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Cai W, Forsell Y, Lavebratt C, Melas PA. Examining the association between the FTO gene and neuroticism reveals indirect effects on subjective well-being and problematic alcohol use. Sci Rep 2024; 14:17566. [PMID: 39080362 PMCID: PMC11289395 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-68578-2] [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: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2024] [Indexed: 08/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Associations between the fat mass and obesity-associated (FTO) gene and obesity are well-established. However, recent studies have linked FTO to addiction phenotypes and dopaminergic signaling, thus suggesting broader psychiatric implications. We explored this assumption by conducting a phenome-wide association study across 4756 genome-wide association studies, identifying 23-26 psychiatric traits associated with FTO at the multiple-corrected significance level. These traits clustered into four categories: substance use, chronotype/sleep, well-being, and neuroticism. To validate these findings, we analyzed a functionally suggestive FTO variant (rs1421085) in a separate cohort, examining its impact on (i) alcohol use based on the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT), (ii) subjective well-being based on the WHO (Ten) Well-Being Index, and (iii) neuroticism based on Schafer's Five Factor Model or the Karolinska Scales of Personality. Our results confirmed a direct association between rs1421085 and neuroticism that was independent of age, sex, alcohol use, body mass index (BMI), and childhood adversities. Interestingly, while no direct association with alcohol intake was observed, both cross-sectional and lagged longitudinal mediation analyses uncovered indirect relationships between rs1421085 and problematic alcohol use (AUDIT-P), with increased neuroticism acting as the intermediary. Mediation analyses also supported an indirect effect of rs1421085 on lower well-being through the pathways of increased neuroticism and BMI. Our study is the first to validate a direct association between FTO and neuroticism. However, additional studies are warranted to affirm the causal pathways linking FTO to well-being and alcohol use through neuroticism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenjie Cai
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institutet, 17176, Stockholm, Sweden
- Center for Molecular Medicine, L8:00, Karolinska University Hospital, 17176, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Yvonne Forsell
- Department of Global Public Health, Karolinska Institutet, 17177, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Catharina Lavebratt
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institutet, 17176, Stockholm, Sweden
- Center for Molecular Medicine, L8:00, Karolinska University Hospital, 17176, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Philippe A Melas
- Center for Molecular Medicine, L8:00, Karolinska University Hospital, 17176, Stockholm, Sweden.
- Center for Psychiatry Research, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet and Stockholm Health Care Services, 11364, Stockholm, Sweden.
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Maciocha F, Suchanecka A, Chmielowiec K, Chmielowiec J, Ciechanowicz A, Boroń A. Correlations of the CNR1 Gene with Personality Traits in Women with Alcohol Use Disorder. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:5174. [PMID: 38791212 PMCID: PMC11121729 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25105174] [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: 04/08/2024] [Revised: 05/02/2024] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a significant issue affecting women, with severe consequences for society, the economy, and most importantly, health. Both personality and alcohol use disorders are phenotypically very complex, and elucidating their shared heritability is a challenge for medical genetics. Therefore, our study investigated the correlations between the microsatellite polymorphism (AAT)n of the Cannabinoid Receptor 1 (CNR1) gene and personality traits in women with AUD. The study group included 187 female subjects. Of these, 93 were diagnosed with alcohol use disorder, and 94 were controls. Repeat length polymorphism of microsatellite regions (AAT)n in the CNR1 gene was identified with PCR. All participants were assessed with the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview and completed the NEO Five-Factor and State-Trait Anxiety Inventories. In the group of AUD subjects, significantly fewer (AAT)n repeats were present when compared with controls (p = 0.0380). While comparing the alcohol use disorder subjects (AUD) and the controls, we observed significantly higher scores on the STAI trait (p < 0.00001) and state scales (p = 0.0001) and on the NEO Five-Factor Inventory Neuroticism (p < 0.00001) and Openness (p = 0.0237; insignificant after Bonferroni correction) scales. Significantly lower results were obtained on the NEO-FFI Extraversion (p = 0.00003), Agreeability (p < 0.00001) and Conscientiousness (p < 0.00001) scales by the AUD subjects when compared to controls. There was no statistically significant Pearson's linear correlation between the number of (AAT)n repeats in the CNR1 gene and the STAI and NEO Five-Factor Inventory scores in the group of AUD subjects. In contrast, Pearson's linear correlation analysis in controls showed a positive correlation between the number of the (AAT)n repeats and the STAI state scale (r = 0.184; p = 0.011; insignificant after Bonferroni correction) and a negative correlation with the NEO-FFI Openness scale (r = -0.241; p = 0.001). Interestingly, our study provided data on two separate complex issues, i.e., (1) the association of (AAT)n CNR1 repeats with the AUD in females; (2) the correlation of (AAT)n CNR1 repeats with anxiety as a state and Openness in non-alcohol dependent subjects. In conclusion, our study provided a plethora of valuable data for improving our understanding of alcohol use disorder and anxiety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filip Maciocha
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Biochemistry, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Powstańców Wielkopolskich 72 St., 70-111 Szczecin, Poland; (F.M.); (A.C.)
| | - Aleksandra Suchanecka
- Independent Laboratory of Behavioral Genetics and Epigenetics, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Powstańców Wielkopolskich 72 St., 70-111 Szczecin, Poland;
| | - Krzysztof Chmielowiec
- Department of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Collegium Medicum, University of Zielona Góra, 28 Zyty St., 65-046 Zielona Góra, Poland; (K.C.); (J.C.)
| | - Jolanta Chmielowiec
- Department of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Collegium Medicum, University of Zielona Góra, 28 Zyty St., 65-046 Zielona Góra, Poland; (K.C.); (J.C.)
| | - Andrzej Ciechanowicz
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Biochemistry, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Powstańców Wielkopolskich 72 St., 70-111 Szczecin, Poland; (F.M.); (A.C.)
| | - Agnieszka Boroń
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Biochemistry, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Powstańców Wielkopolskich 72 St., 70-111 Szczecin, Poland; (F.M.); (A.C.)
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Pirnia B, Soleimani A, Farhoudian A, Zahiroddin A. The contribution of childhood maltreatment to the incidence of heavy cannabis use in Iran (IRNS-CCI): A multicenter, matched-pairs, nested, case-control study. CHILD ABUSE & NEGLECT 2024; 149:106632. [PMID: 38368781 DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2024.106632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2023] [Revised: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 01/01/2024] [Indexed: 02/20/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previous studies have shown the role of the interaction between the endocannabinoid system (ECS) and life's adversities in the formation of addiction, including alcohol abuse. OBJECTIVE Our objective was to identify childhood maltreatment (CM) patterns with the strongest impact on the probability of heavy cannabis use (THCCOOH concentrations ≥150 ng/mL) in Iran. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING Using survivor sampling, 350 adult participants were selected, and they were then allocated to three categories based on an optimal algorithm: 1) Sexual abuse, 2) Physical abuse, and 3) Physical neglect. METHODS From 1 September 2019 to 1 May 2023, we implemented a multicenter, matched-pairs, nested, case-control study based on the wave 3-wave 6 data of a longitudinal, multicenter, cohort study. The cases and controls (n = 350 men) were defined according to the severity of CM. The THC potency was evaluated with the delta-9 carboxy tetrahydrocannabinol (THC-COOH) levels in urine using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). We calculated the population attributable fractions (PAFs) to identify the patterns of maltreatment associated with the highest odds of high-potency cannabis use. RESULTS Accumulating CM, including sexual abuse, physical abuse, and physical neglect, carried more than three times the risk of heavy cannabis use (OR 3.4 95 % CI 2.9-4.1), and the combination of the three indicators of maltreatment and a high BMI (25-29.9) carried more than four times the risk of heavy cannabis use (OR 4.7 95 % CI 2.7-4.1) compared to the controls. We estimated that in the case of zero CM for each of the three indicators, over 20 % of new cases of heavy cannabis use can be prevented. CONCLUSIONS The findings show the significance of CM as a predicator of heavy cannabis use in adulthood and in the abstinence phase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bijan Pirnia
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Humanities, University of Science and Culture, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ali Soleimani
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Humanities, University of Science and Culture, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Ali Farhoudian
- Department of Psychiatry, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Alireza Zahiroddin
- Department of Psychiatry, Behavioral Sciences Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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Bornscheuer L, Lundin A, Forsell Y, Lavebratt C, Melas PA. Functional Variation in the FAAH Gene Is Directly Associated with Subjective Well-Being and Indirectly Associated with Problematic Alcohol Use. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:1826. [PMID: 37761966 PMCID: PMC10530831 DOI: 10.3390/genes14091826] [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: 09/04/2023] [Revised: 09/16/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) is an enzyme that degrades anandamide, an endocannabinoid that modulates mesolimbic dopamine release and, consequently, influences states of well-being. Despite these known interactions, the specific role of FAAH in subjective well-being remains underexplored. Since well-being is a dynamic trait that can fluctuate over time, we hypothesized that we could provide deeper insights into the link between FAAH and well-being using longitudinal data. To this end, we analyzed well-being data collected three years apart using the WHO (Ten) Well-Being Index and genotyped a functional polymorphism in the FAAH gene (rs324420, Pro129Thr) in a sample of 2822 individuals. We found that the A-allele of rs324420, which results in reduced FAAH activity and elevated anandamide levels, was associated with lower well-being scores at both time points (Wave I, B: -0.52, p = 0.007; Wave II, B: -0.41, p = 0.03, adjusted for age and sex). A subsequent phenome-wide association study (PheWAS) affirmed our well-being findings in the UK Biobank (N = 126,132, alternative C-allele associated with elevated happiness, p = 0.008) and revealed an additional association with alcohol dependence. In our cohort, using lagged longitudinal mediation analyses, we uncovered evidence of an indirect association between rs324420 and problematic alcohol use (AUDIT-P) through the pathway of lower well-being (indirect effect Boot: 0.015, 95% CI [0.003, 0.030], adjusted for AUDIT in Wave I). We propose that chronically elevated anandamide levels might influence disruptions in the endocannabinoid system-a biological contributor to well-being-which could, in turn, contribute to increased alcohol intake, though multiple factors may be at play. Further genetic studies and mediation analyses are needed to validate and extend these findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Bornscheuer
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Stockholm University, 10691 Stockholm, Sweden;
| | - Andreas Lundin
- Department of Global Public Health, Karolinska Institutet, 17177 Stockholm, Sweden; (A.L.); (Y.F.)
| | - Yvonne Forsell
- Department of Global Public Health, Karolinska Institutet, 17177 Stockholm, Sweden; (A.L.); (Y.F.)
| | - Catharina Lavebratt
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institutet, 17176 Stockholm, Sweden;
- Center for Molecular Medicine, L8:00, Karolinska University Hospital, 17176 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Philippe A. Melas
- Center for Molecular Medicine, L8:00, Karolinska University Hospital, 17176 Stockholm, Sweden
- Center for Psychiatry Research, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet & Stockholm Health Care Services, 11364 Stockholm, Sweden
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Vogel A, Ueberbach T, Wilken-Schmitz A, Hahnefeld L, Franck L, Weyer MP, Jungenitz T, Schmid T, Buchmann G, Freudenberg F, Brandes RP, Gurke R, Schwarzacher SW, Geisslinger G, Mittmann T, Tegeder I. Repetitive and compulsive behavior after Early-Life-Pain associated with reduced long-chain sphingolipid species. Cell Biosci 2023; 13:155. [PMID: 37635256 PMCID: PMC10463951 DOI: 10.1186/s13578-023-01106-3] [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: 04/04/2023] [Accepted: 08/13/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pain in early life may impact on development and risk of chronic pain. We developed an optogenetic Cre/loxP mouse model of "early-life-pain" (ELP) using mice with transgenic expression of channelrhodopsin-2 (ChR2) under control of the Advillin (Avil) promoter, which drives expression of transgenes predominantly in isolectin B4 positive non-peptidergic nociceptors in postnatal mice. Avil-ChR2 (Cre +) and ChR2-flfl control mice were exposed to blue light in a chamber once daily from P1-P5 together with their Cre-negative mother. RESULTS ELP caused cortical hyperexcitability at P8-9 as assessed via multi-electrode array recordings that coincided with reduced expression of synaptic genes (RNAseq) including Grin2b, neurexins, piccolo and voltage gated calcium and sodium channels. Young adult (8-16 wks) Avil-ChR2 mice presented with nociceptive hypersensitivity upon heat or mechanical stimulation, which did not resolve up until one year of age. The persistent hypersensitivy to nociceptive stimuli was reflected by increased calcium fluxes in primary sensory neurons of aged mice (1 year) upon capsaicin stimulation. Avil-ChR2 mice behaved like controls in maze tests of anxiety, social interaction, and spatial memory but IntelliCage behavioral studies revealed repetitive nosepokes and corner visits and compulsive lickings. Compulsiveness at the behavioral level was associated with a reduction of sphingomyelin species in brain and plasma lipidomic studies. Behavioral studies were done with female mice. CONCLUSION The results suggest that ELP may predispose to chronic "pain" and compulsive psychopathology in part mediated by alterations of sphingolipid metabolism, which have been previously described in the context of addiction and psychiatric diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Vogel
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Goethe-University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Timo Ueberbach
- Institute of Physiology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany
| | - Annett Wilken-Schmitz
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Goethe-University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Lisa Hahnefeld
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Goethe-University, Frankfurt, Germany
- Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology ITMP, 60596, Frankfurt, Germany
- Fraunhofer Cluster of Excellence for Immune Mediated Diseases (CIMD), 60596, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Luisa Franck
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Goethe-University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Marc-Philipp Weyer
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Goethe-University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Tassilo Jungenitz
- Institute of Clinical Neuroanatomy, Neuroscience Center, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Tobias Schmid
- Institute of Biochemistry I, Faculty of Medicine, Goethe-University, Frankfurt, Germany
- Partner Site Frankfurt, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Giulia Buchmann
- Institute of Cardiovascular Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Goethe-University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Florian Freudenberg
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Goethe-University Hospital, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Ralf P Brandes
- Institute of Cardiovascular Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Goethe-University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Robert Gurke
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Goethe-University, Frankfurt, Germany
- Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology ITMP, 60596, Frankfurt, Germany
- Fraunhofer Cluster of Excellence for Immune Mediated Diseases (CIMD), 60596, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Stephan W Schwarzacher
- Institute of Clinical Neuroanatomy, Neuroscience Center, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Gerd Geisslinger
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Goethe-University, Frankfurt, Germany
- Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology ITMP, 60596, Frankfurt, Germany
- Fraunhofer Cluster of Excellence for Immune Mediated Diseases (CIMD), 60596, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Thomas Mittmann
- Institute of Physiology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany
| | - Irmgard Tegeder
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Goethe-University, Frankfurt, Germany.
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Sultan AA, Dimick MK, Zai CC, Kennedy JL, MacIntosh BJ, Goldstein BI. The association of CNR1 genetic variants with resting-state functional connectivity in youth bipolar disorder. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol 2023; 71:41-54. [PMID: 36972648 DOI: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2023.03.004] [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: 10/19/2022] [Revised: 03/02/2023] [Accepted: 03/03/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023]
Abstract
Cannabinoid 1 receptors coded by the CNR1 gene are implicated in mood disorders and addiction. Given the prevalence and negative correlates of cannabis use in bipolar disorder (BD), we examined CNR1 polymorphism rs1324072 in relation to resting-state functional connectivity (rsFC) in youth BD. Participants included 124 youth, ages 13-20 years: 17 BD G-carriers, 48 BD non-carriers, 16 healthy controls (HC) G-carriers, and 43 HC non-carriers. rsFC was obtained using 3T-MRI. General linear models examined main effects of diagnosis, gene, and diagnosis-by-gene interaction, controlling for age, sex, and race. Regions-of-interests in seed-to-voxel analyses included: bilateral amygdala, hippocampus, nucleus accumbens (NAc), and orbitofrontal cortex (OFC). Main effects of diagnosis were observed for rsFC between the right amygdala seed and right occipital pole, and between the left NAc seed and left superior parietal lobe. Interaction analyses identified 6 significant clusters. G-allele was associated with negative connectivity in BD and positive connectivity in HC for: left amygdala seed with right intracalcarine cortex; right NAc seed with left inferior frontal gyrus; and right hippocampal seed with bilateral cuneal cortex (all p<0.001). G-allele was associated with positive connectivity in BD and negative connectivity in HC for: right hippocampal seed with left central opercular cortex (p = 0.001), and left NAc seed with left middle temporal cortex (p = 0.002). In conclusion, CNR1 rs1324072 was differentially associated with rsFC in youth with BD in regions relevant to reward and emotion. Future studies powered to integrate CNR1 alongside cannabis use are warranted to examine the inter-relationship between rs1324072 G-allele, cannabis use, and BD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alysha A Sultan
- Centre for Youth Bipolar Disorder, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Mikaela K Dimick
- Centre for Youth Bipolar Disorder, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Clement C Zai
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Psychiatric Neurogenetics Section, Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - James L Kennedy
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Psychiatric Neurogenetics Section, Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Bradley J MacIntosh
- Computational Radiology and Artificial Intelligence unit, Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway; Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Hurvitz Brain Sciences Program, Sandra E Black Centre for Brain Resilience & Recovery, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Benjamin I Goldstein
- Centre for Youth Bipolar Disorder, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada; Department of Pharmacology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
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Synaptoproteomic Analysis of the Prefrontal Cortex Reveals Spatio-Temporal Changes in SYNGAP1 Following Cannabinoid Exposure in Rat Adolescence. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 24:ijms24010698. [PMID: 36614142 PMCID: PMC9820805 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24010698] [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: 11/20/2022] [Revised: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 12/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The regular use of cannabis during adolescence has been associated with a number of negative life outcomes, including psychopathology and cognitive impairments. However, the exact molecular mechanisms that underlie these outcomes are just beginning to be understood. Moreover, very little is known about the spatio-temporal molecular changes that occur following cannabinoid exposure in adolescence. To understand these changes, we exposed mid-adolescent male rats to a synthetic cannabinoid (WIN 55,212-2 mesylate; WIN) and, following drug abstinence through late adolescence, we subjected the synaptosomal fractions of the prefrontal cortex (PFC) to proteomic analyses. A total of N = 487 differentially expressed proteins were found in WIN-exposed animals compared to controls. Gene ontology analyses revealed enrichment of terms related to the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-ergic neurotransmitter system. Among the top differentially expressed proteins was the synaptic Ras GTPase-activating protein 1 (SYNGAP1). Using Western blotting experiments, we found that the WIN-induced upregulation of SYNGAP1 was spatio-temporal in nature, arising only in the synaptosomal fractions (not in the cytosol) and only following prolonged drug abstinence (not on abstinence day 1). Moreover, the SYNGAP1 changes were found to be specific to WIN-exposure in adolescence and not adulthood. Adolescent animals exposed to a natural cannabinoid (Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol; THC) were also found to have increased levels of SYNGAP1 in the PFC. THC exposure also led to a pronounced upregulation of SYNGAP1 in the amygdala, but without any changes in the dorsal striatum, hippocampus, or nucleus accumbens. To our knowledge, this is the first study to uncover a link between cannabinoid exposure and changes in SYNGAP1 that are spatio-temporal and developmental in nature. Future studies are needed to investigate the putative role of SYNGAP1 in the negative behavioral consequences of cannabis use in adolescence.
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