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Fuentes JJ, Mayans J, Guarro M, Canosa I, Mestre-Pintó JI, Fonseca F, Torrens M. Peripheral endocannabinoids in major depressive disorder and alcohol use disorder: a systematic review. BMC Psychiatry 2024; 24:551. [PMID: 39118031 PMCID: PMC11308641 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-024-05986-8] [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: 03/19/2024] [Accepted: 07/25/2024] [Indexed: 08/10/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) are two high-prevalent conditions where the Endocannabinoid system (ECS) is believed to play an important role. The ECS regulates how different neurotransmitters interact in both disorders, which is crucial for controlling emotions and responses to stress and reward stimuli. Measuring peripheral endocannabinoids (eCBs) in human serum and plasma can help overcome the limitations of detecting endocannabinoid levels in the brain. This systematic review aims to identify levels of peripheral eCBs in patients with MDD and/or AUD and find eCBs to use as diagnostic, prognostic biomarkers, and potential therapeutic targets. METHODS We conducted a systematic literature search according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines from the earliest manuscript until October 22, 2023, in three electronic databases. We included studies of human adults who had a current diagnosis of AUD and/or MDD and evaluated plasma or serum endocannabinoids. We carefully considered known variables that may affect endocannabinoid levels. RESULTS We included 17 articles in this systematic review, which measured peripheral eCBs in 170 AUD and 359 MDD patients. Stressors increase peripheral 2-arachidonyl-glycerol (2-AG) concentrations, and 2-AG may be a particular feature of depression severity and chronicity. Anxiety symptoms are negatively correlated with anandamide (AEA) concentrations, and AEA significantly increases during early abstinence in AUD. Studies suggest a negative correlation between Oleoylethanolamide (OEA) and length of abstinence in AUD patients. They also show a significant negative correlation between peripheral levels of AEA and OEA and fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) activity. Eicosapentaenoylethanolamide (EPEA) is correlated to clinical remission rates in depression. Included studies show known variables such as gender, chronicity, symptom severity, comorbid psychiatric symptoms, length of abstinence in the case of AUD, and stress-inducibility that can affect peripheral eCBs. CONCLUSIONS This systematic review highlights the important role that the ECS plays in MDD and AUD. Peripheral eCBs appear to be useful biomarkers for these disorders, and further research may identify potential therapeutic targets. Using accessible biological samples such as blood in well-designed clinical studies is crucial to develop novel therapies for these disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- J J Fuentes
- Mental Health Institute, Hospital del Mar, Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Psychiatry and Forensic Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Cerdanyola del Vallés, Spain
| | - J Mayans
- Department of Psychiatry, Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu, Sant Boi de Llobregat, Spain
| | - M Guarro
- Mental Health Institute, Hospital del Mar, Barcelona, Spain
| | - I Canosa
- Mental Health Institute, Hospital del Mar, Barcelona, Spain
- Hospital del Mar Research Institute, Barcelona, Spain
| | - J I Mestre-Pintó
- Hospital del Mar Research Institute, Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Medicine and Life Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - F Fonseca
- Mental Health Institute, Hospital del Mar, Barcelona, Spain.
- Hospital del Mar Research Institute, Barcelona, Spain.
- Department of Medicine and Life Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - M Torrens
- Mental Health Institute, Hospital del Mar, Barcelona, Spain
- Hospital del Mar Research Institute, Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Medicine and Life Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain
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Dragon J, Obuchowicz E. How depression and antidepressant drugs affect endocannabinoid system?-review of clinical and preclinical studies. NAUNYN-SCHMIEDEBERG'S ARCHIVES OF PHARMACOLOGY 2024; 397:4511-4536. [PMID: 38280009 DOI: 10.1007/s00210-023-02938-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2023] [Accepted: 12/30/2023] [Indexed: 01/29/2024]
Abstract
As major depressive disorder is becoming a more and more common issue in modern society, it is crucial to discover new possible grip points for its diagnosis and antidepressive therapy. One of them is endocannabinoid system, which has been proposed as a manager of emotional homeostasis, and thus, endocannabinoid alterations have been found in animals undergoing various preclinical models of depression procedures as well as in humans suffering from depressive-like disorders. In this review article, studies regarding those alterations have been summed up and analyzed. Another important issue raised by the researchers is the impact of currently used antidepressive drugs on endocannabinoid system so that it would be possible to predict reversibility of endocannabinoid alterations following stress exposure and, in the future, to be able to design individually personalized therapies. Preclinical studies investigating this topic have been analyzed and described in this article. Unfortunately, too few clinical studies in this field exist, what indicates an urgent need for collecting such data, so that it would be possible to compare them with preclinical outcomes and draw reliable conclusions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonasz Dragon
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, Medyków Street 18, 40-752, Katowice, Poland.
| | - Ewa Obuchowicz
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, Medyków Street 18, 40-752, Katowice, Poland
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Boldrini M, Xiao Y, Sing T, Zhu C, Jabbi M, Pantazopoulos H, Gürsoy G, Martinowich K, Punzi G, Vallender EJ, Zody M, Berretta S, Hyde TM, Kleinman JE, Marenco S, Roussos P, Lewis DA, Turecki G, Lehner T, Mann JJ. Omics Approaches to Investigate the Pathogenesis of Suicide. Biol Psychiatry 2024:S0006-3223(24)01352-0. [PMID: 38821194 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2024.05.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2024] [Revised: 05/17/2024] [Accepted: 05/23/2024] [Indexed: 06/02/2024]
Abstract
Suicide is the second leading cause of death in U.S. adolescents and young adults and is generally associated with a psychiatric disorder. Suicidal behavior has a complex etiology and pathogenesis. Moderate heritability suggests genetic causes. Associations between childhood and recent life adversity indicate contributions from epigenetic factors. Genomic contributions to suicide pathogenesis remain largely unknown. This article is based on a workshop held to design strategies to identify molecular drivers of suicide neurobiology that would be putative new treatment targets. The panel determined that while bulk tissue studies provide comprehensive information, single-nucleus approaches that identify cell type-specific changes are needed. While single-nuclei techniques lack information on cytoplasm, processes, spines, and synapses, spatial multiomic technologies on intact tissue detect cell alterations specific to brain tissue layers and subregions. Because suicide has genetic and environmental drivers, multiomic approaches that combine cell type-specific epigenome, transcriptome, and proteome provide a more complete picture of pathogenesis. To determine the direction of effect of suicide risk gene variants on RNA and protein expression and how these interact with epigenetic marks, single-nuclei and spatial multiomics quantitative trait loci maps should be integrated with whole-genome sequencing and genome-wide association databases. The workshop concluded with a recommendation for the formation of an international suicide biology consortium that will bring together brain banks and investigators with expertise in cutting-edge omics technologies to delineate the biology of suicide and identify novel potential treatment targets to be tested in cellular and animal models for drug and biomarker discovery to guide suicide prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maura Boldrini
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, New York, New York; Division of Molecular Imaging and Neuropathology, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, New York.
| | - Yang Xiao
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, New York
| | - Tarjinder Sing
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, New York, New York; Division of Molecular Imaging and Neuropathology, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, New York; New York Genome Center, New York, New York
| | - Chenxu Zhu
- New York Genome Center, New York, New York; Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Institute for Computational Biomedicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York
| | - Mbemba Jabbi
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Mulva Clinics for the Neurosciences, Dell Medical School, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas
| | - Harry Pantazopoulos
- Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, Mississippi
| | - Gamze Gürsoy
- New York Genome Center, New York, New York; Departments of Biomedical Informatics and Computer Science, Columbia University, New York, New York
| | - Keri Martinowich
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Giovanna Punzi
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Eric J Vallender
- Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, Mississippi
| | | | - Sabina Berretta
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Brain Tissue Resource Center, Harvard Medical School, McLean Hospital, Belmont, Massachusetts
| | - Thomas M Hyde
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Joel E Kleinman
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Stefano Marenco
- Human Brain Collection Core, National Institute of Mental Health's (NIMH) Division of Intramural Research Programs, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Panagiotis Roussos
- Center for Precision Medicine and Translational Therapeutics, Mental Illness Research Education, and Clinical Center (VISN 2 South), James J. Peters VA Medical Center, Bronx, New York
| | - David A Lewis
- Departments of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Gustavo Turecki
- Department of Psychiatry, Douglas Institute, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | | | - J John Mann
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, New York, New York; Division of Molecular Imaging and Neuropathology, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, New York
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Martín-Llorente A, Serrano M, Bonilla-Del Río I, Lekunberri L, Ocerin G, Puente N, Ramos A, Rico-Barrio I, Gerrikagoitia I, Grandes P. Omega-3 Recovers Cannabinoid 1 Receptor Expression in the Adult Mouse Brain after Adolescent Binge Drinking. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:17316. [PMID: 38139145 PMCID: PMC10744058 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242417316] [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: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Adolescent binge drinking is a social problem with a long-lasting impact on cognitive functions. The cannabinoid type-1 (CB1) receptor of the endocannabinoid system (ECS) is involved in brain synaptic plasticity, cognition and behavior via receptor localization at specific subcellular compartments of the cortical, limbic and motor regions. Alcohol (EtOH) intake affects the ECS, CB1 and their functions. Evidence indicates that binge drinking during adolescence impairs memory via the abrogation of CB1-dependent synaptic plasticity in the hippocampus. However, the impact of EtOH consumption on global CB1 receptor expression in the adult brain is unknown. We studied this using optical density analysis throughout brain regions processed for light microscopy (LM) immunohistotochemistry. CB1 staining decreased significantly in the secondary motor cortex, cerebellum, cingulate cortex, amygdala and nucleus accumbens. Next, as omega-3 (n-3) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) rescue synaptic plasticity and improve EtOH-impaired cognition, we investigated whether docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) had any effect on CB1 receptors. N-3 intake during EtOH abstinence restored CB1 immunostaining in the secondary motor cortex, cerebellum and amygdala, and ameliorated receptor density in the cingulate cortex. These results show that n-3 supplementation recovers CB1 receptor expression disrupted by EtOH in distinct brain regions involved in motor functions and cognition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ane Martín-Llorente
- Laboratory of Ultrastructural and Functional Neuroanatomy of the Synapse, Department of Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, 48940 Leioa, Spain; (A.M.-L.); (M.S.); (I.B.-D.R.); (L.L.); (G.O.); (N.P.); (A.R.); (I.R.-B.)
| | - Maitane Serrano
- Laboratory of Ultrastructural and Functional Neuroanatomy of the Synapse, Department of Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, 48940 Leioa, Spain; (A.M.-L.); (M.S.); (I.B.-D.R.); (L.L.); (G.O.); (N.P.); (A.R.); (I.R.-B.)
- Achucarro Basque Center for Neuroscience, Science Park of the UPV/EHU, 48940 Leioa, Spain
| | - Itziar Bonilla-Del Río
- Laboratory of Ultrastructural and Functional Neuroanatomy of the Synapse, Department of Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, 48940 Leioa, Spain; (A.M.-L.); (M.S.); (I.B.-D.R.); (L.L.); (G.O.); (N.P.); (A.R.); (I.R.-B.)
- Achucarro Basque Center for Neuroscience, Science Park of the UPV/EHU, 48940 Leioa, Spain
| | - Leire Lekunberri
- Laboratory of Ultrastructural and Functional Neuroanatomy of the Synapse, Department of Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, 48940 Leioa, Spain; (A.M.-L.); (M.S.); (I.B.-D.R.); (L.L.); (G.O.); (N.P.); (A.R.); (I.R.-B.)
- Achucarro Basque Center for Neuroscience, Science Park of the UPV/EHU, 48940 Leioa, Spain
| | - Garazi Ocerin
- Laboratory of Ultrastructural and Functional Neuroanatomy of the Synapse, Department of Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, 48940 Leioa, Spain; (A.M.-L.); (M.S.); (I.B.-D.R.); (L.L.); (G.O.); (N.P.); (A.R.); (I.R.-B.)
- Achucarro Basque Center for Neuroscience, Science Park of the UPV/EHU, 48940 Leioa, Spain
| | - Nagore Puente
- Laboratory of Ultrastructural and Functional Neuroanatomy of the Synapse, Department of Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, 48940 Leioa, Spain; (A.M.-L.); (M.S.); (I.B.-D.R.); (L.L.); (G.O.); (N.P.); (A.R.); (I.R.-B.)
- Achucarro Basque Center for Neuroscience, Science Park of the UPV/EHU, 48940 Leioa, Spain
| | - Almudena Ramos
- Laboratory of Ultrastructural and Functional Neuroanatomy of the Synapse, Department of Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, 48940 Leioa, Spain; (A.M.-L.); (M.S.); (I.B.-D.R.); (L.L.); (G.O.); (N.P.); (A.R.); (I.R.-B.)
- Achucarro Basque Center for Neuroscience, Science Park of the UPV/EHU, 48940 Leioa, Spain
| | - Irantzu Rico-Barrio
- Laboratory of Ultrastructural and Functional Neuroanatomy of the Synapse, Department of Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, 48940 Leioa, Spain; (A.M.-L.); (M.S.); (I.B.-D.R.); (L.L.); (G.O.); (N.P.); (A.R.); (I.R.-B.)
- Achucarro Basque Center for Neuroscience, Science Park of the UPV/EHU, 48940 Leioa, Spain
| | - Inmaculada Gerrikagoitia
- Laboratory of Ultrastructural and Functional Neuroanatomy of the Synapse, Department of Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, 48940 Leioa, Spain; (A.M.-L.); (M.S.); (I.B.-D.R.); (L.L.); (G.O.); (N.P.); (A.R.); (I.R.-B.)
- Achucarro Basque Center for Neuroscience, Science Park of the UPV/EHU, 48940 Leioa, Spain
| | - Pedro Grandes
- Laboratory of Ultrastructural and Functional Neuroanatomy of the Synapse, Department of Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, 48940 Leioa, Spain; (A.M.-L.); (M.S.); (I.B.-D.R.); (L.L.); (G.O.); (N.P.); (A.R.); (I.R.-B.)
- Achucarro Basque Center for Neuroscience, Science Park of the UPV/EHU, 48940 Leioa, Spain
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Navarro D, Marín-Mayor M, Gasparyan A, García-Gutiérrez MS, Rubio G, Manzanares J. Molecular Changes Associated with Suicide. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:16726. [PMID: 38069051 PMCID: PMC10706600 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242316726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2023] [Revised: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Suicide is a serious global public health problem, with a worrying recent increase in suicide rates in both adolescent and adult populations. However, it is essential to recognize that suicide is preventable. A myriad of factors contributes to an individual's vulnerability to suicide. These factors include various potential causes, from psychiatric disorders to genetic and epigenetic alterations. These changes can induce dysfunctions in crucial systems such as the serotonergic, cannabinoid, and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axes. In addition, early life experiences of abuse can profoundly impact an individual's ability to cope with stress, ultimately leading to changes in the inflammatory system, which is a significant risk factor for suicidal behavior. Thus, it is clear that suicidal behavior may result from a confluence of multiple factors. This review examines the primary risk factors associated with suicidal behavior, including psychiatric disorders, early life adversities, and epigenetic modifications. Our goal is to elucidate the molecular changes at the genetic, epigenetic, and molecular levels in the brains of individuals who have taken their own lives and in the plasma and peripheral mononuclear cells of suicide attempters and how these changes may serve as predisposing factors for suicidal tendencies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Navarro
- Instituto de Neurociencias, Universidad Miguel Hernández-CSIC, Avda de Ramón y Cajal s/n, San Juan de Alicante, 03550 Alicante, Spain; (D.N.); (A.G.); (M.S.G.-G.)
- Redes de Investigación Cooperativa Orientada a Resultados en Salud (RICORS), Red de Investigación en Atención Primaria de Adicciones (RIAPAd), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, MICINN and FEDER, 28029 Madrid, Spain;
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria y Biomédica de Alicante (ISABIAL), 03010 Alicante, Spain
| | - Marta Marín-Mayor
- Instituto de Investigación i+12, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, 28041 Madrid, Spain;
- Department of Psychiatry, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Ani Gasparyan
- Instituto de Neurociencias, Universidad Miguel Hernández-CSIC, Avda de Ramón y Cajal s/n, San Juan de Alicante, 03550 Alicante, Spain; (D.N.); (A.G.); (M.S.G.-G.)
- Redes de Investigación Cooperativa Orientada a Resultados en Salud (RICORS), Red de Investigación en Atención Primaria de Adicciones (RIAPAd), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, MICINN and FEDER, 28029 Madrid, Spain;
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria y Biomédica de Alicante (ISABIAL), 03010 Alicante, Spain
| | - María Salud García-Gutiérrez
- Instituto de Neurociencias, Universidad Miguel Hernández-CSIC, Avda de Ramón y Cajal s/n, San Juan de Alicante, 03550 Alicante, Spain; (D.N.); (A.G.); (M.S.G.-G.)
- Redes de Investigación Cooperativa Orientada a Resultados en Salud (RICORS), Red de Investigación en Atención Primaria de Adicciones (RIAPAd), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, MICINN and FEDER, 28029 Madrid, Spain;
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria y Biomédica de Alicante (ISABIAL), 03010 Alicante, Spain
| | - Gabriel Rubio
- Redes de Investigación Cooperativa Orientada a Resultados en Salud (RICORS), Red de Investigación en Atención Primaria de Adicciones (RIAPAd), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, MICINN and FEDER, 28029 Madrid, Spain;
- Instituto de Investigación i+12, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, 28041 Madrid, Spain;
- Department of Psychiatry, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Jorge Manzanares
- Instituto de Neurociencias, Universidad Miguel Hernández-CSIC, Avda de Ramón y Cajal s/n, San Juan de Alicante, 03550 Alicante, Spain; (D.N.); (A.G.); (M.S.G.-G.)
- Redes de Investigación Cooperativa Orientada a Resultados en Salud (RICORS), Red de Investigación en Atención Primaria de Adicciones (RIAPAd), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, MICINN and FEDER, 28029 Madrid, Spain;
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria y Biomédica de Alicante (ISABIAL), 03010 Alicante, Spain
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Best LM, Hendershot CS, Buckman JF, Jagasar S, McPhee MD, Muzumdar N, Tyndale RF, Houle S, Logan R, Sanches M, Kish SJ, Le Foll B, Boileau I. Association Between Fatty Acid Amide Hydrolase and Alcohol Response Phenotypes: A Positron Emission Tomography Imaging Study With [ 11C]CURB in Heavy-Drinking Youth. Biol Psychiatry 2023; 94:405-415. [PMID: 36868890 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2022.11.022] [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: 08/04/2022] [Revised: 11/18/2022] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Reductions in fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH), the catabolic enzyme for the endocannabinoid anandamide, may play a role in drinking behavior and risk for alcohol use disorder. We tested the hypotheses that lower brain FAAH levels in heavy-drinking youth are related to increased alcohol intake, hazardous drinking, and differential response to alcohol. METHODS FAAH levels in the striatum, prefrontal cortex, and whole brain were determined using positron emission tomography imaging of [11C]CURB in heavy-drinking youth (N = 31; 19-25 years of age). C385A FAAH genotype (rs324420) was determined. Behavioral (n = 29) and cardiovascular (n = 22) responses to alcohol were measured during a controlled intravenous alcohol infusion. RESULTS Lower [11C]CURB binding was not significantly related to frequency of use but was positively associated with hazardous drinking and reduced sensitivity to the negative effects of alcohol. During alcohol infusion, lower [11C]CURB binding related to greater self-reported stimulation and urges and lower sedation (p < .05). Lower heart rate variability was related to both greater alcohol-induced stimulation and lower [11C]CURB binding (p < .05). Family history of alcohol use disorder (n = 14) did not relate to [11C]CURB binding. CONCLUSIONS In line with preclinical studies, lower FAAH in the brain was related to a dampened response to the negative, impairing effects of alcohol, increased drinking urges, and alcohol-induced arousal. Lower FAAH might alter positive or negative effects of alcohol and increase urges to drink, thereby contributing to the addiction process. Determining whether FAAH influences motivation to drink through increased positive/arousing effects of alcohol or greater tolerance should be investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura M Best
- Brain Health Imaging Centre, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Addictions Division, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Christian S Hendershot
- Addictions Division, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina; Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Jennifer F Buckman
- Department of Kinesiology and Health, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey; Center of Alcohol and Substance Use Studies, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey
| | - Samantha Jagasar
- Brain Health Imaging Centre, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Matthew D McPhee
- Addictions Division, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Psychological Clinical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Neel Muzumdar
- Department of Kinesiology and Health, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey
| | - Rachel F Tyndale
- Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Sylvain Houle
- Brain Health Imaging Centre, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Renee Logan
- Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Marcos Sanches
- Biostatistics Core, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Stephen J Kish
- Brain Health Imaging Centre, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Bernard Le Foll
- Brain Health Imaging Centre, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Addictions Division, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Community and Family Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Waypoint Research Institute, Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care, Penetanguishene, Ontario, Canada
| | - Isabelle Boileau
- Brain Health Imaging Centre, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Addictions Division, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
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7
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Gasparyan A, Navarrete F, Navarro D, Manzanares J. Cannabidiol regulates behavioral and brain alterations induced by spontaneous alcohol withdrawal. Neuropharmacology 2023; 233:109549. [PMID: 37085012 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2023.109549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2023] [Revised: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 04/23/2023]
Abstract
The main goal of this study was to evaluate if the administration of cannabidiol (CBD) regulates behavioral and gene expression alterations induced by spontaneous alcohol withdrawal (SAW) in mice. Increasing doses of ethanol were administered to C57BL/6J male mice for 15 days (2.5, 3 and 3.5 g/kg/12 h, p. o.), and SAW was studied at 6, 12, 24, and 72 h after the last ethanol administration. The efficacy of acute CBD (10, 20, and 40 mg/kg, i. p.) to regulate behavioral changes induced by SAW was explored at 6 h. Gene expression analyses of cannabinoid receptors 1 (Cnr1) and 2 (Cnr2), mu-opioid receptor (Opmr1), and proopiomelanocortin (Pomc) in the nucleus accumbens (NAcc), and Pomc and tyrosine hydroxylase (Th) in the ventral tegmental area (VTA), were carried out by real time-PCR. Pearson correlation was used to identify potential associations between the gene expression data and the anxiety-like behaviors. Biostatistical studies suggest associations between gene expression data and the anxiogenic behaviors in mice exposed to the SAW model and treated with VEH and 40 mg/kg of CBD. Mice exposed to the SAW model showed significant somatic withdrawal signs, anxiety-like behaviors, and remarkable changes in the gene expression of all brain targets at 6 h. CBD dose-dependently normalized the behavioral, somatic withdrawal signs and anxiety-like behaviors and modulated gene expression changes in the NAcc, but not in the VTA. The results of this study suggest that CBD may regulate specific alcohol withdrawal-associated alterations. However, further studies are required to explore the possible mechanisms involved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ani Gasparyan
- Instituto de Neurociencias, Universidad Miguel Hernandez-CSIC, San Juan de Alicante, Alicante, Spain; Redes de Investigación Cooperativa Orientadas a Resultados en Salud (RICORS), Red de Investigación en Atención Primaria de Adicciones (RIAPAd), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, MICINN and FEDER, Madrid, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria y Biomédica de Alicante (ISABIAL), Alicante, Spain
| | - Francisco Navarrete
- Instituto de Neurociencias, Universidad Miguel Hernandez-CSIC, San Juan de Alicante, Alicante, Spain; Redes de Investigación Cooperativa Orientadas a Resultados en Salud (RICORS), Red de Investigación en Atención Primaria de Adicciones (RIAPAd), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, MICINN and FEDER, Madrid, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria y Biomédica de Alicante (ISABIAL), Alicante, Spain
| | - Daniela Navarro
- Instituto de Neurociencias, Universidad Miguel Hernandez-CSIC, San Juan de Alicante, Alicante, Spain; Redes de Investigación Cooperativa Orientadas a Resultados en Salud (RICORS), Red de Investigación en Atención Primaria de Adicciones (RIAPAd), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, MICINN and FEDER, Madrid, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria y Biomédica de Alicante (ISABIAL), Alicante, Spain
| | - Jorge Manzanares
- Instituto de Neurociencias, Universidad Miguel Hernandez-CSIC, San Juan de Alicante, Alicante, Spain; Redes de Investigación Cooperativa Orientadas a Resultados en Salud (RICORS), Red de Investigación en Atención Primaria de Adicciones (RIAPAd), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, MICINN and FEDER, Madrid, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria y Biomédica de Alicante (ISABIAL), Alicante, Spain.
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8
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Alsaafin A, Chenoweth MJ, Sylvestre MP, O'Loughlin J, Tyndale RF. Genetic variation in fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH): Associations with early drinking and smoking behaviors. Addict Behav 2023; 137:107545. [PMID: 36403489 DOI: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2022.107545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2022] [Revised: 10/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The endocannabinoid system is implicated in psychiatric disorders and drug dependence. Within this system, fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) metabolizes endocannabinoids. Individuals with A-group genotypes (C/A or A/A) of a common FAAH variant (rs324420; C > A; Pro129Thr) have slower enzymatic activity compared to C-group individuals (C/C genotype). Slow FAAH activity is differentially associated with alcohol and nicotine use. METHODS Among European-ancestry participants in the NDIT study (n = 249-607), genotype associations with past-year binge drinking in young adults were estimated in logistic regression models. In adolescents, hazard ratios (HR) were estimated from Cox proportional hazards models to assess the FAAH genotype group association with time to drinking initiation and attaining drinking frequency outcomes. HR were also used to assess genotype effect on time to smoking initiation and attaining early smoking milestones (e.g., first inhalation, ICD-10 dependence). RESULTS Compared to those in the C-group, those in the A-group had higher odds of binge drinking at ages 20 (Odds ratio (OR) = 2.16, 95 % CI 1.36-3.42) and 30 (OR = 1.61, 95 % CI 1.10-2.36). Time to initiation of drinking and daily drinking was faster in adolescents in the A-group (HR = 1.39, 95 % CI 1.09-1.77 and HR = 2.24, 95 % CI 1.05-4.76, respectively). Time to smoking initiation was faster in the A-group (HR = 1.20, 95 % CI 1.04-1.39); however, time to smoking milestones among adolescent smokers was not consistently different for the A- versus C-groups (HR = 0.43 to 1.13). CONCLUSIONS Slow FAAH activity (A-group) was associated with greater risks for binge drinking, drinking initiation and escalation, and cigarette smoking initiation, but had little impact on the escalation in cigarette smoking behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alaa Alsaafin
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Meghan J Chenoweth
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Marie-Pierre Sylvestre
- Centre de recherche du centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CRCHUM), Montréal, Québec, Canada; Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Jennifer O'Loughlin
- Centre de recherche du centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CRCHUM), Montréal, Québec, Canada; Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Rachel F Tyndale
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
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9
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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: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [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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10
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Acute stress and alcohol exposure during adolescence result in an anxious phenotype in adulthood: Role of altered glutamate/endocannabinoid transmission mechanisms. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2022; 113:110460. [PMID: 34695542 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2021.110460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2021] [Revised: 10/13/2021] [Accepted: 10/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Stressful episodes and high alcohol consumption during adolescence are considered major risk factors for the development of psychiatric disorders in adulthood. Identification of mechanisms underlying these early events, which enhanced vulnerability to mental illness, is essential for both their prevention and treatment. METHODS Male Wistar rats were used to investigate the long-term effects of early restraint stress and intermittent alcohol exposure (intragastric administration of 3 g/kg ethanol; 4 days/week for 4 weeks during adolescence) on anxiety-like behavior and the expression of signaling systems associated with emotional behaviors [e.g., corticosterone, fatty acid-derived molecules and endocannabinoid enzymes, glutamate receptor subunits, corticotropin releasing hormone receptors (CRHR1 and CRHR2) and neuropeptide Y receptors (NPY1R and NPYR2)] in the blood and amygdala. RESULTS Overall, both stress and alcohol exposure during adolescence induced anxiogenic-like behaviors, increased plasma levels of corticosterone and increases in the amygdalar expression of the cannabinoid CB2 receptor and certain subunits of glutamate receptors (i.e., mGluR1, mGluR5 and NMDAR1) in young adult rats. In addition, there were specific main effects of alcohol exposure on the expression of the cannabinoid CB1 receptor, monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL) and NPY2R in the amygdala, and significant increases were observed in rats exposed to alcohol. Interestingly, there were significant interaction effects between restraint stress and alcohol exposure on the expression of plasma 2-arachidonoyl glycerol (2-AG), and both CRHR1,2 and NPY1R in the amygdala. Thus, the restraint stress was associated with increased 2-AG levels, which was not observed in rats exposed to alcohol. The alcohol exposure was associated with an increased expression of CRHR1,2 but the restraint stress prevented these increases (stress alcohol rats). In contrast, NPY1R was only increased in rats exposed to stress and alcohol. Finally, we did not observe any potentiation of the behavioral and molecular effects by the combination of stress and alcohol, which is concordant with an overall ceiling effect on some of the variables. CONCLUSION Separate and combined early stress and alcohol induced a common anxious phenotype with increased corticosterone in adulthood. However, there were differences in the amygdalar expression of signaling systems involved in maladaptive changes in emotional behavior. Therefore, our results suggest the existence of partially different mechanisms for stress and alcohol exposures.
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11
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Navarrete F, García-Gutiérrez MS, Gasparyan A, Navarro D, López-Picón F, Morcuende Á, Femenía T, Manzanares J. Biomarkers of the Endocannabinoid System in Substance Use Disorders. Biomolecules 2022; 12:biom12030396. [PMID: 35327588 PMCID: PMC8946268 DOI: 10.3390/biom12030396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2022] [Revised: 02/21/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite substance use disorders (SUD) being one of the leading causes of disability and mortality globally, available therapeutic approaches remain ineffective. The difficulty in accurately characterizing the neurobiological mechanisms involved with a purely qualitative diagnosis is an obstacle to improving the classification and treatment of SUD. In this regard, identifying central and peripheral biomarkers is essential to diagnosing the severity of drug dependence, monitoring therapeutic efficacy, predicting treatment response, and enhancing the development of safer and more effective pharmacological tools. In recent years, the crucial role that the endocannabinoid system (ECS) plays in regulating the reinforcing and motivational properties of drugs of abuse has been described. This has led to studies characterizing ECS alterations after exposure to various substances to identify biomarkers with potential diagnostic, prognostic, or therapeutic utility. This review aims to compile the primary evidence available from rodent and clinical studies on how the ECS components are modified in the context of different substance-related disorders, gathering data from genetic, molecular, functional, and neuroimaging experimental approaches. Finally, this report concludes that additional translational research is needed to further characterize the modifications of the ECS in the context of SUD, and their potential usefulness in the necessary search for biomarkers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisco Navarrete
- Instituto de Neurociencias, Universidad Miguel Hernández-CSIC, Avda. de Ramón y Cajal s/n, San Juan de Alicante, 03550 Alicante, Spain; (F.N.); (M.S.G.-G.); (A.G.); (D.N.); (Á.M.); (T.F.)
- Departamento de Medicina Clínica, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria y Biomédica de Alicante (ISABIAL), Universidad Miguel Hernández, 03010 Alicante, Spain
- Redes de Investigación Cooperativa Orientada a Resultados en Salud (RICORS), Red de Investigación en Atención Primaria de Adicciones (RIAPAd), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, MICINN and FEDER, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - María S. García-Gutiérrez
- Instituto de Neurociencias, Universidad Miguel Hernández-CSIC, Avda. de Ramón y Cajal s/n, San Juan de Alicante, 03550 Alicante, Spain; (F.N.); (M.S.G.-G.); (A.G.); (D.N.); (Á.M.); (T.F.)
- Departamento de Medicina Clínica, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria y Biomédica de Alicante (ISABIAL), Universidad Miguel Hernández, 03010 Alicante, Spain
- Redes de Investigación Cooperativa Orientada a Resultados en Salud (RICORS), Red de Investigación en Atención Primaria de Adicciones (RIAPAd), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, MICINN and FEDER, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Ani Gasparyan
- Instituto de Neurociencias, Universidad Miguel Hernández-CSIC, Avda. de Ramón y Cajal s/n, San Juan de Alicante, 03550 Alicante, Spain; (F.N.); (M.S.G.-G.); (A.G.); (D.N.); (Á.M.); (T.F.)
- Departamento de Medicina Clínica, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria y Biomédica de Alicante (ISABIAL), Universidad Miguel Hernández, 03010 Alicante, Spain
- Redes de Investigación Cooperativa Orientada a Resultados en Salud (RICORS), Red de Investigación en Atención Primaria de Adicciones (RIAPAd), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, MICINN and FEDER, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Daniela Navarro
- Instituto de Neurociencias, Universidad Miguel Hernández-CSIC, Avda. de Ramón y Cajal s/n, San Juan de Alicante, 03550 Alicante, Spain; (F.N.); (M.S.G.-G.); (A.G.); (D.N.); (Á.M.); (T.F.)
- Departamento de Medicina Clínica, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria y Biomédica de Alicante (ISABIAL), Universidad Miguel Hernández, 03010 Alicante, Spain
- Redes de Investigación Cooperativa Orientada a Resultados en Salud (RICORS), Red de Investigación en Atención Primaria de Adicciones (RIAPAd), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, MICINN and FEDER, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Francisco López-Picón
- PET Preclinical Imaging Laboratory, Turku PET Centre, University of Turku, 20520 Turku, Finland;
| | - Álvaro Morcuende
- Instituto de Neurociencias, Universidad Miguel Hernández-CSIC, Avda. de Ramón y Cajal s/n, San Juan de Alicante, 03550 Alicante, Spain; (F.N.); (M.S.G.-G.); (A.G.); (D.N.); (Á.M.); (T.F.)
| | - Teresa Femenía
- Instituto de Neurociencias, Universidad Miguel Hernández-CSIC, Avda. de Ramón y Cajal s/n, San Juan de Alicante, 03550 Alicante, Spain; (F.N.); (M.S.G.-G.); (A.G.); (D.N.); (Á.M.); (T.F.)
- Redes de Investigación Cooperativa Orientada a Resultados en Salud (RICORS), Red de Investigación en Atención Primaria de Adicciones (RIAPAd), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, MICINN and FEDER, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Jorge Manzanares
- Instituto de Neurociencias, Universidad Miguel Hernández-CSIC, Avda. de Ramón y Cajal s/n, San Juan de Alicante, 03550 Alicante, Spain; (F.N.); (M.S.G.-G.); (A.G.); (D.N.); (Á.M.); (T.F.)
- Departamento de Medicina Clínica, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria y Biomédica de Alicante (ISABIAL), Universidad Miguel Hernández, 03010 Alicante, Spain
- Redes de Investigación Cooperativa Orientada a Resultados en Salud (RICORS), Red de Investigación en Atención Primaria de Adicciones (RIAPAd), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, MICINN and FEDER, 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +34-965-919-248
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12
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Abstract
PURPOSE A growing body of evidence has implicated the endocannabinoid (eCB) system in the acute, chronic, and withdrawal effects of alcohol/ethanol on synaptic function. These eCB-mediated synaptic effects may contribute to the development of alcohol use disorder (AUD). Alcohol exposure causes neurobiological alterations similar to those elicited by chronic cannabinoid (CB) exposure. Like alcohol, cannabinoids alter many central processes, such as cognition, locomotion, synaptic transmission, and neurotransmitter release. There is a strong need to elucidate the effects of ethanol on the eCB system in different brain regions to understand the role of eCB signaling in AUD. SEARCH METHODS For the scope of this review, preclinical studies were identified through queries of the PubMed database. SEARCH RESULTS This search yielded 459 articles. Clinical studies and papers irrelevant to the topic of this review were excluded. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS The endocannabinoid system includes, but is not limited to, cannabinoid receptors 1 (CB1), among the most abundantly expressed neuronal receptors in the brain; cannabinoid receptors 2 (CB2); and endogenously formed CB1 ligands, including arachidonoylethanolamide (AEA; anandamide), and 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG). The development of specific CB1 agonists, such as WIN 55,212-2 (WIN), and antagonists, such as SR 141716A (rimonabant), provide powerful pharmacological tools for eCB research. Alcohol exposure has brain region-specific effects on the eCB system, including altering the synthesis of endocannabinoids (e.g., AEA, 2-AG), the synthesis of their precursors, and the density and coupling efficacy of CB1. These alcohol-induced alterations of the eCB system have subsequent effects on synaptic function including neuronal excitability and postsynaptic conductance. This review will provide a comprehensive evaluation of the current literature on the synaptic interactions of alcohol exposure and eCB signaling systems, with an emphasis on molecular and physiological synaptic effects of alcohol on the eCB system. A limited volume of studies has focused on the underlying interactions of alcohol and the eCB system at the synaptic level in the brain. Thus, the data on synaptic interactions are sparse, and future research addressing these interactions is much needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah A Wolfe
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California
| | - Valentina Vozella
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California
| | - Marisa Roberto
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California
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13
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Kolla NJ, Boileau I, Bagby RM. Higher trait neuroticism is associated with greater fatty acid amide hydrolase binding in borderline and antisocial personality disorders. Sci Rep 2022; 12:1126. [PMID: 35064143 PMCID: PMC8782862 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-04789-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2021] [Accepted: 12/31/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Borderline personality disorder (BPD) and antisocial personality disorder (ASPD) are the two most frequently diagnosed and researched DSM-5 personality disorders, and both are characterized by high levels of trait neuroticism. Fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH), an enzyme of the endocannabinoid system (ECS), has been linked to regulation of mood through modulation of anandamide, an endocannabinoid. We hypothesized that prefrontal cortex (PFC) FAAH binding would relate to trait neuroticism in personality disorders. Thirty-one individuals with personality disorders (20 with BPD and 11 with ASPD) completed the investigation. All participants completed the revised NEO Personality Inventory, which yields standardized scores (e.g., T scores) for the traits of neuroticism, openness, conscientiousness, agreeableness, and extraversion. All participants were medication free and were not utilizing illicit substances as determined by drug urinalysis. Additionally, none of the participants had a comorbid major depressive episode, bipolar disorder, psychotic disorder, or substance use disorder. Each participant underwent one [11C]CURB PET scan. Consistent with our hypothesis, neuroticism was positively correlated with PFC FAAH binding (r = 0.42, p = 0.021), controlling for genotype. Neuroticism was also positively correlated with dorsal putamen FAAH binding (r = 0.53, p = 0.0024), controlling for genotype. Elevated brain FAAH is an endophenotype for high neuroticism in BPD and ASPD. Novel pharmacological therapeutics that inhibit FAAH could emerge as potential new treatments for BPD and ASPD with high neuroticism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathan J Kolla
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), 250 College Street, Room 626, Toronto, ON, M5T 1R8, Canada. .,Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada. .,Violence Prevention Neurobiological Research Unit, CAMH, Toronto, ON, Canada. .,Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care, Penetanguishene, ON, Canada. .,Waypoint/University of Toronto Research Chair in Forensic Mental Health Science, Penetanguishene, ON, Canada.
| | - Isabelle Boileau
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), 250 College Street, Room 626, Toronto, ON, M5T 1R8, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - R Michael Bagby
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), 250 College Street, Room 626, Toronto, ON, M5T 1R8, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
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14
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Dulman RS, Zhang H, Banerjee R, Krishnan HR, Dong B, Hungund BL, Vinod KY, Pandey SC. CB1 receptor neutral antagonist treatment epigenetically increases neuropeptide Y expression and decreases alcohol drinking. Neuropharmacology 2021; 195:108623. [PMID: 34048869 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2021.108623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2020] [Revised: 04/22/2021] [Accepted: 05/17/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Alcohol consumption is mediated by several important neuromodulatory systems, including the endocannabinoid and neuropeptide Y (NPY) systems in the limbic brain circuitry. However, molecular mechanisms through which cannabinoid-1 (CB1) receptors regulate alcohol consumption are still unclear. Here, we investigated the role of the CB1 receptor-mediated downstream regulation of NPY via epigenetic mechanisms in the amygdala. Alcohol drinking behavior was measured in adult male C57BL/6J mice treated with a CB1 receptor neutral antagonist AM4113 using a two-bottle choice paradigm while anxiety-like behavior was assessed in the light-dark box (LDB) test. The CB1 receptor-mediated changes in the protein levels of phosphorylated cAMP-responsive element binding protein (pCREB), CREB binding protein (CBP), H3K9ac, H3K14ac and NPY, and the mRNA levels of Creb1, Cbp, and Npy were measured in amygdaloid brain structures. Npy-specific changes in the levels of acetylated histone (H3K9/14ac) and CBP in the amygdala were also measured. We found that the pharmacological blockade of CB1 receptors with AM4113 reduced alcohol consumption and, in an ethanol-naïve cohort, reduced anxiety-like behavior in the LDB test. Treatment with AM4113 also increased the mRNA levels of Creb1 and Cbp in the amygdala as well as the protein levels of pCREB, CBP, H3K9ac and H3K14ac in the central and medial nucleus of amygdala, but not in the basolateral amygdala. Additionally, AM4113 treatment increased occupancy of CBP and H3K9/14ac at the Npy gene promoter, leading to an increase in both mRNA and protein levels of NPY in the amygdala. These novel findings suggest that CB1 receptor-mediated CREB signaling plays an important role in the modulation of NPY function through an epigenetic mechanism and further support the potential use of CB1 receptor neutral antagonists for the treatment of alcohol use disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Russell S Dulman
- Center for Alcohol Research in Epigenetics, Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA
| | - Huaibo Zhang
- Center for Alcohol Research in Epigenetics, Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA; Jesse Brown Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA
| | - Ritabrata Banerjee
- Center for Alcohol Research in Epigenetics, Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA
| | - Harish R Krishnan
- Center for Alcohol Research in Epigenetics, Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA; Jesse Brown Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA
| | - Bin Dong
- Division of Analytical Psychopharmacology, Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, Orangeburg, NY, 10962, USA
| | - Basalingappa L Hungund
- Division of Analytical Psychopharmacology, Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, Orangeburg, NY, 10962, USA; New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - K Yaragudri Vinod
- Division of Analytical Psychopharmacology, Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, Orangeburg, NY, 10962, USA; Emotional Brain Institute, Orangeburg, NY, 10962, USA; Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, New York School of Medicine, New York, NY, 10016, USA
| | - Subhash C Pandey
- Center for Alcohol Research in Epigenetics, Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA; Jesse Brown Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA.
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Fitzgerald JM, Chesney SA, Lee TS, Brasel K, Larson CL, Hillard CJ, deRoon-Cassini TA. Circulating endocannabinoids and prospective risk for depression in trauma-injury survivors. Neurobiol Stress 2021; 14:100304. [PMID: 33614866 PMCID: PMC7876629 DOI: 10.1016/j.ynstr.2021.100304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2020] [Revised: 01/19/2021] [Accepted: 01/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Biological mechanisms associated with response to trauma may impact risk for depression. One such mechanism is endocannabinoid signaling (eCB), a neuromodulatory system comprised of the CB1 subtype of cannabinoid receptors (CB1R), encoded by the CNR1 gene, and two primary endogenous ligands: 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) and N-arachidonylethanolamine (AEA), hydrolyzed by monoacylglycerol lipase (gene name MGLL) and fatty acid amide hydrolase (gene name FAAH). Preclinical data suggest that eCB/CB1R signaling acts as a stress buffer and its loss or suppression increases depression-like behaviors. We examined circulating concentrations of the eCBs (2-AG and AEA) days and six months after a traumatic injury as a marker of eCB/CB1R signaling and as predictors of Center for Epidemiologic Studies of Depression Scale-Revised [CESD-R] scores as a measure of depression severity six months after injury. We also explored associations of CNR1, FAAH, and MGLL genetic variance with depression severity at six months. Results from hierarchical multiple linear regressions showed that higher 2-AG serum concentrations after trauma predicted greater depression at six months (β = 0.23, p = 0.007); neither AEA after trauma, nor 2-AG and AEA at six months were significant predictors (p's > 0.305). Carriers of minor allele for the putative single nucleotide polymorphism in the CNR1 gene rs806371 (β = 0.19, p = 0.024) experienced greater depression at six months. These data suggest that the eCB signaling system is highly activated following trauma and that eCB/CB1R activity contributes to long-term depression risk.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Samantha A. Chesney
- Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital - Neurological Rehabilitation Services, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | | | - Karen Brasel
- Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Christine L. Larson
- University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee, Department of Psychology, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | - Cecilia J. Hillard
- Medical College of Wisconsin, Neuroscience Research Center and Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | - Terri A. deRoon-Cassini
- Medical College of Wisconsin, Department of Surgery, Division of Trauma & Acute Care Surgery, Milwaukee, WI, USA
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16
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Fu R, Tang Y, Li W, Ren Z, Li D, Zheng J, Zuo W, Chen X, Zuo QK, Tam KL, Zou Y, Bachmann T, Bekker A, Ye JH. Endocannabinoid signaling in the lateral habenula regulates pain and alcohol consumption. Transl Psychiatry 2021; 11:220. [PMID: 33854035 PMCID: PMC8046806 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-021-01337-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2020] [Revised: 03/10/2021] [Accepted: 03/31/2021] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Hyperalgesia, which often occurs in people suffering from alcohol use disorder, may drive excessive drinking and relapse. Emerging evidence suggests that the lateral habenula (LHb) may play a significant role in this condition. Previous research suggests that endocannabinoid signaling (eCBs) is involved in drug addiction and pain, and that the LHb contains core components of the eCBs machinery. We report here our findings in rats subjected to chronic ethanol vapor exposure. We detected a substantial increase in endocannabinoid-related genes, including Mgll and Daglb mRNA levels, as well as monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL) protein levels, as well as a decrease in Cnr1 mRNA and type-1 cannabinoid receptor (CB1R) protein levels, in the LHb of ethanol-exposed rats. Also, rats withdrawing from ethanol exposure displayed hypersensitivity to mechanical and thermal nociceptive stimuli. Conversely, intra-LHb injection of the MAGL inhibitor JZL184, the fatty acid amide hydrolase inhibitor URB597, or the CB1R agonist WIN55,212-2 produced an analgesic effect, regardless of ethanol or air exposure history, implying that alcohol exposure does not change eCB pain responses. Intra-LHb infusion of the CB1R inverse agonist rimonabant eliminated the analgesic effect of these chemicals. Rimonabant alone elicited hyperalgesia in the air-, but not ethanol-exposed animals. Moreover, intra-LHb JZL184, URB597, or WIN55,212-2 reduced ethanol consumption in both homecages and operant chambers in rats exposed to ethanol vapor but not air. These findings suggest that LHb eCBs play a pivotal role in nociception and facilitating LHb eCBs may attenuate pain in drinkers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rao Fu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology, Physiology & Neuroscience, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ, 07103, USA
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510080, China
| | - Ying Tang
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ, 07103, USA
| | - Wenfu Li
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510080, China
| | - Zhiheng Ren
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510080, China
| | - Ding Li
- Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology, Physiology & Neuroscience, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ, 07103, USA
| | - Jiayi Zheng
- Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology, Physiology & Neuroscience, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ, 07103, USA
| | - Wanhong Zuo
- Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology, Physiology & Neuroscience, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ, 07103, USA
| | - Xuejun Chen
- Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology, Physiology & Neuroscience, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ, 07103, USA
| | - Qi Kang Zuo
- Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology, Physiology & Neuroscience, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ, 07103, USA
| | - Kelsey L Tam
- Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology, Physiology & Neuroscience, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ, 07103, USA
| | - Yucong Zou
- Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology, Physiology & Neuroscience, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ, 07103, USA
| | - Thomas Bachmann
- Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology, Physiology & Neuroscience, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ, 07103, USA
| | - Alex Bekker
- Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology, Physiology & Neuroscience, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ, 07103, USA
| | - Jiang-Hong Ye
- Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology, Physiology & Neuroscience, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ, 07103, USA.
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17
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Niemela G, Terry GE. Contribution of Fatty Acid Amide Hydrolase to Alcohol Use Disorder: A Systematic Review. Cannabis Cannabinoid Res 2021; 6:105-118. [PMID: 33989054 DOI: 10.1089/can.2020.0158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose: Recent research has suggested that chronic alcohol exposure induces changes in the endocannabinoid system within the central nervous system and therefore could be an attractive target for better understanding and treating alcohol use disorder (AUD). Much of this research has centered around the CB1 receptor and its endogenous partial agonist, the endocannabinoid anandamide, as the CB1 receptor is densely expressed in brain regions involved in development and maintenance of addictive behaviors. In addition, recent evidence has suggested that chronic alcohol exposure induces changes in the modulation of endocannabinoid concentration and suggests that these changes may contribute to the motivation to abuse alcohol. Therefore, we performed a systematic literature review to evaluate how fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH), an enzyme that degrades anandamide, relates to the characteristics and biology of AUD, as well as how modulating FAAH through pharmacologic inhibition or genetic manipulation affects outcomes related to alcohol use and consumption. Method: A search strategy was developed using the terms "endocannabinoids" or "drug delivery systems" and "alcohol dependence" or "alcohol use disorder" or "alcoholism" and "Fatty Acid Amide Hydrolase" and "FAAH" as text words and Medical Subject Headings (i.e., MeSH and EMTREE). We then used this search strategy on the electronic databases PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science. Results: We found 224 records; after removing repeated records (37%), articles that did not fit the topic question (47%), or were not primary research (4%), we included 26 for qualitative synthesis (12%). Discussion: The literature clearly suggests that FAAH has a role in the biology and characteristics of AUD. FAAH inhibition seems especially promising as a target for alcohol withdrawal as it may lead to a reduction in symptoms, including anxiety and a reduction of alcohol intake reinstatement. However, decreased FAAH may also lead to reduced sensitivity to alcohol along with increased preference and intake. Conclusions: Modulation of FAAH is promising for therapeutic intervention of AUD, but requires more research. Pre-clinical studies have indicated that FAAH inhibition may reduce withdrawal characteristics, but may also exacerbate other characteristics of AUD outside of that period.
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Affiliation(s)
- Greta Niemela
- University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Garth E Terry
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, and Radiology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington, USA.,Department of Veterans Affairs, Puget Sound Health Care System, Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center (MIRECC), Seattle, Washington, USA
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18
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Heinbockel T, Bhatia-Dey N, Shields VDC. Endocannabinoid-mediated neuromodulation in the main olfactory bulb at the interface of environmental stimuli and central neural processing. Eur J Neurosci 2021; 55:1002-1014. [PMID: 33724578 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.15186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2020] [Revised: 02/10/2021] [Accepted: 03/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The olfactory system has become an important functional gateway to understand and analyze neuromodulation since olfactory dysfunction and deficits have emerged as prodromal and, at other times, as first symptoms of many of neurodegenerative, neuropsychiatric and communication disorders. Considering olfactory dysfunction as outcome of altered, damaged and/or inefficient olfactory processing, in the current review, we analyze how olfactory processing interacts with the endocannabinoid signaling system. In the human body, endocannabinoid synthesis is a natural and on-demand response to a wide range of physiological and environmental stimuli. Our current understanding of the response dynamics of the endocannabinoid system is based in large part on research advances in limbic system areas, such as the hippocampus and the amygdala. Functional interactions of this signaling system with olfactory processing and associated pathways are just emerging but appear to grow rapidly with multidimensional approaches. Recent work analyzing the crystal structure of endocannabinoid receptors bound to their agonists in a signaling complex has opened avenues for developing specific therapeutic drugs that could help with neuroinflammation, neurodegeneration, and alleviation/reduction of pain. We discuss the role of endocannabinoids as signaling molecules in the olfactory system and the relevance of the endocannabinoid system for synaptic plasticity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Heinbockel
- Department of Anatomy, Howard University College of Medicine, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Naina Bhatia-Dey
- Department of Anatomy, Howard University College of Medicine, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Vonnie D C Shields
- Biological Sciences Department, Fisher College of Science and Mathematics, Towson University, Towson, MD, USA
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19
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Oppong-Damoah A, Gannon BM, Murnane KS. The Endocannabinoid System and Alcohol Dependence: Will Cannabinoid Receptor 2 Agonism be More Fruitful than Cannabinoid Receptor 1 Antagonism? CNS & NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS DRUG TARGETS 2021; 21:3-13. [PMID: 33573565 DOI: 10.2174/1871527320666210211115007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2020] [Revised: 09/17/2020] [Accepted: 09/18/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Alcohol-use disorder (AUD) remains a major public health concern. In recent years, there has been a heightened interest in components of the endocannabinoid system for the treatment of AUD. Cannabinoid type 1 (CB1) receptors have been shown to modulate the rewarding effects of alcohol, reduce the abuse-related effects of alcohol, improve cognition, exhibit anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective effects, which are all favorable properties of potential therapeutic candidates for the treatment of AUD. However, CB1 agonists have not been investigated for the treatment of AUD because they stimulate the motivational properties of alcohol, increase alcohol intake, and have the tendency to be abused. Preclinical data suggest significant potential for the use of CB1 antagonists to treat AUD; however, a clinical phase I/II trial with SR14716A (rimonabant), a CB1 receptor antagonist/inverse agonist showed that it produced serious neuropsychiatric adverse events such as anxiety, depression, and even suicidal ideation. This has redirected the field to focus on alternative components of the endocannabinoid system, including cannabinoid type 2 (CB2) receptor agonists as a potential therapeutic target for AUD. CB2 receptor agonists are of particular interest because they can modulate the reward pathway, reduce abuse-related effects of alcohol, reverse neuroinflammation, improve cognition, and exhibit anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects, without exhibiting the psychiatric side effects seen with CB1 antagonists. Accordingly, this article presents an overview of the studies reported in the literature that have investigated CB2 receptor agonists with regards to AUD and provides commentary as to whether this receptor is a worthy target for continued investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aboagyewaah Oppong-Damoah
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Mercer University College of Pharmacy, Mercer University Health Sciences Center,United States
| | - Brenda Marie Gannon
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Mercer University College of Pharmacy, Mercer University Health Sciences Center,United States
| | - Kevin Sean Murnane
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Mercer University College of Pharmacy, Mercer University Health Sciences Center,United States
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20
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Lower amygdala fatty acid amide hydrolase in violent offenders with antisocial personality disorder: an [ 11C]CURB positron emission tomography study. Transl Psychiatry 2021; 11:57. [PMID: 33462180 PMCID: PMC7814116 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-020-01144-2] [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: 07/15/2020] [Revised: 11/14/2020] [Accepted: 12/04/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Antisocial personality disorder (ASPD) imposes a high societal burden given the repetitive reactive aggression that affected individuals perpetrate. Since the brain endocannabinoid system (ECS) has been implicated in ASPD and aggressive behavior, we utilized [11C]CURB positron emission tomography to investigate fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH), an enzyme of the ECS that degrades anandamide, in 16 individuals with ASPD and 16 control participants. We hypothesized that FAAH density would be lower in the amygdala for several reasons. First, decreased FAAH expression is associated with increased cannabinoid receptor 1 stimulation, which may be responsible for amygdala hyper-reactivity in reactive aggression. Second, the amygdala is the seat of the neural circuit mediating reactive aggression. Third, other PET studies of externalizing populations show reduced brain FAAH density. Conversely, we hypothesized that FAAH expression would be greater in the orbitofrontal cortex. Consistent with our hypothesis, we found that amygdala FAAH density was lower in the amygdala of ASPD (p = 0.013). Cerebellar and striatal FAAH expression were inversely related with impulsivity (cerebellum: r = -0.60, p = 0.017; dorsal caudate: r = -0.58, p = 0.023; dorsal putamen: r = -0.55, p = 0.034), while cerebellar FAAH density was also negatively associated with assaultive aggression (r = -0.54, p = 0.035). ASPD presents high levels of disruptive behavior with few, if any, efficacious treatment options. Novel therapeutics that increase FAAH brain levels in a region-specific manner could hold promise for attenuating certain symptom clusters of ASPD, although our results require replication.
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21
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Mannekote Thippaiah S, Iyengar SS, Vinod KY. Exo- and Endo-cannabinoids in Depressive and Suicidal Behaviors. Front Psychiatry 2021; 12:636228. [PMID: 33967855 PMCID: PMC8102729 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.636228] [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: 12/01/2020] [Accepted: 03/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Cannabis (marijuana) has been known to humans for thousands of years but its neurophysiological effects were sparsely understood until recently. Preclinical and clinical studies in the past two decades have indisputably supported the clinical proposition that the endocannabinoid system plays an important role in the etiopathogeneses of many neuropsychiatric disorders, including mood and addictive disorders. In this review, we discuss the existing knowledge of exo- and endo-cannabinoids, and role of the endocannabinoid system in depressive and suicidal behavior. A dysfunction in this system, located in brain regions such as prefrontal cortex and limbic structures is implicated in mood regulation, impulsivity and decision-making, may increase the risk of negative mood and cognition as well as suicidality. The literature discussed here also suggests that the endocannabinoid system may be a viable target for treatments of these neuropsychiatric conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Srinagesh Mannekote Thippaiah
- Valleywise Behavioral Health, Phoenix, AZ, United States.,Creighton University School of Medicine, Phoenix, AZ, United States
| | - Sloka S Iyengar
- The American Museum of Natural History, New York, NY, United States
| | - K Yaragudri Vinod
- Department of Analytical Psychopharmacology, The Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, Orangeburg, NY, United States.,Emotional Brain Institute, Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, Orangeburg, NY, United States.,Department of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, New York University Langone Health, New York, NY, United States
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22
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Pinna G. Endocannabinoids and Precision Medicine for Mood Disorders and Suicide. Front Psychiatry 2021; 12:658433. [PMID: 34093274 PMCID: PMC8173054 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.658433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2021] [Accepted: 04/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Graziano Pinna
- The Psychiatric Institute, Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
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23
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Kolla NJ, Mizrahi R, Karas K, Wang C, Bagby RM, McMain S, Simpson AI, Rusjan PM, Tyndale R, Houle S, Boileau I. Elevated fatty acid amide hydrolase in the prefrontal cortex of borderline personality disorder: a [ 11C]CURB positron emission tomography study. Neuropsychopharmacology 2020; 45:1834-1841. [PMID: 32521537 PMCID: PMC7608329 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-020-0731-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2020] [Revised: 05/27/2020] [Accepted: 06/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Amygdala-prefrontal cortex (PFC) functional impairments have been linked to emotion dysregulation and aggression in borderline personality disorder (BPD). Fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH), the major catabolic enzyme for the endocannabinoid anandamide, has been proposed as a key regulator of the amygdala-PFC circuit that subserves emotion regulation. We tested the hypothesis that FAAH levels measured with [11C]CURB positron emission tomography in amygdala and PFC would be elevated in BPD and would relate to hostility and aggression. Twenty BPD patients and 20 healthy controls underwent FAAH genotyping (rs324420) and scanning with [11C]CURB. BPD patients were medication-free and were not experiencing a current major depressive episode. Regional differences in [11C]CURB binding were assessed using multivariate analysis of covariance with PFC and amygdala [11C]CURB binding as dependent variables, diagnosis as a fixed factor, and sex and genotype as covariates. [11C]CURB binding was marginally elevated across the PFC and amygdala in BPD (p = 0.08). In a priori selected PFC, but not amygdala, [11C]CURB binding was significantly higher in BPD (11.0%, p = 0.035 versus 10.6%, p = 0.29). PFC and amygdala [11C]CURB binding was positively correlated with measures of hostility in BPD (r > 0.4; p < 0.04). This study is the first to provide preliminary evidence of elevated PFC FAAH binding in any psychiatric condition. Findings are consistent with the model that lower endocannabinoid tone could perturb PFC circuitry that regulates emotion and aggression. Replication of these findings could encourage testing of FAAH inhibitors as innovative treatments for BPD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathan J. Kolla
- grid.155956.b0000 0000 8793 5925Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Toronto, ON Canada ,grid.155956.b0000 0000 8793 5925Violence Prevention Neurobiological Research Unit, CAMH, Toronto, ON Canada ,grid.17063.330000 0001 2157 2938Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON Canada ,grid.17063.330000 0001 2157 2938Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON Canada ,grid.440060.60000 0004 0459 5734Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care, Penetanguishene, ON Canada
| | - R. Mizrahi
- grid.155956.b0000 0000 8793 5925Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Toronto, ON Canada ,grid.17063.330000 0001 2157 2938Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON Canada ,grid.17063.330000 0001 2157 2938Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON Canada
| | - K. Karas
- grid.155956.b0000 0000 8793 5925Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Toronto, ON Canada ,grid.155956.b0000 0000 8793 5925Violence Prevention Neurobiological Research Unit, CAMH, Toronto, ON Canada
| | - C. Wang
- grid.155956.b0000 0000 8793 5925Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Toronto, ON Canada ,grid.155956.b0000 0000 8793 5925Violence Prevention Neurobiological Research Unit, CAMH, Toronto, ON Canada
| | - R. M. Bagby
- grid.155956.b0000 0000 8793 5925Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Toronto, ON Canada ,grid.17063.330000 0001 2157 2938Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON Canada
| | - S. McMain
- grid.155956.b0000 0000 8793 5925Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Toronto, ON Canada ,grid.17063.330000 0001 2157 2938Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON Canada
| | - A. I. Simpson
- grid.155956.b0000 0000 8793 5925Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Toronto, ON Canada ,grid.17063.330000 0001 2157 2938Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON Canada
| | - P. M. Rusjan
- grid.155956.b0000 0000 8793 5925Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Toronto, ON Canada ,grid.17063.330000 0001 2157 2938Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON Canada
| | - R. Tyndale
- grid.155956.b0000 0000 8793 5925Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Toronto, ON Canada ,grid.17063.330000 0001 2157 2938Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON Canada ,grid.17063.330000 0001 2157 2938Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON Canada
| | - S. Houle
- grid.155956.b0000 0000 8793 5925Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Toronto, ON Canada ,grid.17063.330000 0001 2157 2938Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON Canada
| | - I. Boileau
- grid.155956.b0000 0000 8793 5925Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Toronto, ON Canada ,grid.17063.330000 0001 2157 2938Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON Canada ,grid.17063.330000 0001 2157 2938Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON Canada
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Hauser SR, Katner SN, Waeiss RA, Truitt WA, Bell RL, McBride WJ, Rodd ZA. Selective breeding for high alcohol preference is associated with increased sensitivity to cannabinoid reward within the nucleus accumbens shell. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2020; 197:173002. [PMID: 32710885 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2020.173002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2020] [Revised: 07/20/2020] [Accepted: 07/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE The rate of cannabinoid intake by those with alcohol use disorder (AUD) exceeds that of the general public. The high prevalence of co-abuse of alcohol and cannabis has been postulated to be predicated upon both a common predisposing genetic factor and the interaction of the drugs within the organism. The current experiments examined the effects of cannabinoids in an animal model of AUD. OBJECTIVES The present study assessed the reinforcing properties of a cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1) agonist self-administered directly into the nucleus accumbens shell (AcbSh) in female Wistar and alcohol-preferring (P) rats. METHODS Following guide cannulae surgery aimed at AcbSh, subjects were placed in an operant box equipped with an 'active lever' (fixed ratio 1; FR1) that caused the delivery of the infusate and an 'inactive lever' that did not. Subjects were arbitrarily assigned to one of seven groups that self-administered either artificial cerebrospinal fluid (aCSF), or 3.125, 6.25, 12.5, or 25 pmol/100 nl of O-1057, a water-soluble CB1 agonist, dissolved in aCSF. The first four sessions of acquisition are followed by aCSF only infusates in sessions 5 and 6 during extinction, and finally the acquisition dose of infusate during session 7 as reinstatement. RESULTS The CB1 agonist was self-administered directly into the AcbSh. P rats self-administered the CB1 agonist at lower concentrations and at higher rates compared to Wistar rats. CONCLUSIONS Overall, the data indicate selective breeding for high alcohol preference has produced rats divergent in response to cannabinoids within the brain reward pathway. The data support the hypothesis that there can be common genetic factors influencing drug addiction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheketha R Hauser
- Department of Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA; Paul and Carole Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA.
| | - Simon N Katner
- Department of Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA; Paul and Carole Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Robert A Waeiss
- Department of Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA; Paul and Carole Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - William A Truitt
- Paul and Carole Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA; Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology & Physiology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Richard L Bell
- Department of Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA; Paul and Carole Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - William J McBride
- Department of Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA; Paul and Carole Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Zachary A Rodd
- Department of Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA; Paul and Carole Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
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Lower brain fatty acid amide hydrolase in treatment-seeking patients with alcohol use disorder: a positron emission tomography study with [C-11]CURB. Neuropsychopharmacology 2020; 45:1289-1296. [PMID: 31910433 PMCID: PMC7298050 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-020-0606-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2019] [Revised: 12/31/2019] [Accepted: 12/31/2019] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
The endocannabinoid enzyme, fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH), has been proposed as a therapeutic target for alcohol use disorder (AUD) and co-morbid psychiatric illnesses. Investigating this target in the living human brain and its relationship to clinical outcome is a critical step of informed drug development. Our objective was to establish whether brain FAAH levels are low in individuals with AUD and related to drinking behavior. In this pilot study, treatment-seeking patients with AUD completed two PET scans with the FAAH radiotracer [C-11]CURB after 3-7 days (n = 14) and 2-4 weeks (n = 9) of monitored abstinence. Healthy controls (n = 25) completed one scan. FAAH genetic polymorphism (rs324420) and blood concentrations of anandamide and other N-acylethanolamines metabolized by FAAH were determined and AUD symptoms assessed. In AUD, brain FAAH levels were globally lower than controls during early abstinence (F(1,36) = 5.447; p = 0.025)) and FAAH substrates (anandamide, oleoylethanolamide, and N-docosahexaenoylethanolamide) were significantly elevated (30-67%). No significant differences in FAAH or FAAH substrates were noted after 2-4 weeks abstinence. FAAH levels negatively correlated with drinks per week (r = -0.57, p = 0.032) and plasma concentrations of the three FAAH substrates (r > 0.57; p < 0.04)). Our findings suggest that early abstinence from alcohol in AUD is associated with transiently low brain FAAH levels, which are inversely related to heavier alcohol use and elevated plasma levels of FAAH substrates. Whether low FAAH is an adaptive beneficial response to chronic alcohol is unknown. Therapeutic strategies focusing on FAAH inhibition should consider the possibility that low FAAH during early abstinence may be related to drinking.
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Sanchez-Marin L, Gavito AL, Decara J, Pastor A, Castilla-Ortega E, Suarez J, de la Torre R, Pavon FJ, Rodriguez de Fonseca F, Serrano A. Impact of intermittent voluntary ethanol consumption during adolescence on the expression of endocannabinoid system and neuroinflammatory mediators. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol 2020; 33:126-138. [PMID: 32057593 DOI: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2020.01.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2019] [Revised: 01/09/2020] [Accepted: 01/22/2020] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
The adolescent brain displays high vulnerability to the deleterious effects of ethanol, including greater risk of developing alcohol use disorder later in life. Here, we characterized the gene expression of the endocannabinoid system (ECS) and relevant signaling systems associated with neuroinflammation and emotional behaviors in the brain of young adult control and ethanol-exposed (EtOH) rats. We measured mRNA levels of candidate genes using quantitative real time PCR in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), amygdala and hippocampus. EtOH rats were generated by maintenance on an intermittent and voluntary ethanol consumption during adolescence using the two-bottle choice paradigm (4 days/week for 4 weeks) followed by 2 week-withdrawal, a time-point of withdrawal with no physical symptoms. Mean differences and effect sizes were calculated using t-test and Cohen's d values. In the mPFC and hippocampus, EtOH rats had significantly higher mRNA expression of endocannabinoid-signaling (mPFC: Ppara, Dagla, Daglb and Napepld; and hippocampus: Cnr2, Dagla and Mgll) and neuroinflammation-associated genes (mPFC: Gfap; and hippocampus: Aif1) than in controls. Moreover, EtOH rats had significantly higher mRNA expression of neuropeptide Y receptor genes (Npy1r, Npy2r and Npy5r) in the hippocampus. Finally, EtOH rats also displayed higher plasma endocannabinoid levels than controls. In conclusion, these results suggest that adolescent ethanol exposure can lead to long-term alterations in the gene expression of the ECS and other signaling systems involved in neuroinflammation and regulation of emotional behaviors in key brain areas for the development of addiction.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Sanchez-Marin
- Unidad Gestión Clínica de Salud Mental, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga (IBIMA), Hospital Regional Universitario de Málaga, Universidad de Málaga, Avda. Carlos Haya 82, Sótano, Málaga 29010, Spain
| | - A L Gavito
- Unidad Gestión Clínica de Salud Mental, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga (IBIMA), Hospital Regional Universitario de Málaga, Universidad de Málaga, Avda. Carlos Haya 82, Sótano, Málaga 29010, Spain
| | - J Decara
- Unidad Gestión Clínica de Salud Mental, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga (IBIMA), Hospital Regional Universitario de Málaga, Universidad de Málaga, Avda. Carlos Haya 82, Sótano, Málaga 29010, Spain
| | - A Pastor
- Programa de Neurociencias, Institut Hospital del Mar d'Investigacions Mèdiques (IMIM), Barcelona, Spain
| | - E Castilla-Ortega
- Unidad Gestión Clínica de Salud Mental, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga (IBIMA), Hospital Regional Universitario de Málaga, Universidad de Málaga, Avda. Carlos Haya 82, Sótano, Málaga 29010, Spain
| | - J Suarez
- Unidad Gestión Clínica de Salud Mental, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga (IBIMA), Hospital Regional Universitario de Málaga, Universidad de Málaga, Avda. Carlos Haya 82, Sótano, Málaga 29010, Spain
| | - R de la Torre
- Programa de Neurociencias, Institut Hospital del Mar d'Investigacions Mèdiques (IMIM), Barcelona, Spain
| | - F J Pavon
- Unidad Gestión Clínica de Salud Mental, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga (IBIMA), Hospital Regional Universitario de Málaga, Universidad de Málaga, Avda. Carlos Haya 82, Sótano, Málaga 29010, Spain; Unidad Gestión Clínica del Corazón, IBIMA, Hospital Universitario Virgen de la Victoria, Universidad de Málaga, Málaga, Spain
| | - F Rodriguez de Fonseca
- Unidad Gestión Clínica de Salud Mental, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga (IBIMA), Hospital Regional Universitario de Málaga, Universidad de Málaga, Avda. Carlos Haya 82, Sótano, Málaga 29010, Spain.
| | - A Serrano
- Unidad Gestión Clínica de Salud Mental, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga (IBIMA), Hospital Regional Universitario de Málaga, Universidad de Málaga, Avda. Carlos Haya 82, Sótano, Málaga 29010, Spain.
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27
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Dong B, Shilpa BM, Shah R, Goyal A, Xie S, Bakalian MJ, Suckow RF, Cooper TB, Mann JJ, Arango V, Vinod KY. Dual pharmacological inhibitor of endocannabinoid degrading enzymes reduces depressive-like behavior in female rats. J Psychiatr Res 2020; 120:103-112. [PMID: 31654971 PMCID: PMC6916267 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2019.10.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2019] [Revised: 09/18/2019] [Accepted: 10/10/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Major depressive disorder (MDD) is common, often under-treated and a leading cause of disability and mortality worldwide. The causes of MDD remain unclear, including the role of the endocannabinoid system. Intriguingly, the prevalence of depression is significantly greater in women than men. In this study we examined the role of endocannabinoids in depressive behavior. The levels of endocannabinoids, N-arachidonoyl ethanolamide (AEA) and 2-arachidonoyl glycerol (2-AG) were measured along with brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in postmortem ventral striata of female patients with MDD and non-psychiatric controls, and in Wistar Kyoto (WKY) rat, a selectively inbred strain of rat widely used for testing the depressive behavior. The effect of pharmacological elevation of endocannabinoids through inhibition of their catabolizing enzymes (fatty acid amide hydrolase [FAAH] and monoacyl glycerol lipase [MAGL]) on depressive-like phenotype was also assessed in WKY rat. The findings showed lower levels of endocannabinoids and BDNF in the ventral striata of MDD patients and WKY rats. A dual inhibitor of FAAH and MAGL, JZL195, elevated the endocannabinoids and BDNF levels in ventral striatum, and reduced the depressive-like phenotype in female WKY rats. Collectively, our study suggests a blunted ventral striatal endocannabinoid and BDNF signaling in depressive behavior and concludes that endocannabinoid enhancing agents may have an antidepressant effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bin Dong
- Division of Analytical Psychopharmacology, Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, Orangeburg, NY, USA
| | - Borehalli M Shilpa
- Division of Analytical Psychopharmacology, Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, Orangeburg, NY, USA; School of Basic and Applied Sciences, Dayananda Sagar University, Bangalore, India
| | - Relish Shah
- Division of Analytical Psychopharmacology, Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, Orangeburg, NY, USA
| | - Arjun Goyal
- Division of Analytical Psychopharmacology, Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, Orangeburg, NY, USA
| | - Shan Xie
- Division of Analytical Psychopharmacology, Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, Orangeburg, NY, USA
| | | | - Raymond F Suckow
- Division of Analytical Psychopharmacology, Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, Orangeburg, NY, USA; New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA
| | - Thomas B Cooper
- Division of Analytical Psychopharmacology, Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, Orangeburg, NY, USA; New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA
| | - J John Mann
- New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA
| | - Victoria Arango
- New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA
| | - K Yaragudri Vinod
- Division of Analytical Psychopharmacology, Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, Orangeburg, NY, USA; Emotional Brain Institute, Orangeburg, NY, USA; Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
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28
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Bedse G, Centanni SW, Winder DG, Patel S. Endocannabinoid Signaling in the Central Amygdala and Bed Nucleus of the Stria Terminalis: Implications for the Pathophysiology and Treatment of Alcohol Use Disorder. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 2019; 43:2014-2027. [PMID: 31373708 PMCID: PMC6779484 DOI: 10.1111/acer.14159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2019] [Accepted: 07/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
High rates of relapse are a chronic and debilitating obstacle to effective treatment of alcohol use disorder (AUD); however, no effective treatments are available to treat symptoms induced by protracted abstinence. In the first part of this 2-part review series, we examine the literature supporting the effects of alcohol exposure within the extended amygdala (EA) neural circuitry. In Part 2, we focus on a potential way to combat negative affect associated with AUD, by exploring the therapeutic potential of the endogenous cannabinoid (eCB) system. The eCB system is a potent modulator of neural activity in the brain, and its ability to mitigate stress and negative affect has long been an area of interest for developing novel therapeutics. This review details the recent advances in our understanding of eCB signaling in 2 key regions of the EA, the central nucleus of the amygdala and the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST), and their role in regulating negative affect. Despite an established role for EA eCB signaling in reducing negative affect, few studies have examined the potential for eCB-based therapies to treat AUD-associated negative affect. In this review, we present an overview of studies focusing on eCB signaling in EA and cannabinoid modulation on EA synaptic activity. We further discuss studies suggesting dysregulation of eCB signaling in models of AUD and propose that pharmacological augmentation of eCB could be a novel approach to treat aspects of AUD. Lastly, future directions are proposed to advance our understanding of the relationship between AUD-associated negative affect and the EA eCB system that could yield new pharmacotherapies targeting negative affective symptoms associated with AUD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaurav Bedse
- Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, Nashville, TN, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Samuel W. Centanni
- Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, Nashville, TN, USA
- Molecular Physiology & Biophysics, the, Nashville, TN, USA
- Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Nashville, TN, USA
- Vanderbilt J.F. Kennedy Center for Research on Human Development, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Danny G. Winder
- Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, Nashville, TN, USA
- Molecular Physiology & Biophysics, the, Nashville, TN, USA
- Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Nashville, TN, USA
- Vanderbilt J.F. Kennedy Center for Research on Human Development, Nashville, TN, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Sachin Patel
- Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, Nashville, TN, USA
- Molecular Physiology & Biophysics, the, Nashville, TN, USA
- Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Nashville, TN, USA
- Vanderbilt J.F. Kennedy Center for Research on Human Development, Nashville, TN, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Nashville, TN, USA
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29
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Basavarajappa BS, Joshi V, Shivakumar M, Subbanna S. Distinct functions of endogenous cannabinoid system in alcohol abuse disorders. Br J Pharmacol 2019; 176:3085-3109. [PMID: 31265740 DOI: 10.1111/bph.14780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2019] [Revised: 06/11/2019] [Accepted: 06/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Δ9 -tetrahydrocannabinol, the principal active component in Cannabis sativa extracts such as marijuana, participates in cell signalling by binding to cannabinoid CB1 and CB2 receptors on the cell surface. The CB1 receptors are present in both inhibitory and excitatory presynaptic terminals and the CB2 receptors are found in neuronal subpopulations in addition to microglial cells and astrocytes and are present in both presynaptic and postsynaptic terminals. Subsequent to the discovery of the endocannabinoid (eCB) system, studies have suggested that alcohol alters the eCB system and that this system plays a major role in the motivation to abuse alcohol. Preclinical studies have provided evidence that chronic alcohol consumption modulates eCBs and expression of CB1 receptors in brain addiction circuits. In addition, studies have further established the distinct function of the eCB system in the development of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. This review provides a recent and comprehensive assessment of the literature related to the function of the eCB system in alcohol abuse disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Balapal S Basavarajappa
- Division of Analytical Psychopharmacology, Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, Orangeburg, NY, USA.,New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Vikram Joshi
- Division of Analytical Psychopharmacology, Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, Orangeburg, NY, USA
| | - Madhu Shivakumar
- Division of Analytical Psychopharmacology, Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, Orangeburg, NY, USA
| | - Shivakumar Subbanna
- Division of Analytical Psychopharmacology, Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, Orangeburg, NY, USA
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30
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Locci A, Pinna G. Social isolation as a promising animal model of PTSD comorbid suicide: neurosteroids and cannabinoids as possible treatment options. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2019; 92:243-259. [PMID: 30586627 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2018.12.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2018] [Revised: 12/18/2018] [Accepted: 12/21/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a psychiatric condition characterized by drastic alterations in mood, emotions, social abilities and cognition. Notably, one aspect of PTSD, particularly in veterans, is its comorbidity with suicide. Elevated aggressiveness predicts high-risk to suicide in humans and despite the difficulty in reproducing a complex human suicidal behavior in rodents, aggressive behavior is a well reproducible behavioral trait of suicide. PTSD animal models are based on a peculiar phenotype, including exaggerated fear memory and impaired fear extinction associated with neurochemical dysregulations in the brain circuitry regulating emotion. The endocannabinoid and the neurosteroid systems regulate emotions and stress responses, and recent evidence shows these two systems are interrelated and critically compromised in neuropsychiatric disorders. For instance, levels of the neurosteroid, allopregnanolone, as well as those of the endocannabinoids, anandamide and its congener, palmitoylethanolamide are decreased in PTSD. Similarly, the endocannabinoid system and neurosteroid biosynthesis are altered in suicidal individuals. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), the only FDA-approved treatments for PTSD, fail to help half of the treatment-seeking patients. This highlights the need for developing biomarker-based efficient therapies. One promising alternative to SSRIs points to stimulation of allopregnanolone biosynthesis as a treatment and a valid end-point to predict treatment response in PTSD patients. This review highlights running findings on the role of the endocannabinoid and neurosteroid systems in PTSD and suicidal behavior both in a preclinical and clinical perspective. A specific focus is given to predictive PTSD/suicide animal models. Ultimately, we discuss the idea that disruption of neurosteroid and endocannabinoid biosynthesis may offer a novel promising biomarker axis to develop new treatments for PTSD and, perhaps, suicidal behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Locci
- The Psychiatric Institute, Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, 1601 W. Taylor St., Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Graziano Pinna
- The Psychiatric Institute, Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, 1601 W. Taylor St., Chicago, IL 60612, USA.
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31
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Bonilla-Del Rίo I, Puente N, Peñasco S, Rico I, Gutiérrez-Rodrίguez A, Elezgarai I, Ramos A, Reguero L, Gerrikagoitia I, Christie BR, Nahirney P, Grandes P. Adolescent ethanol intake alters cannabinoid type-1 receptor localization in astrocytes of the adult mouse hippocampus. Addict Biol 2019; 24:182-192. [PMID: 29168269 DOI: 10.1111/adb.12585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2017] [Revised: 09/26/2017] [Accepted: 11/06/2017] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Cannabinoid type-1 (CB1 ) receptors are widely distributed in the brain and play important roles in astrocyte function and the modulation of neuronal synaptic transmission and plasticity. However, it is currently unknown how CB1 receptor expression in astrocytes is affected by long-term exposure to stressors. Here we examined CB1 receptors in astrocytes of ethanol (EtOH)-exposed adolescent mice to determine its effect on CB1 receptor localization and density in adult brain. 4-8-week-old male mice were exposed to 20 percent EtOH over a period of 4 weeks, and receptor localization was examined after 4 weeks in the hippocampal CA1 stratum radiatum by pre-embedding immunoelectron microscopy. Our results revealed a significant reduction in CB1 receptor immunoparticles in astrocytic processes of EtOH-exposed mice when compared with controls (positive astrocyte elements: 21.50 ± 2.80 percent versus 37.22 ± 3.12 percent, respectively), as well as a reduction in particle density (0.24 ± 0.02 versus 0.35 ± 0.02 particles/μm). The majority of CB1 receptor metal particles were in the range of 400-1200 nm from synaptic terminals in both control and EtOH. Altogether, the decrease in the CB1 receptor expression in hippocampal astrocytes of adult mice exposed to EtOH during adolescence reveals a long lasting effect of EtOH on astrocytic CB1 receptors. This deficiency may also have negative consequences for synaptic function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Itziar Bonilla-Del Rίo
- Department of Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing; University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU; Spain
- Achucarro Basque Center for Neuroscience; Science Park of the UPV/EHU; Spain
| | - Nagore Puente
- Department of Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing; University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU; Spain
- Achucarro Basque Center for Neuroscience; Science Park of the UPV/EHU; Spain
| | - Sara Peñasco
- Department of Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing; University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU; Spain
- Achucarro Basque Center for Neuroscience; Science Park of the UPV/EHU; Spain
| | - Irantzu Rico
- Department of Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing; University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU; Spain
- Achucarro Basque Center for Neuroscience; Science Park of the UPV/EHU; Spain
| | - Ana Gutiérrez-Rodrίguez
- Department of Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing; University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU; Spain
- Achucarro Basque Center for Neuroscience; Science Park of the UPV/EHU; Spain
| | - Izaskun Elezgarai
- Department of Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing; University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU; Spain
- Achucarro Basque Center for Neuroscience; Science Park of the UPV/EHU; Spain
| | - Almudena Ramos
- Department of Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing; University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU; Spain
- Achucarro Basque Center for Neuroscience; Science Park of the UPV/EHU; Spain
| | - Leire Reguero
- Department of Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing; University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU; Spain
- Achucarro Basque Center for Neuroscience; Science Park of the UPV/EHU; Spain
| | - Inmaculada Gerrikagoitia
- Department of Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing; University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU; Spain
- Achucarro Basque Center for Neuroscience; Science Park of the UPV/EHU; Spain
| | | | | | - Pedro Grandes
- Department of Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing; University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU; Spain
- Achucarro Basque Center for Neuroscience; Science Park of the UPV/EHU; Spain
- Division of Medical Sciences; University of Victoria; Canada
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32
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Endocannabinoid System and Alcohol Abuse Disorders. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2019; 1162:89-127. [PMID: 31332736 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-21737-2_6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC), the primary active component in Cannabis sativa preparations such as hashish and marijuana, signals by binding to cell surface receptors. Two types of receptors have been cloned and characterized as cannabinoid (CB) receptors. CB1 receptors (CB1R) are ubiquitously present in the central nervous system (CNS) and are present in both inhibitory interneurons and excitatory neurons at the presynaptic terminal. CB2 receptors (CB2R) are demonstrated in microglial cells, astrocytes, and several neuron subpopulations and are present in both pre- and postsynaptic terminals. The majority of studies on these receptors have been conducted in the past two and half decades after the identification of the molecular constituents of the endocannabinoid (eCB) system that started with the characterization of CB1R. Subsequently, the seminal discovery was made, which suggested that alcohol (ethanol) alters the eCB system, thus establishing the contribution of the eCB system in the motivation to consume ethanol. Several preclinical studies have provided evidence that CB1R significantly contributes to the motivational and reinforcing properties of ethanol and that the chronic consumption of ethanol alters eCB transmitters and CB1R expression in the brain nuclei associated with addiction pathways. Additionally, recent seminal studies have further established the role of the eCB system in the development of ethanol-induced developmental disorders, such as fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD). These results are augmented by in vitro and ex vivo studies, showing that acute and chronic treatment with ethanol produces physiologically relevant alterations in the function of the eCB system during development and in the adult stage. This chapter provides a current and comprehensive review of the literature concerning the role of the eCB system in alcohol abuse disorders (AUD).
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Poleszak E, Wośko S, Sławińska K, Szopa A, Wróbel A, Serefko A. Cannabinoids in depressive disorders. Life Sci 2018; 213:18-24. [PMID: 30290188 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2018.09.058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2018] [Revised: 09/26/2018] [Accepted: 09/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Cannabis sativa is one of the most popular recreational and medicinal plants. Benefits from use of cannabinoid agents in epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, and others have been suggested. It seems that the endocannabinoid system is also involved in the pathogenesis and treatment of depression, though its role in this mental disease has not been fully understood yet. Both the pro- and antidepressant activity have been reported after cannabis consumption and a number of pre-clinical studies have demonstrated that both agonist and antagonist of the endocannabinoid receptors act similarly to antidepressants. Responses to the cannabinoid agents are relatively fast, and most probably, the noradrenergic, serotoninergic, glutamatergic neurotransmission, neuroprotective activity, as well as modulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis are implicated in the observed effects. Based on the published data, the endocannabinoid system evidently gives novel ideas and options in the field of antidepressant treatment, however further studies are needed to determine which group of patients could benefit from this type of therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ewa Poleszak
- Chair and Department of Applied Pharmacy, Medical University of Lublin, Chodźki 1, PL, 20-093 Lublin, Poland.
| | - Sylwia Wośko
- Chair and Department of Applied Pharmacy, Medical University of Lublin, Chodźki 1, PL, 20-093 Lublin, Poland
| | - Karolina Sławińska
- Chair and Department of Applied Pharmacy, Medical University of Lublin, Chodźki 1, PL, 20-093 Lublin, Poland
| | - Aleksandra Szopa
- Chair and Department of Applied Pharmacy, Medical University of Lublin, Chodźki 1, PL, 20-093 Lublin, Poland
| | - Andrzej Wróbel
- Second Department of Gynecology, Medical University of Lublin, Jaczewskiego 8, PL, 20-090 Lublin, Poland
| | - Anna Serefko
- Chair and Department of Applied Pharmacy, Medical University of Lublin, Chodźki 1, PL, 20-093 Lublin, Poland.
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34
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Deficient endocannabinoid signaling in the central amygdala contributes to alcohol dependence-related anxiety-like behavior and excessive alcohol intake. Neuropsychopharmacology 2018; 43:1840-1850. [PMID: 29748627 PMCID: PMC6046053 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-018-0055-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2017] [Revised: 03/22/2018] [Accepted: 03/22/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Negative emotional states that are associated with excessive alcohol intake, particularly anxiety-like states, have been linked to opponent processes in the central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA), affecting stress-related transmitters and monoamines. This study extends these observations to include endocannabinoid signaling in alcohol-dependent animals. Rats and mice were exposed to chronic intermittent alcohol with vapor inhalation or liquid diet to induce dependence. In vivo microdialysis was used to estimate interstitial concentrations of endocannabinoids [N-arachidonoylethanolamine (anandamide; AEA) and 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG)] and amino acids (glutamate and GABA) in rat CeA. Additionally, we evaluated the inhibition of endocannabinoids clearance enzymes [monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL) and fatty acid amide hydrolase] on anxiety-like behavior and alcohol consumption in alcohol-dependent rats and mice. Results revealed that alcohol dependence produced decreases in baseline 2-AG dialysate levels and increases in baseline levels of glutamate and GABA. Acute alcohol abstinence induced an enhancement of these dependence-induced effects and the levels of 2-AG and GABA were restored upon alcohol re-exposure. Additional studies showed that the increased CeA 2-AG levels induced by restraint stress and alcohol self-administration were blunted in alcohol-dependent rats. Pharmacological studies in rats and mice showed that anxiety-like behavior and alcohol consumption were increased in alcohol-dependent animals, and these behavioral effects were attenuated mainly by MAGL inhibitors [MJN110 (10 and 20 mg/kg) in rats and JZL184 (1 and 3 mg/kg) in mice]. The present results suggest a key role for endocannabinoid signaling in motivational neuroadaptations during alcohol dependence, in which a deficiency in CeA 2-AG signaling in alcohol-dependent animals is linked to stress and excessive alcohol consumption.
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Lavanco G, Castelli V, Brancato A, Tringali G, Plescia F, Cannizzaro C. The endocannabinoid-alcohol crosstalk: Recent advances on a bi-faceted target. Clin Exp Pharmacol Physiol 2018; 45:889-896. [PMID: 29770478 DOI: 10.1111/1440-1681.12967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2018] [Revised: 05/04/2018] [Accepted: 05/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Increasing evidence has focusesed on the endocannabinoid system as a relevant player in the induction of aberrant synaptic plasticity and related addictive phenotype following chronic excessive alcohol drinking. In addition, the endocannabinoid system is implicated in the pathogenesis of alcoholic liver disease. Interestingly, whereas the involvement of CB1 receptors in alcohol rewarding properties is established, the central and peripheral action of CB2 signalling is still to be elucidated. This review aims at giving the input to deepen knowledge on the role of the endocannabinoid system, highlighting the advancing evidence that suggests that CB1 and CB2 receptors may play opposite roles in the regulation of both the reinforcing properties of alcohol in the brain and the mechanisms responsible for cell injury and inflammation in the hepatic tissue. The manipulation of the endocannabinoid system could represent a bi-faceted strategy to counteract alcohol-related dysfunction in central transmission and liver structural and functional disarrangement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gianluca Lavanco
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Valentina Castelli
- Department of Sciences for Health Promotion and Mother and Child Care "Giuseppe D'Alessandro", University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Anna Brancato
- Department of Sciences for Health Promotion and Mother and Child Care "Giuseppe D'Alessandro", University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Tringali
- Institute of Pharmacology, Catholic University School of Medicine, Rome, Italy
| | - Fulvio Plescia
- Department of Sciences for Health Promotion and Mother and Child Care "Giuseppe D'Alessandro", University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Carla Cannizzaro
- Department of Sciences for Health Promotion and Mother and Child Care "Giuseppe D'Alessandro", University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW The current serotonin-based biological model of suicidal behavior (SB) may be too simplistic. There is emerging evidence that other biomarkers and biological systems may be involved in SB pathophysiology. The literature on the endocannabinoid (EC) systems and SB is limited. The objective of the present article is to review all available information on the relationship between cannabinoid receptors (CB1 and CB2 receptors), and SB and/or psychological pain. RECENT FINDINGS Our review is limited by the small number and heterogeneity of studies identified: (1) an autopsy study describing elevated levels of CB1 receptor activity in the prefrontal cortex and suicide in both depression and alcoholism and (2) studies supporting the involvement of both CB1 and CB2 receptors in the regulation of neuropathic pain and stress-induced analgesia. We conclude that cannabinoid receptors, particularly CB1 receptors, may become promising targets for the development of novel therapeutic tools for the treatment of SB.
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Wośko S, Serefko A, Szopa A, Wlaź P, Wróbel A, Wlaź A, Górska J, Poleszak E. CB 1 cannabinoid receptor ligands augment the antidepressant-like activity of biometals (magnesium and zinc) in the behavioural tests. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2018; 70:566-575. [PMID: 29380383 DOI: 10.1111/jphp.12880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2017] [Accepted: 12/16/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE During the last few decades, endocannabinoid system has emerged as a novel possible target for antidepressant treatment. Although the medical literature provides information on the mood-changing effects of CB1 ligands, little is known about the possible interaction between the simultaneous activation or inhibition of the CB1 receptor and administration of other agents that possess antidepressant potential. The main goal of our study was to evaluate the influence of the CB1 cannabinoid receptor ligands (oleamide - an endogenous agonist and AM251 - an inverse agonist/antagonist) on the antidepressant-like activity of biometals (i.e. magnesium and zinc). METHODS The forced swim test and the tail suspension test in mice were used to determine the antidepressant-like activity. KEY FINDINGS Concomitant intraperitoneal administration of per se inactive doses of oleamide (5 mg/kg) or AM251 (0.25 mg/kg) and the tested biometals (i.e. magnesium, 10 mg/kg or zinc, 5 mg/kg) shortened the immobility time of animals in the forced swim test and the tail suspension test. The observed effect was not associated with an increase in spontaneous locomotor activity of mice. CONCLUSIONS The simultaneous modulation of the cannabinoid system and supplementation of magnesium or zinc produce at least additive antidepressant-like effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sylwia Wośko
- Department of Applied Pharmacy, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland
| | - Anna Serefko
- Department of Applied Pharmacy, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland
| | - Aleksandra Szopa
- Department of Applied Pharmacy, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland
| | - Piotr Wlaź
- Department of Animal Physiology, Institute of Biology and Biochemistry, Maria Curie-Skłodowska University, Lublin, Poland
| | - Andrzej Wróbel
- Second Department of Gynecology, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland
| | - Aleksandra Wlaź
- Department of Pathophysiology, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland
| | - Jolanta Górska
- Department of Applied Pharmacy, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland
| | - Ewa Poleszak
- Department of Applied Pharmacy, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland
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Changes in the cannabinoids receptors in rats following treatment with antidepressants. Neurotoxicology 2017; 63:13-20. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuro.2017.08.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2017] [Revised: 07/17/2017] [Accepted: 08/24/2017] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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Balla A, Dong B, Shilpa BM, Vemuri K, Makriyannis A, Pandey SC, Sershen H, Suckow RF, Vinod KY. Cannabinoid-1 receptor neutral antagonist reduces binge-like alcohol consumption and alcohol-induced accumbal dopaminergic signaling. Neuropharmacology 2017; 131:200-208. [PMID: 29109060 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2017.10.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2017] [Revised: 10/27/2017] [Accepted: 10/30/2017] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Binge alcohol (ethanol) drinking is associated with profound adverse effects on our health and society. Rimonabant (SR141716A), a CB1 receptor inverse agonist, was previously shown to be effective for nicotine cessation and obesity. However, studies using rimonabant were discontinued as it was associated with an increased risk of depression and anxiety. In the present study, we examined the pharmacokinetics and effects of AM4113, a novel CB1 receptor neutral antagonist on binge-like ethanol drinking in C57BL/6J mice using a two-bottle choice drinking-in-dark (DID) paradigm. The results indicated a slower elimination of AM4113 in the brain than in plasma. AM4113 suppressed ethanol consumption and preference without having significant effects on body weight, ambulatory activity, preference for tastants (saccharin and quinine) and ethanol metabolism. AM4113 pretreatment reduced ethanol-induced increase in dopamine release in nucleus accumbens. Collectively, these data suggest an important role of CB1 receptor-mediated regulation of binge-like ethanol consumption and mesolimbic dopaminergic signaling, and further points to the potential utility of CB1 neutral antagonists for the treatment of binge ethanol drinking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Balla
- Department of Neurochemistry, Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, Orangeburg, New York, NY, United States
| | - Bin Dong
- Division of Analytical Psychopharmacology, Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, Orangeburg, New York, NY, United States
| | - Borehalli M Shilpa
- Division of Analytical Psychopharmacology, Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, Orangeburg, New York, NY, United States
| | - Kiran Vemuri
- Center for Drug Discovery, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, United States
| | | | - Subhash C Pandey
- Center for Alcohol Research in Epigenetics, Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago and Jesse Brown VA Medical Center, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Henry Sershen
- Department of Neurochemistry, Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, Orangeburg, New York, NY, United States; Department of Psychiatry, NYU Langone Medical Center, New York, NY, United States
| | - Raymond F Suckow
- Division of Analytical Psychopharmacology, Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, Orangeburg, New York, NY, United States; New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, United States; Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, United States
| | - K Yaragudri Vinod
- Division of Analytical Psychopharmacology, Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, Orangeburg, New York, NY, United States; Emotional Brain Institute, Orangeburg, New York, NY, United States; Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, NYU Langone Medical Center, New York, NY, United States.
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Prenatal Ethanol Exposure Persistently Alters Endocannabinoid Signaling and Endocannabinoid-Mediated Excitatory Synaptic Plasticity in Ventral Tegmental Area Dopamine Neurons. J Neurosci 2017; 37:5798-5808. [PMID: 28476947 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.3894-16.2017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2016] [Revised: 03/15/2017] [Accepted: 04/05/2017] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Prenatal ethanol exposure (PE) leads to increased addiction risk which could be mediated by enhanced excitatory synaptic strength in ventral tegmental area (VTA) dopamine (DA) neurons. Previous studies have shown that PE enhances excitatory synaptic strength by facilitating an anti-Hebbian form of long-term potentiation (LTP). In this study, we investigated the effect of PE on endocannabinoid-mediated long-term depression (eCB-LTD) in VTA DA neurons. Rats were exposed to moderate (3 g/kg/d) or high (6 g/kg/d) levels of ethanol during gestation. Whole-cell recordings were conducted in male offspring between 4 and 10 weeks old.We found that PE led to increased amphetamine self-administration. Both moderate and high levels of PE persistently reduced low-frequency stimulation-induced eCB-LTD. Furthermore, action potential-independent glutamate release was regulated by tonic eCB signaling in PE animals. Mechanistic studies for impaired eCB-LTD revealed that PE downregulated CB1 receptor function. Interestingly, eCB-LTD in PE animals was rescued by metabotropic glutamate receptor I activation, suggesting that PE did not impair the synthesis/release of eCBs. In contrast, eCB-LTD in PE animals was not rescued by increasing presynaptic activity, which actually led to LTP in PE animals, whereas LTD was still observed in controls. This result shows that the regulation of excitatory synaptic plasticity is fundamentally altered in PE animals. Together, PE leads to impaired eCB-LTD at the excitatory synapses of VTA DA neurons primarily due to CB1 receptor downregulation. This effect could contribute to enhanced LTP and the maintenance of augmented excitatory synaptic strength in VTA DA neurons and increased addiction risk after PE.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Prenatal ethanol exposure (PE) is among many adverse developmental factors known to increase drug addiction risk. Increased excitatory synaptic strength in VTA DA neurons is a critical cellular mechanism for addiction risk. Our results show that PE persistently alters eCB signaling and impairs eCB-LTD at the excitatory synapses, an important synaptic plasticity that weakens synaptic strength. These effects combined with PE-induced anti-Hebbian long-term potentiation reported in a previous study could result in the maintenance of enhanced excitatory synaptic strength in VTA DA neurons, which in turn contributes to PE-induced increase in addiction risk. Our findings also suggest that restoring normal eCB signaling in VTA DA neurons could be a useful strategy for treating behavioral symptoms caused by PE.
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Lipids in psychiatric disorders and preventive medicine. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2017; 76:336-362. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2016.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2015] [Revised: 05/06/2016] [Accepted: 06/06/2016] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
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Shalit N, Shoval G, Shlosberg D, Feingold D, Lev-Ran S. The association between cannabis use and suicidality among men and women: A population-based longitudinal study. J Affect Disord 2016; 205:216-224. [PMID: 27449554 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2016.07.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2016] [Revised: 06/08/2016] [Accepted: 07/03/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Evidence regarding the role of sex differences in the association between cannabis use and suicidality is lacking. We explored sex differences in the bidirectional association between cannabis use and suicidality in a 3-year longitudinal study. METHODS Data were drawn from waves 1 and 2 of the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC). Bidirectional analyses were conducted separately by sex, exploring incidence of suicidality among cannabis users (n=963 vs. 30,586 non-users) as well as initiation of cannabis use among suicidal individuals (n=1805 vs. 25,729 non-suicidal). Cannabis use was categorized based on frequency of use. Multivariate logistic regression analyses controlling for multiple covariates were conducted. RESULTS Cannabis use was significantly associated with increased incidence of suicidality among men (Adjusted Odds Ratio [AOR] for any cannabis use =1.91[1.02-3.56]) but not among women (AOR=1.19[0.64-2.20]). Daily cannabis use was significantly associated with increased incidence of suicidality among men (AOR=4.28[1.32-13.82]) but not among women (AOR=0.75[0.28-2.05]). Conversely, baseline suicidality was associated with initiation of cannabis use among women (AOR=2.34[1.42-3.87]) but not among men (AOR=1.10[0.57-2.15]). Separate analyses of suicidal ideation and suicide attempts demonstrated a significant association between cannabis use and subsequent incidence of suicidal ideation in men, and a significant association between baseline suicidal ideation and subsequent initiation of cannabis use in women. No significant association was found for the bidirectional association between cannabis use and suicide attempts in either sex. LIMITATIONS Suicidality was assessed only in individuals reporting depressed mood and/or anhedonia. CONCLUSIONS Our findings support a longitudinal association between heavy cannabis use and the incidence of suicidality in men, but not in women. Conversely, baseline suicidality is longitudinally associated with the initiation of cannabis use in women, but not in men. This may have implications on clinical and social aspects of cannabis use and merit further research into the unique effects of sex differences on cannabis induced psychopathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadav Shalit
- Geha Mental Health Center, Petach Tikva, Israel; Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Israel.
| | - Gal Shoval
- Geha Mental Health Center, Petach Tikva, Israel; Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Israel
| | - Dan Shlosberg
- Geha Mental Health Center, Petach Tikva, Israel; Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Israel
| | - Daniel Feingold
- Ariel University, Ariel, Israel; Addiction Medicine Services, Department of Psychiatry, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel
| | - Shaul Lev-Ran
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Israel; Addiction Medicine Services, Department of Psychiatry, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel
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Su SH, Wang YQ, Wu YF, Wang DP, Lin Q, Hai J. Cannabinoid receptor agonist WIN55,212-2 and fatty acid amide hydrolase inhibitor URB597 may protect against cognitive impairment in rats of chronic cerebral hypoperfusion via PI3K/AKT signaling. Behav Brain Res 2016; 313:334-344. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2016.07.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2016] [Revised: 07/03/2016] [Accepted: 07/06/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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Spagnolo PA, Ramchandani VA, Schwandt ML, Kwako LE, George DT, Mayo LM, Hillard CJ, Heilig M. FAAH Gene Variation Moderates Stress Response and Symptom Severity in Patients with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Comorbid Alcohol Dependence. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 2016; 40:2426-2434. [PMID: 27716956 DOI: 10.1111/acer.13210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2016] [Accepted: 07/30/2016] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A common single nucleotide polymorphism (C385A) in the human fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) gene has been associated with decreased distress responses in healthy volunteers, but its role in psychiatric disorders remains unknown. Here, we obtained genotypes and carried out a secondary analysis of subjects from a trial of comorbid posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and alcohol dependence (AD). We evaluated the effects of C385A variation on behavioral and biochemical biomarkers of distress responses. METHODS Forty-nine patients with PTSD and AD were admitted for 4 weeks to an experimental medicine unit at the National Institutes of Health Clinical Center. Following detoxification, stress reactivity and peripheral endocannabinoid (eCB) levels were assessed in response to a challenge session using personalized auditory guided imagery. Over the course of the study, subjects were also evaluated for changes in PTSD symptom severity. RESULTS FAAH C385A allele carriers showed a marked increase in serum anandamide levels at baseline and throughout the stress challenge procedure compared with C allele homozygotes, while levels of eCBs primarily metabolized through other enzymatic activity, such as 2-arachidonoylglycerol, did not differ between genotype groups. FAAH C385A carriers also had decreased subjective anxiety responses to the stress challenge. Similar effects of FAAH C385A genotype were found at the level of clinical PTSD symptom severity, in particular in the arousal domain. CONCLUSIONS This is to our knowledge the first study showing that FAAH C385A variation modulates stress responses in subjects with disorders characterized by increased stress reactivity. These findings point to the eCB pathway as a promising target for future antistress therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Primavera A Spagnolo
- Office of the Clinical Director, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Vijay A Ramchandani
- Section on Human Psychopharmacology, Division of Intramural Clinical and Biomedical Research, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Melanie L Schwandt
- Office of the Clinical Director, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Laura E Kwako
- Office of the Clinical Director, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - David T George
- Office of the Clinical Director, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Leah M Mayo
- Center for Social and Affective Neuroscience, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Cecilia J Hillard
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Neuroscience Research Center, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
| | - Markus Heilig
- Center for Social and Affective Neuroscience, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden.
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Souza-Smith FM, Lang CH, Nagy LE, Bailey SM, Parsons LH, Murray GJ. Physiological processes underlying organ injury in alcohol abuse. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab 2016; 311:E605-19. [PMID: 27436613 PMCID: PMC5142006 DOI: 10.1152/ajpendo.00270.2016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2016] [Accepted: 07/11/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
This review summarizes the American Physiological Society (APS) Presidential Symposium 1 entitled "Physiological Processes Underlying Organ Injury in Alcohol Abuse" at the 2016 Experimental Biology meeting. The symposium was organized by Dr. Patricia Molina, past president of the APS, was held on April 3 at the Convention Center in San Diego, CA, and was funded by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. The "Physiological Processes Underlying Organ Injury in Alcohol Abuse Symposium" assembled experts and leaders in the field and served as a platform to discuss and share knowledge on the latest developments and scientific advances on the mechanisms underlying organ injury in alcohol abuse. This symposium provided unique, interdisciplinary alcohol research, including several organs, liver, muscle, adipose, and brain, affected by excessive alcohol use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Flavia M Souza-Smith
- Department of Physiology, Louisiana State University Health Science Center, New Orleans, Louisiana;
| | - Charles H Lang
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania
| | - Laura E Nagy
- Department of Pathobiology, Lerner Research Institute, The Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Shannon M Bailey
- Department of Pathology, University of Alabama, Birmingham, Alabama
| | | | - Gary J Murray
- National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Bethesda, Maryland
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Varodayan FP, Soni N, Bajo M, Luu G, Madamba SG, Schweitzer P, Parsons LH, Roberto M. Chronic ethanol exposure decreases CB1 receptor function at GABAergic synapses in the rat central amygdala. Addict Biol 2016; 21:788-801. [PMID: 25940135 DOI: 10.1111/adb.12256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
The endogenous cannabinoids (eCBs) influence the acute response to ethanol and the development of tolerance, dependence and relapse. Chronic alcohol exposure alters eCB levels and Type 1 cannabinoid receptor (CB1 ) expression and function in brain regions associated with addiction. CB1 inhibits GABA release, and GABAergic dysregulation in the central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA) is critical in the transition to alcohol dependence. We investigated possible disruptions in CB1 signaling of rat CeA GABAergic transmission following intermittent ethanol exposure. In the CeA of alcohol-naive rats, CB1 agonist WIN 55,212-2 (WIN) decreased the frequency of spontaneous and miniature GABAA receptor-mediated inhibitory postsynaptic currents (s/mIPSCs). This effect was prevented by CB1 antagonism, but not Type 2 cannabinoid receptor (CB2 ) antagonism. After 2-3 weeks of intermittent ethanol exposure, these WIN inhibitory effects were attenuated, suggesting ethanol-induced impairments in CB1 function. The CB1 antagonist AM251 revealed a tonic eCB/CB1 control of GABAergic transmission in the alcohol-naive CeA that was occluded by calcium chelation in the postsynaptic cell. Chronic ethanol exposure abolished this tonic CB1 influence on mIPSC, but not sIPSC, frequency. Finally, acute ethanol increased CeA GABA release in both naive and ethanol-exposed rats. Although CB1 activation prevented this effect, the AM251- and ethanol-induced GABA release were additive, ruling out a direct participation of CB1 signaling in the ethanol effect. Collectively, these observations demonstrate an important CB1 influence on CeA GABAergic transmission and indicate that the CeA is particularly sensitive to alcohol-induced disruptions of CB1 signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florence P. Varodayan
- Committee on the Neurobiology of Addictive Disorders; The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI); La Jolla CA USA
| | - Neeraj Soni
- Committee on the Neurobiology of Addictive Disorders; The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI); La Jolla CA USA
- Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences; University of Copenhagen (UCPH); Denmark
| | - Michal Bajo
- Committee on the Neurobiology of Addictive Disorders; The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI); La Jolla CA USA
| | - George Luu
- Committee on the Neurobiology of Addictive Disorders; The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI); La Jolla CA USA
| | - Samuel G. Madamba
- Committee on the Neurobiology of Addictive Disorders; The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI); La Jolla CA USA
| | - Paul Schweitzer
- Committee on the Neurobiology of Addictive Disorders; The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI); La Jolla CA USA
| | - Loren H. Parsons
- Committee on the Neurobiology of Addictive Disorders; The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI); La Jolla CA USA
| | - Marisa Roberto
- Committee on the Neurobiology of Addictive Disorders; The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI); La Jolla CA USA
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Matchynski-Franks JJ, Susick LL, Schneider BL, Perrine SA, Conti AC. Impaired Ethanol-Induced Sensitization and Decreased Cannabinoid Receptor-1 in a Model of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0155759. [PMID: 27186643 PMCID: PMC4871361 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0155759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2015] [Accepted: 04/13/2016] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Impaired striatal neuroplasticity may underlie increased alcoholism documented in those with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Cannabinoid receptor-1 (CB1) is sensitive to the effects of ethanol (EtOH) and traumatic stress, and is a critical regulator of striatal plasticity. To investigate CB1 involvement in the PTSD-alcohol interaction, this study measured the effects of traumatic stress using a model of PTSD, mouse single-prolonged stress (mSPS), on EtOH-induced locomotor sensitization and striatal CB1 levels. METHODS Mice were exposed to mSPS, which includes: 2-h restraint, 10-min group forced swim, 15-min exposure to rat bedding odor, and diethyl ether exposure until unconsciousness or control conditions. Seven days following mSPS exposure, the locomotor sensitizing effects of EtOH were assessed. CB1, post-synaptic density-95 (PSD95), and dopamine-2 receptor (D2) protein levels were then quantified in the dorsal striatum using standard immunoblotting techniques. RESULTS Mice exposed to mSPS-EtOH demonstrated impaired EtOH-induced locomotor sensitization compared to Control-EtOH mice, which was accompanied by reduced striatal CB1 levels. EtOH increased striatal PSD95 in control and mSPS-exposed mice. Additionally, mSPS-Saline exposure increased striatal PSD95 and decreased D2 protein expression, with mSPS-EtOH exposure alleviating these changes. CONCLUSIONS These data indicate that the mSPS model of PTSD blunts the behavioral sensitizing effects of EtOH, a response that suggests impaired striatal neuroplasticity. Additionally, this study demonstrates that mice exposed to mSPS and repeated EtOH exposure decreases CB1 in the striatum, providing a mechanism of interest for understanding the effects of EtOH following severe, multimodal stress exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica J. Matchynski-Franks
- Research Service, John D. Dingell VA Medical Center, Detroit, Michigan, United States of America
- Department of Neurosurgery, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Laura L. Susick
- Research Service, John D. Dingell VA Medical Center, Detroit, Michigan, United States of America
- Department of Neurosurgery, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Brandy L. Schneider
- Research Service, John D. Dingell VA Medical Center, Detroit, Michigan, United States of America
- Department of Neurosurgery, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Shane A. Perrine
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Alana C. Conti
- Research Service, John D. Dingell VA Medical Center, Detroit, Michigan, United States of America
- Department of Neurosurgery, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan, United States of America
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48
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Henderson-Redmond AN, Guindon J, Morgan DJ. Roles for the endocannabinoid system in ethanol-motivated behavior. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2016; 65:330-9. [PMID: 26123153 PMCID: PMC4679600 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2015.06.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2015] [Revised: 06/15/2015] [Accepted: 06/22/2015] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Alcohol use disorder represents a significant human health problem that leads to substantial loss of human life and financial cost to society. Currently available treatment options do not adequately address this human health problem, and thus, additional therapies are desperately needed. The endocannabinoid system has been shown, using animal models, to modulate ethanol-motivated behavior, and it has also been demonstrated that chronic ethanol exposure can have potentially long-lasting effects on the endocannabinoid system. For example, chronic exposure to ethanol, in either cell culture or preclinical rodent models, causes an increase in endocannabinoid levels that results in down-regulation of the cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1) and uncoupling of this receptor from downstream G protein signaling pathways. Using positron emission tomography (PET), similar down-regulation of CB1 has been noted in multiple regions of the brain in human alcoholic patients. In rodents, treatment with the CB1 inverse agonist SR141716A (Rimonabant), or genetic deletion of CB1 leads to a reduction in voluntary ethanol drinking, ethanol-stimulated dopamine release in the nucleus accumbens, operant self-administration of ethanol, sensitization to the locomotor effects of ethanol, and reinstatement/relapse of ethanol-motivated behavior. Although the clinical utility of Rimonabant or other antagonists/inverse agonists for CB1 is limited due to negative neuropsychiatric side effects, negative allosteric modulators of CB1 and inhibitors of endocannabinoid catabolism represent therapeutic targets worthy of additional examination.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Josée Guindon
- Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Texas Tech University Health Science Center, Lubbock, TX, 79430
| | - Daniel J Morgan
- Department of Anesthesiology, Penn State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA 17033, United States; Department of Pharmacology, Penn State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA 17033, United States.
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49
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Acute and chronic ethanol exposure differentially regulate CB1 receptor function at glutamatergic synapses in the rat basolateral amygdala. Neuropharmacology 2015; 108:474-84. [PMID: 26707595 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2015.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2015] [Revised: 11/02/2015] [Accepted: 12/08/2015] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
The endogenous cannabinoid (eCB) system has been suggested to play a key role in ethanol preference and intake, the acute effects of ethanol, and in the development of withdrawal symptoms following ethanol dependence. Ethanol-dependent alterations in glutamatergic signaling within the lateral/basolateral nucleus of the amygdala (BLA) are critical for the development and expression of withdrawal-induced anxiety. Notably, the eCB system significantly regulates both glutamatergic and GABAergic synaptic activity within the BLA. Chronic ethanol exposure significantly alters eCB system expression within regions critical to the expression of emotionality and anxiety-related behavior, including the BLA. Here, we investigated specific interactions between the BLA eCB system and its functional regulation of synaptic activity during acute and chronic ethanol exposure. In tissue from ethanol naïve-rats, a prolonged acute ethanol exposure caused a dose dependent inhibition of glutamatergic synaptic activity via a presynaptic mechanism that was occluded by CB1 antagonist/inverse agonists SR141716a and AM251. Importantly, this acute ethanol inhibition was attenuated following 10 day chronic intermittent ethanol vapor exposure (CIE). CIE exposure also significantly down-regulated CB1-mediated presynaptic inhibition at glutamatergic afferent terminals but spared CB1-inhibition of GABAergic synapses arising from local inhibitory-interneurons. CIE also significantly elevated BLA N-arachidonoylethanolamine (AEA or anandamide) levels and decreased CB1 receptor protein levels. Collectively, these data suggest a dynamic regulation of the BLA eCB system by acute and chronic ethanol.
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50
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Erdozain AM, Rubio M, Meana JJ, Fernández-Ruiz J, Callado LF. Altered CB1 receptor coupling to G-proteins in the post-mortem caudate nucleus and cerebellum of alcoholic subjects. J Psychopharmacol 2015; 29:1137-45. [PMID: 26253623 DOI: 10.1177/0269881115599388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Biochemical, pharmacological and genetic evidence suggests the involvement of the endocannabinoid system in alcohol dependence. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the state of CB1 receptors in post-mortem caudate nucleus, hippocampus and cerebellum of alcoholic subjects.CB1 protein levels were measured by Western blot, CB1 receptor density and affinity by [(3)H]WIN55,212-2 saturation assays and CB1 functionality by [(35)S]GTPγS binding assays. Experiments were performed in samples from 24 subjects classified as non-suicidal alcoholics (n = 6), suicidal alcoholics (n = 6), non-alcoholic suicide victims (n = 6) and control subjects (n = 6).Alcoholic subjects presented hyperfunctional CB1 receptors in the caudate nucleus resulting in a higher maximal effect in both alcoholic groups compared to the non-alcoholic groups (p < 0.001). Conversely, in the cerebellum the non-suicidal alcoholic subjects showed hypofunctional receptors with lower maximal effect and potency (p < 0.001). No changes were found in the CB1 protein expression in either region. In the hippocampus of alcoholic subjects, no changes were observed either in the functionality, density or protein levels.Our data support an association between endocannabinoid system activity and alcoholism. The modifications reported here could be either a consequence of high lifetime ethanol consumption or a vulnerability factor to develop alcohol addiction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amaia M Erdozain
- Department of Pharmacology, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Bizkaia, Spain Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Madrid, Spain Current address: Neuroscience Paris Seine, CNRS UMR 8246, INSERM U1130, Université Pierre et Marie Curie, Paris, France
| | - Marina Rubio
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Complutense University, Madrid, Spain
| | - J Javier Meana
- Department of Pharmacology, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Bizkaia, Spain Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Madrid, Spain Biocruces Health Research Institute, Bizkaia, Spain
| | - Javier Fernández-Ruiz
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Complutense University, Madrid, Spain Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigaciones Sanitarias (IRYCIS), Madrid, Spain
| | - Luis F Callado
- Department of Pharmacology, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Bizkaia, Spain Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Madrid, Spain Biocruces Health Research Institute, Bizkaia, Spain
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