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Taskiran M, Yildiz Taskiran S, Unal G, Bozkurt NM, Golgeli A. Vortioxetine improved schizophrenia-like behavioral deficits in a Poly I:C-induced maternal immune activation model of schizophrenia in rats. Fundam Clin Pharmacol 2024. [PMID: 38962906 DOI: 10.1111/fcp.13028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2023] [Revised: 04/21/2024] [Accepted: 06/26/2024] [Indexed: 07/05/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Several studies provide clear evidence that exposure to various infections during pregnancy are linked with an increased risk for schizophrenia. In preclinical studies, administration of polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (Poly I:C) in pregnant rodents can induce maternal immune activation leading to impairments in brain function in the offspring. OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of vortioxetine, a multimodal selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), in the pathophysiology of Poly I:C-induced schizophrenia-like model in rats. METHODS For this purpose, Poly I:C (8 mg/kg, ip) was injected into pregnant animals 14 days after mating, and tail blood was taken for determination of IL-6 levels after 2 h. At postnatal days 83-86, behavioral tests were performed. RESULTS Our results revealed that Poly I:C caused impairments in prepulse inhibition, novel object recognition, social interaction, and open-field tests. Chronic administration of vortioxetine (2.5, 5, and 10 mg/kg, ip, postnatal days 69-83) caused significant improvements in these deficits. CONCLUSION Overall, our findings indicate that vortioxetine may provide new therapeutic approaches for the treatment of schizophrenia. We think that increased serotonergic activity in frontal brain regions may provide the ameliorative effect of vortioxetine, especially on negative and cognitive symptoms. Therefore, it will be useful to determine the efficacy of vortioxetine with combined drugs with further studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehmet Taskiran
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Erciyes University, Kayseri, Turkey
| | | | - Gokhan Unal
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Erciyes University, Kayseri, Turkey
| | - Nuh Mehmet Bozkurt
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Erciyes University, Kayseri, Turkey
| | - Asuman Golgeli
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Erciyes University, Kayseri, Turkey
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2
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Fatahi N, Jafari-Sabet M, Vahabzadeh G, Komaki A. Role of hippocampal and prefrontal cortical cholinergic transmission in combination therapy valproate and cannabidiol in memory consolidation in rats: involvement of CREB- BDNF signaling pathways. NAUNYN-SCHMIEDEBERG'S ARCHIVES OF PHARMACOLOGY 2024; 397:5029-5047. [PMID: 38189934 DOI: 10.1007/s00210-023-02941-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 12/31/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE Cognitive disorders are associated with valproate and drugs used to treat neuropsychological diseases. Cannabidiol (CBD) has beneficial effects on cognitive function. This study examined the effects of co-administration of CBD and valproate on memory consolidation, cholinergic transmission, and cyclic AMP response element-binding protein (CREB)-brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) signaling pathway in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and hippocampus (HPC). METHODS One-trial, step-through inhibitory test was used to evaluate memory consolidation in rats. The intra-CA1 injection of physostigmine and atropine was performed to assess the role of cholinergic transmission in this co-administration. Phosphorylated CREB (p-CREB)/CREB ratio and BDNF levels in the PFC and HPC were evaluated. RESULTS Post-training intraperitoneal (i.p.) valproate injection reduced memory consolidation; however, post-training co-administration of CBD with valproate ameliorated memory impairment induced by valproate. Post-training intra-CA1 injection of physostigmine at the ineffective doses in memory consolidation (0.5 and 1 µg/rat), plus injection of 10 mg/kg of CBD as an ineffective dose, improved memory loss induced by valproate, which was associated with BDNF and p-CREB level enhancement in the PFC and HPC. Conversely, post-training intra-CA1 injection of ineffective doses of atropine (1 and 2 µg/rat) reduced the positive effects of injection of CBD at a dose of 20 mg/kg on valproate-induced memory loss associated with BDNF and p-CREB level reduction in the PFC and HPC. CONCLUSION The results indicated a beneficial interplay between valproate and CBD in the process of memory consolidation, which probably creates this interaction through the BDNF-CREB signaling pathways in the cholinergic transmission of the PFC and HPC regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Navid Fatahi
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences (IUMS), Tehran, Iran
| | - Majid Jafari-Sabet
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences (IUMS), Tehran, Iran.
- Razi Drug Research Center, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Gelareh Vahabzadeh
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences (IUMS), Tehran, Iran
- Razi Drug Research Center, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Alireza Komaki
- Neurophysiology Research Center, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
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Premoli M, Carone M, Mastinu A, Maccarinelli G, Aria F, Mac Sweeney E, Memo M, Bonini SA. Cannabis Sativa Oil Promotes Social Interaction and Ultrasonic Communication by Acting on Oxytocin Pathway. Cannabis Cannabinoid Res 2024. [PMID: 38800950 DOI: 10.1089/can.2024.0062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Objective: Cannabis sativa is the most used recreational drug worldwide. In recent years, there has been a growing interest in the potential therapeutic benefits of medicinal cannabis to treat a variety of psychiatric and neurological conditions. In particular, cannabidiol (CBD), a nonpsychoactive cannabis constituent, has been investigated for its potential prosocial effects on behavior, although the molecular mechanisms underlying this effect are still largely unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of a C. sativa oil CBD rich (CS oil) on social interaction and ultrasonic communication in mice. Study Design: Twenty-seven adult male mice (B6; 129P F2) were treated daily with vehicle or CS oil for 2 weeks. At Day 14, mice were tested for behavior (social interaction test and ultrasonic communication). Forty minutes before the behavioral tests, mice were exposed to intranasal treatment with vehicle or the oxytocin receptor antagonist, L-371,257. After behavioral tests, VH- and CS oil-treated mice were sacrificed, RNA was extracted from the hypothalamus and used for quantitative Real Time-PCR experiments. Results: We found that a 2-week treatment with the CS oil on mice exerted a prosocial effect associated with an increase in ultrasonic vocalizations. These effects were inhibited by pretreating mice with an oxytocin receptor antagonist. In addition, at the molecular level, we found that CS oil treatment caused a significant increase in oxytocin and a decrease in oxytocin receptor expression levels in the brain hypothalamus. Conclusion: Our results suggest that CS oil promotes social behavior by acting on oxytocin pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Marinella Carone
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Andrea Mastinu
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | | | - Francesca Aria
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Eileen Mac Sweeney
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Maurizio Memo
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Sara Anna Bonini
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
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4
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Manduca A, Buzzelli V, Rava A, Feo A, Carbone E, Schiavi S, Peruzzi B, D'Oria V, Pezzullo M, Pasquadibisceglie A, Polticelli F, Micale V, Kuchar M, Trezza V. Cannabidiol and positive effects on object recognition memory in an in vivo model of Fragile X Syndrome: Obligatory role of hippocampal GPR55 receptors. Pharmacol Res 2024; 203:107176. [PMID: 38583687 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2024.107176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2023] [Revised: 04/03/2024] [Accepted: 04/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/09/2024]
Abstract
Cannabidiol (CBD), a non-psychotomimetic constituent of Cannabis sativa, has been recently approved for epileptic syndromes often associated with Autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, the putative efficacy and mechanism of action of CBD in patients suffering from ASD and related comorbidities remain debated, especially because of the complex pharmacology of CBD. We used pharmacological, immunohistochemical and biochemical approaches to investigate the effects and mechanisms of action of CBD in the recently validated Fmr1-Δexon 8 rat model of ASD, that is also a model of Fragile X Syndrome (FXS), the leading monogenic cause of autism. CBD rescued the cognitive deficits displayed by juvenile Fmr1-Δexon 8 animals, without inducing tolerance after repeated administration. Blockade of CA1 hippocampal GPR55 receptors prevented the beneficial effect of both CBD and the fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) inhibitor URB597 in the short-term recognition memory deficits displayed by Fmr1-Δexon 8 rats. Thus, CBD may exert its beneficial effects through CA1 hippocampal GPR55 receptors. Docking analysis further confirmed that the mechanism of action of CBD might involve competition for brain fatty acid binding proteins (FABPs) that deliver anandamide and related bioactive lipids to their catabolic enzyme FAAH. These findings demonstrate that CBD reduced cognitive deficits in a rat model of FXS and provide initial mechanistic insights into its therapeutic potential in neurodevelopmental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonia Manduca
- Dept. Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy; Dept. Science, Roma Tre University, Rome, Italy; Neuroendocrinology, Metabolism and Neuropharmacology Unit, IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy.
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Barbara Peruzzi
- Bone Physiopathology Research Unit, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Valentina D'Oria
- Confocal Microscopy Core Facility, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Marco Pezzullo
- Histology Core Facility, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | | | | | - Vincenzo Micale
- Dept. Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Martin Kuchar
- Forensic Laboratory of Biologically Active Substances, Dept. Chemistry of Natural Compounds, University of Chemistry and Technologies, Prague, Czech Republic; Psychedelic Research Center, National Institute of Mental Health, Klecany, Czech Republic
| | - Viviana Trezza
- Dept. Science, Roma Tre University, Rome, Italy; Neuroendocrinology, Metabolism and Neuropharmacology Unit, IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy.
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Cui Sun M, Otálora-Alcaraz A, Prenderville JA, Downer EJ. Toll-like receptor signalling as a cannabinoid target. Biochem Pharmacol 2024; 222:116082. [PMID: 38438052 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2024.116082] [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: 12/07/2023] [Revised: 02/01/2024] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/06/2024]
Abstract
Toll-like receptors (TLRs) have become a focus in biomedicine and biomedical research given the roles of this unique family of innate immune proteins in immune activation, infection, and autoimmunity. It is evident that TLR dysregulation, and subsequent alterations in TLR-mediated inflammatory signalling, can contribute to disease pathogenesis, and TLR targeted therapies are in development. This review highlights evidence that cannabinoids are key regulators of TLR signalling. Cannabinoids include component of the plant Cannabis sativa L. (C. sativa), synthetic and endogenous ligands, and overall represent a class of compounds whose therapeutic potential and mechanism of action continues to be elucidated. Cannabinoid-based medicines are in the clinic, and are furthermore under intense investigation for broad clinical development to manage symptoms of a range of disorders. In this review, we present an overview of research evidence that signalling linked to a range of TLRs is targeted by cannabinoids, and such cannabinoid mediated effects represent therapeutic avenues for further investigation. First, we provide an overview of TLRs, adaptors and key signalling events, alongside a summary of evidence that TLRs are linked to disease pathologies. Next, we discuss the cannabinoids system and the development of cannabinoid-based therapeutics. Finally, for the bulk of this review, we systematically outline the evidence that cannabinoids (plant-derived cannabinoids, synthetic cannabinoids, and endogenous cannabinoid ligands) can cross-talk with innate immune signalling governed by TLRs, focusing specifically on each member of the TLR family. Cannabinoids should be considered as key regulators of signalling controlled by TLRs, and such regulation should be a major focus in terms of the anti-inflammatory propensity of the cannabinoid system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melody Cui Sun
- Discipline of Physiology, School of Medicine, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Almudena Otálora-Alcaraz
- Discipline of Physiology, School of Medicine, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Jack A Prenderville
- Discipline of Physiology, School of Medicine, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland; Transpharmation Ireland Limited, Institute of Neuroscience, Trinity College, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Eric J Downer
- Discipline of Physiology, School of Medicine, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland.
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Flynn LT, Bouras NN, Migovich VM, Clarin JD, Gao WJ. The "psychiatric" neuron: the psychic neuron of the cerebral cortex, revisited. Front Hum Neurosci 2024; 18:1356674. [PMID: 38562227 PMCID: PMC10982399 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2024.1356674] [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: 12/16/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Nearly 25 years ago, Dr. Patricia Goldman-Rakic published her review paper, "The 'Psychic' Neuron of the Cerebral Cortex," outlining the circuit-level dynamics, neurotransmitter systems, and behavioral correlates of pyramidal neurons in the cerebral cortex, particularly as they relate to working memory. In the decades since the release of this paper, the existing literature and our understanding of the pyramidal neuron have increased tremendously, and research is still underway to better characterize the role of the pyramidal neuron in both healthy and psychiatric disease states. In this review, we revisit Dr. Goldman-Rakic's characterization of the pyramidal neuron, focusing on the pyramidal neurons of the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and their role in working memory. Specifically, we examine the role of PFC pyramidal neurons in the intersection of working memory and social function and describe how deficits in working memory may actually underlie the pathophysiology of social dysfunction in psychiatric disease states. We briefly describe the cortico-cortical and corticothalamic connections between the PFC and non-PFC brain regions, as well the microcircuit dynamics of the pyramidal neuron and interneurons, and the role of both these macro- and microcircuits in the maintenance of the excitatory/inhibitory balance of the cerebral cortex for working memory function. Finally, we discuss the consequences to working memory when pyramidal neurons and their circuits are dysfunctional, emphasizing the resulting social deficits in psychiatric disease states with known working memory dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- L. Taylor Flynn
- Department of Neurobiology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Nadia N. Bouras
- Department of Neurobiology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Volodar M. Migovich
- Department of Neurobiology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Jacob D. Clarin
- Department of Neurobiology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Wen-Jun Gao
- Department of Neurobiology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States
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7
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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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Aghamiri H, Jafari-Sabet M, Hoormand M. Ameliorative Effect of Cannabidiol on Topiramate-Induced Memory Loss: The Role of Hippocampal and Prefrontal Cortical NMDA Receptors and CREB/BDNF Signaling Pathways in Rats. Neurochem Res 2024; 49:363-378. [PMID: 37814133 DOI: 10.1007/s11064-023-04041-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Revised: 09/23/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 10/11/2023]
Abstract
Cannabidiol (CBD) is a promising neurological agent with potential beneficial effects on memory and cognitive function. The combination of CBD and topiramate in the treatment of some neurological diseases has been of great interest. Since Topiramate-induced memory loss is a major drawback of its clinical application and the overall effect of the combination of CBD and topiramate on memory is still unclear, here we investigated the effect of CBD on topiramate-induced memory loss and the underlying molecular mechanisms. A one trial step-through inhibitory test was used to evaluate memory consolidation in rats. Moreover, the role of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) in the combination of CBD and topiramate in memory consolidation was evaluated through the intra-CA1 administration of MK-801 and NMDA. Western blot analysis was used to evaluate variations in brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and phosphorylated cyclic AMP response element-binding protein (pCREB)/CREB ratio in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and hippocampus (HPC). While the intraperitoneal (i.p.) administration of topiramate (50, 75, and 100 mg/kg) significantly reduced inhibitory time latency, the i.p. administration of CBD (20 and 40 mg/kg) could effectively reverse these effects. Similarly, the sub-effective doses of NMDA plus CBD (10 mg/kg) could improve the topiramate-induced memory loss along with an enhancement in BDNF and pCREB expression in the PFC and HPC. Contrarily, the administration of sub-effective doses of the NMDAR antagonist (MK-801) diminished the protective effects of CBD (20 mg/kg) on topiramate-induced memory loss associated with decreased BDNF and pCREB levels in the PFC and HPC. These findings suggest that CBD can improve topiramate-induced memory impairment, partially by the NMDARs of the PFC and HPC, possibly regulated by the CREB/BDNF signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helia Aghamiri
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences (IUMS), Tehran, Iran
| | - Majid Jafari-Sabet
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences (IUMS), Tehran, Iran.
- Razi Drug Research Center, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Mahmood Hoormand
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences (IUMS), Tehran, Iran
- Razi Drug Research Center, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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Al-Khazaleh AK, Zhou X, Bhuyan DJ, Münch GW, Al-Dalabeeh EA, Jaye K, Chang D. The Neurotherapeutic Arsenal in Cannabis sativa: Insights into Anti-Neuroinflammatory and Neuroprotective Activity and Potential Entourage Effects. Molecules 2024; 29:410. [PMID: 38257323 PMCID: PMC10821245 DOI: 10.3390/molecules29020410] [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: 12/12/2023] [Revised: 01/09/2024] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Cannabis, renowned for its historical medicinal use, harbours various bioactive compounds-cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids. While major cannabinoids like delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) have received extensive scrutiny for their pharmacological properties, emerging evidence underscores the collaborative interactions among these constituents, suggesting a collective therapeutic potential. This comprehensive review explores the intricate relationships and synergies between cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids in cannabis. Cannabinoids, pivotal in cannabis's bioactivity, exhibit well-documented analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective effects. Terpenes, aromatic compounds imbuing distinct flavours, not only contribute to cannabis's sensory profile but also modulate cannabinoid effects through diverse molecular mechanisms. Flavonoids, another cannabis component, demonstrate anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and neuroprotective properties, particularly relevant to neuroinflammation. The entourage hypothesis posits that combined cannabinoid, terpene, and flavonoid action yields synergistic or additive effects, surpassing individual compound efficacy. Recognizing the nuanced interactions is crucial for unravelling cannabis's complete therapeutic potential. Tailoring treatments based on the holistic composition of cannabis strains allows optimization of therapeutic outcomes while minimizing potential side effects. This review underscores the imperative to delve into the intricate roles of cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids, offering promising prospects for innovative therapeutic interventions and advocating continued research to unlock cannabis's full therapeutic potential within the realm of natural plant-based medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmad K. Al-Khazaleh
- NICM Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW 2751, Australia; (X.Z.); (D.J.B.); (G.W.M.); (K.J.)
| | - Xian Zhou
- NICM Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW 2751, Australia; (X.Z.); (D.J.B.); (G.W.M.); (K.J.)
| | - Deep Jyoti Bhuyan
- NICM Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW 2751, Australia; (X.Z.); (D.J.B.); (G.W.M.); (K.J.)
- School of Science, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW 2751, Australia
| | - Gerald W. Münch
- NICM Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW 2751, Australia; (X.Z.); (D.J.B.); (G.W.M.); (K.J.)
- Pharmacology Unit, School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW 2751, Australia
| | - Elaf Adel Al-Dalabeeh
- Department of Biological Sciences, School of Science, University of Jordan, Amman 11942, Jordan;
| | - Kayla Jaye
- NICM Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW 2751, Australia; (X.Z.); (D.J.B.); (G.W.M.); (K.J.)
| | - Dennis Chang
- NICM Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW 2751, Australia; (X.Z.); (D.J.B.); (G.W.M.); (K.J.)
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10
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Lamanna-Rama N, Romero-Miguel D, Casquero-Veiga M, MacDowell KS, Santa-Marta C, Torres-Sánchez S, Berrocoso E, Leza JC, Desco M, Soto-Montenegro ML. THC improves behavioural schizophrenia-like deficits that CBD fails to overcome: a comprehensive multilevel approach using the Poly I:C maternal immune activation. Psychiatry Res 2024; 331:115643. [PMID: 38064909 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2023.115643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2023] [Revised: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/26/2023] [Indexed: 01/02/2024]
Abstract
Prenatal infections and cannabis use during adolescence are well-recognized risk factors for schizophrenia. As inflammation and oxidative stress (OS) contribute to this disorder, anti-inflammatory drugs have been proposed as potential therapies. This study aimed to evaluate the association between delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and schizophrenia-like abnormalities in a maternal immune activation (MIA) model. Additionally, we assessed the preventive effect of cannabidiol (CBD), a non-psychotropic/anti-inflammatory cannabinoid. THC and/or CBD were administered to Saline- and MIA-offspring during periadolescence. At adulthood, THC-exposed MIA-offspring showed significant improvements in sensorimotor gating deficits. Structural and metabolic brain changes were evaluated by magnetic resonance imaging, revealing cortical shrinkage in Saline- and enlargement in MIA-offspring after THC-exposure. Additionally, MIA-offspring displayed enlarged ventricles and decreased hippocampus, which were partially reverted by both cannabinoids. CBD prevented THC-induced reduction in the corpus callosum, despite affecting white matter structure. Post-mortem studies revealed detrimental effects of THC, including increased inflammation and oxidative stress. CBD partially reverted these pro-inflammatory alterations and modulated THC's effects on the endocannabinoid system. In conclusion, contrary to expectations, THC exhibited greater behavioural and morphometric benefits, despite promoting a pro-inflammatory state that CBD partially reverted. Further research is needed to elucidate the underlying mechanisms involved in the observed benefits of THC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolás Lamanna-Rama
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain.; Departamento de Bioingeniería, Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, Leganés (Madrid) 28911, Spain
| | | | | | - Karina S MacDowell
- CIBER de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Madrid, Spain; Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, School of Medicine, Universidad Complutense (UCM), IIS Imas12, IUIN, 28040 - Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Sonia Torres-Sánchez
- CIBER de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Madrid, Spain; Neuropsychopharmacology & Psychobiology Research Group, Department of Neuroscience, Universidad de Cádiz, Spain; Instituto de Investigación e Innovación en Ciencias Biomédicas de Cádiz, INiBICA, Hospital Universitario Puerta del Mar, Cádiz, Spain
| | - Esther Berrocoso
- CIBER de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Madrid, Spain; Neuropsychopharmacology & Psychobiology Research Group, Department of Neuroscience, Universidad de Cádiz, Spain; Instituto de Investigación e Innovación en Ciencias Biomédicas de Cádiz, INiBICA, Hospital Universitario Puerta del Mar, Cádiz, Spain
| | - Juan C Leza
- CIBER de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Madrid, Spain; Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, School of Medicine, Universidad Complutense (UCM), IIS Imas12, IUIN, 28040 - Madrid, Spain
| | - Manuel Desco
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain.; Departamento de Bioingeniería, Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, Leganés (Madrid) 28911, Spain; CIBER de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Madrid, Spain; Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), Madrid, Spain.
| | - María Luisa Soto-Montenegro
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain.; CIBER de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Madrid, Spain; High Performance Research Group in Physiopathology and Pharmacology of the Digestive System (NeuGut-URJC), URJC, Alcorcón, Spain.
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11
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Georgieva-Kotetarova M, Kandilarov I, Vilmosh N, Zlatanova H, Yanchev N, Delev D, Dermendzhiev T, Murdjeva M, Kostadinova I, Kostadinov I. Cannabidiol improves memory and decreases IL-1β serum levels in rats with lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation. Folia Med (Plovdiv) 2023; 65:940-949. [PMID: 38351784 DOI: 10.3897/folmed.65.e107259] [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: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2024] Open
Abstract
AIM Memory improving and anti-inflammatory properties of cannabidiol (CBD) were investigated in an experimental model of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Delian Delev
- Medical University of Plovdiv, Plovdiv, Bulgaria
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12
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Zhang L, Lin C, Zhu J, He Y, Zhan M, Xia X, Yang N, Yang K, Wang B, Zhong Z, Wang Y, Ding W, Yang Y. Restoring prefrontal cortical excitation-inhibition balance with cannabidiol ameliorates neurobehavioral abnormalities in a mouse model of neurodevelopmental disorders. Neuropharmacology 2023; 240:109715. [PMID: 37716533 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2023.109715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2023] [Revised: 09/07/2023] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/18/2023]
Abstract
Maternal immune activation (MIA) resulting from viral infections during pregnancy is linked to increased rates of neurodevelopmental disorders in offspring. However, the mechanisms underlying MIA-induced neurobehavioral abnormalities remain unclear. Here, we used a poly (I:C)-induced MIA mouse model to demonstrate the presence of multiple behavioral deficits in male offspring. Through RNA sequencing (RNA-seq), we identified significant upregulation of genes involved in axonogenesis, synaptogenesis, and glutamatergic synaptic neurotransmission in the mPFC of MIA mice. Electrophysiological analyses further revealed an excitatory-inhibitory (E/I) synaptic imbalance in mPFC pyramidal neurons, leading to hyperactivity in this brain region. Cannabidiol (CBD) effectively alleviated the behavioral abnormalities observed in MIA offspring by reducing glutamatergic transmission and enhancing GABAergic neurotransmission of mPFC pyramidal neurons. Activation of GPR55 by lipid lysophosphatidylinositol (LPI), an endogenous GPR55 agonist, specifically in the mPFC of healthy animals led to MIA-associated behavioral phenotypes, which CBD could effectively reverse. Moreover, we found that a GPR55 antagonist can mimic CBD's beneficial effects, indicating that CBD's therapeutic effects are mediated via the LPI-GPR55 signaling pathway. Therefore, we identified mPFC as a primary node of a neural network that mediates MIA-induced behavioral abnormalities in offspring. Our work provides insights into the mechanisms underlying the developmental consequences of MIA and identifies CBD as a promising therapeutic approach to alleviate these effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Zhang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, China
| | - Chunqiao Lin
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, China
| | - Jiushuang Zhu
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, China
| | - Yan He
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, China
| | - Meng Zhan
- School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, China
| | - Xiuwen Xia
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, China
| | - Ni Yang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, China
| | - Kun Yang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, China
| | - Baojia Wang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, China
| | - Zhanqion Zhong
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, China
| | - Yili Wang
- Innovative Institute of Chinese Medicine and Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, PR China
| | - Weijun Ding
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, China.
| | - Youjun Yang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, China.
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13
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Bomfim AJDL, Zuze SMF, Fabrício DDM, Pessoa RMDP, Crippa JAS, Chagas MHN. Effects of the Acute and Chronic Administration of Cannabidiol on Cognition in Humans and Animals: A Systematic Review. Cannabis Cannabinoid Res 2023; 8:955-973. [PMID: 37792394 DOI: 10.1089/can.2023.0086] [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: 10/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction: The effects of cannabidiol (CBD) on cognition has been investigated in recent years to determine the therapeutic potential of this cannabinoid for a broad gamut of medical conditions, including neuropsychiatric disorders. The aim of the present study was to perform a systematic review of studies that analyzed the effects of the acute and chronic administration of CBD on cognition in humans and animals both to assess the cognitive safety of CBD and to determine a beneficial potential of CBD on cognition. Methods: The PubMed, Web of Science, PsycINFO, and Scopus databases were searched in December of 2022 for relevant articles using the following combinations of keywords: ("cannabidiol" OR "CBD") AND ("cognition" OR "processing cognitive" OR "memory" OR "language" OR "attention" OR "executive function" OR "social cognition" OR "perceptual motor ability" OR "processing speed"). Results: Fifty-nine articles were included in the present review (36 preclinical and 23 clinical trials). CBD seems not to have any negative effect on cognitive processing in rats. The clinical trials confirmed these findings in humans. One study found that repeated dosing with CBD may improve cognitive in people who use cannabis heavily but not individuals with neuropsychiatric disorders. Considering the context of neuropsychiatric disorders in animal models, CBD seems to reverse the harm caused by the experimental paradigms, such that the performance of these animals becomes similar to that of control animals. Conclusions: The results demonstrate that the chronic and acute administration of CBD seems not to impair cognition in humans without neuropsychiatric disorders. In addition, preclinical studies report promising results regarding the effects of CBD on the cognitive processing of animals. Future double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trials with larger, less selective samples, with standardized tests, and using different doses of CBD in outpatients are of particular interest to elucidate the cognitive effects of CBD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Julia de Lima Bomfim
- Department of Neurosciences and Behavioral Sciences, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
- Research Group on Mental Health, Cognition and Aging, Federal University of São Carlos, São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Stefany Mirrelle Fávero Zuze
- Research Group on Mental Health, Cognition and Aging, Federal University of São Carlos, São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Daiene de Morais Fabrício
- Research Group on Mental Health, Cognition and Aging, Federal University of São Carlos, São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Rebeca Mendes de Paula Pessoa
- Department of Neurosciences and Behavioral Sciences, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
- Research Group on Mental Health, Cognition and Aging, Federal University of São Carlos, São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - José Alexandre S Crippa
- Department of Neurosciences and Behavioral Sciences, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Marcos Hortes N Chagas
- Department of Neurosciences and Behavioral Sciences, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
- Research Group on Mental Health, Cognition and Aging, Federal University of São Carlos, São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil
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14
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Perez-Palomar B, Erdozain AM, Erkizia-Santamaría I, Ortega JE, Meana JJ. Maternal Immune Activation Induces Cortical Catecholaminergic Hypofunction and Cognitive Impairments in Offspring. J Neuroimmune Pharmacol 2023; 18:348-365. [PMID: 37208550 PMCID: PMC10577104 DOI: 10.1007/s11481-023-10070-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2023] [Accepted: 05/12/2023] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Impairment of specific cognitive domains in schizophrenia has been associated with prefrontal cortex (PFC) catecholaminergic deficits. Among other factors, prenatal exposure to infections represents an environmental risk factor for schizophrenia development in adulthood. However, it remains largely unknown whether the prenatal infection-induced changes in the brain may be associated with concrete switches in a particular neurochemical circuit, and therefore, if they could alter behavioral functions. METHODS In vitro and in vivo neurochemical evaluation of the PFC catecholaminergic systems was performed in offspring from mice undergoing maternal immune activation (MIA). The cognitive status was also evaluated. Prenatal viral infection was mimicked by polyriboinosinic-polyribocytidylic acid (poly(I:C)) administration to pregnant dams (7.5 mg/kg i.p., gestational day 9.5) and consequences were evaluated in adult offspring. RESULTS MIA-treated offspring showed disrupted recognition memory in the novel object recognition task (t = 2.30, p = 0.031). This poly(I:C)-based group displayed decreased extracellular dopamine (DA) concentrations compared to controls (t = 3.17, p = 0.0068). Potassium-evoked release of DA and noradrenaline (NA) were impaired in the poly(I:C) group (DA: Ft[10,90] = 43.33, p < 0.0001; Ftr[1,90] = 1.224, p = 0.2972; Fi[10,90] = 5.916, p < 0.0001; n = 11); (NA: Ft[10,90] = 36.27, p < 0.0001; Ftr[1,90] = 1.841, p = 0.208; Fi[10,90] = 8.686, p < 0.0001; n = 11). In the same way, amphetamine-evoked release of DA and NA were also impaired in the poly(I:C) group (DA: Ft[8,328] = 22.01, p < 0.0001; Ftr[1,328] = 4.507, p = 0.040; Fi[8,328] = 2.319, p = 0.020; n = 43); (NA: Ft[8,328] = 52.07; p < 0.0001; Ftr[1,328] = 4.322; p = 0.044; Fi[8,398] = 5.727; p < 0.0001; n = 43). This catecholamine imbalance was accompanied by increased dopamine D1 and D2 receptor expression (t = 2.64, p = 0.011 and t = 3.55, p = 0.0009; respectively), whereas tyrosine hydroxylase, DA and NA tissue content, DA and NA transporter (DAT/NET) expression and function were unaltered. CONCLUSIONS MIA induces in offspring a presynaptic catecholaminergic hypofunction in PFC with cognitive impairment. This poly(I:C)-based model reproduces catecholamine phenotypes reported in schizophrenia and represents an opportunity for the study of cognitive impairment associated to this disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Blanca Perez-Palomar
- Department of Pharmacology, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Leioa, Bizkaia, E-48940, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental CIBERSAM, ISCIII, Leioa, Spain
- Biocruces Bizkaia Health Research Institute, Bizkaia, Spain
- Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Administrative Sciences, University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Amaia M Erdozain
- Department of Pharmacology, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Leioa, Bizkaia, E-48940, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental CIBERSAM, ISCIII, Leioa, Spain
| | - Ines Erkizia-Santamaría
- Department of Pharmacology, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Leioa, Bizkaia, E-48940, Spain
| | - Jorge E Ortega
- Department of Pharmacology, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Leioa, Bizkaia, E-48940, Spain.
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental CIBERSAM, ISCIII, Leioa, Spain.
- Biocruces Bizkaia Health Research Institute, Bizkaia, Spain.
| | - J Javier Meana
- Department of Pharmacology, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Leioa, Bizkaia, E-48940, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental CIBERSAM, ISCIII, Leioa, Spain
- Biocruces Bizkaia Health Research Institute, Bizkaia, Spain
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15
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Yildiz Taskiran S, Taskiran M, Unal G, Bozkurt NM, Golgeli A. The long-lasting effects of aceclofenac, a COX-2 inhibitor, in a Poly I:C-Induced maternal immune activation model of schizophrenia in rats. Behav Brain Res 2023; 452:114565. [PMID: 37414224 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2023.114565] [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: 03/13/2023] [Revised: 07/01/2023] [Accepted: 07/02/2023] [Indexed: 07/08/2023]
Abstract
It is well established that rats exposed to inflammation during pregnancy or the perinatal period have an increased chance of developing schizophrenia-like symptoms and behaviors, and people with schizophrenia also have raised levels of inflammatory markers. Therefore, there is evidence supporting the idea that anti-inflammatory drugs may have therapeutic benefits. Aceclofenac is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug that has anti-inflammatory properties and is used clinically to treat inflammatory and painful processes such as osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, making it a potential candidate for preventive or adjunctive therapy in schizophrenia. This study therefore examined the effect of aceclofenac in a maternal immune activation model of schizophrenia, in which polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (Poly I:C) (8 mg/kg, i.p.) was administered to pregnant rat dams. Young female rat pups received daily aceclofenac (5, 10, and 20 mg/kg, i.p., n = 10) between postnatal day 56 and 76. The effects of aceclofenac were compared with assessment of behavioral tests and ELISA results. During the postnatal days (PNDs) 73-76, behavioral tests were conducted in rats, and on PND 76, ELISA tests were performed to examine the changes in Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), Interleukin-1β (IL-1β), Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and nestin levels. Aceclofenac treatment reversed deficits in prepulse inhibition, novel object recognition, social interaction, and locomotor activity tests. In addition, aceclofenac administration decreased TNF-α and IL-1β expression in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus. In contrast, BDNF and nestin levels did not change significantly during treatment with aceclofenac. Taken together, these results suggest that aceclofenac may be an alternative therapeutic adjunctive strategy to improve the clinical expression of schizophrenia in the further studies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mehmet Taskiran
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Erciyes University, Kayseri, Türkiye
| | - Gokhan Unal
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Erciyes University, Kayseri, Türkiye
| | - Nuh Mehmet Bozkurt
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Erciyes University, Kayseri, Türkiye
| | - Asuman Golgeli
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Erciyes University, Kayseri, Türkiye
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16
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Guerrin CGJ, de Vries EFJ, Prasad K, Vazquez-Matias DA, Manusiwa LE, Barazzuol L, Doorduin J. Maternal infection during pregnancy aggravates the behavioral response to an immune challenge during adolescence in female rats. Behav Brain Res 2023; 452:114566. [PMID: 37419332 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2023.114566] [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: 03/02/2023] [Revised: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 07/09/2023]
Abstract
Prenatal and early postnatal infection have been associated with changes in microglial activity and the development of psychiatric disorders. Here, we investigated the effect of prenatal immune activation and postnatal immune challenge, alone and combined, on behavior and microglial cell density in female Wistar rats. Pregnant rats were injected with poly I:C to induce a maternal immune activation (MIA). Their female offspring were subsequently exposed to a lipopolysaccharide (LPS) immune challenge during adolescence. Anhedonia, social behavior, anxiety, locomotion, and working memory were measured with the sucrose preference, social interaction, open field, elevated-plus maze, and Y-maze test, respectively. Microglia cell density was quantified by counting the number of Iba-1 positive cells in the brain cortex. Female MIA offspring were more susceptible to the LPS immune challenge during adolescence than control offspring as demonstrated by a more pronounced reduction in sucrose preference and body weight on the days following the LPS immune challenge. Furthermore, only the rats exposed to both MIA and LPS showed long-lasting changes in social behavior and locomotion. Conversely, the combination MIA and LPS prevented the anxiety induced by MIA alone during adulthood. MIA, LPS, or their combination did not change microglial cell density in the parietal and frontal cortex of adult rats. The results of our study suggest that the maternal immune activation during pregnancy aggravates the response to an immune challenge during adolescence in female rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cyprien G J Guerrin
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Hanzeplein 1, Groningen 9713 GZ, the Netherlands
| | - Erik F J de Vries
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Hanzeplein 1, Groningen 9713 GZ, the Netherlands
| | - Kavya Prasad
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Hanzeplein 1, Groningen 9713 GZ, the Netherlands
| | - Daniel A Vazquez-Matias
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Hanzeplein 1, Groningen 9713 GZ, the Netherlands
| | - Lesley E Manusiwa
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Hanzeplein 1, Groningen 9713 GZ, the Netherlands
| | - Lara Barazzuol
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Hanzeplein 1, Groningen 9713 GZ, the Netherlands; Department of Biomedical Sciences of Cells and Systems, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Hanzeplein 1, Groningen 9713 GZ, the Netherlands
| | - Janine Doorduin
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Hanzeplein 1, Groningen 9713 GZ, the Netherlands.
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Aguiar AFL, Campos RMP, Isaac AR, Paes-Colli Y, Carvalho VM, Sampaio LS, de Melo Reis RA. Long-Term Treatment with Cannabidiol-Enriched Cannabis Extract Induces Synaptic Changes in the Adolescent Rat Hippocampus. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:11775. [PMID: 37511537 PMCID: PMC10380262 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241411775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2023] [Revised: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The endocannabinoid system (eCS) is widely distributed in mammalian tissues and it is classically formed by cannabinoid receptors, endogenous bioactive lipids and its synthesis and degradation enzymes. Due to the modulatory role of eCS in synaptic activity in the Central Nervous System (CNS), phytocannabinoids have been increasingly used for the treatment of neurological disorders, even though little is known in terms of the long-term effect of these treatments on CNS development, mainly in the timeframe that comprises childhood and adolescence. Furthermore, an increased number of clinical trials using full-spectrum Cannabis extracts has been seen, rather than the isolated form of phytocannabinoids, when exploring the therapeutical benefits of the Cannabis plant. Thus, this study aims to evaluate the effect of cannabidiol (CBD)-enriched Cannabis extract on synaptic components in the hippocampus of rats from adolescence to early adulthood (postnatal day 45 to 60). Oral treatment of healthy male Wistar rats with a CBD-enriched Cannabis extract (3 mg/kg/day CBD) during 15 days did not affect food intake and water balance. There was also no negative impact on locomotor behaviour and cognitive performance. However, the hippocampal protein levels of GluA1 and GFAP were reduced in animals treated with the extract, whilst PSD95 levels were increased, which suggests rearrangement of glutamatergic synapses and modulation of astrocytic features. Microglial complexity was reduced in CA1 and CA3 regions, but no alterations in their phagocytic activity have been identified by Iba-1 and LAMP2 co-localization. Collectively, our data suggest that CBD-enriched Cannabis treatment may be safe and well-tolerated in healthy subjects, besides acting as a neuroprotective agent against hippocampal alterations related to the pathogenesis of excitatory and astrogliosis-mediated disorders in CNS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrey F L Aguiar
- Institute of Biophysics Carlos Chagas Filho, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941902, Brazil
| | - Raquel M P Campos
- Institute of Biophysics Carlos Chagas Filho, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941902, Brazil
| | - Alinny R Isaac
- Institute of Medical Biochemistry Leopoldo de Meis, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941902, Brazil
| | - Yolanda Paes-Colli
- Institute of Biophysics Carlos Chagas Filho, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941902, Brazil
| | - Virgínia M Carvalho
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941902, Brazil
| | - Luzia S Sampaio
- Institute of Biophysics Carlos Chagas Filho, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941902, Brazil
| | - Ricardo A de Melo Reis
- Institute of Biophysics Carlos Chagas Filho, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941902, Brazil
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18
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Taskiran SY, Taskiran M, Unal G, Golgeli A. Group I mGluRs positive allosteric modulators improved schizophrenia-related behavioral and molecular deficits in the Poly I:C rat model. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2023:173593. [PMID: 37390974 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2023.173593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2023] [Revised: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/02/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE Maternal polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (Poly I:C) exposure leads to an increase in various proinflammatory cytokines and causes schizophrenia-like symptoms in offspring. In recent years, group I metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) have emerged as a potential target in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. OBJECTIVES The aim of our study was to investigate the behavioral and molecular changes by using the mGlu1 receptor positive allosteric modulator (PAM) agent RO 67-7476, and the negative allosteric modulator (NAM) agent JNJ 16259685 and the mGlu5 receptor PAM agent VU-29, and NAM agent fenobam in the Poly I:C-induced schizophrenia model in rats. METHODS Female Wistar albino rats were treated with Poly I:C on day 14 of gestation after mating. On the postnatal day (PND) 35, 56 and 84, behavioral tests were performed in the male offspring. On the PND84, brain tissue was collected and the level of proinflammatory cytokines was determined by ELISA method. RESULTS Poly I:C caused impairments in all behavioral tests and increased the levels of proinflammatory cytokines. While PAM agents caused significant improvements in prepulse inhibition (PPI), novel object recognition (NOR), spontaneous alternation and reference memory tests, they brought the levels of proinflammatory cytokines closer to the control group. NAM agents were ineffective on behavioral tests. It was observed that PAM agents significantly improved Poly I:C-induced disruption in behavioral and molecular analyses. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that PAM agents, particularly the mGlu5 receptor VU-29, are also promising and could be a potential target in schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mehmet Taskiran
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Erciyes University, Kayseri, Turkey.
| | - Gokhan Unal
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Erciyes University, Kayseri, Turkey.
| | - Asuman Golgeli
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Erciyes University, Kayseri, Turkey.
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19
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Deriha K, Hashimoto E, Ukai W, Marchisella F, Nishimura E, Hashiguchi H, Tayama M, Ishii T, Riva MA, Kawanishi C. Reduced sociability in a prenatal immune activation model: Modulation by a chronic blonanserin treatment through the amygdala-hippocampal axis. J Psychiatr Res 2023; 164:209-220. [PMID: 37379611 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2023.06.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2022] [Revised: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 06/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/30/2023]
Abstract
The environmental disturbances in a critical neurodevelopmental period exert organizational effects on brain intrinsic plasticity including excitatory and inhibitory (E/I) neurotransmission those can cause the onset of psychiatric illness. We previously reported that treatment of neural precursor cells with N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist MK-801 induced reduction of GABAergic interneuron differentiation, and these changes recovered by atypical antipsychotic blonanserin treatment in vitro. However, it remains unclear how this treatment affects neural circuit changes in hippocampus and amygdala, which might contribute to the prevention of onset process of schizophrenia. To elucidate the pathogenic/preventive mechanisms underlying prenatal environmental adversity-induced schizophrenia in more detail, we administered poly (I:C) followed by antipsychotics and examined alterations in social/cognitive behaviors, GABA/glutamate-related gene expressions with cell density and E/I ratio, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (Bdnf) transcript levels, particularly in limbic areas. Treatment with antipsychotic blonanserin ameliorated impaired social/cognitive behaviors and increased parvalbumin (PV)-positive (+) cell density and its mRNA levels as well as Bdnf with long 3'UTR mRNA levels, particularly in the dorsal hippocampus, in rats exposed to maternal immune activation (MIA). Low dose of blonanserin and haloperidol altered GABA and glutamate-related mRNA levels, the E/I ratio, and Bdnf long 3'UTR mRNA levels in the ventral hippocampus and amygdala, but did not attenuate behavioral impairments. These results strongly implicate changes in PV expression, PV(+) GABAergic interneuron density, and Bdnf long 3'UTR expression levels, particularly in the dorsal hippocampus, in the pathophysiology and treatment responses of MIA-induced schizophrenia and highlight the therapeutic potential of blonanserin for developmental stress-related schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenta Deriha
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Graduate School of Medicine, Sapporo Medical University, S-1, W-16, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, 0608543, Japan.
| | - Eri Hashimoto
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Graduate School of Medicine, Sapporo Medical University, S-1, W-16, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, 0608543, Japan.
| | - Wataru Ukai
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Graduate School of Medicine, Sapporo Medical University, S-1, W-16, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, 0608543, Japan; Department of Institutional Research, Center for Medical Education, Sapporo Medical University, S-1, W-16, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, 0608543, Japan.
| | - Francesca Marchisella
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences University of Milan Via Balzaretti 9, 20133, Milan, Italy.
| | - Emi Nishimura
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Graduate School of Medicine, Sapporo Medical University, S-1, W-16, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, 0608543, Japan.
| | - Hanako Hashiguchi
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Graduate School of Medicine, Sapporo Medical University, S-1, W-16, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, 0608543, Japan.
| | - Masaya Tayama
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Graduate School of Medicine, Sapporo Medical University, S-1, W-16, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, 0608543, Japan.
| | - Takao Ishii
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Graduate School of Medicine, Sapporo Medical University, S-1, W-16, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, 0608543, Japan; Department of Occupational Therapy, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Sapporo Medical University, S-1, W-17, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, 0608556, Japan
| | - Marco A Riva
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences University of Milan Via Balzaretti 9, 20133, Milan, Italy; Biological Psychiatry Unit, IRCCS Istituto Centro San Giovanni di Dio Fatebenefratelli, Brescia, Italy.
| | - Chiaki Kawanishi
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Graduate School of Medicine, Sapporo Medical University, S-1, W-16, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, 0608543, Japan.
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20
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Mitochondria play an essential role in the trajectory of adolescent neurodevelopment and behavior in adulthood: evidence from a schizophrenia rat model. Mol Psychiatry 2023; 28:1170-1181. [PMID: 36380234 PMCID: PMC10005953 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-022-01865-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2022] [Revised: 10/24/2022] [Accepted: 10/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Ample evidence implicate mitochondria in early brain development. However, to the best of our knowledge, there is only circumstantial data for mitochondria involvement in late brain development occurring through adolescence, a critical period in the pathogenesis of various psychiatric disorders, specifically schizophrenia. In schizophrenia, neurodevelopmental abnormalities and mitochondrial dysfunction has been repeatedly reported. Here we show a causal link between mitochondrial transplantation in adolescence and brain functioning in adulthood. We show that transplantation of allogenic healthy mitochondria into the medial prefrontal cortex of adolescent rats was beneficial in a rat model of schizophrenia, while detrimental in healthy control rats. Specifically, disparate initial changes in mitochondrial function and inflammatory response were associated with opposite long-lasting changes in proteome, neurotransmitter turnover, neuronal sprouting and behavior in adulthood. A similar inverse shift in mitochondrial function was also observed in human lymphoblastoid cells deived from schizophrenia patients and healthy subjects due to the interference of the transplanted mitochondria with their intrinsic mitochondrial state. This study provides fundamental insights into the essential role of adolescent mitochondrial homeostasis in the development of normal functioning adult brain. In addition, it supports a therapeutic potential for mitochondria manipulation in adolescence in disorders with neurodevelopmental and bioenergetic deficits, such as schizophrenia, yet emphasizes the need to monitor individuals' state including their mitochondrial function and immune response, prior to intervention.
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21
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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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22
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Cannabidiol modulates contextual fear memory consolidation in animals with experimentally induced type-1 diabetes mellitus. Acta Neuropsychiatr 2023:1-11. [PMID: 36805056 DOI: 10.1017/neu.2023.13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/22/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES In view of the neuroprotective characteristic of cannabidiol (CBD) and its beneficial action on aversive memory in non-diabetic animals, we aimed to investigate in animals with experimentally induced type-1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) whether CBD treatment would be able to impair the contextual fear memory consolidation, its generalisation and whether the effect would be lasting. We also investigated the CBD effect on anxiety-like responses. METHODS After T1DM induction, animals received single or more prolonged treatment with CBD and were submitted to the contextual fear conditioning test. As expression of activity-regulated cytoskeletal-associated (Arc) protein is necessary for memory consolidation, we evaluated its expression in the dorsal hippocampus (DH). For evaluating anxiety-related responses, animals were submitted to the elevated plus maze test (EPMT), in which the time and number of entries in the open arms were used as anxiety index. RESULTS A single injection of CBD impaired the contextual fear memory consolidation and its generalisation, which was evaluated by exposing the animal in a neutral context. This single injection was able to reduce the elevated expression of Arc in the DH from these animals. Interestingly, more prolonged treatment with CBD also impaired the persistence of context-conditioned fear memory and induced an anxiolytic-like effect, as the treated group spent more time in the open arms of the EPMT. CONCLUSION CBD interferes with contextual fear memory and the dosage regimen of treatment seems to be important. Moreover, we cannot rule out the involvement of emotional aspects in these processes related to fear memory.
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23
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Jîtcă G, Ősz BE, Vari CE, Rusz CM, Tero-Vescan A, Pușcaș A. Cannabidiol: Bridge between Antioxidant Effect, Cellular Protection, and Cognitive and Physical Performance. Antioxidants (Basel) 2023; 12:antiox12020485. [PMID: 36830042 PMCID: PMC9952814 DOI: 10.3390/antiox12020485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2023] [Revised: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The literature provides scientific evidence for the beneficial effects of cannabidiol (CBD), and these effects extend beyond epilepsy treatment (e.g., Lennox-Gastaut and Dravet syndromes), notably the influence on oxidative status, neurodegeneration, cellular protection, cognitive function, and physical performance. However, products containing CBD are not allowed to be marketed everywhere in the world, which may ultimately have a negative effect on health as a result of the uncontrolled CBD market. After the isolation of CBD follows the discovery of CB1 and CB2 receptors and the main enzymatic components (diacylglycerol lipase (DAG lipase), monoacyl glycerol lipase (MAGL), fatty acid amino hydrolase (FAAH)). At the same time, the antioxidant potential of CBD is due not only to the molecular structure but also to the fact that this compound increases the expression of the main endogenous antioxidant systems, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx), through the nuclear complex erythroid 2-related factor (Nrf2)/Keep1. Regarding the role in the control of inflammation, this function is exercised by inhibiting (nuclear factor kappa B) NF-κB, and also the genes that encode the expression of molecules with a pro-inflammatory role (cytokines and metalloproteinases). The other effects of CBD on cognitive function and physical performance should not be excluded. In conclusion, the CBD market needs to be regulated more thoroughly, given the previously listed properties, with the mention that the safety profile is a very good one.
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Affiliation(s)
- George Jîtcă
- Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology of Târgu Mureș, 540139 Târgu Mureș, Romania
| | - Bianca E. Ősz
- Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology of Târgu Mureș, 540139 Târgu Mureș, Romania
- Correspondence:
| | - Camil E. Vari
- Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology of Târgu Mureș, 540139 Târgu Mureș, Romania
| | - Carmen-Maria Rusz
- Doctoral School of Medicine and Pharmacy, I.O.S.U.D, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology of Târgu Mureș, 540139 Târgu Mureș, Romania
| | - Amelia Tero-Vescan
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology of Târgu Mureș, 540139 Târgu Mureș, Romania
| | - Amalia Pușcaș
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology of Târgu Mureș, 540139 Târgu Mureș, Romania
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24
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Gzieło K, Piotrowska D, Litwa E, Popik P, Nikiforuk A. Maternal immune activation affects socio-communicative behavior in adult rats. Sci Rep 2023; 13:1918. [PMID: 36732579 PMCID: PMC9894913 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-28919-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2022] [Accepted: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
A wide body of evidence suggests a relationship between maternal immune activation (MIA) and neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Since social and communicative deficits are included in the first diagnostic criterion of ASD, we aimed to characterize socio-communicative behaviors in the MIA model based on prenatal exposure to poly(I:C). Our previous studies demonstrated impaired socio-communicative functioning in poly(I:C)-exposed adolescent rats. Therefore, the current study sought to clarify whether these changes would persist beyond adolescence. For this purpose, we analyzed behavior during the social interaction test and recorded ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs) accompanying interactions between adult poly(I:C) rats. The results demonstrated that the altered pattern of social behavior in poly(I:C) males was accompanied by the changes in acoustic parameters of emitted USVs. Poly(I:C) males also demonstrated an impaired olfactory preference for social stimuli. While poly(I:C) females did not differ from controls in socio-positive behaviors, they displayed aggression during the social encounter and were more reactive to somatosensory stimulation. Furthermore, the locomotor pattern of poly(I:C) animals were characterized by repetitive behaviors. Finally, poly(I:C) reduced parvalbumin and GAD67 expression in the cerebellum. The results showed that prenatal poly(I:C) exposure altered the pattern of socio-communicative behaviors of adult rats in a sex-specific manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kinga Gzieło
- Department of Behavioral Neuroscience and Drug Development, Maj Institute of Pharmacology Polish Academy of Sciences, 12 Smętna Street, 31-343, Kraków, Poland
| | - Diana Piotrowska
- Department of Behavioral Neuroscience and Drug Development, Maj Institute of Pharmacology Polish Academy of Sciences, 12 Smętna Street, 31-343, Kraków, Poland
| | - Ewa Litwa
- Department of Behavioral Neuroscience and Drug Development, Maj Institute of Pharmacology Polish Academy of Sciences, 12 Smętna Street, 31-343, Kraków, Poland
| | - Piotr Popik
- Department of Behavioral Neuroscience and Drug Development, Maj Institute of Pharmacology Polish Academy of Sciences, 12 Smętna Street, 31-343, Kraków, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Nikiforuk
- Department of Behavioral Neuroscience and Drug Development, Maj Institute of Pharmacology Polish Academy of Sciences, 12 Smętna Street, 31-343, Kraków, Poland.
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25
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Petty A, Howes O, Eyles D. Animal Models of Relevance to the Schizophrenia Prodrome. BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY GLOBAL OPEN SCIENCE 2023; 3:22-32. [PMID: 36712558 PMCID: PMC9874082 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpsgos.2021.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2021] [Revised: 11/29/2021] [Accepted: 12/01/2021] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Patients with schizophrenia often undergo a prodromal phase prior to diagnosis. Given the absence of significant therapeutic improvements, attention has recently shifted to the possibility of intervention during this early stage to delay or diminish symptom severity or even prevent onset. Unfortunately, the 20 or so trials of intervention to date have not been successful in either preventing onset or improving long-term outcomes in subjects who are at risk of developing schizophrenia. One reason may be that the biological pathways an effective intervention must target are not static. The prodromal phase typically occurs during late adolescence, a period during which a number of brain circuits and structures are still maturing. We propose that developing a deeper understanding of which circuits/processes and brain structures are still maturing at this time and which processes drive the transition to schizophrenia will take us a step closer to developing better prophylactic interventions. Fortunately, such knowledge is now emerging from clinical studies, complemented by work in animal models. Our task here is to describe what would constitute an appropriate animal model to study and to potentially intervene in such processes. Such a model would allow invasive analysis of the cellular and molecular substrates of the progressive neurobiology that defines the schizophrenia prodrome and hopefully offer valuable insights into potential prophylactic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice Petty
- Neuroscience Research Australia, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,Queensland Brain Institute, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | | | - Darryl Eyles
- Queensland Brain Institute, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.,Queensland Centre for Mental Health Research, Wacol, Queensland, Australia
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26
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Kayir H, Ruffolo J, McCunn P, Khokhar JY. The Relationship Between Cannabis, Cognition, and Schizophrenia: It's Complicated. Curr Top Behav Neurosci 2023; 63:437-461. [PMID: 36318403 DOI: 10.1007/7854_2022_396] [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: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The consequences of cannabis use, especially in the context of schizophrenia, have gained increased importance with the legalization of cannabis in North America and across the globe. Cannabis use has multifaceted impacts on cognition in schizophrenia patients and healthy subjects. Healthy subjects, particularly those who initiated cannabis use at earlier ages and used high-potency cannabis for longer durations, exhibited poorer cognition mainly in working memory and attention. Cannabis use in schizophrenia has been associated with symptom exacerbation, longer and more frequent psychotic episodes, and poorer treatment outcomes. However, cannabis-using patients have better overall cognitive performance compared to patients who were not cannabis users. Interestingly, these effects were only apparent in lifetime cannabis users, but not in current (or within last 6 months) users. Moreover, higher frequency and earlier age of cannabis use initiation (i.e., before 17 years of age) were associated with better cognitive performance, although they had an earlier illness onset. Three possible hypotheses seem to come forward to explain this paradox. First, some components of cannabis may have antipsychotic or cognitive-enhancing properties. Secondly, chronic cannabis use may alter endocannabinoid signaling in the brain which could be a protective factor for developing psychosis or cognitive impairments. A third explanation could be their representation of a phenotypically distinct patient group with more intact cognitive functioning and less neurodevelopmental pathology. Multiple factors need to be considered to understand the complex relationship between cannabis, cognitive function, and schizophrenia. In short, age at initiation, duration and rate of cannabis use, abstinence duration, co-use of substances and alcohol, prescribed medications, relative cannabinoid composition and potency of cannabis, presence of genetic and environmental vulnerability factors are prominent contributors to the variability in outcomes. Animal studies support the disruptive effects of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) administration during adolescence on attention and memory performance. They provide insights about interaction of cannabinoid receptors with other neurotransmitter systems, such as GABA and glutamate, and other regulatory molecules, such as PSD95 and synaptophysin. Cannabidiol (CBD), on the other hand, can improve cognitive deficits seen in neurodevelopmental and chemically-induced animal models of schizophrenia. Future studies focusing on bridging the translational gaps between human and animal studies, through the use of translationally relevant methods of exposure (e.g., vaping), consistent behavioral assessments, and congruent circuit interrogations (e.g., imaging) will help to further clarify this complex picture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hakan Kayir
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - Jessica Ruffolo
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Patrick McCunn
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
| | - Jibran Y Khokhar
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada.
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada.
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27
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Visini G, Brown S, Weston-Green K, Shannon Weickert C, Chesworth R, Karl T. The effects of preventative cannabidiol in a male neuregulin 1 mouse model of schizophrenia. Front Cell Neurosci 2022; 16:1010478. [PMID: 36406747 PMCID: PMC9669370 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2022.1010478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2022] [Accepted: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Cannabidiol (CBD) is a non-intoxicating cannabinoid with antipsychotic-like properties, however it’s potential to prevent schizophrenia development has not been thoroughly investigated. Brain maturation during adolescence creates a window where CBD could potentially limit the development of schizophrenia. The neuregulin 1 transmembrane domain heterozygous (Nrg1 TM HET) mutant mouse shows face, predictive, and construct validity for schizophrenia. Here we sought to determine if CBD given in adolescence could prevent the development of the schizophrenia-relevant phenotype, as well as susceptibility to the psychoactive cannabinoid Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in Nrg1 TM HET mice. Adolescent male Nrg1 mutants and wild type-like (WT) animals were administered 30 mg/kg CBD i.p. daily for seven weeks, and were tested for locomotion, social behavior, sensorimotor gating and cognition, and sensitivity to acute THC-induced behaviors. GAD67, GluA1, and NMDAR1 protein levels were measured in the hippocampus, striatum, and prefrontal cortex. Chronic adolescent CBD increased locomotion in animals regardless of genotype, was anxiolytic, and increased social behavior when animals were tested for their acute THC response. CBD did not alleviate the schizophrenia-relevant hyperlocomotive phenotype of Nrg1 mutants, nor deficits in social behaviors. Nrg1 mutant mice treated with CBD and THC showed no habituation to a startle pulse, suggesting CBD increased vulnerability to the startle habituation-reducing effects of THC in mutant mice. CBD increased levels of GluA1, but reduced levels of GAD67 in the hippocampus of Nrg1 mutants. These results suggest adolescent CBD is not effective as a preventative of schizophrenia-relevant behavioral deficits in mutants and may actually contribute to pathological changes in the brain that increase sensitivity to THC in particular behavioral domains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela Visini
- School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown, NSW, Australia
| | - Samara Brown
- School of Medical, Indigenous and Health Sciences, Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
| | - Katrina Weston-Green
- School of Medical, Indigenous and Health Sciences, Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
| | | | - Rose Chesworth
- School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown, NSW, Australia
- *Correspondence: Rose Chesworth,
| | - Tim Karl
- School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown, NSW, Australia
- Neuroscience Research Australia, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Tim Karl,
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28
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The α 2C-adrenoceptor antagonist JP-1302 controls behavioral parameters, tyrosine hydroxylase activity and receptor expression in a rat model of ketamine-induced schizophrenia-like deficits. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2022; 221:173490. [PMID: 36379444 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2022.173490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2022] [Revised: 11/08/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Schizophrenia is a chronic disabling disease affecting 1 % of the population. Current antipsychotics have limited efficacy in mitigating the severity of the symptoms of the disease. Therefore, searching for new therapeutic targets is essential. Previous studies have shown that α2C-adrenoceptor antagonists may have antipsychotic and pro-cognitive effects. Therefore, the current study evaluates the behavioral and neurochemical effects of JP-1302, a selective α2C-adrenoceptor antagonist, in a model of schizophrenia-like deficits induced by sub-chronic ketamine (KET) administration. Here, we administered ketamine (25 mg/kg, i.p.) to male and female Wistar rats for eight consecutive days. On the last two days of ketamine administration, rats were pretreated with either JP-1302 (1-3-10 μmol/kg, i.p.), chlorpromazine (0.1 mg/kg, i.p.), or saline, and the behavioral tests were performed. Behaviors related to positive (locomotor activity), negative (social interaction), and cognitive (novel object recognition) symptoms of schizophrenia were assessed. Glutamate, glutamine, GABA levels, and α2C-adrenoceptor expression were measured in the frontal cortex and the hippocampus. Tyrosine hydroxylase immunocytochemical reactivity was also shown in the midbrain regions. Sub-chronic ketamine administration increased locomotor activity and produced robust social interaction and object recognition deficits, and JP-1302 significantly ameliorated ketamine-induced cognitive deficits. Ketamine induced a hyperdopaminergic activity in the striatum, which was reversed by the treatment with JP-1302. Also, the α2C-adrenoceptor expression was higher in the frontal cortex and hippocampus in the ketamine-treated rats. Our findings confirm that α2C-adrenoceptor antagonism may be a potential drug target for treating cognitive disorders related to schizophrenia.
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29
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Chesworth R, Cheng D, Staub C, Karl T. Effect of long-term cannabidiol on learning and anxiety in a female Alzheimer’s disease mouse model. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:931384. [PMID: 36238565 PMCID: PMC9551202 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.931384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Cannabidiol is a promising potential therapeutic for neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Our laboratory has shown that oral CBD treatment prevents cognitive impairment in a male genetic mouse model of AD, the amyloid precursor protein 1 x presenilin 1 hemizygous (APPxPS1) mouse. However, as sex differences are evident in clinical populations and in AD mouse models, we tested the preventive potential of CBD therapy in female APPxPS1 mice. In this study, 2.5-month-old female wildtype-like (WT) and APPxPS1 mice were fed 20 mg/kg CBD or a vehicle via gel pellets daily for 8 months and tested at 10.5 months in behavioural paradigms relevant to cognition (fear conditioning, FC; cheeseboard, CB; and novel object recognition test, NORT) and anxiety-like behaviours (elevated plus maze, EPM). In the CB, CBD reduced latencies to find a food reward in APPxPS1 mice, compared to vehicle-treated APPxPS1 controls, and this treatment effect was not evident in WT mice. In addition, CBD also increased speed early in the acquisition of the CB task in APPxPS1 mice. In the EPM, CBD increased locomotion in APPxPS1 mice but not in WT mice, with no effects of CBD on anxiety-like behaviour. CBD had limited effects on the expression of fear memory. These results indicate preventive CBD treatment can have a moderate spatial learning-enhancing effect in a female amyloid-β-based AD mouse model. This suggests CBD may have some preventive therapeutic potential in female familial AD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rose Chesworth
- School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown, NSW, Australia
| | - David Cheng
- Neuroscience Research Australia, Randwick, NSW, Australia
| | - Chloe Staub
- School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown, NSW, Australia
| | - Tim Karl
- School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown, NSW, Australia
- Neuroscience Research Australia, Randwick, NSW, Australia
- *Correspondence: Tim Karl,
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30
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Bartschi JG, Greenwood LM, Montgomery A, Dortants L, Weston-Green K, Huang XF, Pai N, Potter J, Schira MM, Croft R, Solowij N. Cannabidiol as a Treatment for Neurobiological, Behavioral, and Psychological Symptoms in Early-Stage Dementia: A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial Protocol. Cannabis Cannabinoid Res 2022; 8:348-359. [PMID: 36040362 DOI: 10.1089/can.2021.0209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Rationale: The slowing of disease progression in dementia in the early stages of diagnosis is paramount to improving the quality of life for those diagnosed and their support networks. Accumulating evidence suggests that CBD, a constituent of Cannabis sativa, is associated with neuroprotective, neuroendocrine, and psychotherapeutic effects, suggesting that it may be beneficial to dementia treatment. However, no published human study to date has examined this possibility. This trial aims to determine whether daily treatment with CBD over a 12-week period is associated with improved neurobiological, behavioral, and psychological outcomes in individuals living with early-stage dementia. Methods: Sixty participants with early-stage dementia will be recruited for a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Participants will be randomized into either 99.9% pure CBD or placebo treatment conditions and administered two capsules per day for 12 weeks. Participants will commence a 200 mg/day dose for 2 weeks before escalating to 300 mg/day for the remaining 10 weeks. Neuroimaging and blood-based neuroendocrine profiles will be assessed at baseline and post-treatment. Psychological and behavioral symptoms will be assessed at baseline, 6 weeks, and post-treatment. Monitoring of health and side-effects will be conducted through weekly home visits. Discussion: This study is among the first to investigate the effects of isolated CBD in improving neuroanatomical and neuroendocrine changes, alongside psychological symptoms, during the early stages of dementia diagnosis. The outcomes of this trial have the capacity to inform a potential novel and accessible treatment approach for individuals living with early-stage dementia, and in turn, improve quality of life, prognoses, and treatment outcomes. Trial Registration: This trial has been registered with the Therapeutic Goods Administration (CT-2020-CTN-03849-1v2) and the Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ACTRN12621001364864).
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica G Bartschi
- School of Psychology, Faculty of the Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia.,Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia.,Australian Center for Cannabinoid Clinical and Research Excellence (ACRE), New Lambton Heights, Australia
| | - Lisa-Marie Greenwood
- Australian Center for Cannabinoid Clinical and Research Excellence (ACRE), New Lambton Heights, Australia.,Research School of Psychology, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
| | - Amy Montgomery
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia.,School of Nursing, Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia
| | - Lon Dortants
- School of Psychology, Faculty of the Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia.,Australian Center for Cannabinoid Clinical and Research Excellence (ACRE), New Lambton Heights, Australia
| | - Katrina Weston-Green
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia.,Australian Center for Cannabinoid Clinical and Research Excellence (ACRE), New Lambton Heights, Australia.,School of Medicine and Molecular Horizons, Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia
| | - Xu-Feng Huang
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia.,Australian Center for Cannabinoid Clinical and Research Excellence (ACRE), New Lambton Heights, Australia.,School of Medicine and Molecular Horizons, Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia
| | - Nagesh Pai
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia.,School of Medicine and Molecular Horizons, Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia.,Southern Hospitals Network, Illawarra-Shoalhaven Local Health District, Warrawong, Australia
| | - Jan Potter
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia.,School of Medicine and Molecular Horizons, Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia.,Southern Hospitals Network, Illawarra-Shoalhaven Local Health District, Warrawong, Australia
| | - Mark M Schira
- School of Psychology, Faculty of the Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia
| | - Rodney Croft
- School of Psychology, Faculty of the Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia.,Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia
| | - Nadia Solowij
- School of Psychology, Faculty of the Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia.,Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia.,Australian Center for Cannabinoid Clinical and Research Excellence (ACRE), New Lambton Heights, Australia
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31
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Lian J, Han M, Su Y, Hodgson J, Deng C. The long-lasting effects of early antipsychotic exposure during juvenile period on adult behaviours - A study in a poly I:C rat model. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2022; 219:173453. [PMID: 36029928 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2022.173453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2022] [Revised: 08/18/2022] [Accepted: 08/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Second generation antipsychotic drugs including aripiprazole, olanzapine and risperidone are prescribed increasingly (mostly off-label) to treat various mental disorders in children and adolescents. Early treatment with antipsychotics during this period may have long-lasting behavioural impacts, but to date there have been only limited investigations. Maternal infection could be implicated in the aetiology of various mental disorders including schizophrenia. Exposure of pregnant rodents to polyriboinosinic-polyribocytidylic acid (Poly I:C) causes schizophrenia-like behavioural abnormalities and neurodevelopmental conditions such as autism spectrum disorders in offspring. This study, using a Poly I:C rat model, investigated the long-lasting effects of early aripiprazole, olanzapine and risperidone treatment in the childhood/adolescent period (postnatal day 22-50) on adult behaviours of male rats. The study showed that early treatment with three antipsychotics had different effects on long-term behavioural changes in adults. Prenatal Poly I:C exposure (5 mg/kg) at gestation day 15 caused deficits in pre-pulse inhibition and social interaction, as well as cognitive impairments, that could be partially improved by early antipsychotic treatment in the juvenile period. Early antipsychotic treatment during the childhood-adolescent period resulted in similar long-lasting effects on pre-pulse inhibition, anxiety- and depressive-related behaviours in both Poly I:C and healthy (control) male rats. Overall, these results suggest that both prenatal Poly I:C exposure and early antipsychotic treatment in the childhood/adolescent period had long-lasting effects on adult behaviours of male rats, while early antipsychotic treatment could partly prevent the onset of behavioural abnormalities resulting from prenatal insult.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiamei Lian
- Antipsychotic Research Laboratory, Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong 2522, NSW, Australia; School of Medical, Indigenous and Health Sciences, Molecular Horizons, University of Wollongong, Wollongong 2522, NSW, Australia.
| | - Mei Han
- Antipsychotic Research Laboratory, Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong 2522, NSW, Australia; School of Medical, Indigenous and Health Sciences, Molecular Horizons, University of Wollongong, Wollongong 2522, NSW, Australia
| | - Yueqing Su
- Antipsychotic Research Laboratory, Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong 2522, NSW, Australia; School of Medical, Indigenous and Health Sciences, Molecular Horizons, University of Wollongong, Wollongong 2522, NSW, Australia; Fujian Maternity and Child Health Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - James Hodgson
- Antipsychotic Research Laboratory, Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong 2522, NSW, Australia; School of Medical, Indigenous and Health Sciences, Molecular Horizons, University of Wollongong, Wollongong 2522, NSW, Australia
| | - Chao Deng
- Antipsychotic Research Laboratory, Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong 2522, NSW, Australia; School of Medical, Indigenous and Health Sciences, Molecular Horizons, University of Wollongong, Wollongong 2522, NSW, Australia
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32
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Hazani R, Lavidor M, Weller A. Treatments for Social Interaction Impairment in Animal Models of Schizophrenia: A Critical Review and Meta-analysis. Schizophr Bull 2022; 48:1179-1193. [PMID: 35925025 PMCID: PMC9673263 DOI: 10.1093/schbul/sbac093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND While pharmacological treatments for positive symptoms of schizophrenia are widely used, their beneficial effect on negative symptoms, particularly social impairment, is insufficiently studied. Therefore, there is an increasing interest in preclinical research of potentially beneficial treatments, with mixed results. The current review aims to evaluate the efficacy of available treatments for social deficits in different animal models of schizophrenia. STUDY DESIGN A systematic literature search generated 145 outcomes for the measures "total time" and "number" of social interactions. Standardized mean differences (SMD) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated, and heterogeneity was tested using Q statistics in a random-effect meta-analytic model. Given the vast heterogeneity in effect sizes, the animal model, treatment group, and sample size were all examined as potential moderators. STUDY RESULTS The results showed that in almost all models, treatment significantly improved social deficit (total time: SMD = 1.24; number: SMD = 1.1). The moderator analyses discovered significant subgroup differences across models and treatment subgroups. Perinatal and adult pharmacological models showed the most substantial influence of treatments on social deficits, reflecting relative pharmacological validity. Furthermore, atypical antipsychotic drugs had the highest SMD within each model subgroup. CONCLUSIONS Our findings indicate that the improvement in social interaction behaviors is dependent on the animal model and treatment family used. Implications for the preclinical and clinical fields are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reut Hazani
- To whom correspondence should be addressed; Department of Psychology, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan 5290002, Israel; tel: 972-3-531-8548, fax: 972-3-738-4173, e-mail:
| | - Michal Lavidor
- Psychology Department and Gonda Brain Research Center, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Aron Weller
- Psychology Department and Gonda Brain Research Center, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
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Huang Y, Zhu Z, Luo C, Ma C, Zhu L, Kong L, Li R, Wu J, Yuan Z, Yi J. Betulinic acid attenuates cognitive dysfunction, oxidative stress, and inflammation in a model of T-2 toxin-induced brain damage. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2022; 29:52098-52110. [PMID: 35254615 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-19498-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2021] [Accepted: 02/24/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
T-2 toxin is a mycotoxin that has harmful effects on the immune system and cognitive function. Betulinic acid (BA) is a plant-derived pentacyclic lupane-type triterpenoid which possesses a wide spectrum of bioactivities. The study was aimed to explore whether BA has a protective effect on cognitive impairment and oxidative stress caused by T-2 toxin. BA was suspended in 1% soluble starch by continuous intragastric administration for 14 days, then the brain damage in mice was induced by a single intraperitoneal injection of T-2 toxin (4 mg/kg). It was found that BA alleviated the reduction of discrimination index in T-2 toxin-treated mice, and enhanced dopamine (DA), 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), and acetylcholine (ACH) levels of brain neurotransmitter. Meanwhile, BA pretreatment ameliorated oxidative stress through increase of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and glutathione (GSH) levels, and inhibition of the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in the brain of mice exposed to T-2 toxin. Moreover, BA reduced brain hemorrhage and ecchymosis, improved the mitochondrial morphology, enriched the number of organelles, and inhibited cell apoptosis in brain challenged with T-2 toxin. Furthermore, BA inhibited mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) as well as enhanced mRNA expression of anti-inflammatory cytokine such as IL-10 in the brain of T-2 toxin-triggered mice. Therefore, BA could improve the cognitive function, enhance the antioxidant capacity, and inhibit the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines in brain, thereby playing a preventive and protective role against brain damage caused by T-2 toxin.
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Affiliation(s)
- You Huang
- Hunan Engineering Research Center of Livestock and Poultry Health Care, College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, 410128, China
| | - Zihan Zhu
- Hunan Engineering Research Center of Livestock and Poultry Health Care, College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, 410128, China
| | - Chenxi Luo
- Hunan Engineering Research Center of Livestock and Poultry Health Care, College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, 410128, China
| | - Chaoyang Ma
- Hunan Engineering Research Center of Livestock and Poultry Health Care, College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, 410128, China
| | - Lijuan Zhu
- Hunan Engineering Research Center of Livestock and Poultry Health Care, College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, 410128, China
| | - Li Kong
- Hunan Engineering Research Center of Livestock and Poultry Health Care, College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, 410128, China
| | - Rongfang Li
- Hunan Engineering Research Center of Livestock and Poultry Health Care, College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, 410128, China
| | - Jing Wu
- Hunan Engineering Research Center of Livestock and Poultry Health Care, College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, 410128, China
| | - Zhihang Yuan
- Hunan Engineering Research Center of Livestock and Poultry Health Care, College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, 410128, China
| | - Jine Yi
- Hunan Engineering Research Center of Livestock and Poultry Health Care, College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, 410128, China.
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The effects of acute Cannabis smoke or Δ9-THC injections on the trial-unique, nonmatching-to- location and five-choice serial reaction time tasks in male Long-Evans rats. Neurobiol Learn Mem 2022; 192:107624. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nlm.2022.107624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2021] [Revised: 04/08/2022] [Accepted: 04/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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Wang Z, Zheng P, Chen X, Xie Y, Weston-Green K, Solowij N, Chew YL, Huang XF. Cannabidiol induces autophagy and improves neuronal health associated with SIRT1 mediated longevity. GeroScience 2022; 44:1505-1524. [PMID: 35445360 PMCID: PMC9213613 DOI: 10.1007/s11357-022-00559-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2022] [Accepted: 03/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Autophagy is a catabolic process to eliminate defective cellular molecules via lysosome-mediated degradation. Dysfunctional autophagy is associated with accelerated aging, whereas stimulation of autophagy could have potent anti-aging effects. We report that cannabidiol (CBD), a natural compound from Cannabis sativa, extends lifespan and rescues age-associated physiological declines in C. elegans. CBD promoted autophagic flux in nerve-ring neurons visualized by a tandem-tagged LGG-1 reporter during aging in C. elegans. Similarly, CBD activated autophagic flux in hippocampal and SH-SY5Y neurons. Furthermore, CBD-mediated lifespan extension was dependent on autophagy genes (bec-1, vps-34, and sqst-1) confirmed by RNAi knockdown experiments. C. elegans neurons have previously been shown to accumulate aberrant morphologies, such as beading and blebbing, with increasing age. Interestingly, CBD treatment slowed the development of these features in anterior and posterior touch receptor neurons (TRN) during aging. RNAi knockdown experiments indicated that CBD-mediated age-associated morphological changes in TRNs require bec-1 and sqst-1, not vps-34. Further investigation demonstrated that CBD-induced lifespan extension and increased neuronal health require sir-2.1/SIRT1. These findings collectively indicate the anti-aging benefits of CBD treatment, in both in vitro and in vivo models, and its potential to improve neuronal health and longevity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhizhen Wang
- Australian Centre for Cannabinoid Clinical and Research Excellence (ACRE), New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia.,Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute (IHMRI) and School of Medicine, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, 2522, Australia
| | - Peng Zheng
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute (IHMRI) and School of Medicine, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, 2522, Australia
| | - Xi Chen
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute (IHMRI) and School of Medicine, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, 2522, Australia
| | - Yuanyi Xie
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute (IHMRI) and School of Medicine, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, 2522, Australia
| | - Katrina Weston-Green
- Australian Centre for Cannabinoid Clinical and Research Excellence (ACRE), New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia.,Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute (IHMRI) and School of Medicine, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, 2522, Australia.,Molecular Horizons, Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, 2522, Australia
| | - Nadia Solowij
- Australian Centre for Cannabinoid Clinical and Research Excellence (ACRE), New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia.,Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute (IHMRI) and School of Medicine, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, 2522, Australia.,School of Psychology, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, 2522, Australia
| | - Yee Lian Chew
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute (IHMRI) and School of Medicine, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, 2522, Australia. .,Molecular Horizons, Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, 2522, Australia. .,Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute and College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Bedford Park, South Australia, 5042, Australia.
| | - Xu-Feng Huang
- Australian Centre for Cannabinoid Clinical and Research Excellence (ACRE), New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia. .,Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute (IHMRI) and School of Medicine, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, 2522, Australia. .,Molecular Horizons, Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, 2522, Australia.
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36
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Fitzpatrick JM, Hackett B, Costelloe L, Hind W, Downer EJ. Botanically-Derived Δ 9-Tetrahydrocannabinol and Cannabidiol, and Their 1:1 Combination, Modulate Toll-like Receptor 3 and 4 Signalling in Immune Cells from People with Multiple Sclerosis. MOLECULES (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 27:molecules27061763. [PMID: 35335126 PMCID: PMC8951523 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27061763] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2022] [Revised: 03/01/2022] [Accepted: 03/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The innate immune response to bacterial and viral molecules involves the coordinated production of cytokines, chemokines, and type I interferons (IFNs), which is orchestrated by toll-like receptors (TLRs). TLRs, and their intracellular signalling intermediates, are closely associated with multiple sclerosis (MS) pathogenesis. Recent data from our laboratory reported that the plant-derived cannabinoids, Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), regulate viral and bacterial inflammatory signalling pathways controlled by TLR3 and TLR4 in macrophages. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of THC and CBD, when delivered in isolation and in combination (1:1), on TLR3- and TLR4-dependent signalling in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from people with MS (pwMS; n = 21) and healthy controls (HCs; n = 26). We employed the use of poly(I:C) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to induce viral TLR3 and bacterial TLR4 signalling, and PBMCs were pre-exposed to plant-derived highly purified THC (10 μM), CBD (10 μM), or a combination of both phytocannabinoids (1:1 ratio, 10:10 μM), prior to LPS/poly(I:C) exposure. TLR3 stimulation promoted the protein expression of the chemokine CXCL10 and the type I IFN-β in PBMCs from both cohorts. THC and CBD (delivered in 1:1 combination at 10 μM) attenuated TLR3-induced CXCL10 and IFN-β protein expression in PBMCs from pwMS and HCs, and this effect was not seen consistently when THC and CBD were delivered alone. In terms of LPS, TLR4 activation promoted TNF-α expression in PBMCs from both cohorts, and, interestingly, CBD when delivered alone at 10 μM, and in combination with THC (in 1:1 combination at 10 μM), exacerbated TLR4-induced TNF-α protein expression in PBMCs from pwMS and HCs. THC and CBD displayed no evidence of toxicity in primary PBMCs. No significant alteration in the relative expression of TLR3 and TLR4 mRNA, or components of the endocannabinoid system, including the cannabinoid receptor CB1 (encoded by CNR1 gene) and CB2 (encoded by CNR2 gene), and endocannabinoid metabolising enzymes, fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) and monoacylglycerol lipase (MGLL), was determined in PBMCs from pwMS versus HCs. Given their role in inflammation, TLRs are clinical targets, and data herein identify CBD and THC as TLR3 and TLR4 modulating drugs in primary immune cells in vitro. This offers insight on the cellular target(s) of phytocannabinoids in targeting inflammation in the context of MS.
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Affiliation(s)
- John-Mark Fitzpatrick
- Discipline of Physiology, School of Medicine, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, University of Dublin, D02 R590 Dublin, Ireland; (J.-M.F.); (B.H.)
| | - Becky Hackett
- Discipline of Physiology, School of Medicine, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, University of Dublin, D02 R590 Dublin, Ireland; (J.-M.F.); (B.H.)
| | - Lisa Costelloe
- Department of Neurology, Beaumont Hospital, D09 V2N0 Dublin, Ireland;
| | - William Hind
- GW Research Ltd., Sovereign House, Vision Park, Histon CB24 9BZ, UK;
| | - Eric J. Downer
- Discipline of Physiology, School of Medicine, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, University of Dublin, D02 R590 Dublin, Ireland; (J.-M.F.); (B.H.)
- Correspondence:
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37
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Kreilaus F, Przybyla M, Ittner L, Karl T. Cannabidiol (CBD) treatment improves spatial memory in 14-month-old female TAU58/2 transgenic mice. Behav Brain Res 2022; 425:113812. [PMID: 35202719 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2022.113812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2021] [Revised: 02/13/2022] [Accepted: 02/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and Alzheimer's disease (AD) share the pathological hallmark of intracellular neurofibrillary tangles, which result from the hyperphosphorylation of microtubule associated protein tau. The P301S mutation in human tau carried by TAU58/2 transgenic mice results in brain pathology and behavioural deficits relevant to FTD and AD. The phytocannabinoid cannabidiol (CBD) exhibits properties beneficial for multiple pathological processes evident in dementia. Therefore, 14-month-old female TAU58/2 transgenic and wild type-like (WT) littermates were treated with 100mg/kg CBD or vehicle i.p. starting three weeks prior to conducting behavioural paradigms relevant to FTD and AD. TAU58/2 females exhibited impaired motor function, reduced bodyweight and less anxiety behaviour compared to WT. An impaired spatial reference memory of vehicle-treated transgenic mice were restored by chronic CBD treatment. Chronic CBD also reduced anxiety-like behaviors and decreased contextual fear-associated freezing in all mice. Chronic remedial CBD treatment ameliorated several disease-relevant phenotypes in 14-month-old TAU58/2 transgenic mice, suggesting potential for the treatment of tauopathy-related behavioural impairments including cognitive deficits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabian Kreilaus
- School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, NSW 2560, Australia
| | - Magdalena Przybyla
- Dementia Research Centre, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, NSW 2109, Australia
| | - Lars Ittner
- Dementia Research Centre, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, NSW 2109, Australia
| | - Tim Karl
- School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, NSW 2560, Australia; Neuroscience Research Australia (NeuRA), NSW 2031, Australia; School of Medical Sciences, University of New South Wales, NSW 2052, Australia.
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38
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Zhang Y, Li H, Jin S, Lu Y, Peng Y, Zhao L, Wang X. Cannabidiol protects against Alzheimer's disease in C. elegans via ROS scavenging activity of its phenolic hydroxyl groups. Eur J Pharmacol 2022; 919:174829. [PMID: 35181336 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2022.174829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2021] [Revised: 01/10/2022] [Accepted: 02/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Recent discoveries have implicated the potential of Cannabidiol (CBD) in the prevention of Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, how CBD affects such neurodegenerative disorders remains unclear. Herein, Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) was used as the model organism to elucidate the mechanism by which CBD ameliorates AD in vivo. CBD was found to alleviate the progression of Aβ-induced AD but not tau protein-induced AD or α-syn-induced Parkinson's disease. CBD inhibited the aggregation of Aβ in C. elegans. However, CBD failed to prevent the formation of β-sheet aggregation in vitro. Moreover, CBD was found to scavenge reactive oxygen species (ROS) in vivo without inducing the overexpression of antioxidative genes. In addition, CBD treatment enhanced the worm resistance to oxidative stress, which was independent of the classical transcription factors DAF-16 and SKN-1. These results supported that the in vivo antioxidative activity of CBD was most likely due to its intrinsic antioxidative property. Furthermore, the phenolic hydroxyl groups of CBD were found to be critical for scavenging ROS in vitro and in vivo, alleviating the aggregation of Aβ in vivo, and ameliorating Aβ-associated neurotoxicity. These studies show that CBD protects against AD in C. elegans via the ROS scavenging activity of its phenolic hydroxyl groups, which provides insight for further structure-activity relationship studies of CBD as an AD therapeutic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Zhang
- College of Life Science and Technology, Changchun University of Science and Technology, Changchun, Jilin, 130012, China
| | - Hongyuan Li
- Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun, Jilin, 130022, China
| | - Sha Jin
- State Key Laboratory of Polymer Physics and Chemistry, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun, Jilin, 130022, China
| | - Yuyuan Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Polymer Physics and Chemistry, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun, Jilin, 130022, China
| | - Yinghua Peng
- State Key Laboratory for Molecular Biology of Special Economic Animal, Institute of Special Animal and Plant Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changchun, Jilin, 130112, China
| | - Lihui Zhao
- College of Life Science and Technology, Changchun University of Science and Technology, Changchun, Jilin, 130012, China.
| | - Xiaohui Wang
- Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun, Jilin, 130022, China; Department of Applied Chemistry and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230026, China; Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China.
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39
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Molecular Findings Guiding the Modulation of the Endocannabinoid System as a Potential Target to Treat Schizophrenia. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2022; 1400:89-103. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-97182-3_7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/16/2022]
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40
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Sonego AB, Prado DDS, Guimarães FS. PPARγ receptors are involved in the effects of cannabidiol on orofacial dyskinesia and cognitive dysfunction induced by typical antipsychotic in mice. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2021; 111:110367. [PMID: 34048863 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2021.110367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2021] [Revised: 05/05/2021] [Accepted: 05/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Tardive dyskinesia (TD) is a movement disorder that appears after chronic use of drugs that block dopaminergic receptors such as antipsychotics. Besides the motor symptoms, patients with TD also present cognitive deficits. Neuroinflammatory mechanisms could be involved in the development of these symptoms. A previous study showed that cannabidiol (CBD), the major non-psychotomimetic compound of Cannabis sativa plant, prevents orofacial dyskinesia induced by typical antipsychotics by activating peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors gamma (PPARγ). Here, we investigated if CBD would also reverse haloperidol-induced orofacial dyskinesia and associated cognitive deficits. We also verified if these effects depend on PPARγ receptor activation. Daily treatment with haloperidol (3 mg/kg, 21 days) increased the frequency of vacuous chewing movements (VCM) and decreased the discrimination index in the novel object recognition test in male Swiss mice. CBD (60 mg/kg/daily) administered in the last 7 days of haloperidol treatment attenuated both behavioral effects. Furthermore, haloperidol increased IL-1β and TNF-α levels in the striatum and hippocampus while CBD reverted these effects. The striatal and hippocampal levels of proinflammatory cytokines correlated with VCM frequency and discrimination index, respectively. Pretreatment with the PPARγ antagonist GW9662 (2 mg/kg/daily) blocked the behavioral effects of CBD. In conclusion, these results indicated that CBD could attenuate haloperidol-induced orofacial dyskinesia and improve non-motor symptoms associated with TD by activating PPARγ receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreza Buzolin Sonego
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP 14049-900, Brazil.
| | - Douglas da Silva Prado
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP 14049-900, Brazil
| | - Francisco Silveira Guimarães
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP 14049-900, Brazil
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41
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Poulia N, Delis F, Brakatselos C, Ntoulas G, Asprogerakas MZ, Antoniou K. CBD Effects on Motor Profile and Neurobiological Indices Related to Glutamatergic Function Induced by Repeated Ketamine Pre-Administration. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:746935. [PMID: 34776964 PMCID: PMC8578683 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.746935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2021] [Accepted: 10/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Clinical evidence and experimental studies have shown the psychotomimetic properties induced by ketamine. Moreover, acute or chronic ketamine (KET) administration has been widely used for modeling schizophrenia-like symptomatology and pathophysiology. Several studies have reported the antipsychotic potential of cannabidiol (CBD), while there is limited information on the cannabidiol effect on KET-induced schizophrenia-like impairments. Therefore, the goal of the present study was to evaluate neuroplastic changes induced by repeated KET administration, which is used as an experimental model of schizophrenia—with a behavioral focus on positive-like symptomatology– and to assess the modulatory role of CBD treatment. The present findings have shown a robust increase in motor activity in KET-treated rats, following a 10-day period of chronic administration at the sub-anesthetic dose of 30 mg/kg (i.p), that was reversed to normal by subsequent chronic CBD treatment. Concerning the expression of glutamate receptors, the current findings have shown region-dependent KET-induced constitutional alterations in NMDA and AMPA receptors that were modified by subsequent CBD treatment. Additionally, repeated KET administration increased ERK1/2 phosphorylation state in all regions examined, apart from the ventral hippocampus that was modulated by subsequent CBD treatment. The present results show, for the first time, a stimulated motor output coupled with a specific glutamatergic-related status and ERK1/2 activation following chronic KET administration that were attenuated by CBD treatment, in a region-dependent manner. These findings provide novel information concerning the antipsychotic potential of CBD using a specific design of chronic KET administration, thus contributing to experimental approaches that mirror the symptomatology and pathophysiology of schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nafsika Poulia
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece
| | - Foteini Delis
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece
| | | | - George Ntoulas
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece
| | | | - Katerina Antoniou
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece
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Jones É, Vlachou S. Cannabidiol Does Not Cause Significant Changes to Working Memory Performance in the N-Back Task. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2021; 14:1165. [PMID: 34832947 PMCID: PMC8623009 DOI: 10.3390/ph14111165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2021] [Revised: 11/04/2021] [Accepted: 11/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Cannabis use can be traced back to several centuries before the Common Era, when it was used for industrial, medicinal and recreational purposes. More recently, over 100 different cannabinoid compounds have been identified, one of which is cannabidiol (CBD), a compound widely used for anti-inflammatory and anxiolytic treatment. The literature surrounding the cognitive effects of CBD is limited, with most studies focusing on the effects of other cannabinoids on cognition. To expand this literature, this study investigated whether CBD causes significant differences to working memory (WM) functioning, as measured by the N-back task. It was hypothesised that CBD does not cause statistically significant differences to WM. In all, 54 participants, 33 females and 21 males, were recruited, with a mean age of 32.63 years. Of these 54 participants, 26 reported using CBD and no other cannabinoids, while 28 reported not using any cannabinoid. The participants were instructed to answer a short online survey to gather basic demographic data and to complete an online N-back task to measure WM. For the computerised N-back task, the participants completed a practice and three test blocks, where they were instructed to respond to whether a series of letter stimuli were presented one trial back (1-back), two trials back (2-back) or three trials back (3-back). Multivariate analysis of covariance yielded no statistically significant difference on either response time or response accuracy data between groups after controlling for how long the participants use CBD and for what reason they use CBD. These results support our hypothesis that CBD does not cause significant changes to WM functioning. Further research is greatly needed to investigate the long-term effects of CBD use on WM and on general cognitive functioning.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Styliani Vlachou
- Neuropsychopharmacology Division, Behavioural Neuroscience Laboratory, School of Psychology, Faculty of Science and Health, Dublin City University, Glasnevin, Dublin 9, D09 Y074 Dublin, Ireland;
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Hotz J, Fehlmann B, Papassotiropoulos A, de Quervain DJ, Schicktanz NS. Cannabidiol enhances verbal episodic memory in healthy young participants: A randomized clinical trial. J Psychiatr Res 2021; 143:327-333. [PMID: 34536664 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2021.09.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2021] [Revised: 07/06/2021] [Accepted: 09/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Cannabis contains a multitude of different compounds. One of them, cannabidiol - a non-psychoactive substance - might counteract negative effects of Δ-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol on hippocampus-dependent memory impairment. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of vaping cannabidiol on verbal episodic memory in healthy young subjects. We used a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized crossover trial in 39 healthy young subjects. Participants received once a single dose of cannabidiol e-liquid (0.25 ml, 5% cannabidiol, 12.5 mg cannabidiol) and once placebo for vaping after learning 15 unrelated nouns. The primary outcome measure was the short delay verbal memory performance (number of correctly free recalled nouns) 20 min after learning. 34 participants (mean age: 22.26 [3.04]) completed all visits and entered analyses (17 received cannabidiol and 17 received placebo first). Cannabidiol enhanced verbal episodic memory performance (placebo: 7.03 [2.34]; cannabidiol 7.71 [2.48]; adjusted group difference 0.68, 95% CI 0.01 to 1.35; R2β = .028, p = .048). Importantly, we did not detect medication effects on secondary outcome measures attention or working memory performance, suggesting that CBD has no negative impact on these basic cognitive functions. The results are in line with the idea that vaping cannabidiol interacts with the central endocannabinoid system and is capable to modulate memory processes, a phenomenon with possible therapeutic potential. Further studies are needed to investigate optimal dose-response and time-response relationships.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janine Hotz
- Division of Cognitive Neuroscience, Faculty of Psychology, University of Basel, CH, Switzerland; Transfaculty Research Platform, University of Basel, CH, Switzerland.
| | - Bernhard Fehlmann
- Division of Cognitive Neuroscience, Faculty of Psychology, University of Basel, CH, Switzerland; Transfaculty Research Platform, University of Basel, CH, Switzerland
| | - Andreas Papassotiropoulos
- Division of Molecular Neuroscience, Faculty of Psychology and Life Sciences Training Facility, Department Biozentrum, University of Basel, CH, Switzerland; University Psychiatric Clinics, University of Basel, CH, Switzerland; Transfaculty Research Platform, University of Basel, CH, Switzerland
| | - Dominique Jf de Quervain
- Division of Cognitive Neuroscience, Faculty of Psychology, University of Basel, CH, Switzerland; University Psychiatric Clinics, University of Basel, CH, Switzerland; Transfaculty Research Platform, University of Basel, CH, Switzerland
| | - Nathalie S Schicktanz
- Division of Cognitive Neuroscience, Faculty of Psychology, University of Basel, CH, Switzerland; Transfaculty Research Platform, University of Basel, CH, Switzerland.
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Stark T, Di Martino S, Drago F, Wotjak CT, Micale V. Phytocannabinoids and schizophrenia: Focus on adolescence as a critical window of enhanced vulnerability and opportunity for treatment. Pharmacol Res 2021; 174:105938. [PMID: 34655773 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2021.105938] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2021] [Revised: 10/10/2021] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The recent shift in socio-political debates and growing liberalization of Cannabis use across the globe has raised concern regarding its impact on vulnerable populations such as adolescents. Concurrent with declining perception of Cannabis harms, more adolescents are using it daily in several countries and consuming marijuana strains with high content of psychotropic delta (9)-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). These dual, related trends seem to facilitate the development of compromised social and cognitive performance at adulthood, which are described in preclinical and human studies. Cannabis exerts its effects via altering signalling within the endocannabinoid system (ECS), which modulates the stress circuitry during the neurodevelopment. In this context early interventions appear to circumvent the emergence of adult neurodevelopmental deficits. Accordingly, Cannabis sativa second-most abundant compound, cannabidiol (CBD), emerges as a potential therapeutic agent to treat neuropsychiatric disorders. We first focus on human and preclinical studies on the long-term effects induced by adolescent THC exposure as a "critical window" of enhanced neurophysiological vulnerability, which could be involved in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia and related primary psychotic disorders. Then, we focus on adolescence as a "window of opportunity" for early pharmacological treatment, as novel risk reduction strategy for neurodevelopmental disorders. Thus, we review current preclinical and clinical evidence regarding the efficacy of CBD in terms of positive, negative and cognitive symptoms treatment, safety profile, and molecular targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tibor Stark
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic; Department of Stress Neurobiology & Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - Serena Di Martino
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Filippo Drago
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Carsten T Wotjak
- Department of Stress Neurobiology & Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany; Central Nervous System Diseases Research (CNSDR), Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co KG, 88397 Biberach an der Riss, Germany
| | - Vincenzo Micale
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.
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Furuie H, Yamada M. Neonatal blockade of NR2A-containing but not NR2B-containing NMDA receptor induces spatial working memory deficits in adult rats. Neurosci Res 2021; 176:57-65. [PMID: 34656645 DOI: 10.1016/j.neures.2021.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2021] [Revised: 10/08/2021] [Accepted: 10/12/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
The immature brain is highly sensitive to disturbances in the functioning of N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor in rodents, and blockade of the receptor during postnatal brain development period causes schizophrenia-like behavior in adulthood. During the postnatal period, NR2A- and NR2B-containing NMDA receptors are highly expressed, and these two subunits show different expression patterns in the brain. However, the functions of these two NMDA receptors are unknown. In this study, we treated rats with an NR2A-preferring NMDA receptor antagonist (PEAQX, 10 mg/kg), an NR2B-selective NMDA receptor antagonist (ifenprodil, 7.5 mg/kg), or a nonselective blocker of the NMDA receptor (MK-801, 0.4 mg/kg) during the neonatal period. Rats neonatally treated with MK-801 or PEAQX showed spatial working memory deficits in the Y-maze test. PEAQX-treated rats also showed greater reactivity to acoustic stimuli and hypersensitivity to acute MK-801 challenge. However, ifenprodil treatment did not cause any detectable behavioral changes. These results suggest that the NR2A-containing NMDA receptor is indispensable for proper brain development in rats, and functional disturbances in this subunit impair hippocampus-dependent spatial working memory in adulthood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroki Furuie
- Department of Neuropsychopharmacology, National Institute of Mental Health, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Kodaira, Tokyo 187-8553, Japan.
| | - Mitsuhiko Yamada
- Department of Neuropsychopharmacology, National Institute of Mental Health, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Kodaira, Tokyo 187-8553, Japan
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Kruk-Slomka M, Biala G. Cannabidiol Attenuates MK-801-Induced Cognitive Symptoms of Schizophrenia in the Passive Avoidance Test in Mice. Molecules 2021; 26:molecules26195977. [PMID: 34641522 PMCID: PMC8513030 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26195977] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2021] [Revised: 09/28/2021] [Accepted: 09/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Schizophrenia is a chronic mental disorder that disturbs feelings and behavior. The symptoms of schizophrenia fall into three categories: positive, negative, and cognitive. Cognitive symptoms are characterized by memory loss or attentional deficits, and are especially difficult to treat. Thus, there is intense research into the development of new treatments for schizophrenia-related responses. One of the possible strategies is connected with cannabidiol (CBD), a cannabinoid compound. This research focuses on the role of CBD in different stages of memory (acquisition, consolidation, retrieval) connected with fear conditioning in the passive avoidance (PA) learning task in mice, as well as in the memory impairment typical of cognitive symptoms of schizophrenia. Memory impairment was provoked by an acute injection of the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist MK-801 (animal model of schizophrenia). Our results revealed that an acute injection of CBD (30 mg/kg; intraperitoneally (i.p.) improved all phases of long-term fear memory in the PA test in mice. Moreover, the acute injection of non-effective doses of CBD (1 or 5 mg/kg; i.p.) attenuated the memory impairment provoked by MK-801 (0.6 mg/kg; i.p.) in the consolidation and retrieval stages of fear memory, but not in the acquisition of memory. The present findings confirm that CBD has a positive influence on memory and learning processes in mice, and reveals that this cannabinoid compound is able to attenuate memory impairment connected with hypofunction of glutamate transmission in a murine model of schizophrenia.
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García-Baos A, Puig-Reyne X, García-Algar Ó, Valverde O. Cannabidiol attenuates cognitive deficits and neuroinflammation induced by early alcohol exposure in a mice model. Biomed Pharmacother 2021; 141:111813. [PMID: 34126352 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2021.111813] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2021] [Revised: 05/17/2021] [Accepted: 06/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Foetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) is the umbrella term used to describe the physical and mental disabilities induced by alcohol exposure during development. Early alcohol exposure induces cognitive impairments resulting from damage to the central nervous system (CNS). The neuroinflammatory response accompanied by neurodegenerative mechanisms contribute to those detrimental alterations. Cannabidiol (CBD) has recently emerged as an anti-inflammatory drug that might be useful to treat several neuropsychiatric disorders. In our study, we assessed the effects of CBD on long-lasting cognitive deficits induced by early alcohol exposure. Furthermore, we analysed long-term pro-inflammatory and apoptotic markers within the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus. To model alcohol binge drinking during gestational and lactation periods, we used pregnant C57BL/6 female mice with time-limited access to 20% v/v alcohol solution. Following the prenatal and lactation alcohol exposure (PLAE), we treated the male and female offspring with CBD from post-natal day (PD) 25 until PD34, and we evaluated their cognitive performance at PD60. Our results showed that CBD treatment during peri-adolescence period ameliorates cognitive deficits observed in our FASD-like mouse model, without sex differences. Moreover, CBD restores the PLAE-induced increased levels of TNFα and IL-6 in the hippocampus. Thus, our study provides new insights for CBD as a therapeutic agent to counteract cognitive impairments and neuroinflammation caused by early alcohol exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alba García-Baos
- Neurobiology of Behaviour Research Group (GReNeC-NeuroBio), Department of Experimental and Health Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Xavier Puig-Reyne
- Neurobiology of Behaviour Research Group (GReNeC-NeuroBio), Department of Experimental and Health Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Óscar García-Algar
- Neonatology Unit, ICGON, IDIBAPS, Hospital Clínic-Maternitat, BCNatal, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Olga Valverde
- Neurobiology of Behaviour Research Group (GReNeC-NeuroBio), Department of Experimental and Health Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain; Neuroscience Research Programme, IMIM-Hospital del Mar Research Institute, Barcelona, Spain.
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48
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Lum JS, Bird KM, Wilkie J, Millard SJ, Pallimulla S, Newell KA, Wright IM. Prenatal methadone exposure impairs adolescent cognition and GABAergic neurodevelopment in a novel rat model of maternal methadone treatment. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2021; 110:110281. [PMID: 33571606 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2021.110281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2020] [Revised: 01/21/2021] [Accepted: 02/05/2021] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) is the most common treatment for opioid-dependent pregnant women worldwide. Despite its widespread use, MMT is associated with a variety of adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes in exposed offspring, particularly cognitive impairments. The neurobiological abnormalities underlying these cognitive impairments are, however, poorly understood. This is, in part, due to a lack of animal models that represents the standard of care that methadone is administered in the clinic, with inconsistencies in the timing, doses and durations of treatment. Here we describe the characterisation of a clinically relevant rat model of MMT in which the long-term behavioural and neurobiological effects of prenatal methadone exposure can be assessed in adolescent offspring. Female Sprague-Dawley rats were treated orally with an ascending methadone dosage schedule (5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 mg/kg/day), self-administered in drinking water prior to conception, throughout gestation and lactation. Pregnancy success, maternal gestational weight gain, litter survival and size were not significantly altered in methadone-exposed animals. Methadone-exposed offspring body and brain weights were significantly lower at birth. Novel object recognition tests performed at adolescence revealed methadone-exposed offspring had impaired recognition memory. Furthermore, the rewarded T-maze alternation task demonstrated that methadone-exposed female, but not male, offspring also exhibit working memory and learning deficits. Immunoblots of the adolescent prefrontal cortex and hippocampus showed methadone-exposed offspring displayed reduced levels of mature BDNF, in addition to the GABAergic proteins, GAD67 and parvalbumin, in a sex- and brain region-specific fashion. This rat model closely emulates the clinical scenario in which methadone is administered to opioid-dependent pregnant woman and provides evidence MMT can cause cognitive impairments in adolescent offspring that may be underlined by perturbed neurodevelopment of the GABAergic system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeremy S Lum
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia; School of Medicine, University of Wollongong University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia; Molecular Horizons, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia.
| | - Katrina M Bird
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia; School of Medicine, University of Wollongong University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia; Molecular Horizons, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
| | - Jennifer Wilkie
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia; School of Medicine, University of Wollongong University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
| | - Samuel J Millard
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia; School of Medicine, University of Wollongong University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
| | - Sachie Pallimulla
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia; School of Medicine, University of Wollongong University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
| | - Kelly A Newell
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia; School of Medicine, University of Wollongong University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia; Molecular Horizons, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
| | - Ian M Wright
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia; School of Medicine, University of Wollongong University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia; University of Queensland Centre for Clinical Research, University of Queensland, Herston, QLD 4029, Australia; College of Medicine and Dentistry, James Cook University, Cairns, QLD 4870, Australia
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Abd Elkader HTAE, Abdou HM, Khamiss OA, Essawy AE. Anti-anxiety and antidepressant-like effects of astragaloside IV and saponins extracted from Astragalus spinosus against the bisphenol A-induced motor and cognitive impairments in a postnatal rat model of schizophrenia. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2021; 28:35171-35187. [PMID: 33666843 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-021-12927-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2020] [Accepted: 02/08/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Bisphenol A (BPA) is a chemical endocrine disruptor to which humans are often exposed in daily life. Postnatal administration of BPA results in schizophrenia (SCZ)-like behaviours in rats. The present study was designed to elucidate whether treatment with astragaloside IV (ASIV) or saponins extracted from Astragalus spinosus improves the neurobehavioural and neurochemical disturbances induced by BPA. Fifty-two juvenile (PND20) male Sprague Dawley rats were divided into four groups. The rats in Group I were considered the control rats, while the rats in Group II were orally administered BPA (125 mg/kg) daily from PND20 to adult age (PND117). The rats in the third and fourth groups were administered BPA (125 mg/kg/day) supplemented with astragaloside IV (80 mg/kg/d) on PND20 or A. spinosus saponins (100 mg/kg/d) from PND50 to PND117, respectively. Administration of ASIV and saponins extracted from Astragalus spinosus reversed the anxiogenic and depressive-like behaviours and the social defects that were observed in the rats treated with BPA alone. Additionally, these compounds improved memory impairments, restored dopamine (DA), serotonin (5-HT), and monoamine oxidase (MAO-A) levels and normalized Tph2 mRNA expression towards the control values. Taken together, it can be concluded that orally administered ASIV and A. spinosus saponins exhibit neuroprotective effects and that these compounds can be used as therapeutic strategies against BPA-induced neuropsychiatric symptoms in a rat model of SCZ.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Heba Mohamed Abdou
- Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt.
| | - Omaima Ahmed Khamiss
- Department of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Sadat City University, Sadat City, Egypt
| | - Amina Essawy Essawy
- Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
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50
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Thériault RK, St-Denis M, Hewitt T, Khokhar JY, Lalonde J, Perreault ML. Sex-Specific Cannabidiol- and Iloperidone-Induced Neuronal Activity Changes in an In Vitro MAM Model System of Schizophrenia. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22115511. [PMID: 34073710 PMCID: PMC8197248 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22115511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2021] [Revised: 05/17/2021] [Accepted: 05/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Cortical circuit dysfunction is thought to be an underlying mechanism of schizophrenia (SZ) pathophysiology with normalization of aberrant circuit activity proposed as a biomarker for antipsychotic efficacy. Cannabidiol (CBD) shows potential as an adjunctive antipsychotic therapy; however, potential sex effects in these drug interactions remain unknown. In the present study, we sought to elucidate sex effects of CBD coadministration with the atypical antipsychotic iloperidone (ILO) on the activity of primary cortical neuron cultures derived from the rat methylazoxymethanol acetate (MAM) model used for the study of SZ. Spontaneous network activity measurements were obtained using a multielectrode array at baseline and following administration of CBD or ILO alone, or combined. At baseline, MAM male neurons displayed increased bursting activity whereas MAM female neurons exhibited no difference in bursting activity compared to sex-matched controls. CBD administered alone showed a rapid but transient increase in neuronal activity in the MAM networks, an effect more pronounced in females. Furthermore, ILO had an additive effect on CBD-induced elevations in activity in the MAM male neurons. In the MAM female neurons, CBD or ILO administration resulted in time-dependent elevations in neuronal activity, but the short-term CBD-induced increases in activity were lost when CBD and ILO were combined. Our findings indicate that CBD induces rapid increases in cortical neuronal activity, with sex-specific drug interactions upon ILO coadministration. This suggests that sex should be a consideration when implementing adjunct therapy for treatment of SZ.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel-Karson Thériault
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada; (R.-K.T.); (M.S.-D.); (T.H.); (J.L.)
- Collaborative Program in Neuroscience, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada;
| | - Myles St-Denis
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada; (R.-K.T.); (M.S.-D.); (T.H.); (J.L.)
| | - Tristen Hewitt
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada; (R.-K.T.); (M.S.-D.); (T.H.); (J.L.)
- Collaborative Program in Neuroscience, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada;
| | - Jibran Y. Khokhar
- Collaborative Program in Neuroscience, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada;
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Jasmin Lalonde
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada; (R.-K.T.); (M.S.-D.); (T.H.); (J.L.)
- Collaborative Program in Neuroscience, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada;
| | - Melissa L. Perreault
- Collaborative Program in Neuroscience, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada;
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-(519)-824-4120 (ext. 52013)
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