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Kwee CMB, van der Flier FE, Duits P, van Balkom AJLM, Cath DC, Baas JMP. Effects of cannabidiol on fear conditioning in anxiety disorders: decreased threat expectation during retention, but no enhanced fear re-extinction. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2024; 241:833-847. [PMID: 38044339 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-023-06512-6] [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: 08/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/24/2023] [Indexed: 12/05/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE Preclinical research suggests that pharmacologically elevating cannabinoid levels may attenuate fear memory expression and enhance fear extinction. OBJECTIVES We studied the effects of cannabidiol (CBD) on fear memory expression and fear re-extinction in 69 patients with panic disorder with agoraphobia or with social anxiety disorder. Moderation by sex, diagnosis, and serotonergic antidepressant (AD) use was explored. METHODS A cued fear conditioning paradigm was applied before the first treatment session with 300 mg CBD/placebo augmented exposure therapy. Study medication was administered orally preceding 8 weekly sessions. Fear acquisition and suboptimal extinction took place prior to the first medication ingestion (T0). After the first medication ingestion (T1), we investigated effects on fear memory expression at retention and fear re-extinction. Subjective fear, shock expectancy, skin conductance, and startle responses to conditioned (CS+) and safety stimulus (CS-) were measured. RESULTS Across the sample, CBD reduced shock expectancy at retention under low and ambiguous threat of shock, but fear re-extinction at T1 was unaffected by CBD. However, in AD users, re-extinction of subjective fear was impaired in the CBD condition compared to placebo. In female AD users, CBD interfered with safety learning measured with fear-potentiated startle. CONCLUSIONS The current findings provide no evidence for enhanced fear re-extinction by CBD. However, CBD acutely decreased threat expectation at retention, without affecting other indices of fear. More studies are needed to elucidate possible interactions with AD use and sex, as well as potential effects of CBD on threat expectancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- C M B Kwee
- Department of Experimental Psychology and Helmholtz Institute, Faculty of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
- Altrecht Academic Anxiety Center, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
| | - F E van der Flier
- Department of Experimental Psychology and Helmholtz Institute, Faculty of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - P Duits
- Altrecht Academic Anxiety Center, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - A J L M van Balkom
- Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, VU University Medical Centre and GGZ inGeest, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - D C Cath
- University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
- Department of Specialist Trainings, GGZ Drenthe, Assen, The Netherlands
| | - J M P Baas
- Department of Experimental Psychology and Helmholtz Institute, Faculty of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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2
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Haller J. Anxiety Modulation by Cannabinoids-The Role of Stress Responses and Coping. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:15777. [PMID: 37958761 PMCID: PMC10650718 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242115777] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2023] [Revised: 10/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Endocannabinoids were implicated in a variety of pathological conditions including anxiety and are considered promising new targets for anxiolytic drug development. The optimism concerning the potentials of this system for anxiolysis is probably justified. However, the complexity of the mechanisms affected by endocannabinoids, and discrepant findings obtained with various experimental approaches makes the interpretation of research results difficult. Here, we review the anxiety-related effects of the three main interventions used to study the endocannabinoid system: pharmacological agents active at endocannabinoid-binding sites present on both the cell membrane and in the cytoplasm, genetic manipulations targeting cannabinoid receptors, and function-enhancers represented by inhibitors of endocannabinoid degradation and transport. Binding-site ligands provide inconsistent findings probably because they activate a multitude of mechanisms concomitantly. More robust findings were obtained with genetic manipulations and particularly with function enhancers, which heighten ongoing endocannabinoid activation rather than affecting all mechanisms indiscriminately. The enhancement of ongoing activity appears to ameliorate stress-induced anxiety without consistent effects on anxiety in general. Limited evidence suggests that this effect is achieved by promoting active coping styles in critical situations. These findings suggest that the functional enhancement of endocannabinoid signaling is a promising drug development target for stress-related anxiety disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- József Haller
- Drug Research Institute, 1137 Budapest, Hungary;
- Department of Criminal Psychology, University of Public Service, 1082 Budapest, Hungary
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3
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Ney LJ, Akosile W, Davey C, Pitcher L, Felmingham KL, Mayo LM, Hill MN, Strodl E. Challenges and considerations for treating PTSD with medicinal cannabis: the Australian clinician's perspective. Expert Rev Clin Pharmacol 2023; 16:1093-1108. [PMID: 37885234 DOI: 10.1080/17512433.2023.2276309] [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: 06/29/2023] [Accepted: 10/24/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Preclinical and experimental research have provided promising evidence that medicinal cannabis may be efficacious in the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, implementation of medicinal cannabis into routine clinical therapies may not be straightforward. AREAS COVERED In this review, we describe some of the clinical, practical, and safety challenges that must be addressed for cannabis-based treatment of PTSD to be feasible in a real-world setting. These issues are especially prevalent if medicinal cannabis is to be combined with trauma-focused psychotherapy. EXPERT OPINION Future consideration of the clinical and practical considerations of cannabis use in PTSD therapy will be essential to both the efficacy and safety of the treatment protocols that are being developed. These issues include dose timing and titration, potential for addiction, product formulation, windows of intervention, and route of administration. In particular, exposure therapy for PTSD involves recall of intense emotions, and the interaction between cannabis use and reliving of trauma memories must be explored in terms of patient safety and impact on therapeutic outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luke J Ney
- School of Psychology and Counselling, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Wole Akosile
- Greater Brisbane Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Chris Davey
- Department of Psychiatry, Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | | | - Kim L Felmingham
- School of Psychological Sciences, Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Leah M Mayo
- Department of Psychiatry, Mathison Centre for Mental Health Research, and Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
| | - Matthew N Hill
- Department of Psychiatry, Mathison Centre for Mental Health Research, and Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
| | - Esben Strodl
- School of Psychology and Counselling, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia
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4
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Ney LJ, Cooper J, Lam GN, Moffitt K, Nichols DS, Mayo LM, Lipp OV. Hair endocannabinoids predict physiological fear conditioning and salivary endocannabinoids predict subjective stress reactivity in humans. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2023; 154:106296. [PMID: 37216738 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2023.106296] [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: 01/26/2023] [Revised: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
On the basis of substantial preclinical evidence, the endogenous cannabinoid system has been proposed to be closely involved in stress reactivity and extinction of fear. Existing human research supports this proposal to some extent, but existing studies have used only a narrow range of tools and biomatrices to measure endocannabinoids during stress and fear experiments. In the present study we collected hair and saliva samples from 99 healthy participants who completed a fear conditioning and intrusive memory task. Subjective, physiological and biological stress reactivity to a trauma film, which later served as unconditional stimulus during fear conditioning, was also measured. We found that salivary endocannabinoid concentrations predicted subjective responses to stress, but not cortisol stress reactivity, and replicated previous findings demonstrating a sex dimorphism in hair and salivary endocannabinoid levels. Hair 2-arachidonoyl glycerol levels were significantly associated with better retention of safety learning during extinction and renewal phases of fear conditioning, while hair concentrations of oleoylethanolamide and palmitoylethanolamide were associated with overall physiological arousal, but not conditional learning, during fear conditioning. This study is the first to test the relationship between hair and salivary endocannabinoids and these important psychological processes. Our results suggest that these measures may serve as biomarkers of dysregulation in human fear memory and stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luke J Ney
- School of Psychology and Counselling, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia.
| | - Jack Cooper
- School of Psychology and Counselling, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Gia Nhi Lam
- School of Psychology and Counselling, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Kaylee Moffitt
- Faculty of Science, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia
| | - David S Nichols
- Central Science Laboratory, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia
| | - Leah M Mayo
- Department of Psychiatry, Mathison Centre for Mental Health Research, and Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Canada
| | - Ottmar V Lipp
- School of Psychology and Counselling, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia
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5
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Andreatta M, Winkler MH, Collins P, Gromer D, Gall D, Pauli P, Gamer M. VR for Studying the Neuroscience of Emotional Responses. Curr Top Behav Neurosci 2023; 65:161-187. [PMID: 36592276 DOI: 10.1007/7854_2022_405] [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: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Emotions are frequently considered as the driving force of behavior, and psychopathology is often characterized by aberrant emotional responding. Emotional states are reflected on a cognitive-verbal, physiological-humoral, and motor-behavioral level but to date, human research lacks an experimental protocol for a comprehensive and ecologically valid characterization of such emotional states. Virtual reality (VR) might help to overcome this situation by allowing researchers to study mental processes and behavior in highly controlled but reality-like laboratory settings. In this chapter, we first elucidate the role of presence and immersion as requirements for eliciting emotional states in a virtual environment and discuss different VR methods for emotion induction. We then consider the organization of emotional states on a valence continuum (i.e., from negative to positive) and on this basis discuss the use of VR to study threat processing and avoidance as well as reward processing and approach behavior. Although the potential of VR has not been fully realized in laboratory and clinical settings yet, this technological tool can open up new avenues to better understand the neurobiological mechanisms of emotional responding in healthy and pathological conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Andreatta
- Department of Psychology, Educational Sciences, and Child Studies, Erasmus University Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - Markus H Winkler
- Department of Psychology, University of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Peter Collins
- Department of Psychology, University of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Daniel Gromer
- Department of Psychology, University of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Dominik Gall
- Department of Psychology, University of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Paul Pauli
- Department of Psychology, University of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Matthias Gamer
- Department of Psychology, University of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany.
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6
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Kwee CM, Baas JM, van der Flier FE, Groenink L, Duits P, Eikelenboom M, van der Veen DC, Moerbeek M, Batelaan NM, van Balkom AJ, Cath DC. Cannabidiol enhancement of exposure therapy in treatment refractory patients with social anxiety disorder and panic disorder with agoraphobia: A randomised controlled trial. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol 2022; 59:58-67. [PMID: 35561538 DOI: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2022.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2022] [Revised: 03/28/2022] [Accepted: 04/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Preclinical research suggests that enhancing CB1 receptor agonism may improve fear extinction. In order to translate this knowledge into a clinical application we examined whether cannabidiol (CBD), a hydrolysis inhibitor of the endogenous CB1 receptor agonist anandamide (AEA), would enhance the effects of exposure therapy in treatment refractory patients with anxiety disorders. Patients with panic disorder with agoraphobia or social anxiety disorder were recruited for a double-blind parallel randomised controlled trial at three mental health care centres in the Netherlands. Eight therapist-assisted exposure in vivo sessions (weekly, outpatient) were augmented with 300 mg oral CBD (n = 39) or placebo (n = 41). The Fear Questionnaire (FQ) was assessed at baseline, mid- and post-treatment, and at 3 and 6 months follow-up. Primary analyses were on an intent-to-treat basis. No differences were found in treatment outcome over time between CBD and placebo on FQ scores, neither across (β = 0.32, 95% CI [-0.60; 1.25]) nor within diagnosis groups (β = -0.11, 95% CI [-1.62; 1.40]). In contrast to our hypotheses, CBD augmentation did not enhance early treatment response, within-session fear extinction or extinction learning. Incidence of adverse effects was equal in the CBD (n = 4, 10.3%) and placebo condition (n = 6, 15.4%). In this first clinical trial examining CBD as an adjunctive therapy in anxiety disorders, CBD did not improve treatment outcome. Future clinical trials may investigate different dosage regimens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Mb Kwee
- Department of Experimental Psychology and Helmholtz Institute, Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands; Altrecht Academic Anxiety Centre, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
| | - Johanna Mp Baas
- Department of Experimental Psychology and Helmholtz Institute, Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | | | - Lucianne Groenink
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Division of Pharmacology, UIPS, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Puck Duits
- Altrecht Academic Anxiety Centre, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Merijn Eikelenboom
- Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, VU University Medical Centre and GGZ inGeest, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Date C van der Veen
- University of Groningen, University Medical Centre Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Mirjam Moerbeek
- Department of Methodology and Statistics, Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Neeltje M Batelaan
- Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, VU University Medical Centre and GGZ inGeest, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Anton Jlm van Balkom
- Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, VU University Medical Centre and GGZ inGeest, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Danielle C Cath
- University of Groningen, University Medical Centre Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands; GGZ Drenthe, Department of Specialist Trainings, Assen, the Netherlands
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7
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Ney LJ, Crombie KM, Mayo LM, Felmingham KL, Bowser T, Matthews A. Translation of animal endocannabinoid models of PTSD mechanisms to humans: Where to next? Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2021; 132:76-91. [PMID: 34838529 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.11.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2021] [Revised: 11/21/2021] [Accepted: 11/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The endocannabinoid system is known to be involved in mechanisms relevant to PTSD aetiology and maintenance, though this understanding is mostly based on animal models of the disorder. Here we review how human paradigms can successfully translate animal findings to human subjects, with the view that substantially increased insight into the effect of endocannabinoid signalling on stress responding, emotional and intrusive memories, and fear extinction can be gained using modern paradigms and methods for assessing the state of the endocannabinoid system in PTSD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luke J Ney
- School of Psychological Sciences, University of Tasmania, Australia; School of Psychology and Counselling, Queensland University of Technology, Australia.
| | - Kevin M Crombie
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Texas at Austin, United States
| | - Leah M Mayo
- Center for Social and Affective Neuroscience, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Science, Linköping University, Sweden
| | - Kim L Felmingham
- Department of Psychological Sciences, University of Melbourne, Australia
| | | | - Allison Matthews
- School of Psychological Sciences, University of Tasmania, Australia
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8
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Andreatta M, Pauli P. Contextual modulation of conditioned responses in humans: A review on virtual reality studies. Clin Psychol Rev 2021; 90:102095. [PMID: 34763127 DOI: 10.1016/j.cpr.2021.102095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2021] [Revised: 10/04/2021] [Accepted: 10/04/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Conditioned response (CRs) triggered by stimuli predicting aversive consequences have been confirmed across various species including humans, and were found to be exaggerated in anxious individuals and anxiety disorder patients. Importantly, contextual information may strongly modulate such conditioned responses (CR), however, there are several methodological boundaries in the translation of animal findings to humans, and from healthy individuals to patients. Virtual Reality (VR) is a useful technological tool for overcoming such boundaries. In this review, we summarize and evaluate human VR conditioning studies exploring the role of the context as conditioned stimulus or occasion setter for CRs. We observe that VR allows successful acquisition of conditioned anxiety and conditioned fear in response to virtual contexts and virtual cues, respectively. VR studies also revealed that spatial or temporal contextual information determine whether conditioned anxiety and conditioned fear become extinguished and/or return. Novel contexts resembling the threatening context foster conditioned fear but not conditioned anxiety, suggesting distinct context-related generalization processes. We conclude VR contexts are able to strongly modulate CRs and therefore allow a comprehensive investigation of the modulatory role of the context over CR in humans leading to conclusions relevant for non-VR and clinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Andreatta
- Department of Psychology (Biological Psychology, Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy), University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany; Department of Psychology, Educational Sciences, and Child Studies, Erasmus University Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
| | - Paul Pauli
- Department of Psychology (Biological Psychology, Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy), University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany; Center of Mental Health, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany.
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Ney LJ, Matthews A, Hsu CMK, Zuj DV, Nicholson E, Steward T, Nichols D, Graham B, Harrison B, Bruno R, Felmingham K. Cannabinoid polymorphisms interact with plasma endocannabinoid levels to predict fear extinction learning. Depress Anxiety 2021; 38:1087-1099. [PMID: 34151472 DOI: 10.1002/da.23170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2021] [Revised: 05/04/2021] [Accepted: 05/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The endocannabinoid system is gaining increasing attention as a favorable target for improving posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) treatments. Exposure therapy is the gold-standard treatment for PTSD, and fear extinction learning is a key concept underlying successful exposure. METHODS This study examined the role of genetic endocannabinoid polymorphisms in a fear extinction paradigm with PTSD compared to healthy participants (N = 220). Participants provided saliva for genotyping, completed a fear conditioning and extinction task, with blood samples taken before and after the task (n = 57). Skin conductance was the outcome and was analyzed using mixed models. RESULTS Results for cannabinoid receptor type 1 polymorphisms suggested that minor alleles of rs2180619 and rs1049353 were associated with poorer extinction learning in PTSD participants. The minor allele of the fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) polymorphism rs324420 was associated with worse extinction in PTSD participants. Subanalysis of healthy participants (n = 57) showed the FAAH rs324420 genotype effect was dependent on plasma arachidonoyl ethanolamide (AEA) level, but not oleoylethanolamide or 2-arachidonoyl glycerol. Specifically, higher but not lower AEA levels in conjunction with the minor allele of FAAH rs324420 were associated with better extinction learning. CONCLUSIONS These findings provide translational evidence that cannabinoid receptor 1 and AEA are involved in extinction learning in humans. FAAH rs324420's effect on fear extinction is moderated by AEA plasma level in healthy controls. These findings imply that FAAH inhibitors may be effective for targeting anxiety in PTSD, but this effect needs to be explored further in clinical populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luke J Ney
- School of Psychology, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia
| | | | | | - Daniel V Zuj
- Department of Psychology, Swansea University, Wales, United Kingdom
| | - Emma Nicholson
- School of Psychological Sciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Trevor Steward
- School of Psychological Sciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - David Nichols
- Central Science Laboratory, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia
| | - Bronwyn Graham
- School of Psychology, The University of New South Wales, Kensington, Australia
| | - Ben Harrison
- Department of Psychiatry, Melbourne Neuropsychiatry Center, University of Melbourne & Melbourne Health, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Raimondo Bruno
- School of Psychology, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia
| | - Kim Felmingham
- School of Psychological Sciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
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10
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Gomes-de-Souza L, Bianchi PC, Costa-Ferreira W, Tomeo RA, Cruz FC, Crestani CC. CB 1 and CB 2 receptors in the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis differently modulate anxiety-like behaviors in rats. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2021; 110:110284. [PMID: 33609604 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2021.110284] [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: 10/27/2020] [Revised: 02/09/2021] [Accepted: 02/10/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
The endocannabinoid system is implicated in anxiety, but the brain sites involved are not completely understood. The bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) has been related to anxiety and responses to aversive threats. Besides, endocannabinoid neurotransmission acting via CB1 receptors was identified in the BNST. However, the presence of CB2 receptors and the role of BNST endocannabinoid system in anxiety-like behaviors have never been reported. Therefore, this study investigated the presence of CB1 and CB2 receptors in the BNST and their role in anxiety-like behaviors. For this, gene expression of the endocannabinoid receptors was evaluated in samples from anterior and posterior BNST. Besides, behaviors were evaluated in the elevated plus-maze (EPM) in unstressed rats (trait anxiety-like behavior) and after exposure to restraint stress (restraint-evoked anxiety-like behavior) in rats treated with either the CB1 receptor antagonist AM251 or the CB2 receptor antagonist JTE907 into the anterior BNST. The presence of CB1 and CB2 receptors gene expression was identified in anterior and posterior divisions of the BNST. Bilateral microinjection of AM251 into the anterior BNST dose-dependently increased EPM open arms exploration in unstressed animals and inhibited the anxiety-like behavior in the EPM evoked by restraint. Conversely, intra-BNST microinjection of JTE907 decreased EPM open arms exploration in a dose-dependent manner and inhibited restraint-evoked behavioral changes in the EPM. Taken together, these results indicate that CB1 and CB2 receptors present in the BNST are involved in control of anxiety-like behaviors, and control by the latter is affected by previous stress experience.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucas Gomes-de-Souza
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Araraquara, SP, Brazil; Joint UFSCar-UNESP Graduate Program in Physiological Sciences, São Carlos, SP, Brazil
| | - Paula C Bianchi
- Department of Pharmacology, Paulista Medicine School, São Paulo Federal University, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Willian Costa-Ferreira
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Araraquara, SP, Brazil; Joint UFSCar-UNESP Graduate Program in Physiological Sciences, São Carlos, SP, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo A Tomeo
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Araraquara, SP, Brazil; Joint UFSCar-UNESP Graduate Program in Physiological Sciences, São Carlos, SP, Brazil
| | - Fábio C Cruz
- Department of Pharmacology, Paulista Medicine School, São Paulo Federal University, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Carlos C Crestani
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Araraquara, SP, Brazil; Joint UFSCar-UNESP Graduate Program in Physiological Sciences, São Carlos, SP, Brazil.
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11
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Tomasi J, Zai CC, Zai G, Kennedy JL, Tiwari AK. Genetics of human startle reactivity: A systematic review to acquire targets for an anxiety endophenotype. World J Biol Psychiatry 2021; 22:399-427. [PMID: 33040669 DOI: 10.1080/15622975.2020.1834619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Startle response is an objective physiological measure integral to the human defense system and a promising target for endophenotype investigations of anxiety. Given the alterations in startle reactivity observed among anxiety and related disorders, we searched for genetic variants associated with startle reactivity as they may be further involved in pathological anxiety risk. METHODS A systematic literature review was performed to identify genetic variants associated with startle reactivity in humans, specifically baseline and fear- or anxiety-potentiated startle. RESULTS The polymorphisms Val66Met (rs6265) from brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), Val158Met (rs4680) from catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT), and the serotonin transporter-linked polymorphic region (5-HTTLPR) from the serotonin transporter gene (SLC6A4) were most commonly studied in human startle. In addition, several other genetic variants have also been identified as potential candidates that warrant further research, especially given their novelty in in the context of anxiety. CONCLUSIONS Similar to psychiatric genetic studies, the studies on startle reactivity primarily focus on candidate genes and are plagued by non-replication. Startle reactivity is a promising endophenotype that requires concerted efforts to collect uniformly assessed, large, well-powered samples and hypothesis-free genome-wide strategies. To further support startle as an endophenotype for anxiety, this review suggests advanced genetic strategies for startle research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Tomasi
- Molecular Brain Science Department, Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Toronto, Canada.,Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Clement C Zai
- Molecular Brain Science Department, Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Toronto, Canada.,Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.,Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Gwyneth Zai
- Molecular Brain Science Department, Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Toronto, Canada.,Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.,General Adult Psychiatry and Health Systems Division, CAMH, Toronto, Canada
| | - James L Kennedy
- Molecular Brain Science Department, Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Toronto, Canada.,Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Arun K Tiwari
- Molecular Brain Science Department, Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Toronto, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
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12
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Mizuno I, Matsuda S. The role of endocannabinoids in consolidation, retrieval, reconsolidation, and extinction of fear memory. Pharmacol Rep 2021; 73:984-1003. [PMID: 33954935 DOI: 10.1007/s43440-021-00246-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2021] [Revised: 02/26/2021] [Accepted: 03/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Endocannabinoids are involved in various physiological functions, including synaptic plasticity and memory, and some psychiatric disorders, such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), through the activation of cannabinoid (CB) receptors. Patients with PTSD often show excessive fear memory and impairment of fear extinction (FE). It has been reported that the stability of acquired fear memory is altered through multiple memory stages, such as consolidation and reconsolidation. FE also affects the stability of fear memory. Each stage of fear memory formation and FE are regulated by different molecular mechanisms, including the CB system. However, to the best of our knowledge, no review summarizes the role of the CB system during each stage of fear memory formation and FE. In this review, we summarize the roles of endocannabinoids in fear memory formation and FE. Moreover, based on the summary, we propose a new hypothesis for the role of endocannabinoids in fear regulation, and discuss treatment for PTSD using CB system-related drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ikumi Mizuno
- Department of Pharmacotherapeutics, Showa Pharmaceutical University, 3-3165, Higashi-Tamagawagakuen, Machida, Tokyo, 194-8543, Japan
| | - Shingo Matsuda
- Department of Pharmacotherapeutics, Showa Pharmaceutical University, 3-3165, Higashi-Tamagawagakuen, Machida, Tokyo, 194-8543, Japan. .,Department of Cognitive Behavioral Physiology, Chiba University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chiba, Chiba, 260-8670, Japan. .,Department of Ultrastructural Research, National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, 4-1-1 Ogawahigashi, Kodaira, Tokyo, 187-8502, Japan.
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Ortega-Mora EI, Caballero-Sánchez U, Román-López TV, Rosas-Escobar CB, González-Barrios JA, Romero-Hidalgo S, Méndez-Díaz M, Prospéro-García OE, Ruiz-Contreras AE. Allele-dosage genetic polymorphisms of cannabinoid receptor 1 predict attention, but not working memory performance in humans. Acta Psychol (Amst) 2021; 216:103299. [PMID: 33799104 DOI: 10.1016/j.actpsy.2021.103299] [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: 06/03/2020] [Revised: 03/05/2021] [Accepted: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Attention and working memory (WM) are under high genetic regulation. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the CNR1 gene, that encode for CB1R, have previously been shown to be related with individual differences in attentional control and WM. However, it remains unclear whether there is an allele-dosage or a dominant contribution of polymorphisms of CNR1 affecting attention and WM performance. This study evaluated the associations between attention and WM performance and three SNPs of CNR1: rs1406977, rs2180619, and rs1049353, previously associated with both processes. Healthy volunteers (n = 127) were asked to perform the Attention Network Task (ANT) to evaluate their overall attention and alerting, orienting, and executive systems, and the n-back task for evaluating their WM. All subjects were genotyped using qPCR with TaqMan assays; and dominant and additive models were assessed using the risk alleles of each SNP as the predictor variable. Results showed an individual association of the three SNPs with attention performance, but the composite genotype by the three alleles had the greatest contribution. Moreover, the additive-dosage model showed that for each G-allele added to the genotypic configuration, there was an increase in the percentage of correct responses respect to carriers who have no risk alleles in their genotypic configuration. The number of risk alleles in the genotypic configurations did not predict efficiency in any of the attention systems, nor in WM performance. Our model showed a contribution of three single nucleotide polymorphisms of the CNR1 gene to explain 9% of the variance of attention in an additive manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elsa Ivett Ortega-Mora
- Lab. Neurogenómica Cognitiva, Coord. Psicobiología y Neurociencias, Fac. Psicología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Mexico
| | - Ulises Caballero-Sánchez
- Lab. Neurogenómica Cognitiva, Coord. Psicobiología y Neurociencias, Fac. Psicología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Mexico
| | - Talía V Román-López
- Lab. Neurogenómica Cognitiva, Coord. Psicobiología y Neurociencias, Fac. Psicología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Mexico
| | - Cintia B Rosas-Escobar
- Lab. Neurogenómica Cognitiva, Coord. Psicobiología y Neurociencias, Fac. Psicología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Mexico
| | - Juan Antonio González-Barrios
- Lab. Medicina Genómica, Hospital Regional 1o de Octubre, Instituto de Seguridad y Servicios Sociales de los Trabajadores del Estado (ISSSTE), Mexico
| | - Sandra Romero-Hidalgo
- Departamento de Genómica Computacional, Instituto Nacional de Medicina Genómica, Mexico
| | | | | | - Alejandra E Ruiz-Contreras
- Lab. Neurogenómica Cognitiva, Coord. Psicobiología y Neurociencias, Fac. Psicología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Mexico.
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Gunduz-Cinar O. The endocannabinoid system in the amygdala and modulation of fear. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2021; 105:110116. [PMID: 32976951 PMCID: PMC7511205 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2020.110116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2020] [Revised: 09/07/2020] [Accepted: 09/20/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a persistent, trauma induced psychiatric condition characterized by lifelong complex cognitive, emotional and behavioral phenotype. Although many individuals that experience trauma are able to gradually diminish their emotional responding to trauma-related stimuli over time, known as extinction learning, individuals suffering from PTSD are impaired in this capacity. An inability to decline this initially normal and adaptive fear response, can be confronted with exposure-based therapies, often in combination with pharmacological treatments. Due to the complexity of PTSD, currently available pharmacotherapeutics are inadequate in treating the deficient extinction observed in many PTSD patients. To develop novel therapeutics, researchers have exploited the conserved nature of fear and stress-associated behavioral responses and neurocircuits across species in an attempt to translate knowledge gained from preclinical studies into the clinic. There is growing evidence on the endocannabinoid modulation of fear and stress due to their 'on demand' synthesis and degradation. Involvement of the endocannabinoids in fear extinction makes the endocannabinoid system very attractive for finding effective therapeutics for trauma and stress related disorders. In this review, a brief introduction on neuroanatomy and circuitry of fear extinction will be provided as a model to study PTSD. Then, the endocannabinoid system will be discussed as an important component of extinction modulation. In this regard, anandamide degrading enzyme, fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) will be exemplified as a target identified and validated strongly from preclinical to clinical translational studies of enhancing extinction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ozge Gunduz-Cinar
- Laboratory of Behavioral and Genomic Neuroscience, National Institute on Alcoholism and Alcohol Abuse, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA.
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15
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Ney LJ, Akhurst J, Bruno R, Laing PAF, Matthews A, Felmingham KL. Dopamine, endocannabinoids and their interaction in fear extinction and negative affect in PTSD. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2021; 105:110118. [PMID: 32991952 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2020.110118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2020] [Revised: 09/03/2020] [Accepted: 09/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
There currently exist few frameworks for common neurobiology between reexperiencing and negative cognitions and mood symptoms of PTSD. Adopting a dopaminergic framework for PTSD unites many aspects of unique symptom clusters, and this approach also links PTSD symptomology to common comorbidities with a common neurobiological deficiency. Here we review the dopamine literature and incorporate it with a growing field of research that describes both the contribution of endocannabinoids to fear extinction and PTSD, as well as the interactions between dopaminergic and endocannabinoid systems underlying this disorder. Based on current evidence, we outline an early, preliminary model that links re-experiencing and negative cognitions and mood in PTSD by invoking the interaction between endocannabinoid and dopaminergic signalling in the brain. These interactions between PTSD, dopamine and endocannabinoids may have implications for future therapies for treatment-resistant and comorbid PTSD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luke J Ney
- School of Psychology, University of Tasmania, Australia.
| | - Jane Akhurst
- School of Psychology, University of Tasmania, Australia
| | | | - Patrick A F Laing
- Melbourne Neuropsychiatry Centre, Department of Psychiatry, University of Melbourne & Melbourne Health, Australia
| | | | - Kim L Felmingham
- School of Psychological Sciences, University of Melbourne, Australia
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Forsythe ML, Boileau AJ. Use of cannabinoids for the treatment of patients with post-traumatic stress disorder. J Basic Clin Physiol Pharmacol 2021; 33:121-132. [PMID: 33662194 DOI: 10.1515/jbcpp-2020-0279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2020] [Accepted: 11/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a diagnosis of extreme anxiety caused by a traumatic event. Less than 10% of individuals who have experienced severe trauma will develop this disorder. Treatment options include various psychotherapies, but not all patients respond to them. Different pharmacological approaches have been explored as potential adjuvants, including using cannabinoids to target the endocannabinoid system to reduce the symptoms and enhance extinction training over the associated fear memories. This review was aimed to determine the effects of using cannabinoids for treatment of PTSD. CONTENT For this review, four cohort studies, four randomized clinical trials, one case report, and one case series were obtained from PubMed within the last 10 years. Cannabis extracts, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), and synthetic cannabinoids were used in the studies to target the cannabinoid receptors 1 and 2. Cannabinoids were shown to improve overall PTSD symptoms, including sleep quality and quantity, hyperarousal, and treatment-resistant nightmares. When participants were undergoing extinction training, cannabinoids given within the same time interval enhanced consolidation and retention. SUMMARY AND OUTLOOK Cannabinoids have been shown to be an effective treatment option for patients with PTSD. Besides aiding to relieve the symptoms and enhance extinction training, they also are relatively well tolerated. Common adverse effects included light-headedness, forgetfulness, dizziness, and headaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marika L Forsythe
- Department of Anatomy, Saba University School of Medicine, The Bottom, Saba, Caribbean Netherlands
| | - Andrew J Boileau
- Department of Anatomy, Saba University School of Medicine, The Bottom, Saba, Caribbean Netherlands
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17
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Duits P, Baas JMP, Engelhard IM, Richter J, Huisman-van Dijk HM, Limberg-Thiesen A, Heitland I, Hamm AO, Cath DC. Latent class growth analyses reveal overrepresentation of dysfunctional fear conditioning trajectories in patients with anxiety-related disorders compared to controls. J Anxiety Disord 2021; 78:102361. [PMID: 33508747 DOI: 10.1016/j.janxdis.2021.102361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2020] [Revised: 12/21/2020] [Accepted: 01/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Recent meta-analyses indicated differences in fear acquisition and extinction between patients with anxiety-related disorders and comparison subjects. However, these effects are small and may hold for only a subsample of patients. To investigate individual trajectories in fear acquisition and extinction across patients with anxiety-related disorders (N = 104; before treatment) and comparison subjects (N = 93), data from a previous study (Duits et al., 2017) were re-analyzed using data-driven latent class growth analyses. In this explorative study, subjective fear ratings, shock expectancy ratings and startle responses were used as outcome measures. Fear and expectancy ratings, but not startle data, yielded distinct fear conditioning trajectories across participants. Patients were, compared to controls, overrepresented in two distinct dysfunctional fear conditioning trajectories: impaired safety learning and poor fear extinction to danger cues. The profiling of individual patterns allowed to determine that whereas a subset of patients showed trajectories of dysfunctional fear conditioning, a significant proportion of patients (≥50 %) did not. The strength of trajectory analyses as opposed to group analyses is that it allows the identification of individuals with dysfunctional fear conditioning. Results suggested that dysfunctional fear learning may also be associated with poor treatment outcome, but further research in larger samples is needed to address this question.
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Affiliation(s)
- Puck Duits
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands; Altrecht Academic Anxiety Center, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
| | - Johanna M P Baas
- Department of Experimental Psychology and Helmholtz Institute, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
| | - Iris M Engelhard
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands; Altrecht Academic Anxiety Center, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
| | - Jan Richter
- Department of Biological and Clinical Psychology/Psychotherapy, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany.
| | | | - Anke Limberg-Thiesen
- Department of Biological and Clinical Psychology/Psychotherapy, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany.
| | - Ivo Heitland
- Department of Experimental Psychology and Helmholtz Institute, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Alfons O Hamm
- Department of Biological and Clinical Psychology/Psychotherapy, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany.
| | - Danielle C Cath
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands; Altrecht Academic Anxiety Center, Utrecht, The Netherlands; Department of Psychiatry, University Medical Center Groningen and University of Groningen, GGZ Drenthe, Department of Specialist Training, The Netherlands.
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18
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Circulating endocannabinoids and prospective risk for depression in trauma-injury survivors. Neurobiol Stress 2021; 14:100304. [PMID: 33614866 PMCID: PMC7876629 DOI: 10.1016/j.ynstr.2021.100304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2020] [Revised: 01/19/2021] [Accepted: 01/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Biological mechanisms associated with response to trauma may impact risk for depression. One such mechanism is endocannabinoid signaling (eCB), a neuromodulatory system comprised of the CB1 subtype of cannabinoid receptors (CB1R), encoded by the CNR1 gene, and two primary endogenous ligands: 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) and N-arachidonylethanolamine (AEA), hydrolyzed by monoacylglycerol lipase (gene name MGLL) and fatty acid amide hydrolase (gene name FAAH). Preclinical data suggest that eCB/CB1R signaling acts as a stress buffer and its loss or suppression increases depression-like behaviors. We examined circulating concentrations of the eCBs (2-AG and AEA) days and six months after a traumatic injury as a marker of eCB/CB1R signaling and as predictors of Center for Epidemiologic Studies of Depression Scale-Revised [CESD-R] scores as a measure of depression severity six months after injury. We also explored associations of CNR1, FAAH, and MGLL genetic variance with depression severity at six months. Results from hierarchical multiple linear regressions showed that higher 2-AG serum concentrations after trauma predicted greater depression at six months (β = 0.23, p = 0.007); neither AEA after trauma, nor 2-AG and AEA at six months were significant predictors (p's > 0.305). Carriers of minor allele for the putative single nucleotide polymorphism in the CNR1 gene rs806371 (β = 0.19, p = 0.024) experienced greater depression at six months. These data suggest that the eCB signaling system is highly activated following trauma and that eCB/CB1R activity contributes to long-term depression risk.
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Duque-Quintero M, Martínez-Garro J, Guzmán-González PA, Sierra-Hincapié GM, Torres-de Galvis Y. SNP-SNP interactions in the BDNF, COMT, CBR1 and CCK genes, associated with post-traumatic stress disorder in urban residents of Itagüí, Colombia. REVISTA DE LA FACULTAD DE MEDICINA 2020. [DOI: 10.15446/revfacmed.v68n4.77723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Introducción. Los polimorfismos de un solo nucleótido (SNP, por su sigla en inglés) en los genes BDNF, COMT, CBR1 y CCK han sido asociados con el proceso de extinción del miedo en humanos. Dado que la extinción del miedo es clave para la recuperación del trauma psicológico, es posible que estos genes modulen el riesgo de desarrollar trastorno de estrés postraumático (TEPT).Objetivo. Evaluar las asociaciones unilocus y multilocus entre los SNP en los genes BDNF, COMT, CBR1 y CCK y el riesgo de desarrollar TEPT.Materiales y métodos. 129 habitantes del municipio de Itagüí, Colombia, que habían experimentado trauma psicológico al menos una vez, fueron genotipificados para estos polimorfismos (38 casos de TEPT y 91 controles). Se realizaron pruebas de asociación unilocus y multilocus por regresión logística para SNP únicos y las combinaciones genotípicas SNP-SNP existentes.Resultados. No se encontraron asociaciones unilocus, pero se observaron interacciones entre BDNF y CBR1, y CCK y COMT. De estas interacciones, las combinaciones genotípicas que se comportaron como factores de riesgo fueron AG-AA (OR=13.52, p<0.05) de BDNF-CBR1 y TC-AA (OR=13.70, p<0.05) de CCK-COMT.Conclusiones: Los dos pares de polimorfismos en interacción encontrados en el presente estudio podrían actuar de forma aditiva y generar un mayor riesgo de desarrollar TEPT después de sufrir trauma psicológico. Quienes portan un solo alelo tienen un menor riesgo de desarrollar el trastorno que quienes portan dos alelos en genes que interactúan entre sí.
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Tomasi J, Zai CC, Zai G, Herbert D, King N, Freeman N, Kennedy JL, Tiwari AK. The effect of polymorphisms in startle-related genes on anxiety symptom severity. J Psychiatr Res 2020; 125:144-151. [PMID: 32289651 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2020.03.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2020] [Revised: 03/24/2020] [Accepted: 03/31/2020] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Given the limited effectiveness of treatments for pathological anxiety, there is a pressing need to identify genetic markers that can aid the precise selection of treatments and optimize treatment response. Anxiety and startle response levels demonstrate a direct relationship, and previous literature suggests that exaggerated startle reactivity may serve as an endophenotype of pathological anxiety. In addition, genetic variants related to startle reactivity may play a role in the etiology of pathological anxiety. In the current study, we selected 22 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) related to startle reactivity in the literature, and examined their association with anxiety symptom severity across psychiatric disorders (n = 508), and in a subset of patients with an anxiety disorder (n = 298). Overall, none of the SNPs pass correction for multiple independent tests. However, across psychiatric patients, rs6323 from the monoamine oxidase A (MAOA) gene and rs324981 from the neuropeptide S receptor 1 (NPSR1) gene were nominally associated with baseline anxiety symptom severity (p = 0.017, 0.023). These preliminary findings provide support for investigating startle-related genetic variants to identify biomarkers of anxiety symptom severity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Tomasi
- Molecular Brain Science Department, Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Toronto, ON, Canada; Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
| | - Clement C Zai
- Molecular Brain Science Department, Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Toronto, ON, Canada; Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Gwyneth Zai
- Molecular Brain Science Department, Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Toronto, ON, Canada; Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; General Adult Psychiatry and Health Systems Division, CAMH, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Deanna Herbert
- Molecular Brain Science Department, Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Nicole King
- Molecular Brain Science Department, Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Natalie Freeman
- Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute and Krembil Centre for Neuroinformatics, CAMH, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - James L Kennedy
- Molecular Brain Science Department, Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Toronto, ON, Canada; Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Arun K Tiwari
- Molecular Brain Science Department, Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Toronto, ON, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
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Prospéro-García O, Ruiz Contreras AE, Ortega Gómez A, Herrera-Solís A, Méndez-Díaz M. Endocannabinoids as Therapeutic Targets. Arch Med Res 2020; 50:518-526. [PMID: 32028095 DOI: 10.1016/j.arcmed.2019.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2019] [Revised: 08/01/2019] [Accepted: 09/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Most of the drugs of abuse affect the brain by interacting with naturally expressed molecular receptors. Marihuana affects a series of receptors including cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1R) and CB2R, among others. Endogenous molecules with cannabinoid activity interact with these receptors naturally. Receptors, ligands, synthesizing and degrading enzymes, as well as transporters, have been described. This endocannabinoid system modulates behaviors and physiological processes, i.e. food intake, the sleep-waking cycle, learning and memory, motivation, and pain perception, among others. The rather broad distribution of endocannabinoids in the brain explains the different effects marihuana induces in its users. However, this very same anatomical and physiological distribution makes this system a useful target for therapeutic endeavors. In this review, we briefly discuss the potential of small molecules that target the endocannabinoids as therapeutic tools to improve behaviors and treat illnesses. We believe that under medical supervision, endocannabinoid targets offer new advantages for patients for controlling multiple medical disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oscar Prospéro-García
- Departamento de Fisiología, Laboratorio de Canabinoides, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, Mexico.
| | - Alejandra E Ruiz Contreras
- Laboratorio de Neurogenómica Cognitiva, Facultad de Psicología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Alette Ortega Gómez
- Laboratorio de Medicina Traslacional, Instituto Nacional de Cancerología, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Andrea Herrera-Solís
- Laboratorio Efectos Terapéuticos de los Canabinoides, Subdirección de Investigación Biomédica, Hospital General Dr. Manuel Gea González, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Mónica Méndez-Díaz
- Departamento de Fisiología, Laboratorio de Canabinoides, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, Mexico
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The Endocannabinoid System of Animals. Animals (Basel) 2019; 9:ani9090686. [PMID: 31527410 PMCID: PMC6770351 DOI: 10.3390/ani9090686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2019] [Revised: 09/05/2019] [Accepted: 09/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Our understanding of the Endocannabinoid System of animals, and its ubiquitous presence in nearly all members of Animalia, has opened the door to novel approaches targeting pain management, cancer therapeutics, modulation of neurologic disorders, stress reduction, anxiety management, and inflammatory diseases. Both endogenous and exogenous endocannabinoid-related molecules are able to function as direct ligands or, otherwise, influence the EndoCannabinoid System (ECS). This review article introduces the reader to the ECS in animals, and documents its potential as a source for emerging therapeutics. Abstract The endocannabinoid system has been found to be pervasive in mammalian species. It has also been described in invertebrate species as primitive as the Hydra. Insects, apparently, are devoid of this, otherwise, ubiquitous system that provides homeostatic balance to the nervous and immune systems, as well as many other organ systems. The endocannabinoid system (ECS) has been defined to consist of three parts, which include (1) endogenous ligands, (2) G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs), and (3) enzymes to degrade and recycle the ligands. Two endogenous molecules have been identified as ligands in the ECS to date. The endocannabinoids are anandamide (arachidonoyl ethanolamide) and 2-AG (2-arachidonoyl glycerol). Two G-coupled protein receptors (GPCR) have been described as part of this system, with other putative GPC being considered. Coincidentally, the phytochemicals produced in large quantities by the Cannabis sativa L plant, and in lesser amounts by other plants, can interact with this system as ligands. These plant-based cannabinoids are termed phytocannabinoids. The precise determination of the distribution of cannabinoid receptors in animal species is an ongoing project, with the canine cannabinoid receptor distribution currently receiving the most interest in non-human animals.
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Bonaccorso S, Ricciardi A, Zangani C, Chiappini S, Schifano F. Cannabidiol (CBD) use in psychiatric disorders: A systematic review. Neurotoxicology 2019; 74:282-298. [PMID: 31412258 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuro.2019.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2019] [Revised: 08/02/2019] [Accepted: 08/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Cannabidiol (CBD) and Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) are the most represented phytocannabinoids in Cannabis sativa plants. However, CBD may present with a different activity compared with the psychotomimetic THC. Most typically, CBD is reported to be used in some medical conditions, including chronic pain. Conversely, the main aim of this systematic review is to assess and summarise the available body of evidence relating to both efficacy and safety of CBD as a treatment for psychiatric disorders, alone and/or in combination with other treatments. Eligible studies included randomized controlled trials (RCT) assessing the effect of CBD in a range of psychopathological conditions, such as substance use; psychosis, anxiety, mood disturbances, and other psychiatric (e.g., cognitive impairment; sleep; personality; eating; obsessive-compulsive; post-traumatic stress/PTSD; dissociative; and somatic) disorders. For data gathering purposes, the PRISMA guidelines were followed. The initial search strategy identified some n = 1301 papers; n = 190 studies were included after the abstract's screening and n = 27 articles met the inclusion criteria. There is currently limited evidence regarding the safety and efficacy of CBD for the treatment of psychiatric disorders. However, available trials reported potential therapeutic effects for specific psychopathological conditions, such as substance use disorders, chronic psychosis, and anxiety. Further large-scale RCTs are required to better evaluate the efficacy of CBD in both acute and chronic illnesses, special categories, as well as to exclude any possible abuse liability.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Angelo Ricciardi
- Camden and Islington NHS Mental Health Foundation Trust, London, UK; Department of Mental Health, ASL Roma 1, Rome, Italy
| | - Caroline Zangani
- Psychopharmacology, Drug Misuse and Novel Psychoactive Substances Research Unit, School of Life and Medical Sciences, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, UK
| | - Stefania Chiappini
- Psychopharmacology, Drug Misuse and Novel Psychoactive Substances Research Unit, School of Life and Medical Sciences, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, UK
| | - Fabrizio Schifano
- Psychopharmacology, Drug Misuse and Novel Psychoactive Substances Research Unit, School of Life and Medical Sciences, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, UK
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van der Flier FE, Kwee CMB, Cath DC, Batelaan NM, Groenink L, Duits P, van der Veen DC, van Balkom AJLM, Baas JMP. Cannabidiol enhancement of exposure therapy in treatment refractory patients with phobias: study protocol of a randomized controlled trial. BMC Psychiatry 2019; 19:69. [PMID: 30760241 PMCID: PMC6373100 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-019-2022-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2018] [Accepted: 01/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Phobic anxiety disorders are among the most prevalent psychiatric disorders and are burdensome in terms of loss of quality of life and work productivity. Evidence-based treatments are relatively successful in the majority of patients, especially exposure therapy. However, a substantial subset of patients fails to achieve or stay in remission. Preclinical and genetic research have yielded evidence that the cannabinoid system is involved in the extinction of fear, presumed to underlie the beneficial effects of exposure therapy in phobic disorders. A cannabinoid constituent that may enhance endocannabinoid signaling is cannabidiol (CBD), a non-psychoactive component of cannabis. Hence, the addition of CBD to exposure therapy is expected to strengthen effects of treatment. To determine the added benefit of CBD on exposure therapy, we conduct a randomized controlled trial, in which patients in whom previous treatment as usual has not yielded sufficient response receive either CBD or placebo preceding 8 exposure sessions in a double-blind fashion. A subsidiary aim is to explore which (combination of) clinical, behavioral and genetic profiles of patients are related to treatment response. METHODS/DESIGN This is an 8-week multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Seventy-two patients with social phobia or panic disorder with agoraphobia with incomplete response to earlier treatment will be included from outpatient clinics in the Netherlands. Patients are randomized to augmentation of exposure therapy with 300 mg CBD or placebo. The study medication is administered orally, 2 h preceding each of the eight 90 min exposure sessions. Measurements will take place at baseline, first administration of medication, every session, mid-treatment, last administration of medication, post-treatment and at 3 and 6 months' follow-up. The primary outcome measure is the score on the Fear Questionnaire (FQ). In addition, determinants of the expected treatment enhancing effect of CBD will be explored. DISCUSSION This is the first trial to investigate whether the addition of CBD to exposure therapy is effective in reducing phobic symptoms in treatment refractory patients with social phobia or panic disorder with agoraphobia. TRIAL REGISTRATION Netherlands Trial Register NTR5100 . Registered 13 March 2015. Protocol version: issue date 17 Jan 2018, protocol amendment number 7.
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Affiliation(s)
- Febe E. van der Flier
- Department of Experimental Psychology and Helmholtz Institute, Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Altrecht Academic Anxiety Centre, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, VU University Medical Center and GGZinGeest, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- University Center Psychiatry, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | | | - Danielle C. Cath
- Altrecht Academic Anxiety Centre, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Rob Giel Research Center & Department of Psychiatry, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Neeltje M. Batelaan
- Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, VU University Medical Center and GGZinGeest, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Lucianne Groenink
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Division of Pharmacology, UIPS, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Puck Duits
- Altrecht Academic Anxiety Centre, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Date C. van der Veen
- University Center Psychiatry, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Anton J. L. M. van Balkom
- Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, VU University Medical Center and GGZinGeest, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Johanna M. P. Baas
- Department of Experimental Psychology and Helmholtz Institute, Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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25
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Lisboa SF, Vila-Verde C, Rosa J, Uliana DL, Stern CAJ, Bertoglio LJ, Resstel LB, Guimaraes FS. Tempering aversive/traumatic memories with cannabinoids: a review of evidence from animal and human studies. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2019; 236:201-226. [PMID: 30604182 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-018-5127-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2018] [Accepted: 11/14/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE Aversive learning and memory are essential to cope with dangerous and stressful stimuli present in an ever-changing environment. When this process is dysfunctional, however, it is associated with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The endocannabinoid (eCB) system has been implicated in synaptic plasticity associated with physiological and pathological aversive learning and memory. OBJECTIVE AND METHODS The objective of this study was to review and discuss evidence on how and where in the brain genetic or pharmacological interventions targeting the eCB system would attenuate aversive/traumatic memories through extinction facilitation in laboratory animals and humans. The effect size of the experimental intervention under investigation was also calculated. RESULTS Currently available data indicate that direct or indirect activation of cannabinoid type-1 (CB1) receptor facilitates the extinction of aversive/traumatic memories. Activating CB1 receptors around the formation of aversive/traumatic memories or their reminders can potentiate their subsequent extinction. In most cases, the effect size has been large (Cohen's d ≥ 1.0). The brain areas responsible for the abovementioned effects include the medial prefrontal cortex, amygdala, and/or hippocampus. The potential role of cannabinoid type-2 (CB2) receptors in extinction learning is now under investigation. CONCLUSION Drugs augmenting the brain eCB activity can temper the impact of aversive/traumatic experiences by diverse mechanisms depending on the moment of their administration. Considering the pivotal role the extinction process plays in PTSD, the therapeutic potential of these drugs is evident. The sparse number of clinical trials testing these compounds in stress-related disorders is a gap in the literature that needs to be addressed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabrina F Lisboa
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo (FMRP/USP), Av Bandeirantes 3900, Monte Alegre, 14049900, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil. .,Center for Interdisciplinary Research on Applied Neurosciences (NAPNA), Medical School of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo (USP), Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil.
| | - C Vila-Verde
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo (FMRP/USP), Av Bandeirantes 3900, Monte Alegre, 14049900, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil.,Center for Interdisciplinary Research on Applied Neurosciences (NAPNA), Medical School of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo (USP), Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - J Rosa
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo (FMRP/USP), Av Bandeirantes 3900, Monte Alegre, 14049900, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil.,Center for Interdisciplinary Research on Applied Neurosciences (NAPNA), Medical School of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo (USP), Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - D L Uliana
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo (FMRP/USP), Av Bandeirantes 3900, Monte Alegre, 14049900, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil.,Center for Interdisciplinary Research on Applied Neurosciences (NAPNA), Medical School of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo (USP), Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - C A J Stern
- Department of Pharmacology, Federal University of Parana, Curitiba, PR, Brazil
| | - L J Bertoglio
- Department of Pharmacology, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianopolis, SC, Brazil
| | - L B Resstel
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo (FMRP/USP), Av Bandeirantes 3900, Monte Alegre, 14049900, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil.,Center for Interdisciplinary Research on Applied Neurosciences (NAPNA), Medical School of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo (USP), Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - F S Guimaraes
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo (FMRP/USP), Av Bandeirantes 3900, Monte Alegre, 14049900, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil.,Center for Interdisciplinary Research on Applied Neurosciences (NAPNA), Medical School of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo (USP), Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
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26
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Shi L, Chen SJ, Deng JH, Que JY, Lin X, Sun Y, Bao YP, Shi J, Lu L. ADRB2 gene polymorphism modulates the retention of fear extinction memory. Neurobiol Learn Mem 2018; 156:96-102. [PMID: 30423370 DOI: 10.1016/j.nlm.2018.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2018] [Revised: 10/12/2018] [Accepted: 11/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Individual differences in regulation of fear and extinction memory play significant roles in the aetiology development of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Previous animal based studies showed that the activity of β-adrenergic receptors (β-ARs) are involved in memory modulation. However in humans it is not clear that whether genetic variability in β-ARs contributes to individual differences of fear and extinction memory. In the current study, we investigated the role of a common single-nucleotide polymorphism of β2-adrenergic receptor (ADRB2) gene in fear memory acquisition, fear memory extinction, extinction recall and fear generalization in human participants. Ninety-one male participants were exposed to a Pavlovian fear conditioning and their fear responses were assessed by the skin conductance response. Participants were genotyped for a polymorphism (rs2400207) located within the promoter region of the human ADRB2. Differences between genotypes were observed in the extinction memory recall test but not in fear acquisition, extinction learning and fear generalization. Particularly, A-allele carriers of rs2400707 displayed successful retention of extinction memory and prevented the return of fear during recall test. The results revealed the involvement of human noradrenergic system in the retention of extinction memory and genetic variability in this system may underlie individual differences in PTSD. Furthermore, rs2400207 polymorphism of ADRB2 gene may play a key role in the treatment efficacy of PTSD and can be a basis for future studies investigating a personalized medicine for fear memory related disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Le Shi
- Peking University Sixth Hospital, Peking University Institute of Mental Health, Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Ministry of Health (Peking University), National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders (Peking University Sixth Hospital), Beijing, China
| | - Si-Jing Chen
- Peking University Sixth Hospital, Peking University Institute of Mental Health, Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Ministry of Health (Peking University), National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders (Peking University Sixth Hospital), Beijing, China; Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
| | - Jia-Hui Deng
- Peking University Sixth Hospital, Peking University Institute of Mental Health, Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Ministry of Health (Peking University), National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders (Peking University Sixth Hospital), Beijing, China
| | - Jian-Yu Que
- Peking University Sixth Hospital, Peking University Institute of Mental Health, Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Ministry of Health (Peking University), National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders (Peking University Sixth Hospital), Beijing, China
| | - Xiao Lin
- Center for Life Sciences, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Yan Sun
- National Institute on Drug Dependence, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Yan-Ping Bao
- National Institute on Drug Dependence, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Jie Shi
- National Institute on Drug Dependence, Peking University, Beijing, China.
| | - Lin Lu
- Peking University Sixth Hospital, Peking University Institute of Mental Health, Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Ministry of Health (Peking University), National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders (Peking University Sixth Hospital), Beijing, China; Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China; PKU-IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Peking University, Beijing, China.
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27
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The endocannabinoid system in mental disorders: Evidence from human brain studies. Biochem Pharmacol 2018; 157:97-107. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2018.07.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2018] [Accepted: 07/12/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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28
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Modulation of the endocannabinoid system by sex hormones: Implications for posttraumatic stress disorder. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2018; 94:302-320. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2018.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2018] [Revised: 07/10/2018] [Accepted: 07/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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29
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Yao Y, Xu Y, Zhao J, Ma Y, Su K, Yuan W, Ma JZ, Payne TJ, Li MD. Detection of Significant Association Between Variants in Cannabinoid Receptor 1 Gene ( CNR1) and Personality in African-American Population. Front Genet 2018; 9:199. [PMID: 29963071 PMCID: PMC6010580 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2018.00199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2017] [Accepted: 05/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Several studies have revealed significant associations between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the cannabinoid receptor 1 (CNR1) gene and a broad spectrum of psychiatric disorders such as major depressive disorder (MDD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and schizophrenia. Personality traits that are highly related to susceptibility to these conditions have been associated with the CNR1 variants in subjects of Caucasian origin. However, there are no reported studies regarding the effects of CNR1 polymorphisms on personality traits in the African-American (AA) population. Methods: We performed an imputation-based association analysis for 26 CNR1 variants with five dimensions of personality in 3,046 AAs. Results: SNPs rs806372 and rs2180619 showed a significant association with extraversion after Bonferroni correction for multiple testing (p < 0.0019). Further, several extraversion-associated SNPs were significantly associated with conscientiousness, agreeableness, and openness. SNP priority score analysis indicated that SNPs rs806368, rs806371, and rs2180619 play a role in the modulation of personality and psychiatric conditions. Conclusion:CNR1 is important in determining personality traits in the AA population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yinghao Yao
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yi Xu
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Junsheng Zhao
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yunlong Ma
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Kunkai Su
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Wenji Yuan
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jennie Z Ma
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, United States
| | - Thomas J Payne
- Department of Otolaryngology and Communicative Sciences, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, United States
| | - Ming D Li
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.,Research Center for Air Pollution and Health, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Institute of Neuroimmune Pharmacology, Seton Hall University, South Orange, NJ, United States
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30
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Krabbe S, Gründemann J, Lüthi A. Amygdala Inhibitory Circuits Regulate Associative Fear Conditioning. Biol Psychiatry 2018; 83:800-809. [PMID: 29174478 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2017.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 160] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2017] [Revised: 09/28/2017] [Accepted: 10/04/2017] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Associative memory formation is essential for an animal's survival by ensuring adaptive behavioral responses in an ever-changing environment. This is particularly important under conditions of immediate threats such as in fear learning. One of the key brain regions involved in associative fear learning is the amygdala. The basolateral amygdala is the main entry site for sensory information to the amygdala complex, and local plasticity in excitatory basolateral amygdala principal neurons is considered to be crucial for learning of conditioned fear responses. However, activity and plasticity of excitatory circuits are tightly controlled by local inhibitory interneurons in a spatially and temporally defined manner. In this review, we provide an updated view on how distinct interneuron subtypes in the basolateral amygdala contribute to the acquisition and extinction of conditioned fear memories.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabine Krabbe
- Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Jan Gründemann
- Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Andreas Lüthi
- Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, Basel, Switzerland; University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
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31
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Fairfield B, Mammarella N, Franzago M, Di Domenico A, Stuppia L, Gatta V. A variant on promoter of the cannabinoid receptor 1 gene (CNR1) moderates the effect of valence on working memory. Memory 2017; 26:260-268. [PMID: 28685667 DOI: 10.1080/09658211.2017.1347685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Cannabinoid receptor 1 gene (CNR1) variants have been related to affective information processing and, in particular, to stress release. Here, we aimed to examine whether the endocannabinoid system via CNR1 signaling modulates affective working memory, the memory system that transiently maintains and manipulates emotionally charged material. We focused on rs2180619 (A > G) polymorphism and examined genotype data collected from 231 healthy females. Analyses showed how a general positivity bias in working memory (i.e., better memory for positive words) emerged as task strings lengthened only in carriers of the major allele (AA/AG). Differently, GG carriers showed better memory for affective items in general (i.e., positive and negative words). These findings are some of the first to directly highlight the role of variant on promoter of the CNR1 gene in affective working memory and to evidence a differentiation among CNR1 genotypes in terms of larger difficulties in disengaging from negative stimuli in GG carriers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beth Fairfield
- a Department of Psychological, Health and Territorial Sciences , University of Chieti , Chieti , Italy.,b Center of Excellence on Aging and Translational Medicine (CeSI-MeT) "G. d'Annunzio" , University of Chieti , Chieti , Italy
| | - Nicola Mammarella
- a Department of Psychological, Health and Territorial Sciences , University of Chieti , Chieti , Italy.,b Center of Excellence on Aging and Translational Medicine (CeSI-MeT) "G. d'Annunzio" , University of Chieti , Chieti , Italy
| | - Marica Franzago
- a Department of Psychological, Health and Territorial Sciences , University of Chieti , Chieti , Italy.,b Center of Excellence on Aging and Translational Medicine (CeSI-MeT) "G. d'Annunzio" , University of Chieti , Chieti , Italy
| | - Alberto Di Domenico
- a Department of Psychological, Health and Territorial Sciences , University of Chieti , Chieti , Italy.,b Center of Excellence on Aging and Translational Medicine (CeSI-MeT) "G. d'Annunzio" , University of Chieti , Chieti , Italy
| | - Liborio Stuppia
- a Department of Psychological, Health and Territorial Sciences , University of Chieti , Chieti , Italy.,b Center of Excellence on Aging and Translational Medicine (CeSI-MeT) "G. d'Annunzio" , University of Chieti , Chieti , Italy
| | - Valentina Gatta
- a Department of Psychological, Health and Territorial Sciences , University of Chieti , Chieti , Italy.,b Center of Excellence on Aging and Translational Medicine (CeSI-MeT) "G. d'Annunzio" , University of Chieti , Chieti , Italy
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Savage JE, Sawyers C, Roberson-Nay R, Hettema JM. The genetics of anxiety-related negative valence system traits. Am J Med Genet B Neuropsychiatr Genet 2017; 174:156-177. [PMID: 27196537 PMCID: PMC5349709 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.b.32459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2015] [Accepted: 05/05/2016] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
NIMH's Research Domain Criteria (RDoC) domain of negative valence systems (NVS) captures constructs of negative affect such as fear and distress traditionally subsumed under the various internalizing disorders. Through its aims to capture dimensional measures that cut across diagnostic categories and are linked to underlying neurobiological systems, a large number of phenotypic constructs have been proposed as potential research targets. Since "genes" represent a central "unit of analysis" in the RDoC matrix, it is important for studies going forward to apply what is known about the genetics of these phenotypes as well as fill in the gaps of existing knowledge. This article reviews the extant genetic epidemiological data (twin studies, heritability) and molecular genetic association findings for a broad range of putative NVS phenotypic measures. We find that scant genetic epidemiological data is available for experimentally derived measures such as attentional bias, peripheral physiology, or brain-based measures of threat response. The molecular genetic basis of NVS phenotypes is in its infancy, since most studies have focused on a small number of candidate genes selected for putative association to anxiety disorders (ADs). Thus, more research is required to provide a firm understanding of the genetic aspects of anxiety-related NVS constructs. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeanne E. Savage
- Virginia Institute for Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA
| | - Chelsea Sawyers
- Virginia Institute for Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA
| | - Roxann Roberson-Nay
- Virginia Institute for Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA,Department of Psychiatry, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA
| | - John M. Hettema
- Virginia Institute for Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA,Department of Psychiatry, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA
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Lester KJ, Coleman JRI, Roberts S, Keers R, Breen G, Bögels S, Creswell C, Hudson JL, McKinnon A, Nauta M, Rapee RM, Schneider S, Silverman WK, Thastum M, Waite P, Wergeland GJH, Eley TC. Genetic variation in the endocannabinoid system and response to Cognitive Behavior Therapy for child anxiety disorders. Am J Med Genet B Neuropsychiatr Genet 2017; 174:144-155. [PMID: 27346075 PMCID: PMC5324578 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.b.32467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2016] [Accepted: 05/25/2016] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Extinction learning is an important mechanism in the successful psychological treatment of anxiety. Individual differences in response and relapse following Cognitive Behavior Therapy may in part be explained by variability in the ease with which fears are extinguished or the vulnerability of these fears to re-emerge. Given the role of the endocannabinoid system in fear extinction, this study investigates whether genetic variation in the endocannabinoid system explains individual differences in response to CBT. Children (N = 1,309) with a primary anxiety disorder diagnosis were recruited. We investigated the relationship between variation in the CNR1, CNR2, and FAAH genes and change in primary anxiety disorder severity between pre- and post-treatment and during the follow-up period in the full sample and a subset with fear-based anxiety disorder diagnoses. Change in symptom severity during active treatment was nominally associated (P < 0.05) with two SNPs. During the follow-up period, five SNPs were nominally associated with a poorer treatment response (rs806365 [CNR1]; rs2501431 [CNR2]; rs2070956 [CNR2]; rs7769940 [CNR1]; rs2209172 [FAAH]) and one with a more favorable response (rs6928813 [CNR1]). Within the fear-based subset, the effect of rs806365 survived multiple testing corrections (P < 0.0016). We found very limited evidence for an association between variants in endocannabinoid system genes and treatment response once multiple testing corrections were applied. Larger, more homogenous cohorts are needed to allow the identification of variants of small but statistically significant effect and to estimate effect sizes for these variants with greater precision in order to determine their potential clinical utility. © 2016 The Authors. American Journal of Medical Genetics Part B: Neuropsychiatric Genetics Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn J Lester
- School of Psychology, University of Sussex, Brighton, UK
- King's College London, MRC Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry (SGDP) Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, London, UK
| | - Jonathan R I Coleman
- King's College London, MRC Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry (SGDP) Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, London, UK
| | - Susanna Roberts
- King's College London, MRC Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry (SGDP) Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, London, UK
| | - Robert Keers
- King's College London, MRC Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry (SGDP) Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, London, UK
| | - Gerome Breen
- King's College London, MRC Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry (SGDP) Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, London, UK
- National Institute for Health Research Biomedical Research Centre, South London and Maudsley National Health Service Trust, Beckenham, UK
| | - Susan Bögels
- Research Institute Child Development and Education, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Cathy Creswell
- School of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences, University of Reading, Reading, UK
| | - Jennifer L Hudson
- Department of Psychology, Centre for Emotional Health, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia
| | - Anna McKinnon
- Department of Psychology, Centre for Emotional Health, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia
- MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit, Cambridge, UK
- Brain and Mind Research Institute, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Maaike Nauta
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Experimental Psychopathology, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Ronald M Rapee
- Department of Psychology, Centre for Emotional Health, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia
| | - Silvia Schneider
- Department of Psychology, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Wendy K Silverman
- Yale University School of Medicine, Child Study Center, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Mikael Thastum
- Department of Psychology and Behavioural Sciences, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Polly Waite
- School of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences, University of Reading, Reading, UK
| | - Gro Janne H Wergeland
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
| | - Thalia C Eley
- King's College London, MRC Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry (SGDP) Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, London, UK
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35
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The endocannabinoid system and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): From preclinical findings to innovative therapeutic approaches in clinical settings. Pharmacol Res 2016; 111:668-678. [DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2016.07.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2016] [Revised: 06/30/2016] [Accepted: 07/21/2016] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
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Russo EB. Clinical Endocannabinoid Deficiency Reconsidered: Current Research Supports the Theory in Migraine, Fibromyalgia, Irritable Bowel, and Other Treatment-Resistant Syndromes. Cannabis Cannabinoid Res 2016; 1:154-165. [PMID: 28861491 PMCID: PMC5576607 DOI: 10.1089/can.2016.0009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Medicine continues to struggle in its approaches to numerous common subjective pain syndromes that lack objective signs and remain treatment resistant. Foremost among these are migraine, fibromyalgia, and irritable bowel syndrome, disorders that may overlap in their affected populations and whose sufferers have all endured the stigma of a psychosomatic label, as well as the failure of endless pharmacotherapeutic interventions with substandard benefit. The commonality in symptomatology in these conditions displaying hyperalgesia and central sensitization with possible common underlying pathophysiology suggests that a clinical endocannabinoid deficiency might characterize their origin. Its base hypothesis is that all humans have an underlying endocannabinoid tone that is a reflection of levels of the endocannabinoids, anandamide (arachidonylethanolamide), and 2-arachidonoylglycerol, their production, metabolism, and the relative abundance and state of cannabinoid receptors. Its theory is that in certain conditions, whether congenital or acquired, endocannabinoid tone becomes deficient and productive of pathophysiological syndromes. When first proposed in 2001 and subsequently, this theory was based on genetic overlap and comorbidity, patterns of symptomatology that could be mediated by the endocannabinoid system (ECS), and the fact that exogenous cannabinoid treatment frequently provided symptomatic benefit. However, objective proof and formal clinical trial data were lacking. Currently, however, statistically significant differences in cerebrospinal fluid anandamide levels have been documented in migraineurs, and advanced imaging studies have demonstrated ECS hypofunction in post-traumatic stress disorder. Additional studies have provided a firmer foundation for the theory, while clinical data have also produced evidence for decreased pain, improved sleep, and other benefits to cannabinoid treatment and adjunctive lifestyle approaches affecting the ECS.
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Ruiz-Contreras AE, Román-López TV, Caballero-Sánchez U, Rosas-Escobar CB, Ortega-Mora EI, Barrera-Tlapa MA, Romero-Hidalgo S, Carrillo-Sánchez K, Hernández-Morales S, Vadillo-Ortega F, González-Barrios JA, Méndez-Díaz M, Prospéro-García O. Because difficulty is not the same for everyone: the impact of complexity in working memory is associated with cannabinoid 1 receptor genetic variation in young adults. Memory 2016; 25:335-343. [PMID: 27108777 DOI: 10.1080/09658211.2016.1172642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Individual differences in working memory ability are mainly revealed when a demanding challenge is imposed. Here, we have associated cannabinoid 1 (CB1) receptor genetic variation rs2180619 (AA, AG, GG), which is located in a potential CNR1 regulatory sequence, with performance in working memory. Two-hundred and nine Mexican-mestizo healthy young participants (89 women, 120 men, mean age: 23.26 years, SD = 2.85) were challenged to solve a medium (2-back) vs. a high (3-back) difficulty N-back tasks. All subjects responded as expected, performance was better with the medium than the high demand task version, but no differences were found among genotypes while performing each working memory (WM) task. However, the cost of the level of complexity in N-back paradigm was double for GG subjects than for AA subjects. It is noteworthy that an additive-dosage allele relation was found for G allele in terms of cost of level of complexity. These genetic variation results support that the endocannabinoid system, evaluated by rs2180619 polymorphism, is involved in WM ability in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandra E Ruiz-Contreras
- a Gpo. Neurociencias: Lab. Neurogenomica Cognitiva, Coord. Psicobiología y Neurociencias, Fac. Psicologia , Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico (UNAM) , Cd. Mexico, Mexico.,b Gpo. Neurociencias: Lab. Canabinoides, Depto. Fisiologia, Fac. Medicina , UNAM , Cd. Mexico, Mexico
| | - Talía V Román-López
- a Gpo. Neurociencias: Lab. Neurogenomica Cognitiva, Coord. Psicobiología y Neurociencias, Fac. Psicologia , Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico (UNAM) , Cd. Mexico, Mexico
| | - Ulises Caballero-Sánchez
- a Gpo. Neurociencias: Lab. Neurogenomica Cognitiva, Coord. Psicobiología y Neurociencias, Fac. Psicologia , Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico (UNAM) , Cd. Mexico, Mexico
| | - Cintia B Rosas-Escobar
- a Gpo. Neurociencias: Lab. Neurogenomica Cognitiva, Coord. Psicobiología y Neurociencias, Fac. Psicologia , Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico (UNAM) , Cd. Mexico, Mexico
| | - E Ivett Ortega-Mora
- a Gpo. Neurociencias: Lab. Neurogenomica Cognitiva, Coord. Psicobiología y Neurociencias, Fac. Psicologia , Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico (UNAM) , Cd. Mexico, Mexico
| | - Miguel A Barrera-Tlapa
- a Gpo. Neurociencias: Lab. Neurogenomica Cognitiva, Coord. Psicobiología y Neurociencias, Fac. Psicologia , Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico (UNAM) , Cd. Mexico, Mexico
| | - Sandra Romero-Hidalgo
- c Departamento de Genómica Computacional , Instituto Nacional de Medicina Genómica (INMEGEN) , Cd. Mexico, Mexico
| | | | | | - Felipe Vadillo-Ortega
- f Unidad de Vinculación Científica Facultad de Medicina , UNAM, INMEGEN , Cd. Mexico, Mexico
| | - Juan Antonio González-Barrios
- g Lab. Medicina Genómica, Hospital Regional "Primero de Octubre" , Instituto de Seguridad y Servicios Sociales de los Trabajadores del Estado (ISSSTE) , Cd. Mexico, Mexico
| | - Mónica Méndez-Díaz
- b Gpo. Neurociencias: Lab. Canabinoides, Depto. Fisiologia, Fac. Medicina , UNAM , Cd. Mexico, Mexico
| | - Oscar Prospéro-García
- b Gpo. Neurociencias: Lab. Canabinoides, Depto. Fisiologia, Fac. Medicina , UNAM , Cd. Mexico, Mexico
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Duits P, Cath DC, Heitland I, Baas JMP. High Current Anxiety Symptoms, But Not a Past Anxiety Disorder Diagnosis, are Associated with Impaired Fear Extinction. Front Psychol 2016; 7:252. [PMID: 26955364 PMCID: PMC4767935 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2016.00252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2015] [Accepted: 02/09/2016] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Although impaired fear extinction has repeatedly been demonstrated in patients with anxiety disorders, little is known about whether these impairments persist after treatment. The current comparative exploratory study investigated fear extinction in 26 patients treated for their anxiety disorder in the years preceding the study as compared to 17 healthy control subjects. Fear-potentiated startle and subjective fear were measured in a cue and context fear conditioning paradigm within a virtual reality environment. Results indicated no differences in fear extinction between treated anxiety patients and control subjects. However, scores on the Beck Anxiety Inventory across all participants revealed impaired extinction of fear potentiated startle in subjects with high compared to low anxiety symptoms over the past week. Taken together, this exploratory study found no support for impaired fear extinction in treated anxiety patients, and implies that current anxiety symptoms rather than previous patient status determine the success of extinction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Puck Duits
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, Utrecht UniversityUtrecht, Netherlands
- Altrecht Academic Anxiety CentreUtrecht, Netherlands
| | - Danielle C. Cath
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, Utrecht UniversityUtrecht, Netherlands
- Altrecht Academic Anxiety CentreUtrecht, Netherlands
| | - Ivo Heitland
- Department of Experimental Psychology, Utrecht UniversityUtrecht, Netherlands
- Helmholtz Research InstituteUtrecht, Netherlands
| | - Johanna M. P. Baas
- Department of Experimental Psychology, Utrecht UniversityUtrecht, Netherlands
- Helmholtz Research InstituteUtrecht, Netherlands
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Stockhorst U, Antov MI. Modulation of Fear Extinction by Stress, Stress Hormones and Estradiol: A Review. Front Behav Neurosci 2016; 9:359. [PMID: 26858616 PMCID: PMC4726806 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2015.00359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2015] [Accepted: 12/14/2015] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Fear acquisition and extinction are valid models for the etiology and treatment of anxiety, trauma- and stressor-related disorders. These disorders are assumed to involve aversive learning under acute and/or chronic stress. Importantly, fear conditioning and stress share common neuronal circuits. The stress response involves multiple changes interacting in a time-dependent manner: (a) the fast first-wave stress response [with central actions of noradrenaline, dopamine, serotonin, corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), plus increased sympathetic tone and peripheral catecholamine release] and (b) the second-wave stress response [with peripheral release of glucocorticoids (GCs) after activation of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenocortical (HPA) axis]. Control of fear during extinction is also sensitive to these stress-response mediators. In the present review, we will thus examine current animal and human data, addressing the role of stress and single stress-response mediators for successful acquisition, consolidation and recall of fear extinction. We report studies using pharmacological manipulations targeting a number of stress-related neurotransmitters and neuromodulators [monoamines, opioids, endocannabinoids (eCBs), neuropeptide Y, oxytocin, GCs] and behavioral stress induction. As anxiety, trauma- and stressor-related disorders are more common in women, recent research focuses on female sex hormones and identifies a potential role for estradiol in fear extinction. We will thus summarize animal and human data on the role of estradiol and explore possible interactions with stress or stress-response mediators in extinction. This also aims at identifying time-windows of enhanced (or reduced) sensitivity for fear extinction, and thus also for successful exposure therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ursula Stockhorst
- Experimental Psychology II and Biological Psychology, Institute of Psychology, University of OsnabrückOsnabrück, Germany
| | - Martin I. Antov
- Experimental Psychology II and Biological Psychology, Institute of Psychology, University of OsnabrückOsnabrück, Germany
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Heitland I, Groenink L, van Gool JM, Domschke K, Reif A, Baas JMP. Human fear acquisition deficits in relation to genetic variants of the corticotropin-releasing hormone receptor 1 and the serotonin transporter--revisited. GENES BRAIN AND BEHAVIOR 2016; 15:209-20. [PMID: 26643280 DOI: 10.1111/gbb.12276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2015] [Revised: 08/22/2015] [Accepted: 11/12/2015] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
We recently showed that a genetic polymorphism (rs878886) in the human corticotropin-releasing hormone receptor 1 (CRHR1) is associated with reduced fear-conditioned responses to a threat cue. This is a potentially important finding considering that the failure to acquire fear contingencies can leave an individual in a maladaptive state of more generalized anxiety. Consistent with that idea, the CRHR1-dependent fear acquisition deficit translated into heightened contextual anxiety when taking genetic variability within the serotonin transporter long polymorphic region (5-HTTLPR) into account. To replicate our previous findings, we conducted a replication study in 224 healthy medication-free human subjects using the exact same cue and context virtual reality fear-conditioning procedure as in study by Heitland et al. (2013). In the replication study, consistent with the original findings, CRHR1 rs878886 G-allele carriers showed reduced acquisition of cue-specific fear-conditioned responses compared with C/C homozygotes. Also, in this larger sample the cue acquisition deficit of G-allele carriers translated into heightened contextual anxiety, even independent of 5-HTT gene variation. In contrast to our earlier findings, there was an additional interaction effect of CRHR1 rs878886 and the triallelic 5-HTTLPR/rs25531 variant on cued fear acquisition. In summary, this study replicated the initially reported association of the CRHR1 rs878886 G-allele with cued fear acquisition deficits, albeit with a different pattern of results regarding the interaction with 5-HTT variation. This further supports the notion that the human corticotropin-releasing hormone plays a role in the acquisition of fears.
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Affiliation(s)
- I Heitland
- Department of Experimental Psychology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.,Helmholtz Research Institute, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - L Groenink
- Department of Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - J M van Gool
- Department of Experimental Psychology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - K Domschke
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - A Reif
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - J M P Baas
- Department of Experimental Psychology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.,Helmholtz Research Institute, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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Sumner JA, Powers A, Jovanovic T, Koenen KC. Genetic influences on the neural and physiological bases of acute threat: A research domain criteria (RDoC) perspective. Am J Med Genet B Neuropsychiatr Genet 2016; 171B:44-64. [PMID: 26377804 PMCID: PMC4715467 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.b.32384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2015] [Accepted: 09/01/2015] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
The NIMH Research Domain Criteria (RDoC) initiative aims to describe key dimensional constructs underlying mental function across multiple units of analysis-from genes to observable behaviors-in order to better understand psychopathology. The acute threat ("fear") construct of the RDoC Negative Valence System has been studied extensively from a translational perspective, and is highly pertinent to numerous psychiatric conditions, including anxiety and trauma-related disorders. We examined genetic contributions to the construct of acute threat at two units of analysis within the RDoC framework: (1) neural circuits and (2) physiology. Specifically, we focused on genetic influences on activation patterns of frontolimbic neural circuitry and on startle, skin conductance, and heart rate responses. Research on the heritability of activation in threat-related frontolimbic neural circuitry is lacking, but physiological indicators of acute threat have been found to be moderately heritable (35-50%). Genetic studies of the neural circuitry and physiology of acute threat have almost exclusively relied on the candidate gene method and, as in the broader psychiatric genetics literature, most findings have failed to replicate. The most robust support has been demonstrated for associations between variation in the serotonin transporter (SLC6A4) and catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) genes with threat-related neural activation and physiological responses. However, unbiased genome-wide approaches using very large samples are needed for gene discovery, and these can be accomplished with collaborative consortium-based research efforts, such as those of the Psychiatric Genomics Consortium (PGC) and Enhancing Neuro Imaging Genetics through Meta-Analysis (ENIGMA) Consortium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer A Sumner
- Center for Behavioral Cardiovascular Health, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Abigail Powers
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Tanja Jovanovic
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Karestan C Koenen
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
- Psychiatric and Neurodevelopmental Genetics Unit and Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
- The Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts
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42
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Lee TTY, Hill MN, Lee FS. Developmental regulation of fear learning and anxiety behavior by endocannabinoids. GENES, BRAIN, AND BEHAVIOR 2016; 15:108-24. [PMID: 26419643 PMCID: PMC4713313 DOI: 10.1111/gbb.12253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2015] [Revised: 09/03/2015] [Accepted: 09/14/2015] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The developing brain undergoes substantial maturation into adulthood and the development of specific neural structures occurs on differing timelines. Transient imbalances between developmental trajectories of corticolimbic structures, which are known to contribute to regulation over fear learning and anxiety, can leave an individual susceptible to mental illness, particularly anxiety disorders. There is a substantial body of literature indicating that the endocannabinoid (eCB) system critically regulates stress responsivity and emotional behavior throughout the life span, making this system a novel therapeutic target for stress- and anxiety-related disorders. During early life and adolescence, corticolimbic eCB signaling changes dynamically and coincides with different sensitive periods of fear learning, suggesting that eCB signaling underlies age-specific fear learning responses. Moreover, perturbations to these normative fluctuations in corticolimbic eCB signaling, such as stress or cannabinoid exposure, could serve as a neural substrate contributing to alterations to the normative developmental trajectory of neural structures governing emotional behavior and fear learning. In this review, we first introduce the components of the eCB system and discuss clinical and rodent models showing eCB regulation of fear learning and anxiety in adulthood. Next, we highlight distinct fear learning and regulation profiles throughout development and discuss the ontogeny of the eCB system in the central nervous system, and models of pharmacological augmentation of eCB signaling during development in the context of fear learning and anxiety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiffany T.-Y. Lee
- Dept. of Psychology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada, V6T 1Z4
| | - Matthew N. Hill
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute and Mathison Center for Mental Health Research and Education, Departments of Cell Biology and Anatomy & Psychiatry, University of Calgary, Calgary AB, Canada T2N4N1
| | - Francis S. Lee
- Department of Psychiatry, Weill Cornell Medical College of Cornell University, 1300 York Avenue, New York, New York 10065, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, Weill Cornell Medical College of Cornell University, 1300 York Avenue, New York, New York 10065, USA
- Sackler Institute for Developmental Psychobiology, Weill Cornell Medical College of Cornell University, 1300 York Avenue, New York, New York 10065, USA
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Llorente-Berzal A, Terzian ALB, di Marzo V, Micale V, Viveros MP, Wotjak CT. 2-AG promotes the expression of conditioned fear via cannabinoid receptor type 1 on GABAergic neurons. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2015; 232:2811-25. [PMID: 25814137 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-015-3917-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2014] [Accepted: 03/10/2015] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE The contribution of two major endocannabinoids, 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) and anandamide (AEA), in the regulation of fear expression is still unknown. OBJECTIVES We analyzed the role of different players of the endocannabinoid system on the expression of a strong auditory-cued fear memory in male mice by pharmacological means. RESULTS The cannabinoid receptor type 1 (CB1) antagonist SR141716 (3 mg/kg) caused an increase in conditioned freezing upon repeated tone presentation on three consecutive days. The cannabinoid receptor type 2 (CB2) antagonist AM630 (3 mg/kg), in contrast, had opposite effects during the first tone presentation, with no effects of the transient receptor potential vanilloid receptor type 1 (TRPV1) antagonist SB366791 (1 and 3 mg/kg). Administration of the CB2 agonist JWH133 (3 mg/kg) failed to affect the acute freezing response, whereas the CB1 agonist CP55,940 (50 μg/kg) augmented it. The endocannabinoid uptake inhibitor AM404 (3 mg/kg), but not VDM11 (3 mg/kg), reduced the acute freezing response. Its co-administration with SR141716 or SB366791 confirmed an involvement of CB1 and TRPV1. AEA degradation inhibition by URB597 (1 mg/kg) decreased, while 2-AG degradation inhibition by JZL184 (4 and 8 mg/kg) increased freezing response. As revealed in conditional CB1-deficient mutants, CB1 on cortical glutamatergic neurons alleviates whereas CB1 on GABAergic neurons slightly enhances fear expression. Moreover, 2-AG fear-promoting effects depended on CB1 signaling in GABAergic neurons, while an involvement of glutamatergic neurons remained inconclusive due to the high freezing shown by vehicle-treated Glu-CB1-KO. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that increased AEA levels mediate acute fear relief, whereas increased 2-AG levels promote the expression of conditioned fear primarily via CB1 on GABAergic neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alvaro Llorente-Berzal
- Departamento de Fisiología (Fisiología Animal II), Facultad de Biología, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, C/ Jose Antonio Novais 12, 28040, Madrid, Spain
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Abstract
Exposure-based therapy has proven to be useful to treat various anxiety disorders as well as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Despite its efficacy, a fair proportion of patients remain symptomatic after treatment. Different lines of research have put considerable efforts to investigate ways to enhance the efficacy of exposure-based therapy, which could ultimately lead to better clinical outcomes for patients. Given that this type of therapy relies on extinction learning principles, neuroscience research has tested different adjuncts that could be used as cognitive enhancers through their impact on extinction learning and its consolidation. The current review will summarize some of the latest compounds that have received attention and show some promise to be used in clinical settings to improve the efficacy of exposure-based therapy.
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45
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Laricchiuta D, Petrosini L. Individual differences in response to positive and negative stimuli: endocannabinoid-based insight on approach and avoidance behaviors. Front Syst Neurosci 2014; 8:238. [PMID: 25565991 PMCID: PMC4273613 DOI: 10.3389/fnsys.2014.00238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2014] [Accepted: 11/28/2014] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Approach and avoidance behaviors-the primary responses to the environmental stimuli of danger, novelty and reward-are associated with the brain structures that mediate cognitive functionality, reward sensitivity and emotional expression. Individual differences in approach and avoidance behaviors are modulated by the functioning of amygdaloid-hypothalamic-striatal and striatal-cerebellar networks implicated in action and reaction to salient stimuli. The nodes of these networks are strongly interconnected and by acting on them the endocannabinoid and dopaminergic systems increase the intensity of appetitive or defensive motivation. This review analyzes the approach and avoidance behaviors in humans and rodents, addresses neurobiological and neurochemical aspects of these behaviors, and proposes a possible synaptic plasticity mechanism, related to endocannabinoid-dependent long-term potentiation (LTP) and depression that allows responding to salient positive and negative stimuli.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Laricchiuta
- IRCCS Fondazione Santa LuciaRome, Italy
- Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, University “Sapienza” of RomeRome, Italy
| | - Laura Petrosini
- IRCCS Fondazione Santa LuciaRome, Italy
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, University “Sapienza” of RomeRome, Italy
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46
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Progress towards understanding the genetics of posttraumatic stress disorder. J Anxiety Disord 2014; 28:873-83. [PMID: 25445077 DOI: 10.1016/j.janxdis.2014.09.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2014] [Accepted: 09/16/2014] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a complex syndrome that occurs following exposure to a potentially life threatening traumatic event. This review summarises the literature on the genetics of PTSD including gene-environment interactions (GxE), epigenetics and genetics of treatment response. Numerous genes have been shown to be associated with PTSD using candidate gene approaches. Genome-wide association studies have been limited due to the large sample size required to reach statistical power. Studies have shown that GxE interactions are important for PTSD susceptibility. Epigenetics plays an important role in PTSD susceptibility and some of the most promising studies show stress and child abuse trigger epigenetic changes. Much of the molecular genetics of PTSD remains to be elucidated. However, it is clear that identifying genetic markers and environmental triggers has the potential to advance early PTSD diagnosis and therapeutic interventions and ultimately ease the personal and financial burden of this debilitating disorder.
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47
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Baas JMP, Heitland I. The impact of cue learning, trait anxiety and genetic variation in the serotonin 1A receptor on contextual fear. Int J Psychophysiol 2014; 98:506-14. [PMID: 25448266 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2014.10.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2014] [Revised: 10/07/2014] [Accepted: 10/28/2014] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
In everyday life, aversive events are usually associated with certain predictive cues. Normally, the acquisition of these contingencies enables organisms to appropriately respond to threat. Presence of a threat cue clearly signals 'danger', whereas absence of such cues signals a period of 'safety'. Failure to identify threat cues may lead to chronic states of anxious apprehension in the context in which the threat has been imminent, which may be instrumental in the pathogenesis of anxiety disorders. In this study, existing data from 150 healthy volunteers in a cue and context virtual reality fear conditioning paradigm were reanalyzed. The aim was to further characterize the impact of cue acquisition and trait anxiety, and of a single nucleotide polymorphism in the serotonin 1A receptor gene (5-HTR1A, rs6295), on cued fear and contextual anxiety before and after fear contingencies were explicitly introduced. Fear conditioned responding was quantified with fear potentiation of the eyeblink startle reflex and subjective fear ratings. First, we replicated previous findings that the inability to identify danger cues during acquisition leads to heightened anxious apprehension in the threat context. Second, in subjects who did not identify the danger cue initially, contextual fear was associated with trait anxiety after the contingencies were explicitly instructed. Third, genetic variability within 5-HTR1A (rs6295) was associated with contextual fear independent of awareness or trait anxiety. These findings confirm that failure to acquire cue contingencies impacts contextual fear responding, in association with trait anxiety. The observed 5-HTR1A effect is in line with models of anxiety, but needs further replication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johanna M P Baas
- Experimental Psychology and Helmholtz Institute, Utrecht University, The Netherlands; Helmholtz Research Institute, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
| | - Ivo Heitland
- Experimental Psychology and Helmholtz Institute, Utrecht University, The Netherlands; Helmholtz Research Institute, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
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48
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Papini S, Sullivan GM, Hien DA, Shvil E, Neria Y. Toward a translational approach to targeting the endocannabinoid system in posttraumatic stress disorder: a critical review of preclinical research. Biol Psychol 2014; 104:8-18. [PMID: 25448242 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsycho.2014.10.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2014] [Revised: 10/18/2014] [Accepted: 10/27/2014] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Despite the lack of clinical research, marijuana and synthetic cannabinoids have been approved to treat posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in several states in the United States. This review critically examines preclinical research on the endocannabinoid system (ECS) in order to evaluate three key questions that are relevant to PTSD: (1) Does ECS dysfunction impact fear extinction? (2) Can stress-related symptoms be prevented by ECS modulation? (3) Is the ECS a potential target for enhancing PTSD treatment? Disruption of the ECS impaired fear extinction in rodents, and ECS abnormalities have been observed in PTSD. Targeting fear memories via the ECS had mixed results in rodents, whereas augmented cannabinoid receptor activation typically facilitated extinction. However, the translational value of these findings is limited by the paucity and inconsistency of human research. Further investigation is necessary to determine whether incorporating cannabinoids in treatment would benefit individuals with PTSD, with cautious attention to risks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Santiago Papini
- New York State Psychiatric Institute, 1051 Riverside Drive, New York, NY, 10032, USA; City College of New York, 160 Convent Avenue, New York, NY, 10031, USA; Columbia University Medical Center, W. 168th Street, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Gregory M Sullivan
- New York State Psychiatric Institute, 1051 Riverside Drive, New York, NY, 10032, USA; Columbia University Medical Center, W. 168th Street, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Denise A Hien
- New York State Psychiatric Institute, 1051 Riverside Drive, New York, NY, 10032, USA; City College of New York, 160 Convent Avenue, New York, NY, 10031, USA; Columbia University Medical Center, W. 168th Street, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Erel Shvil
- New York State Psychiatric Institute, 1051 Riverside Drive, New York, NY, 10032, USA; Columbia University Medical Center, W. 168th Street, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Yuval Neria
- New York State Psychiatric Institute, 1051 Riverside Drive, New York, NY, 10032, USA; Columbia University Medical Center, W. 168th Street, New York, NY, 10032, USA.
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49
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Heitland I, Kenemans JL, Böcker KBE, Baas JMP. Genetic variability in the human cannabinoid receptor 1 is associated with resting state EEG theta power in humans. Behav Brain Res 2014; 274:344-8. [PMID: 25116250 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2014.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2013] [Revised: 07/31/2014] [Accepted: 08/03/2014] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
It has long been postulated that exogenous cannabinoids have a profound effect on human cognitive functioning. These cannabinoid effects are thought to depend, at least in parts, on alterations of phase-locking of local field potential neuronal firing. The latter can be measured as activity in the theta frequency band (4-7Hz) by electroencephalogram. Theta oscillations are supposed to serve as a mechanism in neural representations of behaviorally relevant information. However, it remains unknown whether variability in endogenous cannabinoid activity is involved in theta rhythms and therefore, may serve as an individual differences index of human cognitive functioning. To clarify this issue, we recorded resting state EEG activity in 164 healthy human subjects and extracted EEG power across frequency bands (δ, θ, α, and β). To assess variability in the endocannabinoid system, two genetic polymorphisms (rs1049353, rs2180619) within the cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1) were determined in all participants. As expected, we observed significant effects of rs1049353 on EEG power in the theta band at frontal, central and parietal electrode regions. Crucially, these effects were specific for the theta band, with no effects on activity in the other frequency bands. Rs2180619 showed no significant associations with theta power after Bonferroni correction. Taken together, we provide novel evidence in humans showing that genetic variability in the cannabinoid receptor 1 is associated with resting state EEG power in the theta frequency band. This extends prior findings of exogenous cannabinoid effects on theta power to the endogenous cannabinoid system.
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Affiliation(s)
- I Heitland
- Department of Experimental Psychology & Psychopharmacology, Utrecht University, Heidelberglaan 1, 3584CS Utrecht, The Netherlands; Helmholtz Research Institute, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
| | - J L Kenemans
- Department of Experimental Psychology & Psychopharmacology, Utrecht University, Heidelberglaan 1, 3584CS Utrecht, The Netherlands; Helmholtz Research Institute, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - K B E Böcker
- Alan Turing Institute Almere, Almere, The Netherlands
| | - J M P Baas
- Department of Experimental Psychology & Psychopharmacology, Utrecht University, Heidelberglaan 1, 3584CS Utrecht, The Netherlands; Helmholtz Research Institute, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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50
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Trouche S, Sasaki JM, Tu T, Reijmers LG. Fear extinction causes target-specific remodeling of perisomatic inhibitory synapses. Neuron 2013; 80:1054-65. [PMID: 24183705 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2013.07.047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 110] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/28/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
A more complete understanding of how fear extinction alters neuronal activity and connectivity within fear circuits may aid in the development of strategies to treat human fear disorders. Using a c-fos-based transgenic mouse, we found that contextual fear extinction silenced basal amygdala (BA) excitatory neurons that had been previously activated during fear conditioning. We hypothesized that the silencing of BA fear neurons was caused by an action of extinction on BA inhibitory synapses. In support of this hypothesis, we found extinction-induced target-specific remodeling of BA perisomatic inhibitory synapses originating from parvalbumin and cholecystokinin-positive interneurons. Interestingly, the predicted changes in the balance of perisomatic inhibition matched the silent and active states of the target BA fear neurons. These observations suggest that target-specific changes in perisomatic inhibitory synapses represent a mechanism through which experience can sculpt the activation patterns within a neural circuit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stéphanie Trouche
- Department of Neuroscience, School of Medicine, Tufts University, Boston, MA 02111, USA.
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