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Banerjee S, Saha D, Sharma R, Jaidee W, Puttarak P, Chaiyakunapruk N, Chaoroensup R. Phytocannabinoids in neuromodulation: From omics to epigenetics. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2024; 330:118201. [PMID: 38677573 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2024.118201] [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: 08/14/2023] [Revised: 02/27/2024] [Accepted: 04/13/2024] [Indexed: 04/29/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recent developments in metabolomics, transcriptomic and epigenetics open up new horizons regarding the pharmacological understanding of phytocannabinoids as neuromodulators in treating anxiety, depression, epilepsy, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's disease and autism. METHODS The present review is an extensive search in public databases, such as Google Scholar, Scopus, the Web of Science, and PubMed, to collect all the literature about the neurobiological roles of cannabis extract, cannabidiol, 9-tetrahydrocannabinol specially focused on metabolomics, transcriptomic, epigenetic, mechanism of action, in different cell lines, induced animal models and clinical trials. We used bioinformatics, network pharmacology and enrichment analysis to understand the effect of phytocannabinoids in neuromodulation. RESULTS Cannabidomics studies show wide variability of metabolites across different strains and varieties, which determine their medicinal and abusive usage, which is very important for its quality control and regulation. CB receptors interact with other compounds besides cannabidiol and Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol, like cannabinol and Δ8-tetrahydrocannabinol. Phytocannabinoids interact with cannabinoid and non-cannabinoid receptors (GPCR, ion channels, and PPAR) to improve various neurodegenerative diseases. However, its abuse because of THC is also a problem found across different epigenetic and transcriptomic studies. Network enrichment analysis shows CNR1 expression in the brain and its interacting genes involve different pathways such as Rap1 signalling, dopaminergic synapse, and relaxin signalling. CBD protects against diseases like epilepsy, depression, and Parkinson's by modifying DNA and mitochondrial DNA in the hippocampus. Network pharmacology analysis of 8 phytocannabinoids revealed an interaction with 10 (out of 60) targets related to neurodegenerative diseases, with enrichment of ErbB and PI3K-Akt signalling pathways which helps in ameliorating neuro-inflammation in various neurodegenerative diseases. The effects of phytocannabinoids vary across sex, disease state, and age which suggests the importance of a personalized medicine approach for better success. CONCLUSIONS Phytocannabinoids present a range of promising neuromodulatory effects. It holds promise if utilized in a strategic way towards personalized neuropsychiatric treatment. However, just like any drug irrational usage may lead to unforeseen negative effects. Exploring neuro-epigenetics and systems pharmacology of major and minor phytocannabinoid combinations can lead to success.
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Affiliation(s)
- Subhadip Banerjee
- Medicinal Plant Innovation Center of Mae Fah Luang University, Mae Fah Luang University, ChiangRai, 57100, Thailand
| | - Debolina Saha
- School of Bioscience and Engineering, Jadavpur University, Kolkata, 700032, India
| | - Rohit Sharma
- Department of Rasa Shastra and Bhaishajya Kalpana, Faculty of Ayurveda, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, 221005, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Wuttichai Jaidee
- Medicinal Plant Innovation Center of Mae Fah Luang University, Mae Fah Luang University, ChiangRai, 57100, Thailand
| | - Panupong Puttarak
- Department of Pharmacognosy and Pharmaceutical Botany, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla, 90112, Thailand; Phytomedicine and Pharmaceutical Biotechnology Excellence Center, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Prince of Songkla University, Hat-Yai, Songkhla 90110, Thailand
| | | | - Rawiwan Chaoroensup
- Medicinal Plant Innovation Center of Mae Fah Luang University, Mae Fah Luang University, ChiangRai, 57100, Thailand; School of Integrative Medicine, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai, 57100, Thailand.
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Fabris D, Lisboa JR, Guimarães FS, Gomes FV. Cannabidiol as an antipsychotic drug. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF NEUROBIOLOGY 2024; 177:295-317. [PMID: 39029989 DOI: 10.1016/bs.irn.2024.04.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/21/2024]
Abstract
Cannabidiol (CBD) is a major phytocannabinoid in the Cannabis sativa plant. In contrast to Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), CBD does not produce the typical psychotomimetic effects of the plant. In addition, CBD has attracted increased interest due to its potential therapeutic effects in various psychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia. Several studies have proposed that CBD has pharmacological properties similar to atypical antipsychotics. Despite accumulating evidence supporting the antipsychotic potential of CBD, the mechanisms of action in which this phytocannabinoid produces antipsychotic effects are still not fully elucidated. Here, we focused on the antipsychotic properties of CBD indicated by a series of preclinical and clinical studies and the evidence currently available about its possible mechanisms. Findings from preclinical studies suggest that CBD effects may depend on the animal model (pharmacological, neurodevelopmental, or genetic models for schizophrenia), dose, treatment schedule (acute vs. repeated) and route of administration (intraperitoneal vs local injection into specific brain regions). Clinical studies suggest a potential role for CBD in the treatment of psychotic disorders. However, future studies with more robust sample sizes are needed to confirm these positive findings. Overall, although more studies are needed, current evidence indicates that CBD may be a promising therapeutic option for the treatment of schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Débora Fabris
- Department of Neuroscience and Behavioral Sciences, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - João Roberto Lisboa
- Department of Neuroscience and Behavioral Sciences, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | | | - Felipe V Gomes
- Department of Pharmacology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil.
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Guimarães FS. Historical perspective on the therapeutic potential of cannabidiol. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF NEUROBIOLOGY 2024; 177:1-9. [PMID: 39029980 DOI: 10.1016/bs.irn.2024.03.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/21/2024]
Abstract
Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of over 200 cannabinoids present in the Cannabis plant. Unlike the plant's primary cannabinoid, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), CBD does not produce psychotomimetic effects nor induce dependence. Initially considered an inactive cannabinoid, interest in its pharmacological properties and therapeutic potential has grown exponentially over the last 20 years. Currently employed as a medication for certain epileptic syndromes, numerous pre-clinical and clinical studies support its potential use in various other disorders. In this chapter, we provide a brief historical overview of how this compound evolved from an "inactive substance" to a multifunctional clinical agent. Additionally, we discuss the current challenges in researching its potential therapeutic effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisco Silveira Guimarães
- Department of Pharmacology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil.
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Li X, Yennawar M, Wiest A, O'Brien WT, Babrowicz B, White RS, Talos DM, Jensen FE. Cannabidiol attenuates seizure susceptibility and behavioural deficits in adult CDKL5 R59X knock-in mice. Eur J Neurosci 2024; 59:3337-3352. [PMID: 38654472 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.16350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2023] [Revised: 02/15/2024] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
Cyclin-dependent kinase-like 5 (CDKL5) deficiency disorder (CDD) is caused by a loss-of-function mutation in CDKL5 gene, encoding a serine-threonine kinase highly expressed in the brain. CDD manifests with early-onset epilepsy, autism, motor impairment and severe intellectual disability. While there are no known treatments for CDD, the use of cannabidiol has recently been introduced into clinical practice for neurodevelopmental disorders. Given the increased clinical utilization of cannabidiol, we examined its efficacy in the CDKL5R59X knock-in (R59X) mice, a CDD model based on a human mutation that exhibits both lifelong seizure susceptibility and behavioural deficits. We found that cannabidiol pre-treatment rescued the increased seizure susceptibility in response to the chemoconvulsant pentylenetetrazol (PTZ), attenuated working memory and long-term memory impairments, and rescued social deficits in adult R59X mice. To elucidate a potential mechanism, we compared the developmental hippocampal and cortical expression of common endocannabinoid (eCB) targets in R59X mice and their wild-type littermates, including cannabinoid type 1 receptor (CB1R), transient receptor potential vanilloid type 1 (TRPV1) and 2 (TRPV2), G-coupled protein receptor 55 (GPR55) and adenosine receptor 1 (A1R). Many of these eCB targets were developmentally regulated in both R59X and wild-type mice. In addition, adult R59X mice demonstrated significantly decreased expression of CB1R and TRPV1 in the hippocampus, and TRPV2 in the cortex, while TRPV1 was increased in the cortex. These findings support the potential for dysregulation of eCB signalling as a plausible mechanism and therapeutic target in CDD, given the efficacy of cannabidiol to attenuate hyperexcitability and behavioural deficits in this disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaofan Li
- Department of Neurology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Madhumita Yennawar
- Department of Neurology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Alyssa Wiest
- Department of Neurology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - William T O'Brien
- Neurobehavior Testing Core, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Bergan Babrowicz
- Department of Neurology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Rachel S White
- Department of Neurology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Delia M Talos
- Department of Neurology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Frances E Jensen
- Department of Neurology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
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Frescura F, Stark T, Tiziani E, Di Martino S, Ruda-Kucerova J, Drago F, Ferraro L, Micale V, Beggiato S. Prenatal MAM exposure raises kynurenic acid levels in the prefrontal cortex of adult rats. Pharmacol Rep 2024:10.1007/s43440-024-00604-6. [PMID: 38789891 DOI: 10.1007/s43440-024-00604-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2024] [Revised: 05/15/2024] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Elevated brain levels of kynurenic acid (KYNA), a metabolite in the kynurenine pathway, are associated with cognitive dysfunctions, which are nowadays often considered as fundamental characteristics of several psychopathologies; however, the role of KYNA in mental illnesses, such as schizophrenia, is not fully elucidated. This study aimed to assess KYNA levels in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) of rats prenatally treated with methylazoxymethanol (MAM) acetate, i.e., a well-validated neurodevelopmental animal model of schizophrenia. The effects of an early pharmacological modulation of the endogenous cannabinoid system were also evaluated. METHODS Pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats were treated with MAM (22 mg/kg, ip) or its vehicle at gestational day 17. Male offspring were treated with the cannabinoid CB1 receptor antagonist/inverse agonist AM251 (0.5 mg/kg/day, ip) or with the typical antipsychotic haloperidol (0.6 mg/kg/day, ip) from postnatal day (PND) 19 to PND39. The locomotor activity and cognitive performance were assessed in the novel object recognition test and the open field test in adulthood. KYNA levels in the PFC of prenatally MAM-treated rats were also assessed. RESULTS A significant cognitive impairment was observed in prenatally MAM-treated rats (p < 0.01), which was associated with enhanced PFC KYNA levels (p < 0.05). The peripubertal AM251, but not haloperidol, treatment ameliorated the cognitive deficit (p < 0.05), by normalizing the PFC KYNA content in MAM rats. CONCLUSIONS The present findings suggest that the cognitive deficit observed in MAM rats may be related to enhanced PFC KYNA levels which could be, in turn, mediated by the activation of cannabinoid CB1 receptor. These results further support the modulation of brain KYNA levels as a potential therapeutic strategy to ameliorate the cognitive dysfunctions in schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Frescura
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, Via L. Borsari 46, 44121, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Tibor Stark
- Department Emotion Research, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, 80807, Munich, Germany
| | - Edoardo Tiziani
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, Via L. Borsari 46, 44121, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Serena Di Martino
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95123, Catania, Italy
| | - Jana Ruda-Kucerova
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Filippo Drago
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95123, Catania, Italy
| | - Luca Ferraro
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, Via L. Borsari 46, 44121, Ferrara, Italy.
- LTTA Centre, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy.
- Psychiatric Department, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, USA.
| | - Vincenzo Micale
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95123, Catania, Italy
| | - Sarah Beggiato
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, Via L. Borsari 46, 44121, Ferrara, Italy
- Psychiatric Department, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, USA
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Manduca A, Buzzelli V, Rava A, Feo A, Carbone E, Schiavi S, Peruzzi B, D'Oria V, Pezzullo M, Pasquadibisceglie A, Polticelli F, Micale V, Kuchar M, Trezza V. Cannabidiol and positive effects on object recognition memory in an in vivo model of Fragile X Syndrome: Obligatory role of hippocampal GPR55 receptors. Pharmacol Res 2024; 203:107176. [PMID: 38583687 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2024.107176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2023] [Revised: 04/03/2024] [Accepted: 04/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/09/2024]
Abstract
Cannabidiol (CBD), a non-psychotomimetic constituent of Cannabis sativa, has been recently approved for epileptic syndromes often associated with Autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, the putative efficacy and mechanism of action of CBD in patients suffering from ASD and related comorbidities remain debated, especially because of the complex pharmacology of CBD. We used pharmacological, immunohistochemical and biochemical approaches to investigate the effects and mechanisms of action of CBD in the recently validated Fmr1-Δexon 8 rat model of ASD, that is also a model of Fragile X Syndrome (FXS), the leading monogenic cause of autism. CBD rescued the cognitive deficits displayed by juvenile Fmr1-Δexon 8 animals, without inducing tolerance after repeated administration. Blockade of CA1 hippocampal GPR55 receptors prevented the beneficial effect of both CBD and the fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) inhibitor URB597 in the short-term recognition memory deficits displayed by Fmr1-Δexon 8 rats. Thus, CBD may exert its beneficial effects through CA1 hippocampal GPR55 receptors. Docking analysis further confirmed that the mechanism of action of CBD might involve competition for brain fatty acid binding proteins (FABPs) that deliver anandamide and related bioactive lipids to their catabolic enzyme FAAH. These findings demonstrate that CBD reduced cognitive deficits in a rat model of FXS and provide initial mechanistic insights into its therapeutic potential in neurodevelopmental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonia Manduca
- Dept. Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy; Dept. Science, Roma Tre University, Rome, Italy; Neuroendocrinology, Metabolism and Neuropharmacology Unit, IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy.
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Barbara Peruzzi
- Bone Physiopathology Research Unit, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Valentina D'Oria
- Confocal Microscopy Core Facility, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Marco Pezzullo
- Histology Core Facility, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | | | | | - Vincenzo Micale
- Dept. Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Martin Kuchar
- Forensic Laboratory of Biologically Active Substances, Dept. Chemistry of Natural Compounds, University of Chemistry and Technologies, Prague, Czech Republic; Psychedelic Research Center, National Institute of Mental Health, Klecany, Czech Republic
| | - Viviana Trezza
- Dept. Science, Roma Tre University, Rome, Italy; Neuroendocrinology, Metabolism and Neuropharmacology Unit, IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy.
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Yadav-Samudrala BJ, Gorman BL, Barmada KM, Ravula HP, Huguely CJ, Wallace ED, Peace MR, Poklis JL, Jiang W, Fitting S. Effects of acute cannabidiol on behavior and the endocannabinoid system in HIV-1 Tat transgenic female and male mice. Front Neurosci 2024; 18:1358555. [PMID: 38505774 PMCID: PMC10949733 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2024.1358555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Some evidence suggests that cannabidiol (CBD) has potential to help alleviate HIV symptoms due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Here we examined acute CBD effects on various behaviors and the endocannabinoid system in HIV Tat transgenic mice. Methods Tat transgenic mice (female/male) were injected with CBD (3, 10, 30 mg/kg) and assessed for antinociception, activity, coordination, anxiety-like behavior, and recognition memory. Brains were taken to quantify endocannabinoids, cannabinoid receptors, and cannabinoid catabolic enzymes. Additionally, CBD and metabolite 7-hydroxy-CBD were quantified in the plasma and cortex. Results Tat decreased supraspinal-related nociception and locomotion. CBD and sex had little to no effects on any of the behavioral measures. For the endocannabinoid system male sex was associated with elevated concentration of the proinflammatory metabolite arachidonic acid in various CNS regions, including the cerebellum that also showed higher FAAH expression levels for Tat(+) males. GPR55 expression levels in the striatum and cerebellum were higher for females compared to males. CBD metabolism was altered by sex and Tat expression. Conclusion Findings indicate that acute CBD effects are not altered by HIV Tat, and acute CBD has no to minimal effects on behavior and the endocannabinoid system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barkha J. Yadav-Samudrala
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Benjamin L. Gorman
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Karenna M. Barmada
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Havilah P. Ravula
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Caitlin J. Huguely
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - E. Diane Wallace
- Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Michelle R. Peace
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States
| | - Justin L. Poklis
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States
| | - Wei Jiang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
| | - Sylvia Fitting
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
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Horska K, Skrede S, Kucera J, Kuzminova G, Suchy P, Micale V, Ruda‐Kucerova J. Olanzapine, but not haloperidol, exerts pronounced acute metabolic effects in the methylazoxymethanol rat model. CNS Neurosci Ther 2024; 30:e14565. [PMID: 38421095 PMCID: PMC10850806 DOI: 10.1111/cns.14565] [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: 06/23/2023] [Revised: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
AIM Widely used second-generation antipsychotics are associated with adverse metabolic effects, contributing to increased cardiovascular mortality. To develop strategies to prevent or treat adverse metabolic effects, preclinical models have a clear role in uncovering underlying molecular mechanisms. However, with few exceptions, preclinical studies have been performed in healthy animals, neglecting the contribution of dysmetabolic features inherent to psychotic disorders. METHODS In this study, methylazoxymethanol acetate (MAM) was prenatally administered to pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats at gestational day 17 to induce a well-validated neurodevelopmental model of schizophrenia mimicking its assumed pathogenesis with persistent phenotype. Against this background, the dysmetabolic effects of acute treatment with olanzapine and haloperidol were examined in female rats. RESULTS Prenatally MAM-exposed animals exhibited several metabolic features, including lipid disturbances. Half of the MAM rats exposed to olanzapine had pronounced serum lipid profile alteration compared to non-MAM controls, interpreted as a reflection of a delicate MAM-induced metabolic balance disrupted by olanzapine. In accordance with the drugs' clinical metabolic profiles, olanzapine-associated dysmetabolic effects were more pronounced than haloperidol-associated dysmetabolic effects in non-MAM rats and rats exposed to MAM. CONCLUSION Our results demonstrate metabolic vulnerability in female prenatally MAM-exposed rats, indicating that findings from healthy animals likely provide an underestimated impression of metabolic dysfunction associated with antipsychotics. In the context of metabolic disturbances, neurodevelopmental models possess a relevant background, and the search for adequate animal models should receive more attention within the field of experimental psychopharmacology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katerina Horska
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of PharmacyMasaryk UniversityBrnoCzech Republic
| | - Silje Skrede
- Department of Clinical Science, Faculty of MedicineUniversity of BergenBergenNorway
- Section of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Medical Biochemistry and PharmacologyHaukeland University HospitalBergenNorway
| | - Jan Kucera
- RECETOX, Faculty of ScienceMasaryk UniversityBrnoCzech Republic
- Department of Physical Activities and Health, Faculty of Sports StudiesMasaryk UniversityBrnoCzech Republic
| | - Gabriela Kuzminova
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of PharmacyMasaryk UniversityBrnoCzech Republic
| | - Pavel Suchy
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of PharmacyMasaryk UniversityBrnoCzech Republic
| | - Vincenzo Micale
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of PharmacologyUniversity of CataniaCataniaItaly
| | - Jana Ruda‐Kucerova
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of MedicineMasaryk UniversityBrnoCzech Republic
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Colizzi M, Bortoletto R, Antolini G, Bhattacharyya S, Balestrieri M, Solmi M. Biobehavioral Interactions between Endocannabinoid and Hypothalamicpituitary- adrenal Systems in Psychosis: A Systematic Review. Curr Neuropharmacol 2024; 22:495-520. [PMID: 37533248 PMCID: PMC10845076 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x21666230801150032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2022] [Revised: 02/02/2023] [Accepted: 02/05/2023] [Indexed: 08/04/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The diathesis-stress paradigm and the cannabinoid-hypothesis have been proposed as possible pathophysiological models of schizophrenia. However, they have historically been studied independently of each other. OBJECTIVE This PRISMA 2020-compliant systematic review aimed at reappraising the interplay between the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and the endocannabinoid (eCB) system in psychosis- spectrum disorder risk and outcome. METHODS All pathophysiological and outcome clinical studies, concomitantly evaluating the two systems in psychosis-spectrum disorder risk and different stages of illness, were gathered from electronic databases (Pubmed, Web of Science, and Scopus), and discussed. RESULTS 41 eligible outputs were extracted, focusing on at least a biological measure (9 HPA-related studies: 4 eCB-interventional, 1 HPA-interventional, 1 both HPA-interventional and non-interventional, 3 non-interventional; 2 eCB-related studies: non-interventional), environmental measures only (29 studies: 1 eCB- interventional, 28 non-interventional), and genetic measures (1 study: non-interventional). Independent contributions of aberrancies in the two systems to the physiopathology and outcome of psychosis were confirmed. Also, concomitant alterations in the two systems, either genetically defined (e.g., CNR1 genetic variation), biologically determined (e.g., dysfunctional HPA axis or endocannabinoid signaling), or behaviorally imputed (e.g., cannabis use, stress exposure, and response), were consistently reported in psychosis. Further, a complex biobehavioral perturbation was revealed not only within each system (e.g., cannabis use affecting the eCB tone, stress exposure affecting the HPA axis), but also across the two systems (e.g., THC affecting the HPA axis, childhood trauma affecting the endocannabinoid signaling). CONCLUSION There is a need to concomitantly study the two systems' mechanistic contribution to psychosis in order to establish more refined biological relevance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Colizzi
- Unit of Psychiatry, Department of Medicine (DAME), University of Udine, Udine 33100, Italy
- Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London SE5 8AF, UK
| | - Riccardo Bortoletto
- Unit of Psychiatry, Department of Medicine (DAME), University of Udine, Udine 33100, Italy
- Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London SE5 8AF, UK
| | - Giulia Antolini
- Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry Unit, Maternal-Child Integrated Care Department, Integrated University Hospital of Verona, Verona 37126, Italy
| | - Sagnik Bhattacharyya
- Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London SE5 8AF, UK
| | - Matteo Balestrieri
- Unit of Psychiatry, Department of Medicine (DAME), University of Udine, Udine 33100, Italy
| | - Marco Solmi
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Department of Mental Health, The Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Charité Universitätsmedizin, Berlin, Germany
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Khanal P, Patil VS, Patil BM, Bhattacharya K, Shrivastava AK, Chaudhary RK, Singh L, Dwivedi PS, Harish DR, Roy S. The marijuana-schizophrenia multifaceted nexus: Connections and conundrums towards neurophysiology. Comput Biol Chem 2023; 107:107957. [PMID: 37729848 DOI: 10.1016/j.compbiolchem.2023.107957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2023] [Revised: 09/03/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/22/2023]
Abstract
Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, a component of marijuana, interacts with cannabinoid receptors in brain involved in memory, cognition, and emotional control. However, marijuana use and schizophrenia development is a complicated and contentious topic. As a result, more investigation is needed to understand this relationship. Through the functional enrichment analysis, we report the delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol to manipulate the homeostatic biological process and molecular function of different macromolecules. Additionally, using molecular docking and subsequent processing for molecular simulations, we assessed the binding ability of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol with the estrogen-related protein, dopamine receptor 5, and hyaluronidase. It was found that delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol may have an impact on the brain's endocannabinoid system and may trigger the schizophrenia progression in vulnerable people. Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol may interfere with the biological function of 18 proteins linked to schizophrenia and disrupt the synaptic transmission (dopamine, glutamine, and gamma-aminobutyric acid). It was discovered that it may affect lipid homeostasis, which is closely related to membrane integrity and synaptic plasticity. The negative control of cellular and metabolic processes, fatty acids binding /activity, and the manipulated endocannabinoid system (targeting cannabinoid receptors) were also concerned with delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol. Hence, this may alter neurotransmitter signaling involved in memory, cognition, and emotional control, showing its direct impact on brain physiological processes. This may be one of the risk factors for schizophrenia development which is also closely tied to some other variables such as frequency, genetic vulnerability, dosage, and individual susceptibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pukar Khanal
- KLE College of Pharmacy Belagavi, KLE Academy of Higher Education and Research (KAHER), Belagavi 590010, India.
| | - Vishal S Patil
- KLE College of Pharmacy Belagavi, KLE Academy of Higher Education and Research (KAHER), Belagavi 590010, India; Indian Council of Medical Research-National Institute of Traditional Medicine, Belagavi 590010, India
| | - B M Patil
- KLE College of Pharmacy Belagavi, KLE Academy of Higher Education and Research (KAHER), Belagavi 590010, India; PRES's Pravara Rural College of Pharmacy Pravaranagar, Loni, Maharashtra, India.
| | - Kunal Bhattacharya
- Pratiksha Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guwahati, Assam, India; Royal School of Pharmacy, The Assam Royal Global University, Guwahati, Assam, India
| | - Amit Kumar Shrivastava
- Department of Oriental Pharmacy and Wonkwang-Oriental Medicine Research Institute, Wonkwang University, Iksan 570-749, South Korea
| | - Raushan K Chaudhary
- KLE College of Pharmacy Belagavi, KLE Academy of Higher Education and Research (KAHER), Belagavi 590010, India
| | - Lokjan Singh
- Department of Microbiology, Karnali Academy of Health Sciences, Teaching Hospital Jumla, Karnali, Nepal
| | - Prarambh Sr Dwivedi
- KLE College of Pharmacy Belagavi, KLE Academy of Higher Education and Research (KAHER), Belagavi 590010, India
| | - Darasaguppe R Harish
- Indian Council of Medical Research-National Institute of Traditional Medicine, Belagavi 590010, India
| | - Subarna Roy
- Indian Council of Medical Research-National Institute of Traditional Medicine, Belagavi 590010, India
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Singh K, Bhushan B, Chanchal DK, Sharma SK, Rani K, Yadav MK, Porwal P, Kumar S, Sharma A, Virmani T, Kumar G, Noman AA. Emerging Therapeutic Potential of Cannabidiol (CBD) in Neurological Disorders: A Comprehensive Review. Behav Neurol 2023; 2023:8825358. [PMID: 37868743 PMCID: PMC10586905 DOI: 10.1155/2023/8825358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2023] [Revised: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Cannabidiol (CBD), derived from Cannabis sativa, has gained remarkable attention for its potential therapeutic applications. This thorough analysis explores the increasing significance of CBD in treating neurological conditions including epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, and Alzheimer's disease, which present major healthcare concerns on a worldwide scale. Despite the lack of available therapies, CBD has been shown to possess a variety of pharmacological effects in preclinical and clinical studies, making it an intriguing competitor. This review brings together the most recent findings on the endocannabinoid and neurotransmitter systems, as well as anti-inflammatory pathways, that underlie CBD's modes of action. Synthesized efficacy and safety assessments for a range of neurological illnesses are included, covering human trials, in vitro studies, and animal models. The investigation includes how CBD could protect neurons, control neuroinflammation, fend off oxidative stress, and manage neuronal excitability. This study emphasizes existing clinical studies and future possibilities in CBD research, addressing research issues such as regulatory complications and contradicting results, and advocates for further investigation of therapeutic efficacy and ideal dose methodologies. By emphasizing CBD's potential to improve patient well-being, this investigation presents a revised viewpoint on its suitability as a therapeutic intervention for neurological illnesses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kuldeep Singh
- Department of Pharmacology, Rajiv Academy for Pharmacy, Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Bharat Bhushan
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmaceutical Research, GLA University, Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Dilip Kumar Chanchal
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Glocal School of Pharmacy, Glocal University, Mirzapur Pole, Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Satish Kumar Sharma
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Glocal School of Pharmacy, Glocal University, Mirzapur Pole, Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Ketki Rani
- Department of Chemistry, SGT College of Pharmacy, SGT University, Gurugram, Haryana, India
| | - Manoj Kumar Yadav
- Department of Pharmacology, Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Chhalesar Campus, Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Prateek Porwal
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Glocal School of Pharmacy, Glocal University, Mirzapur Pole, Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Shivendra Kumar
- Department of Pharmacology, Rajiv Academy for Pharmacy, Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Ashwani Sharma
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, MVN University, 121105, Palwal, Haryana, India
| | - Tarun Virmani
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, MVN University, 121105, Palwal, Haryana, India
| | - Girish Kumar
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, MVN University, 121105, Palwal, Haryana, India
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12
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Montagner PSS, Medeiros W, da Silva LCR, Borges CN, Brasil-Neto J, de Deus Silva Barbosa V, Caixeta FV, Malcher-Lopes R. Individually tailored dosage regimen of full-spectrum Cannabis extracts for autistic core and comorbid symptoms: a real-life report of multi-symptomatic benefits. Front Psychiatry 2023; 14:1210155. [PMID: 37671290 PMCID: PMC10475955 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1210155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 09/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) may significantly impact the well-being of patients and their families. The therapeutic use of cannabis for ASD has gained interest due to its promising results and low side effects, but a consensus on treatment guidelines is lacking. In this study, we conducted a retrospective analysis of 20 patients with autistic symptoms who were treated with full-spectrum cannabis extracts (FCEs) in a response-based, individually-tailored dosage regimen. The daily dosage and relative proportions of cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) were adjusted based on treatment results following periodic clinical evaluation. Most patients (80%) were treated for a minimum of 6 months. We have used a novel, detailed online patient- or caregiver-reported outcome survey that inquired about core and comorbid symptoms, and quality of life. We also reviewed patients' clinical files, and no individual condition within the autistic spectrum was excluded. This real-life approach enabled us to gain a clearer appraisal of the ample scope of benefits that FCEs can provide for ASD patients and their families. Eighteen patients started with a CBD-rich FCE titrating protocol, and in three of them, the CBD-rich (CBD-dominant) FCE was gradually complemented with low doses of a THC-rich (THC-dominant) FCE based on observed effects. Two other patients have used throughout treatment a blend of two FCEs, one CBD-rich and the other THC-rich. The outcomes were mainly positive for most symptoms, and only one patient from each of the two above-mentioned situations displayed important side effects one who has used only CBD-rich FCE throughout the treatment, and another who has used a blend of CBD-Rich and THC-rich FCEs. Therefore, after FCE treatment, 18 out of 20 patients showed improvement in most core and comorbid symptoms of autism, and in quality of life for patients and their families. For them, side effects were mild and infrequent. Additionally, we show, for the first time, that allotriophagy (Pica) can be treated by FCEs. Other medications were reduced or completely discontinued in most cases. Based on our findings, we propose guidelines for individually tailored dosage regimens that may be adapted to locally available qualified FCEs and guide further clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Wesley Medeiros
- Laboratory of Neuroscience and Behavior, Department of Physiological Sciences, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Brasilia, Brasília, Brazil
| | - Leandro Cruz Ramires da Silva
- Clinical Hospital, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
- Brazilian Association of Medical Cannabis Patients, Ama-Me, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Clarissa Nogueira Borges
- Specialized Educational Care Division for Gifted Students of the Department of Education of the Federal District, Brasília, Brazil
| | | | - Vinícius de Deus Silva Barbosa
- Medical Cannabis Center–Syrian-Lebanese Hospital, São Paulo, Brazil
- National Association for Inclusion of the Autistic People, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Fabio V. Caixeta
- Laboratory of Neuroscience and Behavior, Department of Physiological Sciences, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Brasilia, Brasília, Brazil
| | - Renato Malcher-Lopes
- Laboratory of Neuroscience and Behavior, Department of Physiological Sciences, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Brasilia, Brasília, Brazil
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13
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Bortoletto R, Piscitelli F, Candolo A, Bhattacharyya S, Balestrieri M, Colizzi M. Questioning the role of palmitoylethanolamide in psychosis: a systematic review of clinical and preclinical evidence. Front Psychiatry 2023; 14:1231710. [PMID: 37533892 PMCID: PMC10390736 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1231710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 06/30/2023] [Indexed: 08/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction The endocannabinoid (eCB) system disruption has been suggested to underpin the development of psychosis, fueling the search for novel, better-tolerated antipsychotic agents that target the eCB system. Among these, palmitoylethanolamide (PEA), an N-acylethanolamine (AE) with neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic properties, has drawn attention for its antipsychotic potential. Methods This Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) 2020-compliant systematic review aimed at reappraising all clinical and preclinical studies investigating the biobehavioral role of PEA in psychosis. Results Overall, 13 studies were eligible for data extraction (11 human, 2 animal). Observational studies investigating PEA tone in psychosis patients converged on the evidence for increased PEA plasma (6 human) and central nervous system (CNS; 1 human) levels, as a potential early compensatory response to illness and its severity, that seems to be lost in the longer-term (CNS; 1 human), opening to the possibility of exogenously supplementing it to sustain control of the disorder. Consistently, PEA oral supplementation reduced negative psychotic and manic symptoms among psychosis patients, with no serious adverse events (3 human). No PEA changes emerged in either preclinical psychosis model (2 animal) studied. Discussion Evidence supports PEA signaling as a potential psychosis biomarker, also indicating a therapeutic role of its supplementation in the disorder. Systematic review registration https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/AFMTK.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riccardo Bortoletto
- Unit of Psychiatry, Department of Medicine (DAME), University of Udine, Udine, Italy
| | - Fabiana Piscitelli
- Department of Chemical Sciences and Materials Technologies, Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry, National Research Council (CNR), Pozzuoli, Italy
| | - Anna Candolo
- Unit of Psychiatry, Department of Medicine (DAME), University of Udine, Udine, Italy
| | - Sagnik Bhattacharyya
- Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Matteo Balestrieri
- Unit of Psychiatry, Department of Medicine (DAME), University of Udine, Udine, Italy
| | - Marco Colizzi
- Unit of Psychiatry, Department of Medicine (DAME), University of Udine, Udine, Italy
- Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
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14
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Wawrzczak-Bargieła A, Bilecki W, Maćkowiak M. Epigenetic Targets in Schizophrenia Development and Therapy. Brain Sci 2023; 13:brainsci13030426. [PMID: 36979236 PMCID: PMC10046502 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci13030426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2023] [Revised: 02/24/2023] [Accepted: 02/26/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Schizophrenia is regarded as a neurodevelopmental disorder with its course progressing throughout life. However, the aetiology and development of schizophrenia are still under investigation. Several data suggest that the dysfunction of epigenetic mechanisms is known to be involved in the pathomechanism of this mental disorder. The present article revised the epigenetic background of schizophrenia based on the data available in online databases (PubMed, Scopus). This paper focused on the role of epigenetic regulation, such as DNA methylation, histone modifications, and interference of non-coding RNAs, in schizophrenia development. The article also reviewed the available data related to epigenetic regulation that may modify the severity of the disease as a possible target for schizophrenia pharmacotherapy. Moreover, the effects of antipsychotics on epigenetic malfunction in schizophrenia are discussed based on preclinical and clinical results. The obtainable data suggest alterations of epigenetic regulation in schizophrenia. Moreover, they also showed the important role of epigenetic modifications in antipsychotic action. There is a need for more data to establish the role of epigenetic mechanisms in schizophrenia therapy. It would be of special interest to find and develop new targets for schizophrenia therapy because patients with schizophrenia could show little or no response to current pharmacotherapy and have treatment-resistant schizophrenia.
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15
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Di Bartolomeo M, Stark T, Di Martino S, Iannotti FA, Ruda-Kucerova J, Romano GL, Kuchar M, Laudani S, Palivec P, Piscitelli F, Wotjak CT, Bucolo C, Drago F, Di Marzo V, D’Addario C, Micale V. The Effects of Peripubertal THC Exposure in Neurodevelopmental Rat Models of Psychopathology. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24043907. [PMID: 36835313 PMCID: PMC9962163 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24043907] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2022] [Revised: 01/29/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Adolescent exposure to cannabinoids as a postnatal environmental insult may increase the risk of psychosis in subjects exposed to perinatal insult, as suggested by the two-hit hypothesis of schizophrenia. Here, we hypothesized that peripubertal Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (aTHC) may affect the impact of prenatal methylazoxymethanol acetate (MAM) or perinatal THC (pTHC) exposure in adult rats. We found that MAM and pTHC-exposed rats, when compared to the control group (CNT), were characterized by adult phenotype relevant to schizophrenia, including social withdrawal and cognitive impairment, as revealed by social interaction test and novel object recognition test, respectively. At the molecular level, we observed an increase in cannabinoid CB1 receptor (Cnr1) and/or dopamine D2/D3 receptor (Drd2, Drd3) gene expression in the prefrontal cortex of adult MAM or pTHC-exposed rats, which we attributed to changes in DNA methylation at key regulatory gene regions. Interestingly, aTHC treatment significantly impaired social behavior, but not cognitive performance in CNT groups. In pTHC rats, aTHC did not exacerbate the altered phenotype nor dopaminergic signaling, while it reversed cognitive deficit in MAM rats by modulating Drd2 and Drd3 gene expression. In conclusion, our results suggest that the effects of peripubertal THC exposure may depend on individual differences related to dopaminergic neurotransmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Di Bartolomeo
- Department of Bioscience and Technology for Food, Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, 64100 Teramo, Italy
| | - Tibor Stark
- Scientific Core Unit Neuroimaging, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, 80804 Munich, Germany
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, 62500 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Serena Di Martino
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Fabio Arturo Iannotti
- Endocannabinoid Research Group, Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, 80078 Pozzuoli, Italy
| | - Jana Ruda-Kucerova
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, 62500 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Giovanni Luca Romano
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Martin Kuchar
- Forensic Laboratory of Biologically Active Substances, Department of Chemistry of Natural Compounds, University of Chemistry and Technology Prague, 16628 Prague, Czech Republic
- Psychedelic Research Centre, National Institute of Mental Health, Topolová 748, 25067 Klecany, Czech Republic
| | - Samuele Laudani
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Petr Palivec
- Forensic Laboratory of Biologically Active Substances, Department of Chemistry of Natural Compounds, University of Chemistry and Technology Prague, 16628 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Fabiana Piscitelli
- Endocannabinoid Research Group, Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, 80078 Pozzuoli, Italy
| | - Carsten T. Wotjak
- Central Nervous System Diseases Research (CNSDR), Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, 88397 Biberach an der Riss, Germany
| | - Claudio Bucolo
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Filippo Drago
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Di Marzo
- Endocannabinoid Research Group, Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, 80078 Pozzuoli, Italy
- Canada Excellence Research Chair on the Microbiome-Endocannabinoidome Axis in Metabolic Health, Faculty of Medicine, Agricultural and Food Sciences, CRIUCPQ, INAF and Centre NUTRISS, Université Laval, Quebec City, QC G1V 4G5, Canada
| | - Claudio D’Addario
- Department of Bioscience and Technology for Food, Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, 64100 Teramo, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Micale
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
- Correspondence: or ; Tel.: +39-095-4781199
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Jîtcă G, Ősz BE, Vari CE, Rusz CM, Tero-Vescan A, Pușcaș A. Cannabidiol: Bridge between Antioxidant Effect, Cellular Protection, and Cognitive and Physical Performance. Antioxidants (Basel) 2023; 12:antiox12020485. [PMID: 36830042 PMCID: PMC9952814 DOI: 10.3390/antiox12020485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2023] [Revised: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The literature provides scientific evidence for the beneficial effects of cannabidiol (CBD), and these effects extend beyond epilepsy treatment (e.g., Lennox-Gastaut and Dravet syndromes), notably the influence on oxidative status, neurodegeneration, cellular protection, cognitive function, and physical performance. However, products containing CBD are not allowed to be marketed everywhere in the world, which may ultimately have a negative effect on health as a result of the uncontrolled CBD market. After the isolation of CBD follows the discovery of CB1 and CB2 receptors and the main enzymatic components (diacylglycerol lipase (DAG lipase), monoacyl glycerol lipase (MAGL), fatty acid amino hydrolase (FAAH)). At the same time, the antioxidant potential of CBD is due not only to the molecular structure but also to the fact that this compound increases the expression of the main endogenous antioxidant systems, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx), through the nuclear complex erythroid 2-related factor (Nrf2)/Keep1. Regarding the role in the control of inflammation, this function is exercised by inhibiting (nuclear factor kappa B) NF-κB, and also the genes that encode the expression of molecules with a pro-inflammatory role (cytokines and metalloproteinases). The other effects of CBD on cognitive function and physical performance should not be excluded. In conclusion, the CBD market needs to be regulated more thoroughly, given the previously listed properties, with the mention that the safety profile is a very good one.
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Affiliation(s)
- George Jîtcă
- Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology of Târgu Mureș, 540139 Târgu Mureș, Romania
| | - Bianca E. Ősz
- Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology of Târgu Mureș, 540139 Târgu Mureș, Romania
- Correspondence:
| | - Camil E. Vari
- Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology of Târgu Mureș, 540139 Târgu Mureș, Romania
| | - Carmen-Maria Rusz
- Doctoral School of Medicine and Pharmacy, I.O.S.U.D, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology of Târgu Mureș, 540139 Târgu Mureș, Romania
| | - Amelia Tero-Vescan
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology of Târgu Mureș, 540139 Târgu Mureș, Romania
| | - Amalia Pușcaș
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology of Târgu Mureș, 540139 Târgu Mureș, Romania
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García-Gutiérrez MS, Navarro D, Austrich-Olivares A, Manzanares J. Unveiling behavioral and molecular neuroadaptations related to the antidepressant action of cannabidiol in the unpredictable chronic mild stress model. Front Pharmacol 2023; 14:1171646. [PMID: 37144214 PMCID: PMC10151764 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1171646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 05/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction: This study aims to further characterize cannabidiol's pharmacological and molecular profile as an antidepressant. Methods: Effects of cannabidiol (CBD), alone or combined with sertraline (STR), were evaluated in male CD1 mice (n = 48) exposed to an unpredictable chronic mild stress (UCMS) procedure. Once the model was established (4 weeks), mice received CBD (20 mg·kg-1, i.p.), STR (10 mg·kg-1, p.o.) or its combination for 28 days. The efficacy of CBD was evaluated using the light-dark box (LDB), elevated plus maze (EPM), tail suspension (TS), sucrose consumption (SC) and novel object recognition (NOR) tests. Gene expression changes in the serotonin transporter, 5-HT1A and 5-HT2A receptors, BDNF, VGlut1 and PPARdelta, were evaluated in the dorsal raphe, hippocampus (Hipp) and amygdala by real-time PCR. Besides, BDNF, NeuN and caspase-3 immunoreactivity were assessed in the Hipp. Results: CBD exerted anxiolytic and antidepressant-like effects at 4 and 7 days of treatment in the LDB and TS tests, respectively. In contrast, STR required 14 days of treatment to show efficacy. CBD improved cognitive impairment and anhedonia more significantly than STR. CBD plus STR showed a similar effect than CBD in the LBD, TST and EPM. However, a worse outcome was observed in the NOR and SI tests. CBD modulates all molecular disturbances induced by UCMS, whereas STR and the combination could not restore 5-HT1A, BDNF and PPARdelta in the Hipp. Discussion: These results pointed out CBD as a potential new antidepressant with faster action and efficiency than STR. Particular attention should be given to the combination of CBD with current SSRI since it appears to produce a negative impact on treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Salud García-Gutiérrez
- Instituto de Neurociencias, Universidad Miguel Hernández, Alicante, Spain
- Research Network on Primary Addictions, 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 Hernández, Alicante, Spain
- Research Network on Primary Addictions, 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 Hernández, Alicante, Spain
- Research Network on Primary Addictions, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, MICINN and FEDER, Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria y Biomédica de Alicante (ISABIAL), Alicante, Spain
- *Correspondence: Jorge Manzanares,
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18
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Micale V, Di Bartolomeo M, Di Martino S, Stark T, Dell'Osso B, Drago F, D'Addario C. Are the epigenetic changes predictive of therapeutic efficacy for psychiatric disorders? A translational approach towards novel drug targets. Pharmacol Ther 2023; 241:108279. [PMID: 36103902 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2022.108279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2022] [Revised: 09/01/2022] [Accepted: 09/01/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The etiopathogenesis of mental disorders is not fully understood and accumulating evidence support that clinical symptomatology cannot be assigned to a single gene mutation, but it involves several genetic factors. More specifically, a tight association between genes and environmental risk factors, which could be mediated by epigenetic mechanisms, may play a role in the development of mental disorders. Several data suggest that epigenetic modifications such as DNA methylation, post-translational histone modification and interference of microRNA (miRNA) or long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) may modify the severity of the disease and the outcome of the therapy. Indeed, the study of these mechanisms may help to identify patients particularly vulnerable to mental disorders and may have potential utility as biomarkers to facilitate diagnosis and treatment of psychiatric disorders. This article summarizes the most relevant preclinical and human data showing how epigenetic modifications can be central to the therapeutic efficacy of antidepressant and/or antipsychotic agents, as possible predictor of drugs response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincenzo Micale
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.
| | - Martina Di Bartolomeo
- Faculty of Bioscience and Technology for Food, Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy
| | - Serena Di Martino
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Tibor Stark
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic; Scientific Core Unit Neuroimaging, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - Bernardo Dell'Osso
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences 'Luigi Sacco', University of Milan, Milan, Italy, Department of Mental Health, ASST Fatebenefratelli-Sacco, Milan, Italy; "Aldo Ravelli" Research Center for Neurotechnology and Experimental Brain Therapeutics, Department of Health Sciences, University of Milan Medical School, Milan, Italy; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, CA, USA
| | - Filippo Drago
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.
| | - Claudio D'Addario
- Faculty of Bioscience and Technology for Food, Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy; Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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19
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Khan AQ, Thielen L, Le Pen G, Krebs MO, Kebir O, Groh A, Deest M, Bleich S, Frieling H, Jahn K. Methylation pattern and mRNA expression of synapse-relevant genes in the MAM model of schizophrenia in the time-course of adolescence. SCHIZOPHRENIA (HEIDELBERG, GERMANY) 2022; 8:110. [PMID: 36481661 PMCID: PMC9732294 DOI: 10.1038/s41537-022-00319-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2022] [Accepted: 11/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Schizophrenia is highly heritable and aggregating in families, but genetics alone does not exclusively explain the pathogenesis. Many risk factors, including childhood trauma, viral infections, migration, and the use of cannabis, are associated with schizophrenia. Adolescence seems to be the critical period where symptoms of the disease manifest. This work focuses on studying an epigenetic regulatory mechanism (the role of DNA methylation) and its interaction with mRNA expression during development, with a particular emphasis on adolescence. The presumptions regarding the role of aberrant neurodevelopment in schizophrenia were tested in the Methyl-Azoxy-Methanol (MAM) animal model. MAM treatment induces neurodevelopmental disruptions and behavioral deficits in off-springs of the treated animals reminiscent of those observed in schizophrenia and is thus considered a promising model for studying this pathology. On a gestational day-17, adult pregnant rats were treated with the antimitotic agent MAM. Experimental animals were divided into groups and subgroups according to substance treatment (MAM and vehicle agent [Sham]) and age of analysis (pre-adolescent and post-adolescent). Methylation and mRNA expression analysis of four candidate genes, which are often implicated in schizophrenia, with special emphasis on the Dopamine hypothesis i.e., Dopamine receptor D2 (Drd2), and the "co-factors" Disrupted in schizophrenia 1 (DISC1), Synaptophysin (Syp), and Dystrobrevin-binding protein 1 (Dtnbp1), was performed in the Gyrus cingulum (CING) and prefrontal cortex (PFC). Data were analyzed to observe the effect of substance treatment between groups and the impact of adolescence within-group. We found reduced pre-adolescent expression levels of Drd2 in both brain areas under the application of MAM. The "co-factor genes" did not show high deviations in mRNA expression levels but high alterations of methylation rates under the application of MAM (up to ~20%), which diminished in the further time course, reaching a comparable level like in Sham control animals after adolescence. The pre-adolescent reduction in DRD2 expression might be interpreted as downregulation of the receptor due to hyperdopaminergic signaling from the ventral tegmental area (VTA), eventually even to both investigated brain regions. The notable alterations of methylation rates in the three analyzed co-factor genes might be interpreted as attempt to compensate for the altered dopaminergic neurotransmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdul Qayyum Khan
- grid.10423.340000 0000 9529 9877Laboratory for Molecular Neurosciences (LMN), Department of Psychiatry, Social Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical School Hannover (MHH), Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany ,grid.444940.9University of Management and Technology—School of Pharmacy, 72-A Raiwind Rd, Dubai Town, Lahore Pakistan
| | - Lukas Thielen
- grid.10423.340000 0000 9529 9877Laboratory for Molecular Neurosciences (LMN), Department of Psychiatry, Social Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical School Hannover (MHH), Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Gwenaëlle Le Pen
- grid.512035.0Université Paris Cité, Institute of Psychiatry and Neuroscience of Paris (IPNP), INSERM, Pathophysiology of Psychiatric disorders: Development and Vulnerability, U1266, 102-108 Rue de la Santé, 75014 Paris, France
| | - Marie-Odile Krebs
- grid.512035.0Université Paris Cité, Institute of Psychiatry and Neuroscience of Paris (IPNP), INSERM, Pathophysiology of Psychiatric disorders: Development and Vulnerability, U1266, 102-108 Rue de la Santé, 75014 Paris, France ,GHU Paris Psychiatrie et Neurosciences, 1 Rue Cabanis, 75014 Paris, France
| | - Oussama Kebir
- grid.512035.0Université Paris Cité, Institute of Psychiatry and Neuroscience of Paris (IPNP), INSERM, Pathophysiology of Psychiatric disorders: Development and Vulnerability, U1266, 102-108 Rue de la Santé, 75014 Paris, France ,GHU Paris Psychiatrie et Neurosciences, 1 Rue Cabanis, 75014 Paris, France
| | - Adrian Groh
- grid.10423.340000 0000 9529 9877Laboratory for Molecular Neurosciences (LMN), Department of Psychiatry, Social Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical School Hannover (MHH), Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Maximilian Deest
- grid.10423.340000 0000 9529 9877Laboratory for Molecular Neurosciences (LMN), Department of Psychiatry, Social Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical School Hannover (MHH), Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Stefan Bleich
- grid.10423.340000 0000 9529 9877Laboratory for Molecular Neurosciences (LMN), Department of Psychiatry, Social Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical School Hannover (MHH), Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Helge Frieling
- grid.10423.340000 0000 9529 9877Laboratory for Molecular Neurosciences (LMN), Department of Psychiatry, Social Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical School Hannover (MHH), Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Kirsten Jahn
- grid.10423.340000 0000 9529 9877Laboratory for Molecular Neurosciences (LMN), Department of Psychiatry, Social Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical School Hannover (MHH), Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany
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20
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Adult stress exposure blunts dopamine system hyperresponsivity in a neurodevelopmental rodent model of schizophrenia. SCHIZOPHRENIA 2022; 8:30. [PMID: 35338155 PMCID: PMC8956652 DOI: 10.1038/s41537-022-00235-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2020] [Accepted: 01/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Stress is a major risk factor for the development of both schizophrenia and depression, and comorbidity between the two is common in schizoaffective disorders. However, the effects of stress exposure (i.e. chronic mild stress-CMS) on depression-related phenotypes in a neurodevelopmental model relevant to schizophrenia (i.e. methylazoxymethanol acetate—MAM) have yet to be explored and could provide insight into shared mechanisms of disease. To this end, we combined the prenatal MAM model with adult CMS exposure and explored the resultant pathophysiology using the social approach test (SAT), immobility in the forced swim test (FST) and amphetamine-induced hyperlocomotion (AIH) as depression- and schizophrenia-related endophenotypes and performed extracellular recordings of ventral tegmental area (VTA) DA neurons. MAM rats exhibited a reduction in social approach and increased VTA DA neuron activity compared to SAL rats or CMS groups. Separate cohorts of MAM animals were subjected to FST and AIH testing (counterbalanced order) or FST only. CMS groups exhibited increased FST immobility. Post-FST, both MAM groups (MAM-CON, MAM-CMS) exhibited blunted locomotor response to amphetamine compared with their SAL counterparts exposed to the same tests. Post-FST, MAM rats exhibited comparable VTA population activity to SAL rats, and CMS groups exhibited attenuated VTA population activity. Apomorphine administration results were consistent with the model suggesting that reductions in VTA DA neuron activity in MAM rats following FST exposure resulted from over-excitation, or depolarization block. These data suggest stress-induced DA downregulation in MAM rats, as FST exposure was sufficient to block the DA hyperresponsivity phenotype.
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21
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Domingos LB, Silva NR, Chaves Filho AJM, Sales AJ, Starnawska A, Joca S. Regulation of DNA Methylation by Cannabidiol and Its Implications for Psychiatry: New Insights from In Vivo and In Silico Models. Genes (Basel) 2022; 13:2165. [PMID: 36421839 PMCID: PMC9690868 DOI: 10.3390/genes13112165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2022] [Revised: 11/11/2022] [Accepted: 11/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Cannabidiol (CBD) is a non-psychotomimetic compound present in cannabis sativa. Many recent studies have indicated that CBD has a promising therapeutic profile for stress-related psychiatric disorders, such as anxiety, schizophrenia and depression. Such a diverse profile has been associated with its complex pharmacology, since CBD can target different neurotransmitter receptors, enzymes, transporters and ion channels. However, the precise contribution of each of those mechanisms for CBD effects is still not yet completely understood. Considering that epigenetic changes make the bridge between gene expression and environment interactions, we review and discuss herein how CBD affects one of the main epigenetic mechanisms associated with the development of stress-related psychiatric disorders: DNA methylation (DNAm). Evidence from in vivo and in silico studies indicate that CBD can regulate the activity of the enzymes responsible for DNAm, due to directly binding to the enzymes and/or by indirectly regulating their activities as a consequence of neurotransmitter-mediated signaling. The implications of this new potential pharmacological target for CBD are discussed in light of its therapeutic and neurodevelopmental effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luana B. Domingos
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark
- Translational Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, 8200 Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Nicole R. Silva
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark
- Translational Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, 8200 Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Adriano J. M. Chaves Filho
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark
- Translational Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, 8200 Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Amanda J. Sales
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine of Ribeirao Preto, University of Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto 14049-900, SP, Brazil
| | - Anna Starnawska
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark
- The Lundbeck Foundation Initiative for Integrative Psychiatric Research, iPSYCH, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark
- Center for Genomics and Personalized Medicine, CGPM, Center for Integrative Sequencing, iSEQ, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Sâmia Joca
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark
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22
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Hazani R, Lavidor M, Weller A. Treatments for Social Interaction Impairment in Animal Models of Schizophrenia: A Critical Review and Meta-analysis. Schizophr Bull 2022; 48:1179-1193. [PMID: 35925025 PMCID: PMC9673263 DOI: 10.1093/schbul/sbac093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND While pharmacological treatments for positive symptoms of schizophrenia are widely used, their beneficial effect on negative symptoms, particularly social impairment, is insufficiently studied. Therefore, there is an increasing interest in preclinical research of potentially beneficial treatments, with mixed results. The current review aims to evaluate the efficacy of available treatments for social deficits in different animal models of schizophrenia. STUDY DESIGN A systematic literature search generated 145 outcomes for the measures "total time" and "number" of social interactions. Standardized mean differences (SMD) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated, and heterogeneity was tested using Q statistics in a random-effect meta-analytic model. Given the vast heterogeneity in effect sizes, the animal model, treatment group, and sample size were all examined as potential moderators. STUDY RESULTS The results showed that in almost all models, treatment significantly improved social deficit (total time: SMD = 1.24; number: SMD = 1.1). The moderator analyses discovered significant subgroup differences across models and treatment subgroups. Perinatal and adult pharmacological models showed the most substantial influence of treatments on social deficits, reflecting relative pharmacological validity. Furthermore, atypical antipsychotic drugs had the highest SMD within each model subgroup. CONCLUSIONS Our findings indicate that the improvement in social interaction behaviors is dependent on the animal model and treatment family used. Implications for the preclinical and clinical fields are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reut Hazani
- To whom correspondence should be addressed; Department of Psychology, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan 5290002, Israel; tel: 972-3-531-8548, fax: 972-3-738-4173, e-mail:
| | - Michal Lavidor
- Psychology Department and Gonda Brain Research Center, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Aron Weller
- Psychology Department and Gonda Brain Research Center, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
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23
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Effects of endocannabinoid system modulation on social behaviour: A systematic review of animal studies. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2022; 138:104680. [PMID: 35513169 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104680] [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: 05/25/2021] [Revised: 04/27/2022] [Accepted: 04/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/09/2022]
Abstract
There is a clear link between psychiatric disorders and social behaviour, and evidence suggests the involvement of the endocannabinoid system (ECS). A systematic review of preclinical literature was conducted using MEDLINE (PubMed) and PsychINFO databases to examine whether pharmacological and/or genetic manipulations of the ECS alter social behaviours in wildtype (WT) animals or models of social impairment (SIM). Eighty studies were included. Risk of bias (RoB) was assessed using SYRCLE's RoB tool. While some variability was evident, studies most consistently found that direct cannabinoid receptor (CBR) agonism decreased social behaviours in WT animals, while indirect CBR activation via enzyme inhibition or gene-knockout increased social behaviours. Direct and, more consistently, indirect CBR activation reversed social deficits in SIM. These CBR-mediated effects were often sex- and developmental-phase-dependent and blocked by CBR antagonism. Overall, ECS enzyme inhibition may improve social behaviour in SIM, suggesting the potential usefulness of ECS enzyme inhibition as a therapeutic approach for social deficits. Future research should endeavour to elucidate ECS status in neuropsychiatric disorders characterized by social deficits.
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24
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Raffaele M, Kovacovicova K, Biagini T, Lo Re O, Frohlich J, Giallongo S, Nhan JD, Giannone AG, Cabibi D, Ivanov M, Tonchev AB, Mistrik M, Lacey M, Dzubak P, Gurska S, Hajduch M, Bartek J, Mazza T, Micale V, Curran SP, Vinciguerra M. Nociceptin/orphanin FQ opioid receptor (NOP) selective ligand MCOPPB links anxiolytic and senolytic effects. GeroScience 2022; 44:463-483. [PMID: 34820764 PMCID: PMC8612119 DOI: 10.1007/s11357-021-00487-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2021] [Accepted: 11/05/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Accumulation of senescent cells may drive age-associated alterations and pathologies. Senolytics are promising therapeutics that can preferentially eliminate senescent cells. Here, we performed a high-throughput automatized screening (HTS) of the commercial LOPAC®Pfizer library on aphidicolin-induced senescent human fibroblasts, to identify novel senolytics. We discovered the nociceptin receptor FQ opioid receptor (NOP) selective ligand 1-[1-(1-methylcyclooctyl)-4-piperidinyl]-2-[(3R)-3-piperidinyl]-1H-benzimidazole (MCOPPB, a compound previously studied as potential anxiolytic) as the best scoring hit. The ability of MCOPPB to eliminate senescent cells in in vitro models was further tested in mice and in C. elegans. MCOPPB reduced the senescence cell burden in peripheral tissues but not in the central nervous system. Mice and worms exposed to MCOPPB also exhibited locomotion and lipid storage changes. Mechanistically, MCOPPB treatment activated transcriptional networks involved in the immune responses to external stressors, implicating Toll-like receptors (TLRs). Our study uncovers MCOPPB as a NOP ligand that, apart from anxiolytic effects, also shows tissue-specific senolytic effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Raffaele
- International Clinical Research Center, St. Anne's University Hospital, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Kristina Kovacovicova
- International Clinical Research Center, St. Anne's University Hospital, Brno, Czech Republic
- Psychogenics Inc, Tarrytown, NY, USA
| | - Tommaso Biagini
- Laboratory of Bioinformatics, Fondazione IRCCS Casa Sollievo Della Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy
| | - Oriana Lo Re
- International Clinical Research Center, St. Anne's University Hospital, Brno, Czech Republic
- Department of Translational Stem Cell Biology, Research Institute of the Medical University of Varna, Varna, Bulgaria
| | - Jan Frohlich
- International Clinical Research Center, St. Anne's University Hospital, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Sebastiano Giallongo
- International Clinical Research Center, St. Anne's University Hospital, Brno, Czech Republic
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - James D Nhan
- Leonard Davis School of Gerontology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Department of Molecular and Computational Biology, Arts, and Sciences, Dornsife College of Letters, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Antonino Giulio Giannone
- Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, Pathologic Anatomy Unit-University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Daniela Cabibi
- Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, Pathologic Anatomy Unit-University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Martin Ivanov
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Research Institute of the Medical University of Varna, Varna, Bulgaria
| | - Anton B Tonchev
- Department of Translational Stem Cell Biology, Research Institute of the Medical University of Varna, Varna, Bulgaria
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Research Institute of the Medical University of Varna, Varna, Bulgaria
| | - Martin Mistrik
- Institute of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacky University, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Matthew Lacey
- Institute of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacky University, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Petr Dzubak
- Institute of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacky University, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Sona Gurska
- Institute of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacky University, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Marian Hajduch
- Institute of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacky University, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Jiri Bartek
- Institute of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacky University, Olomouc, Czech Republic
- Genome Integrity Unit, Danish Cancer Society Research Center, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Division of Genome Biology, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Science for Life Laboratory, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Tommaso Mazza
- Laboratory of Bioinformatics, Fondazione IRCCS Casa Sollievo Della Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Micale
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Sean P Curran
- Leonard Davis School of Gerontology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Department of Molecular and Computational Biology, Arts, and Sciences, Dornsife College of Letters, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Manlio Vinciguerra
- International Clinical Research Center, St. Anne's University Hospital, Brno, Czech Republic.
- Department of Translational Stem Cell Biology, Research Institute of the Medical University of Varna, Varna, Bulgaria.
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25
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Kibret BG, Ishiguro H, Horiuchi Y, Onaivi ES. New Insights and Potential Therapeutic Targeting of CB2 Cannabinoid Receptors in CNS Disorders. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:975. [PMID: 35055161 PMCID: PMC8778243 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23020975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2021] [Revised: 01/10/2022] [Accepted: 01/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is ubiquitous in most human tissues, and involved in the regulation of mental health. Consequently, its dysregulation is associated with neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders. Together, the ECS and the expanded endocannabinoidome (eCBome) are composed of genes coding for CB1 and CB2 cannabinoid receptors (CB1R, CB2R), endocannabinoids (eCBs), and the metabolic enzyme machinery for their synthesis and catabolism. The activation of CB1R is associated with adverse effects on the central nervous system (CNS), which has limited the therapeutic use of drugs that bind this receptor. The discovery of the functional neuronal CB2R raised new possibilities for the potential and safe targeting of the ECS for the treatment of CNS disorders. Previous studies were not able to detect CB2R mRNA transcripts in brain tissue and suggested that CB2Rs were absent in the brain and were considered peripheral receptors. Studies done on the role of CB2Rs as a potential therapeutic target for treating different disorders revealed the important putative role of CB2Rs in certain CNS disorders, which requires further clinical validation. This review addresses recent advances on the role of CB2Rs in neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders, including, but not limited to, anxiety, depression, schizophrenia, Parkinson's disease (PD), Alzheimer's disease (AD), Huntington's disease (HD) and addiction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Berhanu Geresu Kibret
- Department of Biology, College of Science and Health, William Paterson University, Wayne, NJ 07470, USA
| | - Hiroki Ishiguro
- Department of Neuropsychiatry and Clinical Ethics, Graduate School of Medical Science, University of Yamanashi, Chuo, Yamanashi 409-3898, Japan;
| | - Yasue Horiuchi
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, Tokyo 156-8506, Japan;
| | - Emmanuel S. Onaivi
- Department of Biology, College of Science and Health, William Paterson University, Wayne, NJ 07470, USA
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26
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Stark T, Iannotti FA, Di Martino S, Di Bartolomeo M, Ruda-Kucerova J, Piscitelli F, Wotjak CT, D’Addario C, Drago F, Di Marzo V, Micale V. Early Blockade of CB1 Receptors Ameliorates Schizophrenia-like Alterations in the Neurodevelopmental MAM Model of Schizophrenia. Biomolecules 2022; 12:biom12010108. [PMID: 35053256 PMCID: PMC8773886 DOI: 10.3390/biom12010108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Revised: 12/19/2021] [Accepted: 12/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
In agreement with the neurodevelopmental hypothesis of schizophrenia, prenatal exposure of Sprague-Dawley rats to the antimitotic agent methylazoxymethanol acetate (MAM) at gestational day 17 produces long-lasting behavioral alterations such as social withdrawal and cognitive impairment in adulthood, mimicking a schizophrenia-like phenotype. These abnormalities were preceded at neonatal age both by the delayed appearance of neonatal reflexes, an index of impaired brain maturation, and by higher 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) brain levels. Schizophrenia-like deficits were reversed by early treatment [from postnatal day (PND) 2 to PND 8] with the CB1 antagonist/inverse agonist AM251 (0.5 mg/kg/day). By contrast, early CB1 blockade affected the behavioral performance of control rats which was paralleled by enhanced 2-AG content in the prefrontal cortex (PFC). These results suggest that prenatal MAM insult leads to premorbid anomalies at neonatal age via altered tone of the endocannabinoid system, which may be considered as an early marker preceding the development of schizophrenia-like alterations in adulthood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tibor Stark
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, 62500 Brno, Czech Republic; (T.S.); (J.R.-K.)
- Scientific Core Unit Neuroimaging, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, 80804 Munich, Germany
| | - Fabio Arturo Iannotti
- Endocannabinoid Research Group, Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, 80078 Pozzuoli, Italy; (F.A.I.); (F.P.); (V.D.M.)
| | - Serena Di Martino
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (S.D.M.); (F.D.)
| | - Martina Di Bartolomeo
- Faculty of Bioscience and Technology for Food, Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, 64100 Teramo, Italy; (M.D.B.); (C.D.)
| | - Jana Ruda-Kucerova
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, 62500 Brno, Czech Republic; (T.S.); (J.R.-K.)
| | - Fabiana Piscitelli
- Endocannabinoid Research Group, Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, 80078 Pozzuoli, Italy; (F.A.I.); (F.P.); (V.D.M.)
| | - Carsten T. Wotjak
- Central Nervous System Diseases Research (CNSDR), Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co KG, 88397 Biberach an der Riss, Germany;
| | - Claudio D’Addario
- Faculty of Bioscience and Technology for Food, Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, 64100 Teramo, Italy; (M.D.B.); (C.D.)
| | - Filippo Drago
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (S.D.M.); (F.D.)
| | - Vincenzo Di Marzo
- Endocannabinoid Research Group, Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, 80078 Pozzuoli, Italy; (F.A.I.); (F.P.); (V.D.M.)
- Canada Excellence Research Chair on the Microbiome-Endocannabinoidome Axis in Metabolic Health, Faculty of Medicine and Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences, Centre de Recherche de l’Institut de Cardiologie et Pneumologie de l’Université et Institut sur la Nutrition et les Aliments Fonctionnels, Centre NUTRISS, Université Laval, Quebec City, QC G1V 4G5, Canada
| | - Vincenzo Micale
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (S.D.M.); (F.D.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-095-4781199
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27
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Pedrazzi JFC, Sales AJ, Guimarães FS, Joca SRL, Crippa JAS, Del Bel E. Cannabidiol prevents disruptions in sensorimotor gating induced by psychotomimetic drugs that last for 24-h with probable involvement of epigenetic changes in the ventral striatum. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2021; 111:110352. [PMID: 34015384 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2021.110352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2020] [Revised: 05/07/2021] [Accepted: 05/12/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Cannabidiol (CBD), a major non-psychotomimetic component of the Cannabis sativa plant, shows therapeutic potential in several psychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia. The molecular mechanisms underlying the antipsychotic-like effects of CBD are not fully understood. Schizophrenia and antipsychotic treatment can modulate DNA methylation in the blood and brain, resulting in altered expression of diverse genes associated with this complex disorder. However, to date, the possible involvement of DNA methylation in the antipsychotic-like effects of CBD has not been investigated. Therefore, this study aimed at evaluating in mice submitted to the prepulse inhibition (PPI) model: i) the effects of a single injection of CBD or clozapine followed by AMPH or MK-801 on PPI and global DNA methylation changes in the ventral striatum and prefrontal cortex (PFC); and ii). if the acute antipsychotic-like effects of CBD would last for 24-h. AMPH (5 mg/kg) and MK-801 (0.5 mg/kg) impaired PPI. CBD (30 and 60 mg/kg), similar to clozapine (5 mg/kg), attenuated AMPH- and MK801-induced PPI disruption. AMPH, but not MK-801, increased global DNA methylation in the ventral striatum, an effect prevented by CBD. CBD and clozapine increased, by themselves, DNA methylation in the prefrontal cortex. The acute effects of CBD (30 or 60 mg/kg) on the PPI impairment induced by AMPH or MK-801 was also detectable 24 h later. Altogether, the results show that CBD induces acute antipsychotic-like effects that last for 24-h. It also modulates DNA methylation in the ventral striatum, suggesting a new potential mechanism for its antipsychotic-like effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- João F C Pedrazzi
- Department of Neurosciences and Behavioral Sciences, School of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Amanda J Sales
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Francisco S Guimarães
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Sâmia R L Joca
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil; Departament of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Denmark
| | - José A S Crippa
- Department of Neurosciences and Behavioral Sciences, School of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Elaine Del Bel
- Department of Morphology, Physiology, and Basic Pathology, School of Dentistry of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil.
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Enhancing Endocannabinoid Control of Stress with Cannabidiol. J Clin Med 2021; 10:jcm10245852. [PMID: 34945148 PMCID: PMC8704602 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10245852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Revised: 12/07/2021] [Accepted: 12/08/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The stress response is a well-defined physiological function activated frequently by life events. However, sometimes the stress response can be inappropriate, excessive, or prolonged; in which case, it can hinder rather than help in coping with the stressor, impair normal functioning, and increase the risk of somatic and mental health disorders. There is a need for a more effective and safe pharmacological treatment that can dampen maladaptive stress responses. The endocannabinoid system is one of the main regulators of the stress response. A basal endocannabinoid tone inhibits the stress response, modulation of this tone permits/curtails an active stress response, and chronic deficiency in the endocannabinoid tone is associated with the pathological complications of chronic stress. Cannabidiol is a safe exogenous cannabinoid enhancer of the endocannabinoid system that could be a useful treatment for stress. There have been seven double-blind placebo controlled clinical trials of CBD for stress on a combined total of 232 participants and one partially controlled study on 120 participants. All showed that CBD was effective in significantly reducing the stress response and was non-inferior to pharmaceutical comparators, when included. The clinical trial results are supported by the established mechanisms of action of CBD (including increased N-arachidonylethanolamine levels) and extensive real-world and preclinical evidence of the effectiveness of CBD for treating stress.
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de Melo Reis RA, Isaac AR, Freitas HR, de Almeida MM, Schuck PF, Ferreira GC, Andrade-da-Costa BLDS, Trevenzoli IH. Quality of Life and a Surveillant Endocannabinoid System. Front Neurosci 2021; 15:747229. [PMID: 34776851 PMCID: PMC8581450 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.747229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2021] [Accepted: 10/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is an important brain modulatory network. ECS regulates brain homeostasis throughout development, from progenitor fate decision to neuro- and gliogenesis, synaptogenesis, brain plasticity and circuit repair, up to learning, memory, fear, protection, and death. It is a major player in the hypothalamic-peripheral system-adipose tissue in the regulation of food intake, energy storage, nutritional status, and adipose tissue mass, consequently affecting obesity. Loss of ECS control might affect mood disorders (anxiety, hyperactivity, psychosis, and depression), lead to drug abuse, and impact neurodegenerative (Alzheimer's, Parkinson, Huntington, Multiple, and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) and neurodevelopmental (autism spectrum) disorders. Practice of regular physical and/or mind-body mindfulness and meditative activities have been shown to modulate endocannabinoid (eCB) levels, in addition to other players as brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). ECS is involved in pain, inflammation, metabolic and cardiovascular dysfunctions, general immune responses (asthma, allergy, and arthritis) and tumor expansion, both/either in the brain and/or in the periphery. The reason for such a vast impact is the fact that arachidonic acid, a precursor of eCBs, is present in every membrane cell of the body and on demand eCBs synthesis is regulated by electrical activity and calcium shifts. Novel lipid (lipoxins and resolvins) or peptide (hemopressin) players of the ECS also operate as regulators of physiological allostasis. Indeed, the presence of cannabinoid receptors in intracellular organelles as mitochondria or lysosomes, or in nuclear targets as PPARγ might impact energy consumption, metabolism and cell death. To live a better life implies in a vigilant ECS, through healthy diet selection (based on a balanced omega-3 and -6 polyunsaturated fatty acids), weekly exercises and meditation therapy, all of which regulating eCBs levels, surrounded by a constructive social network. Cannabidiol, a diet supplement has been a major player with anti-inflammatory, anxiolytic, antidepressant, and antioxidant activities. Cognitive challenges and emotional intelligence might strengthen the ECS, which is built on a variety of synapses that modify human behavior. As therapeutically concerned, the ECS is essential for maintaining homeostasis and cannabinoids are promising tools to control innumerous targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ricardo Augusto de Melo Reis
- Laboratory of Neurochemistry, Institute of Biophysics Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Alinny Rosendo Isaac
- Laboratory of Neurochemistry, Institute of Biophysics Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Hércules Rezende Freitas
- Laboratory of Neuroenergetics and Inborn Errors of Metabolism, Institute of Medical Biochemistry Leopoldo de Meis, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Mariana Macedo de Almeida
- Laboratory of Molecular Endocrinology, Institute of Biophysics Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Patricia Fernanda Schuck
- Laboratory of Neuroenergetics and Inborn Errors of Metabolism, Institute of Medical Biochemistry Leopoldo de Meis, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Gustavo Costa Ferreira
- Laboratory of Neuroenergetics and Inborn Errors of Metabolism, Institute of Medical Biochemistry Leopoldo de Meis, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | - Isis Hara Trevenzoli
- Laboratory of Molecular Endocrinology, Institute of Biophysics Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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30
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Stark T, Di Martino S, Drago F, Wotjak CT, Micale V. Phytocannabinoids and schizophrenia: Focus on adolescence as a critical window of enhanced vulnerability and opportunity for treatment. Pharmacol Res 2021; 174:105938. [PMID: 34655773 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2021.105938] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2021] [Revised: 10/10/2021] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The recent shift in socio-political debates and growing liberalization of Cannabis use across the globe has raised concern regarding its impact on vulnerable populations such as adolescents. Concurrent with declining perception of Cannabis harms, more adolescents are using it daily in several countries and consuming marijuana strains with high content of psychotropic delta (9)-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). These dual, related trends seem to facilitate the development of compromised social and cognitive performance at adulthood, which are described in preclinical and human studies. Cannabis exerts its effects via altering signalling within the endocannabinoid system (ECS), which modulates the stress circuitry during the neurodevelopment. In this context early interventions appear to circumvent the emergence of adult neurodevelopmental deficits. Accordingly, Cannabis sativa second-most abundant compound, cannabidiol (CBD), emerges as a potential therapeutic agent to treat neuropsychiatric disorders. We first focus on human and preclinical studies on the long-term effects induced by adolescent THC exposure as a "critical window" of enhanced neurophysiological vulnerability, which could be involved in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia and related primary psychotic disorders. Then, we focus on adolescence as a "window of opportunity" for early pharmacological treatment, as novel risk reduction strategy for neurodevelopmental disorders. Thus, we review current preclinical and clinical evidence regarding the efficacy of CBD in terms of positive, negative and cognitive symptoms treatment, safety profile, and molecular targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tibor Stark
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic; Department of Stress Neurobiology & Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - Serena Di Martino
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Filippo Drago
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Carsten T Wotjak
- Department of Stress Neurobiology & Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany; Central Nervous System Diseases Research (CNSDR), Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co KG, 88397 Biberach an der Riss, Germany
| | - Vincenzo Micale
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.
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31
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Weeks JJ, Grace AA, Sved AF. Nicotine Administration Normalizes Behavioral and Neurophysiological Perturbations in the MAM Rodent Model of Schizophrenia. Int J Neuropsychopharmacol 2021; 24:979-987. [PMID: 34622270 PMCID: PMC8653870 DOI: 10.1093/ijnp/pyab064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2021] [Revised: 09/10/2021] [Accepted: 10/04/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The present study utilized the methylazoxymethanol (MAM) neurodevelopmental rodent model of schizophrenia (SCZ) to evaluate the hypothesis that individuals with SCZ smoke in an attempt to "self-medicate" their symptoms through nicotine (NIC) intake. METHODS To explore this question, we examined the effects of acute and chronic administration of NIC in 2 established behavioral tests known to be disrupted in the MAM model: prepulse inhibition of startle and novel object recognition. Additionally, we assessed the effects of acute and chronic NIC on 2 indices of the pathophysiology of SCZ modeled by MAM, elevated dopamine neuron population activity in the ventral tegmental area and neuronal activity in the ventral hippocampus, using in vivo electrophysiological recordings. RESULTS Our findings demonstrated that both acute and chronic administration of NIC significantly improved deficits in prepulse inhibition of startle and novel object recognition among MAM rats and normalized elevated ventral tegmental area and ventral hippocampal neuronal activity in these animals. CONCLUSION Together, these findings of NIC-induced improvement of deficits lend support for a "self-medication" hypothesis behind increased cigarette smoking in SCZ and illustrate the potential utility of nicotinic modulation in future pharmacotherapies for certain SCZ symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Anthony A Grace
- Center for Neuroscience,Departments of Neuroscience, Psychiatry, and Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Alan F Sved
- Center for Neuroscience,Departments of Neuroscience, Psychiatry, and Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA,Correspondence: Alan F. Sved, PhD, 210 Langley Hall, Department of Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA ()
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32
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Binge-like Alcohol Exposure in Adolescence: Behavioural, Neuroendocrine and Molecular Evidence of Abnormal Neuroplasticity… and Return. Biomedicines 2021; 9:biomedicines9091161. [PMID: 34572345 PMCID: PMC8470908 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9091161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2021] [Revised: 08/29/2021] [Accepted: 08/30/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Binge alcohol consumption among adolescents affects the developing neural networks underpinning reward and stress processing in the nucleus accumbens (NAc). This study explores in rats the long-lasting effects of early intermittent exposure to intoxicating alcohol levels at adolescence, on: (1) the response to natural positive stimuli and inescapable stress; (2) stress-axis functionality; and (3) dopaminergic and glutamatergic neuroadaptation in the NAc. We also assess the potential effects of the non-intoxicating phytocannabinoid cannabidiol, to counteract (or reverse) the development of detrimental consequences of binge-like alcohol exposure. Our results show that adolescent binge-like alcohol exposure alters the sensitivity to positive stimuli, exerts social and novelty-triggered anxiety-like behaviour, and passive stress-coping during early and prolonged withdrawal. In addition, serum corticosterone and hypothalamic and NAc corticotropin-releasing hormone levels progressively increase during withdrawal. Besides, NAc tyrosine hydroxylase levels increase at late withdrawal, while the expression of dopamine transporter, D1 and D2 receptors is dynamically altered during binge and withdrawal. Furthermore, the expression of markers of excitatory postsynaptic signaling—PSD95; Homer-1 and -2 and the activity-regulated spine-morphing proteins Arc, LIM Kinase 1 and FOXP1—increase at late withdrawal. Notably, subchronic cannabidiol, during withdrawal, attenuates social- and novelty-induced aversion and passive stress-coping and rectifies the hyper-responsive stress axis and NAc dopamine and glutamate-related neuroplasticity. Overall, the exposure to binge-like alcohol levels in adolescent rats makes the NAc, during withdrawal, a locus minoris resistentiae as a result of perturbations in neuroplasticity and in stress-axis homeostasis. Cannabidiol holds a promising potential for increasing behavioural, neuroendocrine and molecular resilience against binge-like alcohol harmful effects.
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33
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Chiodi V, Domenici MR, Biagini T, De Simone R, Tartaglione AM, Di Rosa M, Lo Re O, Mazza T, Micale V, Vinciguerra M. Systemic depletion of histone macroH2A1.1 boosts hippocampal synaptic plasticity and social behavior in mice. FASEB J 2021; 35:e21793. [PMID: 34320234 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202100569r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2021] [Revised: 06/12/2021] [Accepted: 06/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Gene expression and epigenetic processes in several brain regions regulate physiological processes such as cognitive functions and social behavior. MacroH2A1.1 is a ubiquitous variant of histone H2A that regulates cell stemness and differentiation in various organs. Whether macroH2A1.1 has a modulatory role in emotional behavior is unknown. Here, we employed macroH2A1.1 knock-out (-/- ) mice to perform a comprehensive battery of behavioral tests, and an assessment of hippocampal synaptic plasticity (long-term potentiation) accompanied by whole hippocampus RNA sequencing. MacroH2A1.1-/- mice exhibit a stunningly enhancement both of sociability and of active stress-coping behavior, reflected by the increased social behavior in social activity tests and higher mobility time in the forced swim test, respectively. They also display an increased hippocampal synaptic plasticity, accompanied by significant neurotransmission transcriptional networks changes. These results suggest that systemic depletion of histone macroH2A1.1 supports an epigenetic control necessary for hippocampal function and social behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Chiodi
- National Centre for Drug Research and Evaluation, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Rosaria Domenici
- National Centre for Drug Research and Evaluation, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Tommaso Biagini
- IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, Bioinformatics Unit, San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy
| | - Roberta De Simone
- National Centre for Drug Research and Evaluation, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Anna Maria Tartaglione
- Centre for Behavioral Sciences and Mental Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Michelino Di Rosa
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Oriana Lo Re
- International Clinical Research Center, St Anne's University Hospital, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Tommaso Mazza
- IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, Bioinformatics Unit, San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Micale
- National Centre for Drug Research and Evaluation, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy.,Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Manlio Vinciguerra
- International Clinical Research Center, St Anne's University Hospital, Brno, Czech Republic.,ERA Chair in Translational Stem Cell Biology, Medical University-Varna, Varna, Bulgaria.,Division of Medicine, University College London (UCL), London, UK
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34
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Kucera J, Horska K, Hruska P, Kuruczova D, Micale V, Ruda-Kucerova J, Bienertova-Vasku J. Interacting effects of the MAM model of schizophrenia and antipsychotic treatment: Untargeted proteomics approach in adipose tissue. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2021; 108:110165. [PMID: 33152383 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2020.110165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2020] [Revised: 10/29/2020] [Accepted: 10/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Schizophrenia is a severe neuropsychiatric disease associated with substantially higher mortality. Reduced life expectancy in schizophrenia relates to an increased prevalence of metabolic disturbance, and antipsychotic medication is a major contributor. Molecular mechanisms underlying adverse metabolic effects of antipsychotics are not fully understood; however, adipose tissue homeostasis deregulation appears to be a critical factor. We employed mass spectrometry-based untargeted proteomics to assess the effect of chronic olanzapine, risperidone, and haloperidol treatment in visceral adipose tissue of prenatally methylazoxymethanol (MAM) acetate exposed rats, a well-validated neurodevelopmental animal model of schizophrenia. Bioinformatics analysis of differentially expressed proteins was performed to highlight the pathways affected by MAM and the antipsychotics treatment. MAM model was associated with the deregulation of the TOR (target of rapamycin) signalling pathway. Notably, alterations in protein expression triggered by antipsychotics were observed only in schizophrenia-like MAM animals where we revealed hundreds of affected proteins according to our two-fold threshold, but not in control animals. Treatments with all antipsychotics in MAM rats resulted in the downregulation of mRNA processing and splicing, while drug-specific effects included among others upregulation of insulin resistance (olanzapine), upregulation of fatty acid metabolism (risperidone), and upregulation of nucleic acid metabolism (haloperidol). Our data indicate that deregulation of several energetic and metabolic pathways in adipose tissue is associated with APs administration and is prominent in MAM schizophrenia-like model but not in control animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Kucera
- Research Centre for Toxic Compounds in the Environment (RECETOX), Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Katerina Horska
- Department of Human Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic; Department of Human Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Pavel Hruska
- Department of Pathological Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Daniela Kuruczova
- Department of Pathological Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Vincenzo Micale
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, University of Catania, Catania, Italy; National Institute of Mental Health, Klecany, Czech Republic
| | - Jana Ruda-Kucerova
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic.
| | - Julie Bienertova-Vasku
- Research Centre for Toxic Compounds in the Environment (RECETOX), Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic; Department of Pathological Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic.
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35
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Loss CM, Teodoro L, Rodrigues GD, Moreira LR, Peres FF, Zuardi AW, Crippa JA, Hallak JEC, Abílio VC. Is Cannabidiol During Neurodevelopment a Promising Therapy for Schizophrenia and Autism Spectrum Disorders? Front Pharmacol 2021; 11:635763. [PMID: 33613289 PMCID: PMC7890086 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2020.635763] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2020] [Accepted: 12/24/2020] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Schizophrenia and autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are psychiatric neurodevelopmental disorders that cause high levels of functional disabilities. Also, the currently available therapies for these disorders are limited. Therefore, the search for treatments that could be beneficial for the altered course of the neurodevelopment associated with these disorders is paramount. Preclinical and clinical evidence points to cannabidiol (CBD) as a promising strategy. In this review, we discuss clinical and preclinical studies on schizophrenia and ASD investigating the behavioral, molecular, and functional effects of chronic treatment with CBD (and with cannabidivarin for ASD) during neurodevelopment. In summary, the results point to CBD's beneficial potential for the progression of these disorders supporting further investigations to strengthen its use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cássio Morais Loss
- Molecular and Behavioral Neuroscience Laboratory, Departamento de Farmacologia, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.,National Institute for Translational Medicine (INCT-TM), National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq/CAPES/FAPESP), Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Lucas Teodoro
- Molecular and Behavioral Neuroscience Laboratory, Departamento de Farmacologia, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Gabriela Doná Rodrigues
- Molecular and Behavioral Neuroscience Laboratory, Departamento de Farmacologia, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Lucas Roberto Moreira
- Molecular and Behavioral Neuroscience Laboratory, Departamento de Farmacologia, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Fernanda Fiel Peres
- Molecular and Behavioral Neuroscience Laboratory, Departamento de Farmacologia, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.,National Institute for Translational Medicine (INCT-TM), National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq/CAPES/FAPESP), Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Antonio Waldo Zuardi
- National Institute for Translational Medicine (INCT-TM), National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq/CAPES/FAPESP), Ribeirão Preto, Brazil.,Department of Neuroscience and Behavior, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - José Alexandre Crippa
- National Institute for Translational Medicine (INCT-TM), National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq/CAPES/FAPESP), Ribeirão Preto, Brazil.,Department of Neuroscience and Behavior, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Jaime Eduardo Cecilio Hallak
- National Institute for Translational Medicine (INCT-TM), National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq/CAPES/FAPESP), Ribeirão Preto, Brazil.,Department of Neuroscience and Behavior, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Vanessa Costhek Abílio
- Molecular and Behavioral Neuroscience Laboratory, Departamento de Farmacologia, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.,National Institute for Translational Medicine (INCT-TM), National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq/CAPES/FAPESP), Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
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36
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Di Bartolomeo M, Stark T, Maurel OM, Iannotti FA, Kuchar M, Ruda-Kucerova J, Piscitelli F, Laudani S, Pekarik V, Salomone S, Arosio B, Mechoulam R, Maccarrone M, Drago F, Wotjak CT, Di Marzo V, Vismara M, Dell'Osso B, D'Addario C, Micale V. Crosstalk between the transcriptional regulation of dopamine D2 and cannabinoid CB1 receptors in schizophrenia: Analyses in patients and in perinatal Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol-exposed rats. Pharmacol Res 2021; 164:105357. [PMID: 33285233 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2020.105357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2020] [Revised: 11/07/2020] [Accepted: 11/28/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Perinatal exposure to Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) affects brain development and might increase the incidence of psychopathology later in life, which seems to be related to a dysregulation of endocannabinoid and/or dopaminergic systems. We here evaluated the transcriptional regulation of the genes encoding for the cannabinoid CB1 receptor (Cnr1) and the dopamine D2 receptor (Drd2) in perinatal THC-(pTHC) exposed male rats, focusing on the role of DNA methylation analyzed by pyrosequencing. Simultaneously, the molecular and behavioral abnormalities at two different time points (i.e., neonatal age and adulthood) and the potential preventive effect of peripubertal treatment with cannabidiol, a non-euphoric component of Cannabis, were assessed. The DRD2 methylation was also evaluated in a cohort of subjects with schizophrenia. We observed an increase in both Cnr1 and Drd2 mRNA levels selectively in the prefrontal cortex of adult pTHC-exposed rats with a consistent reduction in DNA methylation at the Drd2 regulatory region, paralleled by social withdrawal and cognitive impairment which were reversed by cannabidiol treatment. These adult abnormalities were preceded at neonatal age by delayed appearance of neonatal reflexes, higher Drd2 mRNA and lower 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) brain levels, which persisted till adulthood. Alterations of the epigenetic mark for DRD2 were also found in subjects with schizophrenia. Overall, reported data add further evidence to the dopamine-cannabinoid interaction in terms of DRD2 and CNR1 dysregulation which could be implicated in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia spectrum disorders, suggesting that cannabidiol treatment may normalize pTHC-induced psychopathology by modulating the altered dopaminergic activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Di Bartolomeo
- Faculty of Bioscience and Technology for Food, Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy
| | - Tibor Stark
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic; Neuronal Plasticity Research Group, Department of Stress Neurobiology and Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - Oriana Maria Maurel
- Neuronal Plasticity Research Group, Department of Stress Neurobiology and Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany; Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Fabio Arturo Iannotti
- Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Endocannabinoid Research Group, Naples, Italy
| | - Martin Kuchar
- Forensic Laboratory of Biologically Active Substances, Department of Chemistry of Natural Compounds, University of Chemistry and Technology Prague, Prague, Czech Republic; National Institute of Mental Health, Klecany, Czech Republic
| | - Jana Ruda-Kucerova
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Fabiana Piscitelli
- Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Endocannabinoid Research Group, Naples, Italy
| | - Samuele Laudani
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Vladimir Pekarik
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Salvatore Salomone
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Beatrice Arosio
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy; Fondazione Ca' Granda, IRCCS, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Raphael Mechoulam
- Institute for Drug Research, Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Mauro Maccarrone
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy; European Center for Brain Research, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy
| | - Filippo Drago
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Carsten T Wotjak
- Neuronal Plasticity Research Group, Department of Stress Neurobiology and Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany; Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & KO KG, Germany
| | - Vincenzo Di Marzo
- Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Endocannabinoid Research Group, Naples, Italy; Canada Excellence Research Chair on the Microbiome-Endocannabinoidome Axis in Metabolic, Health, Université Laval, Quebec City, Canada; Joint International Unit on Chemical and Biomolecular Research on the Microbiome and its Impact on Metabolic Health and Nutrition (UMI-MicroMeNu), between Université Laval and Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry, CNR, Pozzuoli, Italy
| | - Matteo Vismara
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences 'Luigi Sacco', University of Milan, Milan, Italy; Department of Mental Health, ASST Fatebenefratelli-Sacco, Milan, Italy
| | - Bernardo Dell'Osso
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences 'Luigi Sacco', University of Milan, Milan, Italy; Department of Mental Health, ASST Fatebenefratelli-Sacco, Milan, Italy; "Aldo Ravelli" Research Center for Neurotechnology and Experimental Brain Therapeutics, Department of Health Sciences, University of Milan Medical School, Milan, Italy; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, California, USA
| | - Claudio D'Addario
- Faculty of Bioscience and Technology for Food, Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy; Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Vincenzo Micale
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, University of Catania, Catania, Italy; National Institute of Mental Health, Klecany, Czech Republic.
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Adolescent Neurodevelopment and Vulnerability to Psychosis. Biol Psychiatry 2021; 89:184-193. [PMID: 32896384 PMCID: PMC9397132 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2020.06.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2020] [Revised: 06/23/2020] [Accepted: 06/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Adolescence is characterized by significant changes in several domains, including brain structure and function, puberty, and social and environmental factors. Some of these changes serve to increase the likelihood of psychosis onset during this period, while others may buffer this risk. This review characterizes our current knowledge regarding the unique aspects of adolescence that may serve as risk factors for schizophrenia spectrum disorders. In addition, we provide potential future directions for research into adolescent-specific developmental mechanisms that impart vulnerability to psychosis and the possibility of interventions that capitalize on adolescents' unique characteristics. Specifically, we explore the ways in which gray and white matter develop throughout adolescence in typically developing youth as well as in those with psychosis spectrum disorders. We also discuss current views on the function that social support and demands, as well as role expectations, play in risk for psychosis. We further highlight the importance of considering biological factors such as puberty and hormonal changes as areas of unique vulnerability for adolescents. Finally, we discuss cannabis use as a factor that may have a unique impact during adolescent neurodevelopment, and subsequently potentially impact psychosis onset. Throughout, we include discussion of resilience factors that may provide unique opportunities for intervention during this dynamic life stage.
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Diminished excitatory synaptic transmission correlates with impaired spatial working memory in neurodevelopmental rodent models of schizophrenia. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2021; 202:173103. [PMID: 33444600 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2021.173103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2020] [Revised: 01/04/2021] [Accepted: 01/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Neurodevelopmental abnormalities are associated with cognitive dysfunction in schizophrenia. In particular, deficits of working memory, are consistently observed in schizophrenia, reflecting prefrontal cortex (PFc) dysfunction. To elucidate the mechanism of such deficits in working memory, the pathophysiological properties of PFc neurons and synaptic transmission have been studied in several developmental models of schizophrenia. Given the pathogenetic heterogeneity of schizophrenia, comparison of PFc synaptic transmission between models of prenatal and postnatal defect would promote our understanding on the developmental components of the biological vulnerability to schizophrenia. In the present study, we investigated the excitatory synaptic transmission onto pyramidal cells localized in layer 5 of the medial PFc (mPFc) in two developmental models of schizophrenia: gestational methylazoxymethanol acetate (MAM) administration and post-weaning social isolation (SI). We found that both models exhibited defective spatial working memory, as indicated by lower spontaneous alternations in a Y-maze paradigm. The recordings from pyramidal neurons in both models exhibited decreased spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic current (sEPSC), representing the reduction of excitatory synaptic transmission in the mPFc. Interestingly, a positive correlation between the impaired spontaneous alternation behavior and the decreased excitatory synaptic transmission of pyramidal neurons was found in both models. These findings suggest that diminished excitatory neurotransmission in the mPFc could be a common pathophysiology regardless of the prenatal and postnatal pathogenesis in developmental models of schizophrenia, and that it might underlie the mechanism of defective working memory in those models.
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Kwan Cheung KA, Mitchell MD, Heussler HS. Cannabidiol and Neurodevelopmental Disorders in Children. Front Psychiatry 2021; 12:643442. [PMID: 34093265 PMCID: PMC8175856 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.643442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2020] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric disorders (such as autism spectrum disorder) have broad health implications for children, with no definitive cure for the vast majority of them. However, recently medicinal cannabis has been successfully trialled as a treatment to manage many of the patients' symptoms and improve quality of life. The cannabinoid cannabidiol, in particular, has been reported to be safe and well-tolerated with a plethora of anticonvulsant, anxiolytic and anti-inflammatory properties. Lately, the current consensus is that the endocannabinoid system is a crucial factor in neural development and health; research has found evidence that there are a multitude of signalling pathways involving neurotransmitters and the endocannabinoid system by which cannabinoids could potentially exert their therapeutic effects. A better understanding of the cannabinoids' mechanisms of action should lead to improved treatments for neurodevelopmental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keith A Kwan Cheung
- Centre for Children's Health Research, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Murray D Mitchell
- Centre for Children's Health Research, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Helen S Heussler
- Centre for Clinical Trials in Rare Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Child Development Program, Children's Health Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.,Centre for Children's Health Research, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
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Hoffman KL. From the Clinic to the Laboratory, and Back Again: Investigations on Cannabinoids and Endocannabinoid System Modulators for Treating Schizophrenia. Front Psychiatry 2021; 12:682611. [PMID: 34290632 PMCID: PMC8287066 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.682611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2021] [Accepted: 05/27/2021] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The present mini-review focuses on animal models of schizophrenia that have explored the effects of cannabidiol (CBD; a non-psychoactive component of cannabis) or the pharmacological manipulation of the endocannabinoid system on behavioral and cognitive outcome measures. First, results of some relevant clinical studies in this area are summarized, and then pre-clinical work on animal models of schizophrenia based on NMDA receptor antagonism or neurodevelopmental manipulations are discussed. A brief overview is given of the theoretical framework on which these models are based, along with a concise summary of results that have been obtained. Clinical results using CBD for schizophrenia seem promising and its effects in animal models of schizophrenia support its potential as a useful pharmacotherapy. Animal models have been paramount for elucidating the actions of CBD and the function of the endocannabinoid system and for identifying novel pharmacological targets, such as cannabinoid receptors and anandamide. However, more attention needs to be placed on defining and applying independent variables and outcome measures that are comparable between pre-clinical and clinical studies. The objective of this review is, on the one hand, to emphasize the potential of such models to predict clinical response to experimental drugs, and on the other hand, to highlight areas in which research on such models could be improved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kurt Leroy Hoffman
- Centro de Investigación en Reproduccion Animal, Universidad Autónoma de Tlaxcala-Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional (CINVESTAV'-IPN), Tlaxcala, Mexico
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41
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Ferber SG, Hazani R, Shoval G, Weller A. Targeting the Endocannabinoid System in Borderline Personality Disorder: Corticolimbic and Hypothalamic Perspectives. Curr Neuropharmacol 2021; 19:360-371. [PMID: 32351183 PMCID: PMC8033970 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x18666200429234430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2020] [Revised: 04/09/2020] [Accepted: 04/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is a chronic debilitating psychiatric disorder characterized mainly by emotional instability, chaotic interpersonal relationships, cognitive disturbance (e.g., dissociation and suicidal thoughts) and maladaptive behaviors. BPD has a high rate of comorbidity with other mental disorders and a high burden on society. In this review, we focused on two compromised brain regions in BPD - the hypothalamus and the corticolimbic system, emphasizing the involvement and potential contribution of the endocannabinoid system (ECS) to improvement in symptoms and coping. The hypothalamus-regulated endocrine axes (hypothalamic pituitary - gonadal, thyroid & adrenal) have been found to be dysregulated in BPD. There is also substantial evidence for limbic system structural and functional changes in BPD, especially in the amygdala and hippocampus, including cortical regions within the corticolimbic system. Extensive expression of CB1 and CB2 receptors of the ECS has been found in limbic regions and the hypothalamus. This opens new windows of opportunity for treatment with cannabinoids such as cannabidiol (CBD) as no other pharmacological treatment has shown long-lasting improvement in the BPD population to date. This review aims to show the potential role of the ECS in BPD patients through their most affected brain regions, the hypothalamus and the corticolimbic system. The literature reviewed does not allow for general indications of treatment with CBD in BPD. However, there is enough knowledge to indicate a treatment ratio of a high level of CBD to a low level of THC. A randomized controlled trial investigating the efficacy of cannabinoid based treatments in BPD is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Gal Shoval
- Address correspondence to this author at the Geha Mental Health Center, Petah Tiqva, Israel; Tel: 972-3-925-8440; Fax: 972-3-925-8276;, E-mail:
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Graczyk M, Łukowicz M, Dzierzanowski T. Prospects for the Use of Cannabinoids in Psychiatric Disorders. Front Psychiatry 2021; 12:620073. [PMID: 33776815 PMCID: PMC7994770 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.620073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2020] [Accepted: 02/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Increasing evidence suggests an essential role of the endocannabinoid system in modulating cognitive abilities, mood, stress, and sleep. The psychoactive effects of cannabis are described as euphoric, calming, anxiolytic, and sleep-inducing and positively affect the mood, but can also adversely affect therapy. The responses to cannabinoid medications depend on the patient's endocannabinoid system activity, the proportion of phytocannabinoids, the terpenoid composition, and the dose used. There is some evidence for a therapeutic use of phytocannabinoids in psychiatric conditions. THC and CBD may have opposing effects on anxiety. Current guidelines recommend caution in using THC in patients with anxiety or mood disorders. In a small number of clinical trials, cannabinoids used to treat cancer, HIV, multiple sclerosis, hepatitis C, Crohn's disease, and chronic neuropathic pain report decreases in anxiety or depression symptoms and presented sedative and anxiolytic effects. Several studies have investigated the influence of potential genetic factors on psychosis and schizophrenia development after cannabis use. THC may increase the risk of psychosis, especially in young patients with an immature central nervous system. There is limited evidence from clinical trials that cannabinoids are effective therapy for sleep disorders associated with concomitant conditions. There is evidence for a possible role of cannabis as a substitute for alcohol and drugs, also in the context of the risks of opioid use (e.g., opioid-related mortality). In this narrative review of the recent evidence, we discuss the prospects of using the psychoactive effects of cannabinoids in treating mental and psychiatric disorders. However, this evidence is weak for some clinical conditions and well-designed randomized controlled trials are currently lacking. Furthermore, some disorders may be worsened by cannabis use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michał Graczyk
- Department of Palliative Care, Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Toruń, Poland
| | - Małgorzata Łukowicz
- Department of Rehabilitation, Center of Postgraduate Medical Education, Gruca Orthopedic and Trauma Teaching Hospital in Otwock, Otwock, Poland
| | - Tomasz Dzierzanowski
- Laboratory of Palliative Medicine, Department of Social Medicine and Public Health, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
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Cannabidiol: A Potential New Alternative for the Treatment of Anxiety, Depression, and Psychotic Disorders. Biomolecules 2020; 10:biom10111575. [PMID: 33228239 PMCID: PMC7699613 DOI: 10.3390/biom10111575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 116] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2020] [Revised: 11/17/2020] [Accepted: 11/18/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The potential therapeutic use of some Cannabis sativa plant compounds has been attracting great interest, especially for managing neuropsychiatric disorders due to the relative lack of efficacy of the current treatments. Numerous studies have been carried out using the main phytocannabinoids, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). CBD displays an interesting pharmacological profile without the potential for becoming a drug of abuse, unlike THC. In this review, we focused on the anxiolytic, antidepressant, and antipsychotic effects of CBD found in animal and human studies. In rodents, results suggest that the effects of CBD depend on the dose, the strain, the administration time course (acute vs. chronic), and the route of administration. In addition, certain key targets have been related with these CBD pharmacological actions, including cannabinoid receptors (CB1r and CB2r), 5-HT1A receptor and neurogenesis factors. Preliminary clinical trials also support the efficacy of CBD as an anxiolytic, antipsychotic, and antidepressant, and more importantly, a positive risk-benefit profile. These promising results support the development of large-scale studies to further evaluate CBD as a potential new drug for the treatment of these psychiatric disorders.
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Kong FC, Ma CL, Zhong MK. Epigenetic Effects Mediated by Antiepileptic Drugs and their Potential Application. Curr Neuropharmacol 2020; 18:153-166. [PMID: 31660836 PMCID: PMC7324883 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x17666191010094849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2019] [Revised: 08/01/2019] [Accepted: 10/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
An epigenetic effect mainly refers to a heritable modulation in gene expression in the short term but does not involve alterations in the DNA itself. Epigenetic molecular mechanisms include DNA methylation, histone modification, and untranslated RNA regulation. Antiepileptic drugs have drawn attention to biological and translational medicine because their impact on epigenetic mechanisms will lead to the identification of novel biomarkers and possible therapeutic strategies for the prevention and treatment of various diseases ranging from neuropsychological disorders to cancers and other chronic conditions. However, these transcriptional and posttranscriptional alterations can also result in adverse reactions and toxicity in vitro and in vivo. Hence, in this review, we focus on recent findings showing epigenetic processes mediated by antiepileptic drugs to elucidate their application in medical experiments and shed light on epigenetic research for medicinal purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fan-Cheng Kong
- Department of Pharmacy, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Chun-Lai Ma
- Department of Pharmacy, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ming-Kang Zhong
- Department of Pharmacy, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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Di Marzo V. The endocannabinoidome as a substrate for noneuphoric phytocannabinoid action and gut microbiome dysfunction in neuropsychiatric disorders
. DIALOGUES IN CLINICAL NEUROSCIENCE 2020; 22:259-269. [PMID: 33162769 PMCID: PMC7605024 DOI: 10.31887/dcns.2020.22.3/vdimarzo] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The endocannabinoid (eCB) system encompasses the eCBs anandamide and 2-arachidonoylglycerol, their anabolic/catabolic enzymes, and the cannabinoid CB1 and CB2 receptors. Its expansion to include several eCB-like lipid mediators, their metabolic enzymes, and their molecular targets, forms the endocannabinoidome (eCBome). This complex signaling system is deeply involved in the onset, progress, and symptoms of major neuropsychiatric disorders and provides a substrate for future therapeutic drugs against these diseases. Such drugs may include not only THC, the major psychotropic component of cannabis, but also other, noneuphoric plant cannabinoids. These compounds, unlike THC, possess a wide therapeutic window, possibly due to their capability of hitting several eCBome and non-eCBome receptors. This is particularly true for cannabidiol, which is one of the most studied cannabinoids and shows promise for the treatment of a wide range of mental and mood disorders. The eCBome plays a role also in the microbiota-gut-brain axis, which is emerging as an important actor in the control of affective and cognitive functions and in their pathological alterations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincenzo Di Marzo
- Canada Excellence Research Chair on the Microbiome-Endocannabinoidome Axis in Metabolic Health, Université Laval, Canada; Joint International Unit between Université Laval and Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche of Italy on Chemical and Biomolecular Research on the Microbiome and its Impact on Metabolic Health and Nutrition, Istituto di Chimica Biomolecolare, CNR, Pozzuoli (NA), Italy
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Horska K, Kotolova H, Karpisek M, Babinska Z, Hammer T, Prochazka J, Stark T, Micale V, Ruda-Kucerova J. Metabolic profile of methylazoxymethanol model of schizophrenia in rats and effects of three antipsychotics in long-acting formulation. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2020; 406:115214. [PMID: 32866524 DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2020.115214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2020] [Revised: 08/20/2020] [Accepted: 08/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Mortality in psychiatric patients with severe mental illnesses reaches a 2-3 times higher mortality rate compared to the general population, primarily due to somatic comorbidities. A high prevalence of cardiovascular morbidity can be attributed to the adverse metabolic effects of atypical antipsychotics (atypical APs), but also to metabolic dysregulation present in drug-naïve patients. The metabolic aspects of neurodevelopmental schizophrenia-like models are understudied. This study evaluated the metabolic phenotype of a methylazoxymethanol (MAM) schizophrenia-like model together with the metabolic effects of three APs [olanzapine (OLA), risperidone (RIS) and haloperidol (HAL)] administered via long-acting formulations for 8 weeks in female rats. Body weight, feed efficiency, serum lipid profile, gastrointestinal and adipose tissue-derived hormones (leptin, ghrelin, glucagon and glucagon-like peptide 1) were determined. The lipid profile was assessed in APs-naïve MAM and control cohorts of both sexes. Body weight was not altered by the MAM model, though cumulative food intake and feed efficiency was lowered in the MAM compared to CTR animals. The effect of the APs was also present; body weight gain was increased by OLA and RIS, while OLA induced lower weight gain in the MAM rats. Further, the MAM model showed lower abdominal adiposity, while OLA increased it. Serum lipid profile revealed MAM model-induced alterations in both sexes; total, HDL and LDL cholesterol levels were increased. The MAM model did not exert significant alterations in hormonal parameters except for elevation in leptin level. The results support intrinsic metabolic dysregulation in the MAM model in both sexes, but the MAM model did not manifest higher sensitivity to metabolic effects induced by antipsychotic treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katerina Horska
- Department of Human Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Palackeho trida 1946/1, 612 00 Brno, Czech Republic; Department of Human Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Masaryk University, Palackeho trida 1946/1, 612 00 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Hana Kotolova
- Department of Human Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Palackeho trida 1946/1, 612 00 Brno, Czech Republic; Department of Human Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Masaryk University, Palackeho trida 1946/1, 612 00 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Michal Karpisek
- Department of Human Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Palackeho trida 1946/1, 612 00 Brno, Czech Republic; Department of Human Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Masaryk University, Palackeho trida 1946/1, 612 00 Brno, Czech Republic; R&D Department, Biovendor - Laboratorni Medicina, Karasek 1, 621 00 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Zuzana Babinska
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, 62500 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Tomas Hammer
- Department of Human Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Palackeho trida 1946/1, 612 00 Brno, Czech Republic; Department of Human Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Masaryk University, Palackeho trida 1946/1, 612 00 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Jiri Prochazka
- Department of Human Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Palackeho trida 1946/1, 612 00 Brno, Czech Republic; Department of Human Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Masaryk University, Palackeho trida 1946/1, 612 00 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Tibor Stark
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, 62500 Brno, Czech Republic; Department of Stress Neurobiology and Neurogenetics, Neuronal Plasticity Group, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Kraepelinstrasse 2-10, 80804 Munich, Germany
| | - Vincenzo Micale
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, University of Catania, Via Santa Sofia 97, I-95123 Catania, Italy; National Institute of Mental Health, Topolova 748, 250 67 Klecany, Czech Republic
| | - Jana Ruda-Kucerova
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, 62500 Brno, Czech Republic.
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Fernández-Ruiz J, Galve-Roperh I, Sagredo O, Guzmán M. Possible therapeutic applications of cannabis in the neuropsychopharmacology field. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol 2020; 36:217-234. [PMID: 32057592 DOI: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2020.01.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2019] [Revised: 01/08/2020] [Accepted: 01/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Cannabis use induces a plethora of actions on the CNS via its active chemical ingredients, the so-called phytocannabinoids. These compounds have been frequently associated with the intoxicating properties of cannabis preparations. However, not all phytocannabinoids are psychotropic, and, irrespective of whether they are psychotropic or not, they have also shown numerous therapeutic properties. These properties are mostly associated with their ability to modulate the activity of an intercellular communication system, the so-called endocannabinoid system, which is highly active in the CNS and has been found altered in many neurological disorders. Specifically, this includes the neuropsychopharmacology field, with diseases such as schizophrenia and related psychoses, anxiety-related disorders, mood disorders, addiction, sleep disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, anorexia nervosa and other feeding-related disorders, dementia, epileptic syndromes, as well as autism, fragile X syndrome and other neurodevelopment-related disorders. Here, we gather, from a pharmacological and biochemical standpoint, the recent advances in the study of the therapeutic relevance of the endocannabinoid system in the CNS, with especial emphasis on the neuropsychopharmacology field. We also illustrate the efforts that are currently being made to investigate at the clinical level the potential therapeutic benefits derived from elevating or inhibiting endocannabinoid signaling in animal models of neuropsychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier Fernández-Ruiz
- Instituto Universitario de Investigación en Neuroquímica, Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Universidad Complutense, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain; Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria (IRYCIS), Madrid, Spain.
| | - Ismael Galve-Roperh
- Instituto Universitario de Investigación en Neuroquímica, Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Universidad Complutense, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain; Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria (IRYCIS), Madrid, Spain
| | - Onintza Sagredo
- Instituto Universitario de Investigación en Neuroquímica, Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Universidad Complutense, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain; Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria (IRYCIS), Madrid, Spain
| | - Manuel Guzmán
- Instituto Universitario de Investigación en Neuroquímica, Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Universidad Complutense, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain; Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria (IRYCIS), Madrid, Spain.
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Dunn AL, Michie PT, Hodgson DM, Harms L. Adolescent cannabinoid exposure interacts with other risk factors in schizophrenia: A review of the evidence from animal models. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2020; 116:202-220. [PMID: 32610181 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2020.06.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2019] [Revised: 06/23/2020] [Accepted: 06/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Many factors and their interaction are linked to the aetiology of schizophrenia, leading to the development of animal models of multiple risk factors and adverse exposures. Differentiating between separate and combined effects for each factor could better elucidate schizophrenia pathology, and drive development of preventative strategies for high-load risk factors. An epidemiologically valid risk factor commonly associated with schizophrenia is adolescent cannabis use. The aim of this review is to evaluate how early-life adversity from various origins, in combination with adolescent cannabinoid exposure interact, and whether these interactions confer main, synergistic or protective effects in animal models of schizophrenia-like behavioural, cognitive and morphological alterations. Patterns emerge regarding which models show consistent synergistic or protective effects, particularly those models incorporating early-life exposure to maternal deprivation and maternal immune activation, and sex-specific effects are observed. It is evident that more research needs to be conducted to better understand the risks and alterations of interacting factors, with particular interest in sex differences, to better understand the translatability of these preclinical models to humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ariel L Dunn
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Science, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia; Priority Centre for Brain and Mental Health Research, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia.
| | - Patricia T Michie
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Science, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia; Priority Centre for Brain and Mental Health Research, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia; Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW 2305, Australia.
| | - Deborah M Hodgson
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Science, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia; Priority Centre for Brain and Mental Health Research, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia; Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW 2305, Australia.
| | - Lauren Harms
- Priority Centre for Brain and Mental Health Research, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia; School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia; Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW 2305, Australia.
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Krebs MO, Demars F, Frajerman A, Kebir O, Jay T. [Neurodevelopment and cannabis]. BULLETIN DE L'ACADEMIE NATIONALE DE MEDECINE 2020; 204:561-569. [PMID: 32308209 PMCID: PMC7162744 DOI: 10.1016/j.banm.2020.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2019] [Accepted: 04/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Brain development is a complex phenomenon, stretching from fetal life to adolescence, during which brain maturation proceeds through a series of ordered events including critical periods of plasticity. The brain is particularly sensitive to the environment during these changes. The endocannabinoid system participates directly and indirectly in these plasticity and maturation processes. The main psychoactive component of cannabis, the delta-9-tetrahydrocanabinol, can cross the placental barrier, is present in breastmilk and diffuses in the brain. It interacts with the endocannabinoid signaling, especially through the activation of cannabinoid receptors 1 CB1R, which can lead to abnormal neurodevelopmental processes and neuronal circuits functions. Therefore, exposure to cannabis in utero, in perinatal phase, as well as during the adolescence disrupts the brain maturation and can cause disturbances on the cognitive, psychotic and addictive levels that persist far beyond the period of exposure. Several factors modulate the risk of such complications, but studies performed in animal models as well as in human cohorts have shown that exposure during both the critical perinatal and adolescence phases is a risk factor per se. Current knowledge encourages the dissemination of objective information to young people, to prevent and limit early exposure and its consequences.
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Affiliation(s)
- M.-O. Krebs
- Pôle hospitalo-universitaire évaluation, prévention et innovation thérapeutique, centre d’évaluation pour jeunes adultes et adolescents (CJAAD), GHU psychiatrie et neurosciences, site Sainte-Anne, 1, rue Cabanis, 75014 Paris, France
| | - F. Demars
- Pôle hospitalo-universitaire évaluation, prévention et innovation thérapeutique, centre d’évaluation pour jeunes adultes et adolescents (CJAAD), GHU psychiatrie et neurosciences, site Sainte-Anne, 1, rue Cabanis, 75014 Paris, France
| | - A. Frajerman
- Pôle hospitalo-universitaire évaluation, prévention et innovation thérapeutique, centre d’évaluation pour jeunes adultes et adolescents (CJAAD), GHU psychiatrie et neurosciences, site Sainte-Anne, 1, rue Cabanis, 75014 Paris, France
| | - O. Kebir
- Pôle hospitalo-universitaire évaluation, prévention et innovation thérapeutique, centre d’évaluation pour jeunes adultes et adolescents (CJAAD), GHU psychiatrie et neurosciences, site Sainte-Anne, 1, rue Cabanis, 75014 Paris, France
- Pôle hospitalo-universitaire 15è, service d’addictologie, GHU psychiatrie et neurosciences, Paris, France
| | - T. Jay
- Pôle hospitalo-universitaire évaluation, prévention et innovation thérapeutique, centre d’évaluation pour jeunes adultes et adolescents (CJAAD), GHU psychiatrie et neurosciences, site Sainte-Anne, 1, rue Cabanis, 75014 Paris, France
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Fellous T, De Maio F, Kalkan H, Carannante B, Boccella S, Petrosino S, Maione S, Di Marzo V, Iannotti FA. Phytocannabinoids promote viability and functional adipogenesis of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells through different molecular targets. Biochem Pharmacol 2020; 175:113859. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2020.113859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2019] [Accepted: 02/11/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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