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Salemme BW, Raymundi AM, Sohn JMB, Stern CA. The Estrous Cycle Influences the Effects of Fatty Acid Amide Hydrolase and Monoacylglycerol Lipase Inhibition in the Anxiety-Like Behavior in Rats. Cannabis Cannabinoid Res 2024; 9:e1063-e1074. [PMID: 37010373 DOI: 10.1089/can.2022.0329] [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] [Indexed: 04/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Sex differences in the response to the anxiety-related effects of cannabinoid drugs have been reported, with females being more sensitive than males. Evidence suggests that, according to sex and estrous cycle phase (ECP), the content of the endocannabinoids (eCBs) N-arachidonoylethanolamine (AEA) and 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) varies in brain areas involved in the anxiety-like behavior. Methods: Considering the lack of studies evaluating sex and ECP differences in the eCB system in anxiety, using URB597, a fatty acid amide hydrolase inhibitor, or MJN110, a monoacylglycerol lipase inhibitor, we explored the effects of increasing AEA or 2-AG levels, respectively, in cycling and ovariectomized (OVX) female adult Wistar rats, as well as males, subjected to the elevated plus maze. Results: The administration of URB597 (0.1 or 0.3mg/kg; intraperitoneally) either increased or reduced the percentage of open arms time (%OAT) and open arms entries (%OAE), being anxiolytic in diestrus and anxiogenic in estrus. No effects were observed in proestrus or when all ECPs were analyzed together. Both doses produced anxiolytic-like effects in males. In OVX females, the anxiolytic-like effect of URB597 0.1 was associated with low levels of estradiol, whereas the anxiogenic-like effect of URB597 0.3 was spared by estradiol pretreatment. The systemic administration of MJN110 3.0 mg/kg reduced the risk assessment behavior (RAB), suggesting an anxiolytic-like effect independent of the ECP. When considering the ECP, MJN110 3.0 increased the %OAT and reduced the RAB, being anxiolytic in estrus and diestrus. No effects were observed in proestrus. Both doses of MJN110 were anxiogenic in males. In OVX females, the anxiolytic-like effect of MJN110 was dependent on low estradiol levels. Conclusion: Together, our findings support the evidence that females react differently to the effects of cannabinoids in the anxiety-like behavior; in addition, AEA and 2-AG modulation elicits anxiety-like responses that are closely influenced by hormone levels, mainly estradiol.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ana Maria Raymundi
- Department of Pharmacology, Federal University of Parana, Curitiba, Brazil
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2
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Lisboa SF, Stern CAJ, Gazarini L, Bertoglio LJ. Cannabidiol effects on fear processing and implications for PTSD: Evidence from rodent and human studies. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF NEUROBIOLOGY 2024; 177:235-250. [PMID: 39029986 DOI: 10.1016/bs.irn.2024.03.007] [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) modulates aversive memory and its extinction, with potential implications for treating anxiety- and stress-related disorders. Here, we summarize and discuss scientific evidence showing that CBD administered after the acquisition (consolidation) and retrieval (reconsolidation) of fear memory attenuates it persistently in rats and mice. CBD also reduces fear expression and enhances fear extinction. These effects involve the activation of cannabinoid type-1 (CB1) receptors in the dorsal hippocampus, bed nucleus of stria terminalis, and medial prefrontal cortex, comprising the anterior cingulate, prelimbic, and infralimbic subregions. Serotonin type-1A (5-HT1A) receptors also mediate some CBD effects on fear memory. CBD effects on fear memory acquisition vary, depending on the aversiveness of the conditioning procedure. While rodent findings are relatively consistent and encouraging, human studies investigating CBD's efficacy in modulating aversive/traumatic memories are still limited. More studies are needed to investigate CBD's effects on maladaptive, traumatic memories, particularly in post-traumatic stress disorder patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabrina Francesca Lisboa
- Department of BioMolecular Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto (FCFRP), University of Sao Paulo, Brazil.
| | | | - Lucas Gazarini
- Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul, Campus Três Lagoas, Três Lagoas, MS, Brazil
| | - Leandro José Bertoglio
- Pharmacology Department, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil
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3
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Galaj E, Bi GH, Xi ZX. β-caryophyllene inhibits heroin self-administration, but does not alter opioid-induced antinociception in rodents. Neuropharmacology 2024; 252:109947. [PMID: 38631564 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2024.109947] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2024] [Revised: 03/18/2024] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024]
Abstract
A growing body of research indicates that β-caryophyllene (BCP), a constituent present in a large number of plants, possesses significant therapeutic properties against CNS disorders, including alcohol and psychostimulant use disorders. However, it is unknown whether BCP has similar therapeutic potential for opioid use disorders. In this study, we found that systemic administration of BCP dose-dependently reduced heroin self-administration in rats under an FR2 schedule of reinforcement and partially blocked heroin-enhanced brain stimulation reward in DAT-cre mice, maintained by optical stimulation of midbrain dopamine neurons at high frequencies. Acute administration of BCP failed to block heroin conditioned place preference (CPP) in male mice, but attenuated heroin-induced CPP in females. Furthermore, repeated dosing with BCP for 5 days facilitated the extinction of CPP in female but not male mice. In the hot plate assay, pretreatment with the same doses of BCP failed to enhance or prolong opioid antinociception. Lastly, in a substitution test, BCP replacement for heroin failed to maintain intravenous BCP self-administration, suggesting that BCP itself has no reinforcing properties. These findings suggest that BCP may have certain therapeutic effects against opioid use disorders with fewer unwanted side-effects by itself.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ewa Galaj
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Colgate University, Hamilton, NY, USA.
| | - Guo-Hua Bi
- Addiction Biology Unit, Molecular Targets and Medications Discovery Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Intramural Research Program, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Zheng-Xiong Xi
- Addiction Biology Unit, Molecular Targets and Medications Discovery Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Intramural Research Program, Baltimore, MD, USA
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4
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Werle I, Nascimento LMM, Dos Santos ALA, Soares LA, Dos Santos RG, Hallak JEC, Bertoglio LJ. Ayahuasca-enhanced extinction of fear behaviour: Role of infralimbic cortex 5-HT 2A and 5-HT 1A receptors. Br J Pharmacol 2024; 181:1671-1689. [PMID: 38320596 DOI: 10.1111/bph.16315] [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: 07/07/2023] [Revised: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 02/08/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Ayahuasca (AYA) is a botanical psychedelic with promising results in observational and small clinical trials for depression, trauma and drug use disorders. Its psychoactive effects primarily stem from N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT). However, there is a lack of research on how and where AYA acts in the brain. This study addressed these questions by examining the extinction of aversive memories in AYA-treated rats. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH We focused on the 5-HT1A and 5-HT2A receptors, as DMT exhibits a high affinity for both of them, along with the infralimbic cortex in which activity and plasticity play crucial roles in regulating the mnemonic process under analysis. KEY RESULTS A single oral treatment with AYA containing 0.3 mg·kg-1 of DMT increased the within-session extinction of contextual freezing behaviour without affecting its recall. This protocol, when repeated twice on consecutive days, enhanced extinction recall. These effects were consistent for both 1- and 21-day-old memories in males and females. AYA effects on fear extinction were independent of changes in anxiety and general exploratory activity: AYA- and vehicle-treated animals showed no differences when tested in the elevated plus-maze. The 5-HT2A receptor antagonist MDL-11,939 and the 5-HT1A receptor antagonist WAY-100635 infused into the infralimbic cortex respectively blocked within- and between-session fear extinction effects resulting from repeated oral administration of AYA. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS Our findings highlight complementary mechanisms by which AYA facilitates the behavioural suppression of aversive memories in the rat infralimbic cortex. These results suggest potential beneficial effects of AYA or DMT in stress-related disorders.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Fear/drug effects
- Fear/physiology
- Male
- Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT1A/metabolism
- Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT1A/drug effects
- Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT2A/metabolism
- Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT2A/drug effects
- Extinction, Psychological/drug effects
- Rats
- Banisteriopsis/chemistry
- Hallucinogens/pharmacology
- Hallucinogens/administration & dosage
- Rats, Sprague-Dawley
- Behavior, Animal/drug effects
- Pyridines/pharmacology
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabel Werle
- Departamento de Farmacologia, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | - Laura M M Nascimento
- Departamento de Farmacologia, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | - Aymee L A Dos Santos
- Departamento de Farmacologia, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | - Luciane A Soares
- Departamento de Farmacologia, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | - Rafael G Dos Santos
- Departamento de Neurociências e Comportamento, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
- National Institute of Science and Technology-Translational Medicine, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Jaime E C Hallak
- Departamento de Neurociências e Comportamento, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
- National Institute of Science and Technology-Translational Medicine, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Leandro J Bertoglio
- Departamento de Farmacologia, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil
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5
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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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6
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Arantes ALF, Carvalho MC, Brandão ML, Prado WA, Crippa JADS, Lovick TA, Genaro K. Antinociceptive action of cannabidiol on thermal sensitivity and post-operative pain in male and female rats. Behav Brain Res 2024; 459:114793. [PMID: 38048909 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2023.114793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2023] [Revised: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 12/06/2023]
Abstract
This study investigated the antinociceptive potential of cannabidiol (CBD) in male and female Wistar rats. The assessment and analysis included tail withdrawal to thermal stimulation (tail flick test) and mechanical allodynia induced by plantar incision injury (von Frey test). CBD reduced acute thermal sensitivity in uninjured animals and post-operative mechanical allodynia in males and females. In the tail flick test, CBD 30 mg/kg i.p. was required to induce antinociception in males. During the proestrus phase, females did not show a statistically significant antinociceptive response to CBD treatment despite a noticeable trend. In contrast, in a separate group of rats tested during the late diestrus phase, antinociception varied with CBD dosage and time. In the post-operative pain model, CBD at 3 mg/kg decreased mechanical allodynia in males. Similarly, this dose reduced allodynia in females during proestrus. However, in females during late diestrus, the lower dose of CBD (0.3 mg/kg) reduced mechanical allodynia, although the latency to onset of the effect was slower (90 min). The effectiveness of a 10-fold lower dose of CBD during the late diestrus stage in females suggests that ovarian hormones can influence the action of CBD. While CBD has potential for alleviating pain in humans, personalized dosing regimens may need to be developed to treat pain in women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Luisa Ferreira Arantes
- Institute of Neurosciences and Behavior and Laboratory of Neuropsychopharmacology of Faculty of Philosophy, Sciences and Letters of University of São Paulo, Ribeirao Preto, SP 14040-900, Brazil
| | - Milene Cristina Carvalho
- Department of Neuroscience and Behavioral Sciences, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, SP 14040-900, Brazil; Institute of Neurosciences and Behavior and Laboratory of Neuropsychopharmacology of Faculty of Philosophy, Sciences and Letters of University of São Paulo, Ribeirao Preto, SP 14040-900, Brazil
| | - Marcus Lira Brandão
- Institute of Neurosciences and Behavior and Laboratory of Neuropsychopharmacology of Faculty of Philosophy, Sciences and Letters of University of São Paulo, Ribeirao Preto, SP 14040-900, Brazil
| | - Wiliam Alves Prado
- Department of Pharmacology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, SP 14040-900, Brazil
| | - José Alexandre de Souza Crippa
- Department of Neuroscience and Behavioral Sciences, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, SP 14040-900, Brazil; National Institute of Science and Technology for Translational Medicine, Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cientifico e Tecnologico (INCT-TM, CNPq), Brasília, DF 71605-001, Brazil
| | - Thelma Anderson Lovick
- Physiology, Pharmacology & Neuroscience, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TD, United Kingdom
| | - Karina Genaro
- Department of Anesthesiology, School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, CA 92617, USA.
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7
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Hernandes PM, Batistela MF, Nascimento-Silva JM, Frias AT, Matthiesen M, Campos AC, Lovick TA, Zangrossi H. Sex and estrous cycle-linked differences in the effect of cannabidiol on panic-like responding in rats and mice. Behav Brain Res 2023; 455:114663. [PMID: 37703950 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2023.114663] [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: 07/14/2023] [Revised: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 09/09/2023] [Indexed: 09/15/2023]
Abstract
Clinical and preclinical studies point towards anxiolytic actions of cannabidiol (CBD), but its effect in panic disorder has been less explored and few studies consider effects in females. We here compared the effect of CBD on the response of male and female rats and mice to a panicogenic challenge; exposure to low O2 (rats) or high CO2 (mice) paying attention in females to possible effects of estrous cycle phase. Male and female Sprague-Dawley rats and C57BL/6 J mice were exposed to 7% O2 for 5 min (rats) or 20% CO2 (mice) and escape behaviour, which has been associated with panic attacks, was quantified as undirected jumps towards the gas chamber's ceiling. The effect of pretreatment with CBD (1-10 mg kg-1 i.p. in rats or 10-60 mg kg-1 i.p. in mice) was tested. The results showed that low O2 (rats) or high CO2 (mice) evoked escape in both sexes. In female rats the response was estrous cycle-sensitive: females in late diestrus made significantly more jumps than females in proestrus. In female mice escape was not influenced by estrous cycle phase and CBD was panicolytic. In female rats CBD attenuated escape behaviour in late diestrus phase but not in proestrus. In male rats and mice CBD had no effect on escape behaviour. Therefore, CBD is panicolytic in female rats and mice but not in males. In rats the effect is estrous cycle-sensitive: rats were most responsive to CBD in late diestrus. In mice higher doses were required to elicit effects and estrous cycle had no effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paloma Molina Hernandes
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Matheus Fitipaldi Batistela
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Alana Tercino Frias
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Melina Matthiesen
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Alline Cristina Campos
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Helio Zangrossi
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil.
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8
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Radhakrishnan R, Pries LK, Erzin G, ten Have M, de Graaf R, van Dorsselaer S, Gunther N, Bak M, Rutten BPF, van Os J, Guloksuz S. Bidirectional relationships between cannabis use, anxiety and depressive symptoms in the mediation of the association with psychotic experience: further support for an affective pathway to psychosis. Psychol Med 2023; 53:5551-5557. [PMID: 36093677 PMCID: PMC10482707 DOI: 10.1017/s0033291722002756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Revised: 07/21/2022] [Accepted: 08/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Empirical evidence suggests that people use cannabis to ameliorate anxiety and depressive symptoms, yet cannabis also acutely worsens psychosis and affective symptoms. However, the temporal relationship between cannabis use, anxiety and depressive symptoms and psychotic experiences (PE) in longitudinal studies is unclear. This may be informed by examination of mutually mediating roles of cannabis, anxiety and depressive symptoms in the emergence of PE. METHODS Data were derived from the second longitudinal Netherlands Mental Health Survey and Incidence Study. Mediation analysis was performed to examine the relationship between cannabis use, anxiety/depressive symptoms and PE, using KHB logit in STATA while adjusting for age, sex and education status. RESULTS Cannabis use was found to mediate the relationship between preceding anxiety, depressive symptoms and later PE incidence, but the indirect contribution of cannabis use was small (for anxiety: % of total effect attributable to cannabis use = 1.00%; for depression: % of total effect attributable to cannabis use = 1.4%). Interestingly, anxiety and depressive symptoms were found to mediate the relationship between preceding cannabis use and later PE incidence to a greater degree (% of total effect attributable to anxiety = 17%; % of total effect attributable to depression = 37%). CONCLUSION This first longitudinal cohort study examining the mediational relationship between cannabis use, anxiety/depressive symptoms and PE, shows that there is a bidirectional relationship between cannabis use, anxiety/depressive symptoms and PE. However, the contribution of anxiety/depressive symptoms as a mediator was greater than that of cannabis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajiv Radhakrishnan
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Lotta-Katrin Pries
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Gamze Erzin
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, the Netherlands
- Department of Psychiatry, Ankara Diskapi Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Margreet ten Have
- Department of Epidemiology, Netherlands Institute of Mental Health and Addiction, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Ron de Graaf
- Department of Epidemiology, Netherlands Institute of Mental Health and Addiction, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Saskia van Dorsselaer
- Department of Epidemiology, Netherlands Institute of Mental Health and Addiction, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Nicole Gunther
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Maarten Bak
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Bart P. F. Rutten
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Jim van Os
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, the Netherlands
- Department of Psychiatry, UMC Utrecht Brain Centre, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
- Department of Psychosis Studies, King's College London, King's Health Partners, Institute of Psychiatry, London, UK
| | - Sinan Guloksuz
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, the Netherlands
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9
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Raymundi AM, Batista Sohn JM, Salemme BW, Cardoso NC, Silveira Guimarães F, Stern CA. Effects of delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol on fear memory labilization and reconsolidation: A putative role of GluN2B-NMDA receptor within the dorsal hippocampus. Neuropharmacology 2023; 225:109386. [PMID: 36549374 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2022.109386] [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: 10/24/2022] [Revised: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 12/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Cannabis preparations could be an effective reconsolidation-based treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder. However, the effects of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in fear memory labilization, a critical condition for retrieval-induced reconsolidation, are undetermined. We sought to investigate the effect of a conventional and an ultra-low dose of THC in memory labilization of adult male Wistar rats submitted to contextual fear conditioning. Pretreatment with THC 0.002, but not THC 0.3 mg/kg, i. p., before memory retrieval, did not change memory expression during the retrieval but impaired reconsolidation. No treatment changed freezing expression in an unpaired context. Before retrieval, THC 0.3, but not THC 0.002, decreased GluN2A-NMDA expression and the GluN2A/GluN2B ratio in the dorsal hippocampus (DH) 24 h later. No changes were observed immediately after retrieval. Pretreatment with THC 0.3 abolished the reconsolidation-impairing effect of anisomycin injected into the DH, suggesting an impairment in memory labilization. This effect was associated with an increased freezing expression in the unpaired context and was not observed with the THC ultra-low dose. The GluN2B-NMDA antagonism increased fear generalization in the anisomycin-treated group but restored its reconsolidation-impairing effect and reduced fear generalization when animals were pretreated with THC 0.3. GluN2A-NMDA antagonism or inhibition of the ubiquitin-proteasome system in the DH did not interfere with the effects of THC 0.3. Our findings indicate that THC causes a bidirectional effect on fear memory labilization that depends on hippocampal GluN2B-NMDA receptors' involvement in fear memory generalization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Maria Raymundi
- Department of Pharmacology, Federal University of Parana, Curitiba, PR, Brazil
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10
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Rivera-Garcia MT, Rose RM, Wilson-Poe AR. High-CBD Cannabis Vapor Attenuates Opioid Reward and Partially Modulates Nociception in Female Rats. ADDICTION NEUROSCIENCE 2023; 5:100050. [PMID: 36937502 PMCID: PMC10019487 DOI: 10.1016/j.addicn.2022.100050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Chronic pain patients report analgesic effects when using cannabidiol (CBD), a phytocannabinoid found in whole-plant cannabis extract (WPE). Several studies suggest that cannabis-derived products may serve as an analgesic adjunct or alternative to opioids, and importantly, CBD may also attenuate the abuse potential of opioids. Vaping is a popular route of administration among people who use cannabis, however both the therapeutic and hazardous effects of vaping are poorly characterized. Despite the fact that chronic pain is more prevalent in women, the ability of inhaled high-CBD WPE to relieve pain and reduce opioid reward has not been studied in females. Here, we present a comprehensive analysis of high-CBD WPE vapor inhalation in female rats. We found that WPE was modestly efficacious in reversing neuropathy-induced cold allodynia in rats with spared nerve injury (SNI). Chronic exposure to WPE did not affect lung cytoarchitecture or estrous cycle, and it did not induce cognitive impairment, social withdrawal or anxiolytic effects. WPE inhalation prevented morphine-induced conditioned place preference and reinstatement. Similarly, WPE exposure reduced fentanyl self-administration in rats with and without neuropathic pain. We also found that WPE vapor lacks of reinforcing effects compared to the standard excipient used in most vapor administration research. Combined, these results suggest that although high-CBD vapor has modest analgesic effects, it has a robust safety profile, no abuse potential, and it significantly reduces opioid reward in females. Clinical studies examining high-CBD WPE as an adjunct treatment during opioid use disorder are highly warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria T Rivera-Garcia
- RS Dow Neurobiology Laboratories, Legacy Research Institute, Portland, OR, United States
| | - Rizelle Mae Rose
- RS Dow Neurobiology Laboratories, Legacy Research Institute, Portland, OR, United States
| | - Adrianne R Wilson-Poe
- RS Dow Neurobiology Laboratories, Legacy Research Institute, Portland, OR, United States
- Integrative Physiology and Neuroscience, Washington State University
- Corresponding author. Adrianne R Wilson-Poe, Ph.D., 1225 NE 2nd Ave, suite 249, Portland, OR 97232, USA. Tel. (503) 413-1754, (A.R. Wilson-Poe)
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11
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Bapir L, Erridge S, Nicholas M, Pillai M, Dalavaye N, Holvey C, Coomber R, Hoare J, Khan S, Weatherall MW, Rucker JJ, Platt M, Sodergren MH. Comparing the effects of medical cannabis for chronic pain patients with and without co-morbid anxiety: A cohort study. Expert Rev Neurother 2023; 23:281-295. [PMID: 36803620 DOI: 10.1080/14737175.2023.2181696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/22/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION There is growing evidence on the efficacy of cannabis-based medicinal products (CBMPs) for chronic pain (CP). Due to the interaction between CP and anxiety, and the potential impact of CBMPs on both anxiety and CP, this article aimed to compare the outcomes of CP patients with and without co-morbid anxiety following CBMP treatment. METHODS Participants were prospectively enrolled and categorized by baseline General Anxiety Disorder-7(GAD-7) scores, into 'no anxiety'(GAD-7 < 5) and 'anxiety'(GAD-7 ≥ 5) cohorts. Primary outcomes were changes in Brief Pain Inventory Short-Form, Short-form McGill Pain Questionnaire-2, Pain Visual Analogue Scale, Sleep Quality Scale (SQS), GAD-7 and EQ-5D-5L index values at 1, 3 and 6 months. RESULTS 1254 patients (anxiety = 711; no anxiety = 543) met inclusion criteria. Significant improvements in all primary outcomes were observed at all timepoints (p < 0.050), except GAD-7 in the no anxiety group(p > 0.050). The anxiety cohort reported greater improvements in EQ-5D-5L index values, SQS and GAD-7(p < 0.050), but there were no consistent differences in pain outcomes. CONCLUSION A potential association between CBMPs and improvements in pain and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in CP patients was identified. Those with co-morbid anxiety reported greater improvements in HRQoL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lara Bapir
- Imperial College Medical Cannabis Research Group Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Simon Erridge
- Imperial College Medical Cannabis Research Group Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, London, UK.,Department of Medicine, Sapphire Medical Clinics, London, UK
| | - Martha Nicholas
- Imperial College Medical Cannabis Research Group Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Manaswini Pillai
- Imperial College Medical Cannabis Research Group Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Nishaanth Dalavaye
- Imperial College Medical Cannabis Research Group Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Carl Holvey
- Department of Medicine, Sapphire Medical Clinics, London, UK
| | - Ross Coomber
- Department of Medicine, Sapphire Medical Clinics, London, UK.,Department of Trauma and Orthopaedics, St. George's Hospital NHS Trust, London, UK
| | - Jonathan Hoare
- Imperial College Medical Cannabis Research Group Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, London, UK.,Department of Medicine, Sapphire Medical Clinics, London, UK
| | - Shaheen Khan
- Department of Medicine, Sapphire Medical Clinics, London, UK.,Department of Palliative Care, Guy's & St. Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Mark W Weatherall
- Department of Medicine, Sapphire Medical Clinics, London, UK.,Department of Palliative Medicine, Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust, Amersham, UK
| | - James J Rucker
- Department of Medicine, Sapphire Medical Clinics, London, UK.,Department of Psychological Medicine, Kings College London, London, UK.,Centre for Affective Disorders, South London & Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Michael Platt
- Imperial College Medical Cannabis Research Group Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, London, UK.,Department of Medicine, Sapphire Medical Clinics, London, UK
| | - Mikael H Sodergren
- Imperial College Medical Cannabis Research Group Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, London, UK.,Department of Medicine, Sapphire Medical Clinics, London, UK
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12
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Cannabidiol attenuates fear memory expression in female rats via hippocampal 5-HT 1A but not CB1 or CB2 receptors. Neuropharmacology 2023; 223:109316. [PMID: 36334768 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2022.109316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2022] [Revised: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 10/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Growing evidence from male rodent and human studies suggests that cannabidiol (CBD) modulates the expression of aversive memories and anxiety-related responses. The limited data on whether and how CBD influences these aspects in females could have therapeutic implications given the increased susceptibility of women to anxiety- and stress-related disorders relative to men. Female studies are also essential to examine inherent aspects that potentially contribute to differences in responsiveness to CBD. Here we addressed these questions in adult female rats. Contextually fear-conditioned animals acutely treated with CBD (1.0-10 mg/kg) were tested 45 min later. In subsequent experiments, we investigated the estrous cycle effects and the contribution of dorsal hippocampus (DH) serotonin 1A (5-HT1A) and cannabinoid types 1 (CB1) and 2 (CB2) receptors to CBD-induced effects on memory retrieval/expression. The effects of pre-retrieval systemic or intra-DH CBD administration on subsequent fear extinction were also assessed. Lastly, we evaluated the open arms avoidance and stretched-attend postures in females exposed to the elevated plus-maze after systemic CBD treatment. CBD 3.0 and 10 mg/kg administered before conditioned context exposure reduced females' freezing. This action remained unchanged across the estrous cycle and involved DH 5-HT1A receptors activation. Pre-retrieval CBD impaired memory reconsolidation and lowered fear during early extinction. CBD applied directly to the DH was sufficient to reproduce the effects of systemic CBD treatment. CBD 3.0 and 10 mg/kg reduced anxiety-related responses scored in the elevated plus-maze. Our findings demonstrate that CBD attenuates the behavioral manifestation of learned fear and anxiety in female rats.
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13
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Stella N. THC and CBD: Similarities and differences between siblings. Neuron 2023; 111:302-327. [PMID: 36638804 PMCID: PMC9898277 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2022.12.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2022] [Revised: 09/14/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and its sibling, cannabidiol (CBD), are produced by the same Cannabis plant and have similar chemical structures but differ dramatically in their mechanisms of action and effects on brain functions. Both THC and CBD exhibit promising therapeutic properties; however, impairments and increased incidence of mental health diseases are associated with acute and chronic THC use, respectively, and significant side effects are associated with chronic use of high-dose CBD. This review covers recent molecular and preclinical discoveries concerning the distinct mechanisms of action and bioactivities of THC and CBD and their impact on human behavior and diseases. These discoveries provide a foundation for the development of cannabinoid-based therapeutics for multiple devastating diseases and to assure their safe use in the growing legal market of Cannabis-based products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nephi Stella
- Department of Pharmacology, Department Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Center for Cannabis Research, Center for the Neurobiology of Addiction, Pain, and Emotion, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
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14
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Fox HC, Milivojevic V, Sinha R. Therapeutics for Substance-Using Women: The Need to Elucidate Sex-Specific Targets for Better-Tailored Treatments. Handb Exp Pharmacol 2023; 282:127-161. [PMID: 37592081 DOI: 10.1007/164_2023_687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/19/2023]
Abstract
In the last decade, alcohol consumption in the US has risen by 84% in women compared with 35% in men. Furthermore, research has shown that sex- and gender-related differences may disadvantage women in terms of developing a range of psychological, cognitive, and medical problems considerably earlier in their drinking history than men, and despite consuming a similar quantity of substances. While this "telescoping" process has been acknowledged in the literature, a concomitant understanding of the underlying biobehavioral mechanisms, and an increase in the development of specific treatments tailored to women, has not occurred. In the current chapter we focus on understanding why the need for personalized, sex-specific medications is imperative, and highlight some of the potential sex-specific gonadal and stress-related adaptations underpinning the accelerated progress from controlled to compulsive drug and alcohol seeking in women. We additionally discuss the efficacy of these mechanisms as novel targets for medications development, using exogenous progesterone and guanfacine as examples. Finally, we assess some of the challenges faced and progress made in terms of developing innovative medications in women. We suggest that agents such as exogenous progesterone and adrenergic medications, such as guanfacine, may provide some efficacy in terms of attenuating stress-induced craving for several substances, as well as improving the ability to emotionally regulate in the face of stress, preferentially in women. However, to fully leverage the potential of these therapeutics in substance-using women, greater focus needs to the placed on reducing barriers to treatment and research by encouraging women into clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helen C Fox
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, Renaissance School of Medicine, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA.
| | - Verica Milivojevic
- The Yale Stress Center, Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Rajita Sinha
- The Yale Stress Center, Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
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15
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Fabris D, Carvalho MC, Brandão ML, Prado WA, Zuardi AW, Crippa JA, de Oliveira AR, Lovick TA, Genaro K. Sex-dependent differences in the anxiolytic-like effect of cannabidiol in the elevated plus-maze. J Psychopharmacol 2022; 36:1371-1383. [PMID: 36239039 PMCID: PMC9716492 DOI: 10.1177/02698811221125440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE Cannabidiol (CBD), the major non-psychoactive constituent of cannabis, has therapeutic potential for the treatment of anxiety. Most preclinical studies investigate only acute effects of CBD and only in males, yet the drug is most likely to be used over a sustained period in clinical practice. OBJECTIVES The objectives of this study were to investigate the anxiolytic-like effect of CBD in female rats compared to males and to determine whether the responsiveness of females was influenced by the stage of the estrous cycle. METHODS We carried out experiments to compare the effect of CBD in male and female rats in the elevated plus maze (EPM) in response to acute and short-term (4 days) administration through a complete cycle in females. RESULTS Male and female rats behaved in a similar manner in the EPM, but females in the late diestrus (LD) phase exhibited more anxiety-like behavior than at other stages, the difference reaching statistical significance compared to proestrus stages. CBD produced anxiolytic-like effects in both sexes, but female rats were responsive only in LD and 10-fold lower dose than males. After sub-chronic (4 days) treatment, responsiveness to CBD was maintained in females in LD, but females in proestrus remained unresponsive to CBD treatment. CONCLUSIONS We suggest that there are sex differences in the anxiolytic-like effects of CBD in rats that reflect different underlying mechanisms: based on literature data, gonadal hormone status linked to GABAA receptor expression in females, and 5-HT1A receptor activation in males.
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Affiliation(s)
- Débora Fabris
- Department of Neuroscience and Behavioral Sciences, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, SP, Brazil,Institute of Neurosciences and Behavior and Laboratory of Neuropsychopharmacology of Faculty of Philosophy, Sciences and Letters of University of São Paulo, Ribeirao Preto, SP, Brazil,Department of Psychology, Center of Education and Human Sciences, Federal University of São Carlos, São Carlos, SP, Brazil
| | - Milene C Carvalho
- Institute of Neurosciences and Behavior and Laboratory of Neuropsychopharmacology of Faculty of Philosophy, Sciences and Letters of University of São Paulo, Ribeirao Preto, SP, Brazil,Department of Pharmacology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Marcus L Brandão
- Institute of Neurosciences and Behavior and Laboratory of Neuropsychopharmacology of Faculty of Philosophy, Sciences and Letters of University of São Paulo, Ribeirao Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Wiliam A Prado
- Institute of Neurosciences and Behavior and Laboratory of Neuropsychopharmacology of Faculty of Philosophy, Sciences and Letters of University of São Paulo, Ribeirao Preto, SP, Brazil,Department of Pharmacology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Antônio W Zuardi
- Department of Neuroscience and Behavioral Sciences, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, SP, Brazil,National Institute of Science and Technology for Translational Medicine, Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (INCT-TM, CNPq), Brasília, DF, Brazil
| | - José A Crippa
- Department of Neuroscience and Behavioral Sciences, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, SP, Brazil,National Institute of Science and Technology for Translational Medicine, Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (INCT-TM, CNPq), Brasília, DF, Brazil
| | - Amanda R de Oliveira
- Institute of Neurosciences and Behavior and Laboratory of Neuropsychopharmacology of Faculty of Philosophy, Sciences and Letters of University of São Paulo, Ribeirao Preto, SP, Brazil,Department of Psychology, Center of Education and Human Sciences, Federal University of São Carlos, São Carlos, SP, Brazil
| | - Thelma A Lovick
- Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Karina Genaro
- Institute of Neurosciences and Behavior and Laboratory of Neuropsychopharmacology of Faculty of Philosophy, Sciences and Letters of University of São Paulo, Ribeirao Preto, SP, Brazil,Department of Anesthesiology, School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA,Karina Genaro, Department of Anesthesiology, School of Medicine, University of California, 837 Health Sci. Rd. Gillespie BLDG., Irvine, CA 92617, USA.
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16
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Matheson J, Bourgault Z, Le Foll B. Sex Differences in the Neuropsychiatric Effects and Pharmacokinetics of Cannabidiol: A Scoping Review. Biomolecules 2022; 12:biom12101462. [PMID: 36291671 PMCID: PMC9599539 DOI: 10.3390/biom12101462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2022] [Revised: 10/04/2022] [Accepted: 10/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Cannabidiol (CBD) is a non-intoxicating cannabinoid compound with diverse molecular targets and potential therapeutic effects, including effects relevant to the treatment of psychiatric disorders. In this scoping review, we sought to determine the extent to which sex and gender have been considered as potential moderators of the neuropsychiatric effects and pharmacokinetics of CBD. In this case, 300 articles were screened, retrieved from searches in PubMed/Medline, Scopus, Google Scholar, PsycInfo and CINAHL, though only 12 met our eligibility criteria: eight studies in preclinical models and four studies in humans. Among the preclinical studies, three suggested that sex may influence long-term effects of gestational or adolescent exposure to CBD; two found no impact of sex on CBD modulation of addiction-relevant effects of Δ⁹-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC); two found antidepressant-like effects of CBD in males only; and one found greater plasma and liver CBD concentrations in females compared to males. Among the human studies, two found no sex difference in CBD pharmacokinetics in patient samples, one found greater plasma CBD concentrations in healthy females compared to males, and one found no evidence of sex differences in the effects of CBD on responses to trauma recall in patients with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). No studies were identified that considered the role of gender in CBD treatment effects. We discuss potential implications and current limitations of the existing literature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin Matheson
- Translational Addiction Research Laboratory, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, University of Toronto, 33 Ursula Franklin Street, Toronto, ON M5S 2S1, Canada
- Correspondence:
| | - Zoe Bourgault
- Translational Addiction Research Laboratory, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, University of Toronto, 33 Ursula Franklin Street, Toronto, ON M5S 2S1, Canada
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Bernard Le Foll
- Translational Addiction Research Laboratory, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, University of Toronto, 33 Ursula Franklin Street, Toronto, ON M5S 2S1, Canada
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
- Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5T 1R8, Canada
- Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
- Acute Care Program, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON M6J 1H4, Canada
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5G 1V7, Canada
- Waypoint Research Institute, Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care, Penetanguishene, ON L9M 1G3, Canada
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17
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Medial prefrontal cortex mechanisms of cannabidiol-induced aversive memory reconsolidation impairments. Neuropharmacology 2021; 205:108913. [PMID: 34864001 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2021.108913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2021] [Revised: 11/15/2021] [Accepted: 11/30/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Growing evidence indicates that cannabidiol (CBD), a substance present in the Cannabis sativa plant, has potential therapeutic value to regulate abnormal emotional memories associated with post-traumatic stress and drug use disorders. CBD can attenuate their valence after retrieval (i.e., during reconsolidation) or potentiate their suppression by extinction. Pharmacological research has now focused on elucidating how it acts. Systemic antagonism of cannabinoid type-1 (CB1) receptors has often prevented the abovementioned effects of CBD. However, it is unknown in which brain regions CBD stimulates CB1 receptors and how it interferes with local activity-related plasticity to produce these effects. The present study addressed these questions considering the reconsolidation of contextual fear memories in rats. We focused on the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), which comprises the anterior cingulate (AC), prelimbic (PL), and infralimbic (IL) subregions, as local activity or plasticity has been associated with the process to-be-investigated. Animals that received post-retrieval systemic CBD treatment presented relatively fewer cells expressing Zif268/Egr1 protein, a proxy for synaptic plasticity related to reconsolidation, in the AC and PL. At the same time, there were no significant differences in the IL. Pretreatment with the CB1 receptor antagonist/inverse agonist AM251 into the AC, PL, or IL prevented the impairing effects of systemic CBD treatment on reconsolidation. CBD also caused reconsolidation impairments when injected directly into the AC or PL but not the IL. Together, these findings show complementary mechanisms through which CBD may hinder the reconsolidation of destabilized aversive memories along the dorsoventral axis of the mPFC.
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