil.,National Institute for Science and Technology-Translational Medicine, National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq)Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Joao P Leite
- Department of Neuroscience and Behavioral Sciences, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São PauloRibeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Lezio S Bueno-Junior
- Department of Neuroscience and Behavioral Sciences, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São PauloRibeirão Preto, Brazil
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Lupica CR, Hu Y, Devinsky O, Hoffman AF. Cannabinoids as hippocampal network administrators. Neuropharmacology 2017; 124:25-37. [PMID: 28392266 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2017.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2017] [Revised: 04/03/2017] [Accepted: 04/04/2017] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Extensive pioneering studies performed in the hippocampus have greatly contributed to our knowledge of an endogenous cannabinoid system comprised of the molecular machinery necessary to process endocannabinoid lipid messengers and their associated cannabinoid receptors. Moreover, a foundation of knowledge regarding the function of hippocampal circuits, and its role in supporting synaptic plasticity has facilitated our understanding of the roles cannabinoids play in the diverse behaviors in which the hippocampus participates, in both normal and pathological states. In this review, we present an historical overview of research pertaining to the hippocampal cannabinoid system to provide context in which to understand the participation of the hippocampus in cognition, behavior, and epilepsy. We also examine potential roles for the hippocampal formation in mediating dysfunctional behavior, and assert that these phenomena reflect disordered physiological activity within the hippocampus and its interactions with other brain regions after exposure to synthetic cannabinoids, and the phytocannabinoids found in marijuana, such as Δ9-THC and cannabidiol. In this regard, we examine contemporary hypotheses concerning the hippocampal endocannabinoid system's participation in psychotic disorders, schizophrenia, and epilepsy, and examine cannabinoid-sensitive cellular mechanisms contributing to coherent network oscillations as potential contributors to these disorders. This article is part of the Special Issue entitled "A New Dawn in Cannabinoid Neurobiology".
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Affiliation(s)
- Carl R Lupica
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program, Electrophysiology Research Section, Baltimore, MD, USA.
| | - Yuhan Hu
- School of Chemistry, Food and Nutritional Sciences and Pharmacy, University of Reading, Reading, UK
| | | | - Alexander F Hoffman
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program, Electrophysiology Research Section, Baltimore, MD, USA
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Davidson C, Opacka-Juffry J, Arevalo-Martin A, Garcia-Ovejero D, Molina-Holgado E, Molina-Holgado F. Spicing Up Pharmacology: A Review of Synthetic Cannabinoids From Structure to Adverse Events. CANNABINOID PHARMACOLOGY 2017; 80:135-168. [DOI: 10.1016/bs.apha.2017.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
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Suryadevara U, Bruijnzeel DM, Nuthi M, Jagnarine DA, Tandon R, Bruijnzeel AW. Pros and Cons of Medical Cannabis use by People with Chronic Brain Disorders. Curr Neuropharmacol 2017; 15:800-814. [PMID: 27804883 PMCID: PMC5652027 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x14666161101095325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2016] [Revised: 08/26/2016] [Accepted: 10/28/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cannabis is the most widely used illicit drug in the world and there is growing concern about the mental health effects of cannabis use. These concerns are at least partly due to the strong increase in recreational and medical cannabis use and the rise in tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) levels. Cannabis is widely used to self-medicate by older people and people with brain disorders such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), multiple sclerosis (MS), Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia. OBJECTIVE This review provides an overview of the perceived benefits and adverse mental health effects of cannabis use in people with ALS, MS, AD, PD, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia. RESULTS The reviewed studies indicate that cannabis use diminishes some symptoms associated with these disorders. Cannabis use decreases pain and spasticity in people with MS, decreases tremor, rigidity, and pain in people with PD, and improves the quality of life of ALS patients by improving appetite, and decreasing pain and spasticity. Cannabis use is more common among people with schizophrenia than healthy controls. Cannabis use is a risk factor for schizophrenia which increases positive symptoms in schizophrenia patients and diminishes negative symptoms. Cannabis use worsens bipolar disorder and there is no evidence that bipolar patients derive any benefit from cannabis. In late stage Alzheimer's patients, cannabis products may improve food intake, sleep quality, and diminish agitation. CONCLUSION Cannabis use diminishes some of the adverse effects of neurological and psychiatric disorders. However, chronic cannabis use may lead to cognitive impairments and dependence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Uma Suryadevara
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | | | - Meena Nuthi
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | | | - Rajiv Tandon
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Adriaan W. Bruijnzeel
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
- Center for Addiction Research and Education, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
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Deutsch SI, Burket JA, Urbano MR. Endocannabinoids and disrupted synchronous oscillations in autism spectrum disorders. FUTURE NEUROLOGY 2016. [DOI: 10.2217/fnl-2016-0019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Stephen I Deutsch
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Eastern Virginia Medical School, 825 Fairfax Avenue, Suite 710, Norfolk, VA 23507, USA
| | - Jessica A Burket
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Eastern Virginia Medical School, 825 Fairfax Avenue, Suite 710, Norfolk, VA 23507, USA
| | - Maria R Urbano
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Eastern Virginia Medical School, 825 Fairfax Avenue, Suite 710, Norfolk, VA 23507, USA
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Mihov Y. Positron Emission Tomography Studies on Cannabinoid Receptor Type 1 in Schizophrenia. Biol Psychiatry 2016; 79:e97-9. [PMID: 27241001 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2016.04.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2016] [Revised: 04/21/2016] [Accepted: 04/22/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Yoan Mihov
- Division of Molecular Psychiatry, Translational Research Center, University Hospital of Psychiatry, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
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Ranganathan M, Skosnik PD, D'Souza DC. Marijuana and Madness: Associations Between Cannabinoids and Psychosis. Biol Psychiatry 2016; 79:511-3. [PMID: 26970361 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2016.02.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2016] [Accepted: 02/09/2016] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Mohini Ranganathan
- Psychiatry Service, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven; Abraham Ribicoff Research Facilities, Connecticut Mental Health Center, New Haven, Connecticut; Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Patrick D Skosnik
- Psychiatry Service, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven; Abraham Ribicoff Research Facilities, Connecticut Mental Health Center, New Haven, Connecticut; Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Deepak Cyril D'Souza
- Psychiatry Service, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven; Abraham Ribicoff Research Facilities, Connecticut Mental Health Center, New Haven, Connecticut; Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut.
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