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Dragon J, Obuchowicz E. How depression and antidepressant drugs affect endocannabinoid system?-review of clinical and preclinical studies. NAUNYN-SCHMIEDEBERG'S ARCHIVES OF PHARMACOLOGY 2024; 397:4511-4536. [PMID: 38280009 DOI: 10.1007/s00210-023-02938-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2023] [Accepted: 12/30/2023] [Indexed: 01/29/2024]
Abstract
As major depressive disorder is becoming a more and more common issue in modern society, it is crucial to discover new possible grip points for its diagnosis and antidepressive therapy. One of them is endocannabinoid system, which has been proposed as a manager of emotional homeostasis, and thus, endocannabinoid alterations have been found in animals undergoing various preclinical models of depression procedures as well as in humans suffering from depressive-like disorders. In this review article, studies regarding those alterations have been summed up and analyzed. Another important issue raised by the researchers is the impact of currently used antidepressive drugs on endocannabinoid system so that it would be possible to predict reversibility of endocannabinoid alterations following stress exposure and, in the future, to be able to design individually personalized therapies. Preclinical studies investigating this topic have been analyzed and described in this article. Unfortunately, too few clinical studies in this field exist, what indicates an urgent need for collecting such data, so that it would be possible to compare them with preclinical outcomes and draw reliable conclusions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonasz Dragon
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, Medyków Street 18, 40-752, Katowice, Poland.
| | - Ewa Obuchowicz
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, Medyków Street 18, 40-752, Katowice, Poland
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Sanguino-Gómez J, Krugers HJ. Early-life stress impairs acquisition and retrieval of fear memories: sex-effects, corticosterone modulation, and partial prevention by targeting glucocorticoid receptors at adolescent age. Neurobiol Stress 2024; 31:100636. [PMID: 38883213 PMCID: PMC11177066 DOI: 10.1016/j.ynstr.2024.100636] [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: 09/08/2023] [Revised: 03/11/2024] [Accepted: 04/20/2024] [Indexed: 06/18/2024] Open
Abstract
The early postnatal period is a sensitive time window that is characterized by several neurodevelopmental processes that define neuronal architecture and function later in life. Here, we examined in young adult mice, using an auditory fear conditioning paradigm, whether stress during the early postnatal period 1) impacts fear acquisition and memory consolidation in male and female mice; 2) alters the fear responsiveness to corticosterone and 3) whether effects of early-life stress (ELS) can be prevented by treating mice with a glucocorticoid (GR) antagonist at adolescence. Male and female mice were exposed to a limited nesting and bedding model of ELS from postnatal day (PND) 2-9 and injected i.p with RU38486 (RU486) at adolescent age (PND 28-30). At two months of age, mice were trained in the fear conditioning (FC) paradigm (with and without post training administration of corticosterone - CORT) and freezing behavior during fear acquisition and contextual and auditory memory retrieval was scored. We observed that ELS impaired fear acquisition specifically in male mice and reduced both contextual and auditory memory retrieval in male and female mice. Acute post-training administration of CORT increased freezing levels during auditory memory retrieval in female mice but reduced freezing levels during the tone presentation in particular in control males. Treatment with RU486 prevented ELS-effects in acquisition in male mice and in females during auditory memory retrieval. In conclusion, this study highlights the long-lasting consequences of early-life stress on fear memory processing and further illustrates 1) the potential of a glucocorticoid antagonist intervention during adolescence to mitigate these effects and 2) the partial modulation of the auditory retrieval upon post training administration of CORT, with all these effects being sex-dependent.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Harm J Krugers
- Brain Plasticity Group, SILS-CNS, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
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Aukema RJ, Baglot SL, Scheufen J, Lightfoot SH, Hill MN. Circadian Influence on Acute Stress-induced Changes in Cortico-limbic Endocannabinoid Levels in Adult Male Rats. Neuroscience 2024; 537:84-92. [PMID: 38006961 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2023.11.026] [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: 08/14/2023] [Revised: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 11/27/2023]
Abstract
The endocannabinoid (eCB) system plays an important role in regulating the stress response, including glucocorticoid release and the generation of avoidance behaviour. Its two major ligands, 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) and N-arachidonoylethanolamine (anandamide; AEA), are dynamically influenced by psychological stress to gate the generation of the stress response and facilitate recovery upon stress termination. Many biological systems exhibit circadian "daily" rhythms, including glucocorticoids and endocannabinoids, and the behavioural and endocrine impact of stress is modulated by the time of day. Nonetheless, most preclinical experiments investigating the interaction between stress and endocannabinoids occur in the light, "inactive" phase. We therefore tested if circadian phase influences stress-induced changes in eCB levels in the hippocampus (HIP), prefrontal cortex (PFC), and amygdala (AMY). Adult male rats were exposed to 15 min swim stress or immediately euthanized, and brains were collected. Testing occurred either early in the light or early in the dark phase of their cycle to compare circadian effects. We found that overall, stress decreased AEA in the AMY and HIP, with an effect in the PFC dependent on the time of day. Conversely, stress increased 2-AG in the AMY, with an effect in the PFC and HIP dependent on the time of day. This suggests that stress has a similar overall impact on eCB levels regardless of circadian phase, but that subtle differences may occur depending on the brain region, especially the PFC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert J Aukema
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, 3330 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 4N1, Canada; Mathison Centre for Mental Health, 3330 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Samantha L Baglot
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, 3330 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 4N1, Canada; Mathison Centre for Mental Health, 3330 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Jessica Scheufen
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, 3330 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 4N1, Canada; Mathison Centre for Mental Health, 3330 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Savannah Hm Lightfoot
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, 3330 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 4N1, Canada; Mathison Centre for Mental Health, 3330 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Matthew N Hill
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, 3330 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 4N1, Canada; Mathison Centre for Mental Health, 3330 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 4N1, Canada; Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, 3330 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 4N1, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, 3330 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 4N1, Canada.
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Effects of early life adversities upon memory processes and cognition in rodent models. Neuroscience 2022; 497:282-307. [PMID: 35525496 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2022.04.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2021] [Revised: 04/24/2022] [Accepted: 04/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Exposure to stressors in early postnatal life induces long-lasting modifications in brainfunction.Thisplasticity,an essential characteristic of the brain that enables adaptation to the environment, may also induce impairments in some psychophysiological functions, including learning and memory. Early life stress (ELS) has long-term effects on thehypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axisresponse to stressors, and has been reported to lead toneuroinflammation,altered levelsof neurotrophic factors, modifications inneurogenesis andsynaptic plasticity,with changes in neurotransmitter systems and network functioning. In this review, we focus on early postnatal stress in animal models and their effects on learning and memory.Many studies have reported ELS-induced impairments in different types of memories, including spatial memory, fear memory, recognition (both for objects and social) memory, working memory and reversal learning. Studies are not always in agreement, however, no effects, or sometimes facilitation, being reported, depending on the nature and intensity of the early intervention, as well as the age when the outcome was evaluated and the sex of the animals. When considering processes occurring after consolidation, related with memory maintenance or modification, there are a very reduced number of reports. Future studies addressing the mechanisms underlying memory changes for ELS should shed some light on the understanding of the different effects induced by stressors of different types and intensities on cognitive functions.
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Spohrs J, Prost M, Ulrich M, Plener PL, Bindila L, Abler B. Endocannabinoid system reactivity during stress processing in healthy humans. Biol Psychol 2022; 169:108281. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsycho.2022.108281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2021] [Revised: 01/21/2022] [Accepted: 01/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
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Vecchiarelli HA, Morena M, Keenan CM, Chiang V, Tan K, Qiao M, Leitl K, Santori A, Pittman QJ, Sharkey KA, Hill MN. Comorbid anxiety-like behavior in a rat model of colitis is mediated by an upregulation of corticolimbic fatty acid amide hydrolase. Neuropsychopharmacology 2021; 46:992-1003. [PMID: 33452437 PMCID: PMC8115350 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-020-00939-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2020] [Revised: 11/11/2020] [Accepted: 12/06/2020] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Peripheral inflammatory conditions, including those localized to the gastrointestinal tract, are highly comorbid with psychiatric disorders such as anxiety and depression. These behavioral symptoms are poorly managed by conventional treatments for inflammatory diseases and contribute to quality of life impairments. Peripheral inflammation is associated with sustained elevations in circulating glucocorticoid hormones, which can modulate central processes, including those involved in the regulation of emotional behavior. The endocannabinoid (eCB) system is exquisitely sensitive to these hormonal changes and is a significant regulator of emotional behavior. The impact of peripheral inflammation on central eCB function, and whether this is related to the development of these behavioral comorbidities remains to be determined. To examine this, we employed the trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid-induced model of colonic inflammation (colitis) in adult, male, Sprague Dawley rats to produce sustained peripheral inflammation. Colitis produced increases in behavioral measures of anxiety and elevations in circulating corticosterone. These alterations were accompanied by elevated hydrolytic activity of the enzyme fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH), which hydrolyzes the eCB anandamide (AEA), throughout multiple corticolimbic brain regions. This elevation of FAAH activity was associated with broad reductions in the content of AEA, whose decline was driven by central corticotropin releasing factor type 1 receptor signaling. Colitis-induced anxiety was reversed following acute central inhibition of FAAH, suggesting that the reductions in AEA produced by colitis contributed to the generation of anxiety. These data provide a novel perspective for the pharmacological management of psychiatric comorbidities of chronic inflammatory conditions through modulation of eCB signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haley A. Vecchiarelli
- grid.22072.350000 0004 1936 7697Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N4N1 Canada ,grid.22072.350000 0004 1936 7697Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N4N1 Canada ,grid.22072.350000 0004 1936 7697Mathison Centre for Mental Health Research and Education, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N4N1 Canada
| | - Maria Morena
- grid.22072.350000 0004 1936 7697Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N4N1 Canada ,grid.22072.350000 0004 1936 7697Mathison Centre for Mental Health Research and Education, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N4N1 Canada ,grid.22072.350000 0004 1936 7697Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N4N1 Canada ,grid.22072.350000 0004 1936 7697Department of Psychiatry, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N4N1 Canada
| | - Catherine M. Keenan
- grid.22072.350000 0004 1936 7697Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N4N1 Canada ,grid.22072.350000 0004 1936 7697Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N4N1 Canada ,grid.22072.350000 0004 1936 7697Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N4N1 Canada
| | - Vincent Chiang
- grid.22072.350000 0004 1936 7697Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N4N1 Canada ,grid.22072.350000 0004 1936 7697Mathison Centre for Mental Health Research and Education, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N4N1 Canada ,grid.22072.350000 0004 1936 7697Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N4N1 Canada ,grid.22072.350000 0004 1936 7697Department of Psychiatry, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N4N1 Canada
| | - Kaitlyn Tan
- grid.22072.350000 0004 1936 7697Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N4N1 Canada ,grid.22072.350000 0004 1936 7697Mathison Centre for Mental Health Research and Education, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N4N1 Canada ,grid.22072.350000 0004 1936 7697Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N4N1 Canada ,grid.22072.350000 0004 1936 7697Department of Psychiatry, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N4N1 Canada
| | - Min Qiao
- grid.22072.350000 0004 1936 7697Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N4N1 Canada ,grid.22072.350000 0004 1936 7697Mathison Centre for Mental Health Research and Education, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N4N1 Canada ,grid.22072.350000 0004 1936 7697Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N4N1 Canada ,grid.22072.350000 0004 1936 7697Department of Psychiatry, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N4N1 Canada
| | - Kira Leitl
- grid.22072.350000 0004 1936 7697Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N4N1 Canada ,grid.22072.350000 0004 1936 7697Mathison Centre for Mental Health Research and Education, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N4N1 Canada ,grid.22072.350000 0004 1936 7697Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N4N1 Canada ,grid.22072.350000 0004 1936 7697Department of Psychiatry, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N4N1 Canada
| | - Alessia Santori
- grid.22072.350000 0004 1936 7697Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N4N1 Canada ,grid.22072.350000 0004 1936 7697Mathison Centre for Mental Health Research and Education, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N4N1 Canada ,grid.22072.350000 0004 1936 7697Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N4N1 Canada ,grid.22072.350000 0004 1936 7697Department of Psychiatry, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N4N1 Canada
| | - Quentin J. Pittman
- grid.22072.350000 0004 1936 7697Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N4N1 Canada ,grid.22072.350000 0004 1936 7697Mathison Centre for Mental Health Research and Education, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N4N1 Canada ,grid.22072.350000 0004 1936 7697Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N4N1 Canada ,grid.22072.350000 0004 1936 7697Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N4N1 Canada
| | - Keith A. Sharkey
- grid.22072.350000 0004 1936 7697Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N4N1 Canada ,grid.22072.350000 0004 1936 7697Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N4N1 Canada ,grid.22072.350000 0004 1936 7697Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N4N1 Canada
| | - Matthew N. Hill
- grid.22072.350000 0004 1936 7697Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N4N1 Canada ,grid.22072.350000 0004 1936 7697Mathison Centre for Mental Health Research and Education, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N4N1 Canada ,grid.22072.350000 0004 1936 7697Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N4N1 Canada ,grid.22072.350000 0004 1936 7697Department of Psychiatry, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N4N1 Canada
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Portugalov A, Akirav I. Do Adolescent Exposure to Cannabinoids and Early Adverse Experience Interact to Increase the Risk of Psychiatric Disorders: Evidence from Rodent Models. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22020730. [PMID: 33450928 PMCID: PMC7828431 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22020730] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2020] [Revised: 01/09/2021] [Accepted: 01/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
There have been growing concerns about the protracted effects of cannabis use in adolescents on emotion and cognition outcomes, motivated by evidence of growing cannabis use in adolescents, evidence linking cannabis use to various psychiatric disorders, and the increasingly perceived notion that cannabis is harmless. At the same time, studies suggest that cannabinoids may have therapeutic potential against the impacts of stress on the brain and behavior, and that young people sometimes use cannabinoids to alleviate feelings of depression and anxiety (i.e., “self-medication”). Exposure to early adverse life events may predispose individuals to developing psychopathology in adulthood, leading researchers to study the causality between early life factors and cognitive and emotional outcomes in rodent models and to probe the underlying mechanisms. In this review, we aim to better understand the long-term effects of cannabinoids administered in sensitive developmental periods (mainly adolescence) in rodent models of early life stress. We suggest that the effects of cannabinoids on emotional and cognitive function may vary between different sensitive developmental periods. This could potentially affect decisions regarding the use of cannabinoids in clinical settings during the early stages of development and could raise questions regarding educating the public as to potential risks associated with cannabis use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Portugalov
- Department of Psychology, School of Psychological Sciences, University of Haifa, 3498838 Haifa, Israel;
- The Integrated Brain and Behavior Research Center (IBBR), University of Haifa, 3498838 Haifa, Israel
| | - Irit Akirav
- Department of Psychology, School of Psychological Sciences, University of Haifa, 3498838 Haifa, Israel;
- The Integrated Brain and Behavior Research Center (IBBR), University of Haifa, 3498838 Haifa, Israel
- Correspondence:
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Blood endocannabinoid levels in patients with panic disorder. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2020; 122:104905. [PMID: 33091759 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2020.104905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2020] [Revised: 09/29/2020] [Accepted: 10/02/2020] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The development and maintenance of anxiety disorders is not fully understood. There is consensus in the literature that in addition to genetic factors, social, psychological and neurobiological factors are of crucial importance. The present exploratory study investigates the influence of the endocannabinoids (EC) and related N-acylethanolamines (NA) on the maintenance of panic disorder (PD). METHODS A total of n = 36 PD and n = 26 healthy controls (HC) were included in the study. Baseline characteristics showed no differences between the two groups. The participants were exposed to the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST) for reliable laboratory stress induction. Blood samples were taken during the TSST by an intravenous catheter to examine the endocannabinoid (EC) stress response. Repeated measures ANOVA was conducted to test for main effects of time and group as well as the respective interaction. RESULTS Participants with PD consistently had significantly higher EC and NA blood levels than HC. The consistently high EC and NA levels barely showed any reactivity as indicated by a lack of statistical variance. In line with these findings no reaction to the psychosocial stressor TSST could be detected. CONCLUSION Our main results show significant differences in EC concentrations between participants with PD and HC. These findings suggest that an imbalance in the ECS contributes to the maintenance of PD. Increased endocannabinoid levels may have important implications for organic diseases such as cardiovascular disorders. The limitations of the study as well as implications for further investigations are discussed.
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deRoon-Cassini TA, Stollenwerk TM, Beatka M, Hillard CJ. Meet Your Stress Management Professionals: The Endocannabinoids. Trends Mol Med 2020; 26:953-968. [PMID: 32868170 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmed.2020.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2020] [Revised: 06/24/2020] [Accepted: 07/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The endocannabinoid signaling system (ECSS) is altered by exposure to stress and mediates and modulates the effects of stress on the brain. Considerable preclinical data support critical roles for the endocannabinoids and their target, the CB1 cannabinoid receptor, in the adaptation of the brain to repeated stress exposure. Chronic stress exposure increases vulnerability to mental illness, so the ECSS has attracted attention as a potential therapeutic target for the prevention and treatment of stress-related psychopathology. We discuss human genetic studies indicating that the ECSS contributes to risk for mental illness in those exposed to severe stress and trauma early in life, and we explore the potential difficulties in pharmacological manipulation of the ECSS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Terri A deRoon-Cassini
- Neuroscience Research Center, USA; Department of Surgery, Division of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
| | - Todd M Stollenwerk
- Neuroscience Research Center, USA; Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
| | - Margaret Beatka
- Neuroscience Research Center, USA; Department of Pathology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
| | - Cecilia J Hillard
- Neuroscience Research Center, USA; Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA.
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Sex differences in the interactive effects of early life stress and the endocannabinoid system. Neurotoxicol Teratol 2020; 80:106893. [PMID: 32437941 DOI: 10.1016/j.ntt.2020.106893] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2019] [Revised: 05/06/2020] [Accepted: 05/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Sex differences in both the endocannabinoid system and stress responses have been established for decades. While there is ample evidence that the sexes respond differently to stress and that the endocannabinoid system is involved in this response, what is less clear is whether the endocannabinoid system mediates this response to stress differently in both sexes. Also, do the sexes respond similarly to exogenous cannabinoids (CBs) following stress? Can the administration of exogenous CBs normalize the effects of stress and if so, does this happen similarly in male and female subjects? This review will attempt to delineate the stress induced neurochemical alterations in the endocannabinoid system and the resulting behavioral changes across periods of development: prenatal, early neonatal or adolescent in males and females. Within this frame work, we will then examine the neurochemical and behavioral effects of exogenous CBs and illustrate that the response to CBs is determined by the stress history of the animal. The theoretical framework for this endeavor relates to the established effects of adverse childhood experiences (ACE) in increasing substance abuse, depression and anxiety and the possibility that individuals with high ACE scores may consume cannabinoids to "self-medicate". Overall, we see that while there are instances where exogenous cannabinoids "normalize" the adverse effects produced by early stress, this normalization does not occur in all animal models with any sort of consistency. The most compelling report where CB administration appears to normalize behaviors altered by early stress, shows minimal differences between the sexes (Alteba et al., 2016). This is in stark contrast to the majority of studies on early stress and the endocannabinoid system where both sexes are included and show quite divergent, in fact opposite, effects in males and females. Frequently there is a disconnect between neurochemical changes and behavioral changes and often, exogenous CBs have greater effects in stressed animals compared to non-stressed controls. This report as well as others reviewed here do support the concept that the effects of exogenous CBs are different in individuals experiencing early stress and that these differences are not equal in males and females. However, due to the wide variety of stressors used and the range of ages when the stress is applied, additional careful studies are warranted to fully understand the interactive effects of stress and the endocannabinoid system in males and females. In general, the findings do not support the statement that CB self-administration is an effective treatment for the adverse behavioral effects of early maltreatment in either males or females. Certainly this review should draw the attention of clinicians working with children, adolescents and adults exposed to early trauma and provide some perspective on the dysregulation of the endocannabinoid system in the response to trauma, the complex actions of exogenous CBs based on stress history and the unique effects of these factors in men and women.
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Mamelak M. Nightmares and the Cannabinoids. Curr Neuropharmacol 2020; 18:754-768. [PMID: 31934840 PMCID: PMC7536831 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x18666200114142321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2019] [Revised: 12/21/2019] [Accepted: 01/11/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The cannabinoids, Δ9 tetrahydrocannabinol and its analogue, nabilone, have been found to reliably attenuate the intensity and frequency of post-traumatic nightmares. This essay examines how a traumatic event is captured in the mind, after just a single exposure, and repeatedly replicated during the nights that follow. The adaptive neurophysiological, endocrine and inflammatory changes that are triggered by the trauma and that alter personality and behavior are surveyed. These adaptive changes, once established, can be difficult to reverse. But cannabinoids, uniquely, have been shown to interfere with all of these post-traumatic somatic adaptations. While cannabinoids can suppress nightmares and other symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, they are not a cure. There may be no cure. The cannabinoids may best be employed, alone, but more likely in conjunction with other agents, in the immediate aftermath of a trauma to mitigate or even abort the metabolic changes which are set in motion by the trauma and which may permanently alter the reactivity of the nervous system. Steps in this direction have already been taken.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mortimer Mamelak
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Baycrest Hospital, Permanent Address: 19 Tumbleweed Road, Toronto, OntarioM2J 2N2, Canada
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12
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Goldstein Ferber S, Trezza V, Weller A. Early life stress and development of the endocannabinoid system: A bidirectional process in programming future coping. Dev Psychobiol 2019; 63:143-152. [PMID: 31849055 DOI: 10.1002/dev.21944] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2019] [Revised: 10/31/2019] [Accepted: 11/21/2019] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
The endocannabinoid system (ECS) critically regulates stress responsivity and emotional behavior throughout development. It regulates anxiety-like behaviors in humans and animal models. In addition, it is sensitive to early life stress at the gene expression level in a sex-dependent and region-dependent manner, and these changes are already evident in the adolescent brain. The ECS modulates the neuroendocrine and behavioral effects of stress, and is also capable of being affected by stress exposure itself. Early life stress interferes with the development of corticolimbic circuits, a major location of endocannabinoid receptors, and increases vulnerability to adult psychopathology. Early life stress alters the ontogeny of the ECS, resulting in a sustained deficit in its function, particularly within the hippocampus. Specifically, exposure to early stress results in bidirectional changes in anandamide and 2-AG tissue levels within the amygdala and hippocampus and reduces hippocampal endocannabinoid function at puberty. CB1 receptor densities across all brain regions are downregulated later in life following exposure to early life stress. Manipulations affecting the glucocorticoid and the endocannabinoid systems persistently adjust individual emotional responses and synaptic plasticity. This review aims to show the bidirectional trajectories of endocannabinoid modulation of emotionality in reaction to early life stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sari Goldstein Ferber
- 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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Crombie KM, Leitzelar BN, Brellenthin AG, Hillard CJ, Koltyn KF. Loss of exercise- and stress-induced increases in circulating 2-arachidonoylglycerol concentrations in adults with chronic PTSD. Biol Psychol 2019; 145:1-7. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsycho.2019.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2019] [Revised: 03/30/2019] [Accepted: 04/08/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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Wang H, Verkes RJ, Roozendaal B, Hermans EJ. Toward Understanding Developmental Disruption of Default Mode Network Connectivity Due to Early Life Stress. BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY: COGNITIVE NEUROSCIENCE AND NEUROIMAGING 2019; 4:5-7. [PMID: 30616749 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpsc.2018.11.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2018] [Accepted: 11/27/2018] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Huan Wang
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Robbert-Jan Verkes
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Benno Roozendaal
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Erno J Hermans
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
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Hill MN, Eiland L, Lee TTY, Hillard CJ, McEwen BS. Early life stress alters the developmental trajectory of corticolimbic endocannabinoid signaling in male rats. Neuropharmacology 2018; 146:154-162. [PMID: 30496752 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2018.11.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2018] [Revised: 11/15/2018] [Accepted: 11/24/2018] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Early-life stress modulates the development of cortico-limbic circuits and increases vulnerability to adult psychopathology. Given the important stress-buffering role of endocannabinoid (eCB) signaling, we performed a comprehensive investigation of the developmental trajectory of the eCB system and the impact of exposure to early life stress induced by repeated maternal separation (MS; 3 h/day) from postnatal day 2 (PND2) to PND12. Tissue levels of the eCB molecules anandamide (AEA) and 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) were measured after MS exposures, as well under basal conditions at juvenile (PND14), adolescent (PND40) and adult (PND70) timepoints in the prefrontal cortex (PFC), amygdala and hippocampus. We also examined the effects of MS on CB1 receptor binding in these three brain regions at PND40 and PND70. AEA content was found to increase from PND2 into adulthood in a linear manner across all brain regions, while 2-AG was found to exhibit a transient spike during the juvenile period (PND12-14) within the amygdala and PFC, but increased in a linear manner across development in the hippocampus. Exposure to MS resulted in bidirectional changes in AEA and 2-AG tissue levels within the amygdala and hippocampus and produced a sustained reduction in eCB function in the hippocampus at adulthood. CB1 receptor densities across all brain regions were generally found to be downregulated later in life following exposure to MS. Collectively, these data demonstrate that early life stress can alter the normative ontogeny of the eCB system, resulting in a sustained deficit in eCB function, particularly within the hippocampus, in adulthood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew N Hill
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Departments of Cell Biology & Anatomy and Psychiatry, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada; Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Lisa Eiland
- Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Tiffany T Y Lee
- Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA; Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Cecilia J Hillard
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology and Neuroscience Research Center, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | - Bruce S McEwen
- Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA.
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