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Chowdhury KU, Holden ME, Wiley MT, Suppiramaniam V, Reed MN. Effects of Cannabis on Glutamatergic Neurotransmission: The Interplay between Cannabinoids and Glutamate. Cells 2024; 13:1130. [PMID: 38994982 PMCID: PMC11240741 DOI: 10.3390/cells13131130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2024] [Revised: 06/22/2024] [Accepted: 06/26/2024] [Indexed: 07/13/2024] Open
Abstract
There has been a significant increase in the consumption of cannabis for both recreational and medicinal purposes in recent years, and its use can have long-term consequences on cognitive functions, including memory. Here, we review the immediate and long-term effects of cannabis and its derivatives on glutamatergic neurotransmission, with a focus on both the presynaptic and postsynaptic alterations. Several factors can influence cannabinoid-mediated changes in glutamatergic neurotransmission, including dosage, sex, age, and frequency of use. Acute exposure to cannabis typically inhibits glutamate release, whereas chronic use tends to increase glutamate release. Conversely, the postsynaptic alterations are more complicated than the presynaptic effects, as cannabis can affect the glutamate receptor expression and the downstream signaling of glutamate. All these effects ultimately influence cognitive functions, particularly memory. This review will cover the current research on glutamate-cannabis interactions, as well as the future directions of research needed to understand cannabis-related health effects and neurological and psychological aspects of cannabis use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kawsar U. Chowdhury
- Department of Drug Discovery and Development, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA; (K.U.C.); (M.T.W.)
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, College of Science and Mathematics, Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw, GA 30144, USA
| | | | - Miles T. Wiley
- Department of Drug Discovery and Development, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA; (K.U.C.); (M.T.W.)
| | - Vishnu Suppiramaniam
- Department of Drug Discovery and Development, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA; (K.U.C.); (M.T.W.)
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, College of Science and Mathematics, Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw, GA 30144, USA
- Center for Neuroscience Initiative, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA
| | - Miranda N. Reed
- Department of Drug Discovery and Development, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA; (K.U.C.); (M.T.W.)
- Center for Neuroscience Initiative, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA
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Mano-Sousa BJ, Ribeiro LAL, Alves BC, Gonçalves ACA, Silva LM, Duarte-Almeida JM. Bibliometric Analysis of Cannabis sativa Research: Trends, Challenges, and Future Directions. Cannabis Cannabinoid Res 2024; 9:21-34. [PMID: 38252501 DOI: 10.1089/can.2023.0200] [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: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction: The use of medical Cannabis remains unregulated in several countries due to the scarcity of clinical studies with high scientific evidence that establish safety and efficacy of Cannabis products. This study aimed to comprehensively analyze how knowledge has been created in this field, as well as perform a bibliographic mapping to identify knowledge gaps, and investigate key authors and journals that have significantly contributed to advancing our understanding of Cannabis. Method: The study protocol was registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Review (CRD42020223084). A systematic search was conducted in the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Lilacs, Google Scholar, PubMed, SciELO, Scopus, and Web of Science databases. The bibliographic analysis and mapping were registered using the VOSviewer, Sci2tool, CiteSpace, and PoP software. Results: The systematic search identified 27,597 records, with 17,020 duplicates, resulting in a total of 10,577 articles included. The authors who published the most were Marilyn Ann Huestis (n=108) and Sagnik Bhattacharyya (n=71), while Elisaldo A. Carlini and Raphael Mechoulam published 8 and 22 articles, respectively. The journals Drug and Alcohol Dependence (n=297), Psychopharmacology (n=159) and Addictive Behaviors (n=150) were the ones that published the most on Cannabis. The journals suggest that the articles are correlated with the adverse and toxicological effects of recreational Cannabis use; however, most articles focus on medical Cannabis. The peak of publications was in 2021 (n=1,481). The countries that published the most were the United States (n=9,735), while Brazil occupied the 11th position (n=422). Most publications were carried out in "Pharmacology and Pharmacy" (11.31%), followed by "Psychiatry" (7.66%) and "Medicine" (5.80%). The areas of "Neurosciences" (1.59%), "Biochemistry," "Genetics," and "Molecular Biology" (0.79%) were little explored. Conclusion: This study captured the characteristics of publications about Cannabis and clinical studies in the scientific literature, yielding >10,000 articles, representing a large literature review, to date. Therefore, the most productive countries included the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada, while the most productive authors were Marilyn Ann Huestis and Sagnik Bhattacharyya, with a peak of publications in 2021. Finally, the most chosen journals were Drug and Alcohol Dependence and Psychopharmacology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brayan Jonas Mano-Sousa
- Campus Centro-Oeste, Universidade Federal de São João del-Rei, Divinópolis, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | | | - Bruna Cristina Alves
- Campus Centro-Oeste, Universidade Federal de São João del-Rei, Divinópolis, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | | | - Luiza Martins Silva
- Campus Centro-Oeste, Universidade Federal de São João del-Rei, Divinópolis, Minas Gerais, Brazil
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Blanton H, Reddy PH, Benamar K. Chronic pain in Alzheimer's disease: Endocannabinoid system. Exp Neurol 2023; 360:114287. [PMID: 36455638 PMCID: PMC9789196 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2022.114287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2022] [Revised: 11/09/2022] [Accepted: 11/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Chronic pain, one of the most common reasons adults seek medical care, has been linked to restrictions in mobility and daily activities, dependence on opioids, anxiety, depression, sleep deprivation, and reduced quality of life. Alzheimer's disease (AD), a devastating neurodegenerative disorder (characterized by a progressive impairment of cognitive functions) in the elderly, is often co-morbid with chronic pain. AD is one of the most common neurodegenerative disorders in the aged population. The reported prevalence of chronic pain is 45.8% of the 50 million people with AD. As the population ages, the number of older people who experience AD and chronic pain will also increase. The current treatment options for chronic pain are limited, often ineffective, and have associated side effects. This review summarizes the role of the endocannabinoid system in pain, its potential role in chronic pain in AD, and addresses gaps and future directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henry Blanton
- Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, School of Medicine, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA
| | - P Hemachandra Reddy
- Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, School of Medicine, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA; Internal Medicine Department, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, 3601 4th Street, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA
| | - Khalid Benamar
- Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, School of Medicine, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA.
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4
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Augustin SM, Lovinger DM. Synaptic changes induced by cannabinoid drugs and cannabis use disorder. Neurobiol Dis 2022; 167:105670. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2022.105670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2021] [Revised: 02/10/2022] [Accepted: 02/21/2022] [Indexed: 10/19/2022] Open
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Reid HMO, Snowden TM, Shkolnikov I, Breit KR, Rodriguez C, Thomas JD, Christie BR. Prenatal alcohol and cannabis exposure can have opposing and region-specific effects on parvalbumin interneuron numbers in the hippocampus. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 2021; 45:2246-2255. [PMID: 34523142 PMCID: PMC8642289 DOI: 10.1111/acer.14708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2021] [Revised: 08/30/2021] [Accepted: 09/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND We recently showed that alcohol and cannabis can interact prenatally, and in a recent review paper, we identified parvalbumin-positive (PV) interneurons in the hippocampus as a potential point of convergence for these teratogens. METHODS A 2 (Ethanol [EtOH], Air) × 2 (tetrahydrocannabinol [THC], Vehicle) design was used to expose pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats to either EtOH or air, in addition to either THC or the inhalant vehicle solution, during gestational days 5-20. Immunohistochemistry was performed to detect PV interneurons in 1 male and 1 female pup from each litter at postnatal day 70. RESULTS Significant between-group and subregion-specific effects were found in the dorsal cornu ammonis 1 (CA1) subfield and the ventral dentate gyrus (DG). In the dorsal CA1 subfield, there was an increase in the number of PV interneurons in both the EtOH and EtOH +THC groups, but a decrease with THC alone. There were fewer changes in interneuron numbers overall in the DG, though there was a sex difference, with a decrease in the number of PV interneurons in the THC-exposed group in males. There was also a greater cell layer volume in the DG in the EtOH +THC group than the control group, and in the CA1 region in the EtOH group compared to the control and THC groups. CONCLUSIONS Prenatal exposure to alcohol and THC differentially affects parvalbumin-positive interneuron numbers in the hippocampus, indicating that both individual and combined exposure can impact the balance of excitation and inhibition in a structure critically involved in learning and memory processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah M O Reid
- Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Taylor M Snowden
- Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Irene Shkolnikov
- Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Kristen R Breit
- Center for Behavioral Teratology, San Diego State University, San Diego, California, USA
- Department of Psychology, West Chester University of Pennsylvania, West Chester, Pennsylvania, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Cristina Rodriguez
- Center for Behavioral Teratology, San Diego State University, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Jennifer D Thomas
- Center for Behavioral Teratology, San Diego State University, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Brian R Christie
- Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
- Island Medical Program, Department of Cellular and Physiological Sciences, University of British Columbia, Victoria, British Columbia, USA
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Potential and Limits of Cannabinoids in Alzheimer's Disease Therapy. BIOLOGY 2021; 10:biology10060542. [PMID: 34204237 PMCID: PMC8234911 DOI: 10.3390/biology10060542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2021] [Revised: 06/13/2021] [Accepted: 06/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Simple Summary This review was aimed at exploring the potentiality of drugging the endocannabinoid system as a therapeutic option for Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Recent discoveries have demonstrated how the modulation of cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1) and receptor 2 (CB2) can exert neuroprotective effects without the recreational and pharmacological properties of Cannabis sativa. Thus, this review explores the potential of cannabinoids in AD, also highlighting their limitations in perspective to point out the need for further research on cannabinoids in AD therapy. Abstract Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a detrimental brain disorder characterized by a gradual cognitive decline and neuronal deterioration. To date, the treatments available are effective only in the early stage of the disease. The AD etiology has not been completely revealed, and investigating new pathological mechanisms is essential for developing effective and safe drugs. The recreational and pharmacological properties of marijuana are known for centuries, but only recently the scientific community started to investigate the potential use of cannabinoids in AD therapy—sometimes with contradictory outcomes. Since the endocannabinoid system (ECS) is highly expressed in the hippocampus and cortex, cannabis use/abuse has often been associated with memory and learning dysfunction in vulnerable individuals. However, the latest findings in AD rodent models have shown promising effects of cannabinoids in reducing amyloid plaque deposition and stimulating hippocampal neurogenesis. Beneficial effects on several dementia-related symptoms have also been reported in clinical trials after cannabinoid treatments. Accordingly, future studies should address identifying the correct therapeutic dosage and timing of treatment from the perspective of using cannabinoids in AD therapy. The present paper aims to summarize the potential and limitations of cannabinoids as therapeutics for AD, focusing on recent pre-clinical and clinical evidence.
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Hoffman AF, Hwang EK, Lupica CR. Impairment of Synaptic Plasticity by Cannabis, Δ 9-THC, and Synthetic Cannabinoids. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Med 2021; 11:cshperspect.a039743. [PMID: 32341064 PMCID: PMC8091957 DOI: 10.1101/cshperspect.a039743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The ability of neurons to dynamically and flexibly encode synaptic inputs via short- and long-term plasticity is critical to an organism's ability to learn and adapt to the environment. Whereas synaptic plasticity may be encoded by pre- or postsynaptic mechanisms, current evidence suggests that optimization of learning requires both forms of plasticity. Endogenous cannabinoids (eCBs) play critical roles in modulating synaptic transmission via activation of cannabinoid CB1 receptors (CB1Rs) in many central nervous system (CNS) regions, and the eCB system has been implicated, either directly or indirectly, in several forms of synaptic plasticity. Because of this, perturbations within the eCB signaling system can lead to impairments in a variety of learned behaviors. One agent of altered eCB signaling is exposure to "exogenous cannabinoids" such as the primary psychoactive constituent of cannabis, Δ9-THC, or illicit synthetic cannabinoids that in many cases have higher potency and efficacy than Δ9-THC. Thus, by targeting the eCB system, these agonists can produce widespread impairment of synaptic plasticity by disrupting ongoing eCB function. Here, we review studies in which Δ9-THC and synthetic cannabinoids impair synaptic plasticity in a variety of neuronal circuits and examine evidence that this contributes to their well-documented ability to disrupt cognition and behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander F Hoffman
- Electrophysiology Research Section, National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Maryland 21224, USA
| | - Eun-Kyung Hwang
- Electrophysiology Research Section, National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Maryland 21224, USA
| | - Carl R Lupica
- Electrophysiology Research Section, National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Maryland 21224, USA
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Bonilla-Del Río I, Puente N, Mimenza A, Ramos A, Serrano M, Lekunberri L, Gerrikagoitia I, Christie BR, Nahirney PC, Grandes P. Acute Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol prompts rapid changes in cannabinoid CB 1 receptor immunolabeling and subcellular structure in CA1 hippocampus of young adult male mice. J Comp Neurol 2021; 529:2332-2346. [PMID: 33368252 DOI: 10.1002/cne.25098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2020] [Revised: 12/17/2020] [Accepted: 12/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
The use and abuse of cannabis can be associated with significant pathophysiology, however, it remains unclear whether (1) acute administration of Δ-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) during early adulthood alters the cannabinoid type 1 (CB1 ) receptor localization and expression in cells of the brain, and (2) THC produces structural brain changes. Here we use electron microscopy and a highly sensitive pre-embedding immunogold method to examine CB1 receptors in the hippocampus cornu ammonis subfield 1 (CA1) 30 min after male mice were exposed to a single THC injection (5 mg/kg). The findings show that acute exposure to THC can significantly decrease the percentage of CB1 receptor immunopositive terminals making symmetric synapses, mitochondria, and astrocytes. The percentage of CB1 receptor-labeled terminals forming asymmetric synapses was unaffected. Lastly, CB1 receptor expression was significantly lower at terminals of symmetric and asymmetric synapses as well as in mitochondria. Structurally, CA1 dendrites were significantly larger, and contained more spines and mitochondria following acute THC administration. The area of the dendritic spines, synaptic terminals, mitochondria, and astrocytes decreased significantly following acute THC exposure. Altogether, these results indicate that even a single THC exposure can have a significant impact on CB1 receptor expression, and can alter CA1 ultrastructure, within 30 min of drug exposure. These changes may contribute to the behavioral alterations experienced by young individuals shortly after cannabis intoxication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Itziar Bonilla-Del Río
- Department of Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Leioa, Spain.,Achucarro Basque Center for Neuroscience, Science Park of the University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Leioa, Spain
| | - Nagore Puente
- Department of Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Leioa, Spain.,Achucarro Basque Center for Neuroscience, Science Park of the University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Leioa, Spain
| | - Amaia Mimenza
- Department of Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Leioa, Spain.,Achucarro Basque Center for Neuroscience, Science Park of the University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Leioa, Spain
| | - Almudena Ramos
- Department of Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Leioa, Spain.,Achucarro Basque Center for Neuroscience, Science Park of the University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Leioa, Spain
| | - Maitane Serrano
- Department of Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Leioa, Spain.,Achucarro Basque Center for Neuroscience, Science Park of the University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Leioa, Spain
| | - Leire Lekunberri
- Department of Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Leioa, Spain.,Achucarro Basque Center for Neuroscience, Science Park of the University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Leioa, Spain
| | - Inmaculada Gerrikagoitia
- Department of Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Leioa, Spain.,Achucarro Basque Center for Neuroscience, Science Park of the University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Leioa, Spain
| | - Brian R Christie
- Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.,Island Medical Program, University of British Columbia, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.,Department of Cellular and Physiological Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Patrick C Nahirney
- Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.,Island Medical Program, University of British Columbia, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.,Department of Cellular and Physiological Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Pedro Grandes
- Department of Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Leioa, Spain.,Achucarro Basque Center for Neuroscience, Science Park of the University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Leioa, Spain.,Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
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Dunn AL, Michie PT, Hodgson DM, Harms L. Adolescent cannabinoid exposure interacts with other risk factors in schizophrenia: A review of the evidence from animal models. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2020; 116:202-220. [PMID: 32610181 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2020.06.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2019] [Revised: 06/23/2020] [Accepted: 06/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Many factors and their interaction are linked to the aetiology of schizophrenia, leading to the development of animal models of multiple risk factors and adverse exposures. Differentiating between separate and combined effects for each factor could better elucidate schizophrenia pathology, and drive development of preventative strategies for high-load risk factors. An epidemiologically valid risk factor commonly associated with schizophrenia is adolescent cannabis use. The aim of this review is to evaluate how early-life adversity from various origins, in combination with adolescent cannabinoid exposure interact, and whether these interactions confer main, synergistic or protective effects in animal models of schizophrenia-like behavioural, cognitive and morphological alterations. Patterns emerge regarding which models show consistent synergistic or protective effects, particularly those models incorporating early-life exposure to maternal deprivation and maternal immune activation, and sex-specific effects are observed. It is evident that more research needs to be conducted to better understand the risks and alterations of interacting factors, with particular interest in sex differences, to better understand the translatability of these preclinical models to humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ariel L Dunn
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Science, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia; Priority Centre for Brain and Mental Health Research, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia.
| | - Patricia T Michie
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Science, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia; Priority Centre for Brain and Mental Health Research, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia; Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW 2305, Australia.
| | - Deborah M Hodgson
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Science, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia; Priority Centre for Brain and Mental Health Research, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia; Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW 2305, Australia.
| | - Lauren Harms
- Priority Centre for Brain and Mental Health Research, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia; School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia; Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW 2305, Australia.
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A Systematic Review of Human Neuroimaging Evidence of Memory-Related Functional Alterations Associated with Cannabis Use Complemented with Preclinical and Human Evidence of Memory Performance Alterations. Brain Sci 2020; 10:brainsci10020102. [PMID: 32069958 PMCID: PMC7071506 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci10020102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2020] [Revised: 02/04/2020] [Accepted: 02/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Cannabis has been associated with deficits in memory performance. However, the neural correlates that may underpin impairments remain unclear. We carried out a systematic review of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies investigating brain functional alterations in cannabis users (CU) compared to nonusing controls while performing memory tasks, complemented with focused narrative reviews of relevant preclinical and human studies. Twelve studies employing fMRI were identified finding functional brain activation during memory tasks altered in CU. Memory performance studies showed CU performed worse particularly during verbal memory tasks. Longitudinal studies suggest that cannabis use may have a causal role in memory deficits. Preclinical studies have not provided conclusive evidence of memory deficits following cannabinoid exposure, although they have shown evidence of cannabinoid-induced structural and histological alteration. Memory performance deficits may be related to cannabis use, with lower performance possibly underpinned by altered functional activation. Memory impairments may be associated with the level of cannabis exposure and use of cannabis during developmentally sensitive periods, with possible improvement following cessation of cannabis use.
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Wyatt RM, Fraser I, Welty N, Lord B, Wennerholm M, Sutton S, Ameriks MK, Dugovic C, Yun S, White A, Nguyen L, Koudriakova T, Tian G, Suarez J, Szewczuk L, Bonnette W, Ahn K, Ghosh B, Flores CM, Connolly PJ, Zhu B, Macielag MJ, Brandt MR, Chevalier K, Zhang SP, Lovenberg T, Bonaventure P. Pharmacologic Characterization of JNJ-42226314, [1-(4-Fluorophenyl)indol-5-yl]-[3-[4-(thiazole-2-carbonyl)piperazin-1-yl]azetidin-1-yl]methanone, a Reversible, Selective, and Potent Monoacylglycerol Lipase Inhibitor. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2019; 372:339-353. [PMID: 31818916 DOI: 10.1124/jpet.119.262139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2019] [Accepted: 12/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The serine hydrolase monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL) is the rate-limiting enzyme responsible for the degradation of the endocannabinoid 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) into arachidonic acid and glycerol. Inhibition of 2-AG degradation leads to elevation of 2-AG, the most abundant endogenous agonist of the cannabinoid receptors (CBs) CB1 and CB2. Activation of these receptors has demonstrated beneficial effects on mood, appetite, pain, and inflammation. Therefore, MAGL inhibitors have the potential to produce therapeutic effects in a vast array of complex human diseases. The present report describes the pharmacologic characterization of [1-(4-fluorophenyl)indol-5-yl]-[3-[4-(thiazole-2-carbonyl)piperazin-1-yl]azetidin-1-yl]methanone (JNJ-42226314), a reversible and highly selective MAGL inhibitor. JNJ-42226314 inhibits MAGL in a competitive mode with respect to the 2-AG substrate. In rodent brain, the compound time- and dose-dependently bound to MAGL, indirectly led to CB1 occupancy by raising 2-AG levels, and raised norepinephrine levels in cortex. In vivo, the compound exhibited antinociceptive efficacy in both the rat complete Freund's adjuvant-induced radiant heat hypersensitivity and chronic constriction injury-induced cold hypersensitivity models of inflammatory and neuropathic pain, respectively. Though 30 mg/kg induced hippocampal synaptic depression, altered sleep onset, and decreased electroencephalogram gamma power, 3 mg/kg still provided approximately 80% enzyme occupancy, significantly increased 2-AG and norepinephrine levels, and produced neuropathic antinociception without synaptic depression or decreased gamma power. Thus, it is anticipated that the profile exhibited by this compound will allow for precise modulation of 2-AG levels in vivo, supporting potential therapeutic application in several central nervous system disorders. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Potentiation of endocannabinoid signaling activity via inhibition of the serine hydrolase monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL) is an appealing strategy in the development of treatments for several disorders, including ones related to mood, pain, and inflammation. [1-(4-Fluorophenyl)indol-5-yl]-[3-[4-(thiazole-2-carbonyl)piperazin-1-yl]azetidin-1-yl]methanone is presented in this report to be a novel, potent, selective, and reversible noncovalent MAGL inhibitor that demonstrates dose-dependent enhancement of the major endocannabinoid 2-arachidonoylglycerol as well as efficacy in models of neuropathic and inflammatory pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan M Wyatt
- Janssen Research & Development, LLC, San Diego, California
| | - Ian Fraser
- Janssen Research & Development, LLC, San Diego, California
| | - Natalie Welty
- Janssen Research & Development, LLC, San Diego, California
| | - Brian Lord
- Janssen Research & Development, LLC, San Diego, California
| | | | - Steven Sutton
- Janssen Research & Development, LLC, San Diego, California
| | | | | | - Sujin Yun
- Janssen Research & Development, LLC, San Diego, California
| | - Allison White
- Janssen Research & Development, LLC, San Diego, California
| | - Leslie Nguyen
- Janssen Research & Development, LLC, San Diego, California
| | | | - Gaochao Tian
- Janssen Research & Development, LLC, San Diego, California
| | - Javier Suarez
- Janssen Research & Development, LLC, San Diego, California
| | | | | | - Kay Ahn
- Janssen Research & Development, LLC, San Diego, California
| | - Brahma Ghosh
- Janssen Research & Development, LLC, San Diego, California
| | | | | | - Bin Zhu
- Janssen Research & Development, LLC, San Diego, California
| | | | | | | | - Sui-Po Zhang
- Janssen Research & Development, LLC, San Diego, California
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Yeung AWK, Tzvetkov NT, Arkells N, Milella L, Stankiewicz AM, Huminiecki Ł, Horbanczuk OK, Atanasov AG. Molecular neuroscience at its "high": bibliometric analysis of the most cited papers on endocannabinoid system, cannabis and cannabinoids. J Cannabis Res 2019; 1:4. [PMID: 33526099 PMCID: PMC7815052 DOI: 10.1186/s42238-019-0004-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2018] [Accepted: 04/11/2019] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cannabis, cannabinoids and endocannabinoids are heavily investigated topics with many articles published every year. We aimed to identify the 100 most cited manuscripts among the vast literature and analyze their contents. METHODS Web of Science (WoS) Core Collection was searched to identify the 100 most cited relevant manuscripts, which were analyzed with reference to (1) authorship, (2) institution, (3) country, (4) document type, (5) journal, (6) publication year, (7) WoS category, and (8) citation count. Semantic content and citation data of the manuscripts were analyzed with VOSviewer. RESULTS The most cited manuscripts were published between 1986 and 2016, with the majority being published in the 2000s (n = 51). The number of citations for the top 100 articles ranged from 469 to 3651, with a median citation count of 635.5. The most prolific authors were Vincenzo Di Marzo (n = 11) and Daniele Piomelli (n = 11). The major contributing countries were USA (n = 49), Italy (n = 22), UK (n = 19), and France (n = 11). The most prolific institutions were University of California (n = 14), National Research Council of Italy (n = 12) and National Institutes of Health USA (n = 12). The manuscripts consisted of original articles (n = 75), reviews (n = 24) and a note (n = 1). The most dominant journal was Nature (n = 15). The major WoS categories associated were Multidisciplinary sciences (n = 31), Neurosciences (n = 20), Pharmacology / Pharmacy (n = 16), and General / Internal Medicine (n = 11). CONCLUSIONS The top-ranked manuscripts among the 100 were concerning analgesia, weight loss, long-term potentiation, depolarization-induced suppression of inhibition, opiates and other topics. Cannabinoid type 1 (CB1) receptor was studied by more of the top 100 papers in comparison to cannabinoid type 2 (CB2) receptor. The most frequently mentioned chemicals in these publications were 2-arachidonoylglycerol, tetrahydrocannabinol, and anandamide. Together, these manuscripts comprise the most highly cited publications in the topic, literally the molecular neuroscience at its "high".
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Affiliation(s)
- Andy Wai Kan Yeung
- Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Applied Oral Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Nikolay T. Tzvetkov
- Institute of Molecular Biology “Roumen Tsanev”, Department of Biochemical Pharmacology and Drug Design, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia, Bulgaria
- Pharmaceutical Institute, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | | | - Luigi Milella
- Department of Science, University of Basilicata, V.le dell’Ateneo Lucano 10, 85100 Potenza, Italy
| | - Adrian M. Stankiewicz
- The Institute of Genetics and Animal Breeding, Polish Academy of Sciences, Magdalenka, Poland
| | - Łukasz Huminiecki
- The Institute of Genetics and Animal Breeding, Polish Academy of Sciences, Magdalenka, Poland
| | - Olaf K. Horbanczuk
- Faculty of Human Nutrition and Consumer Sciences, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, 02-776 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Atanas G. Atanasov
- The Institute of Genetics and Animal Breeding, Polish Academy of Sciences, Magdalenka, Poland
- Department of Pharmacognosy, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- GLOBE Program Association (GLOBE-PA), Grandville, MI USA
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Bonilla-Del Rίo I, Puente N, Peñasco S, Rico I, Gutiérrez-Rodrίguez A, Elezgarai I, Ramos A, Reguero L, Gerrikagoitia I, Christie BR, Nahirney P, Grandes P. Adolescent ethanol intake alters cannabinoid type-1 receptor localization in astrocytes of the adult mouse hippocampus. Addict Biol 2019; 24:182-192. [PMID: 29168269 DOI: 10.1111/adb.12585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2017] [Revised: 09/26/2017] [Accepted: 11/06/2017] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Cannabinoid type-1 (CB1 ) receptors are widely distributed in the brain and play important roles in astrocyte function and the modulation of neuronal synaptic transmission and plasticity. However, it is currently unknown how CB1 receptor expression in astrocytes is affected by long-term exposure to stressors. Here we examined CB1 receptors in astrocytes of ethanol (EtOH)-exposed adolescent mice to determine its effect on CB1 receptor localization and density in adult brain. 4-8-week-old male mice were exposed to 20 percent EtOH over a period of 4 weeks, and receptor localization was examined after 4 weeks in the hippocampal CA1 stratum radiatum by pre-embedding immunoelectron microscopy. Our results revealed a significant reduction in CB1 receptor immunoparticles in astrocytic processes of EtOH-exposed mice when compared with controls (positive astrocyte elements: 21.50 ± 2.80 percent versus 37.22 ± 3.12 percent, respectively), as well as a reduction in particle density (0.24 ± 0.02 versus 0.35 ± 0.02 particles/μm). The majority of CB1 receptor metal particles were in the range of 400-1200 nm from synaptic terminals in both control and EtOH. Altogether, the decrease in the CB1 receptor expression in hippocampal astrocytes of adult mice exposed to EtOH during adolescence reveals a long lasting effect of EtOH on astrocytic CB1 receptors. This deficiency may also have negative consequences for synaptic function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Itziar Bonilla-Del Rίo
- Department of Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing; University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU; Spain
- Achucarro Basque Center for Neuroscience; Science Park of the UPV/EHU; Spain
| | - Nagore Puente
- Department of Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing; University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU; Spain
- Achucarro Basque Center for Neuroscience; Science Park of the UPV/EHU; Spain
| | - Sara Peñasco
- Department of Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing; University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU; Spain
- Achucarro Basque Center for Neuroscience; Science Park of the UPV/EHU; Spain
| | - Irantzu Rico
- Department of Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing; University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU; Spain
- Achucarro Basque Center for Neuroscience; Science Park of the UPV/EHU; Spain
| | - Ana Gutiérrez-Rodrίguez
- Department of Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing; University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU; Spain
- Achucarro Basque Center for Neuroscience; Science Park of the UPV/EHU; Spain
| | - Izaskun Elezgarai
- Department of Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing; University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU; Spain
- Achucarro Basque Center for Neuroscience; Science Park of the UPV/EHU; Spain
| | - Almudena Ramos
- Department of Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing; University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU; Spain
- Achucarro Basque Center for Neuroscience; Science Park of the UPV/EHU; Spain
| | - Leire Reguero
- Department of Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing; University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU; Spain
- Achucarro Basque Center for Neuroscience; Science Park of the UPV/EHU; Spain
| | - Inmaculada Gerrikagoitia
- Department of Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing; University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU; Spain
- Achucarro Basque Center for Neuroscience; Science Park of the UPV/EHU; Spain
| | | | | | - Pedro Grandes
- Department of Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing; University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU; Spain
- Achucarro Basque Center for Neuroscience; Science Park of the UPV/EHU; Spain
- Division of Medical Sciences; University of Victoria; Canada
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Cohen K, Weinstein A. The Effects of Cannabinoids on Executive Functions: Evidence from Cannabis and Synthetic Cannabinoids-A Systematic Review. Brain Sci 2018; 8:brainsci8030040. [PMID: 29495540 PMCID: PMC5870358 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci8030040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2018] [Revised: 02/08/2018] [Accepted: 02/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background—Cannabis is the most popular illicit drug in the Western world. Repeated cannabis use has been associated with short and long-term range of adverse effects. Recently, new types of designer-drugs containing synthetic cannabinoids have been widespread. These synthetic cannabinoid drugs are associated with undesired adverse effects similar to those seen with cannabis use, yet, in more severe and long-lasting forms. Method—A literature search was conducted using electronic bibliographic databases up to 31 December 2017. Specific search strategies were employed using multiple keywords (e.g., “synthetic cannabinoids AND cognition,” “cannabis AND cognition” and “cannabinoids AND cognition”). Results—The search has yielded 160 eligible studies including 37 preclinical studies (5 attention, 25 short-term memory, 7 cognitive flexibility) and 44 human studies (16 attention, 15 working memory, 13 cognitive flexibility). Both pre-clinical and clinical studies demonstrated an association between synthetic cannabinoids and executive-function impairment either after acute or repeated consumptions. These deficits differ in severity depending on several factors including the type of drug, dose of use, quantity, age of onset and duration of use. Conclusions—Understanding the nature of the impaired executive function following consumption of synthetic cannabinoids is crucial in view of the increasing use of these drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Koby Cohen
- Department of Behavioral Science, Ariel University, Ariel 40700, Israel.
| | - Aviv Weinstein
- Department of Behavioral Science, Ariel University, Ariel 40700, Israel.
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15
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The effects of synthetic cannabinoids on executive function. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2017; 234:1121-1134. [PMID: 28160034 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-017-4546-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2016] [Accepted: 01/23/2017] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS There is a growing use of novel psychoactive substances (NPSs) including synthetic cannabinoids. Synthetic cannabinoid products have effects similar to those of natural cannabis but the new synthetic cannabinoids are more potent and dangerous and their use has resulted in various adverse effects. The purpose of the study was to assess whether persistent use of synthetic cannabinoids is associating with impairments of executive function in chronic users. METHODS A total of 38 synthetic cannabinoids users, 43 recreational cannabis users, and 41 non-user subjects were studied in two centers in Hungary and Israel. Computerized cognitive function tests, the classical Stroop word-color task, n-back task, and a free-recall memory task were used. RESULTS Synthetic cannabinoid users performed significantly worse than both recreational and non-cannabis users on the n-back task (less accuracy), the Stroop task (overall slow responses and less accuracy), and the long-term memory task (less word recall). Additionally, they have also shown higher ratings of depression and anxiety compared with both recreational and non-users groups. DISCUSSION This study showed impairment of executive function in synthetic cannabinoid users compared with recreational users of cannabis and non-users. This may have major implications for our understanding of the long-term consequences of synthetic cannabinoid based drugs.
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16
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Liu T, Zheng Q, Qian Z, Wang H, Liu Z, Ren W, Zhang X, Han J. Cannabinoid-Elicited Conditioned Place Preference in a Modified Behavioral Paradigm. Biol Pharm Bull 2016; 39:747-53. [DOI: 10.1248/bpb.b15-00834] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Tao Liu
- Key Laboratory of MOE for Modern Teaching Technology, Shaanxi Normal University
- College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University
| | - Qiaohua Zheng
- Key Laboratory of MOE for Modern Teaching Technology, Shaanxi Normal University
| | - Zhaoqiang Qian
- Key Laboratory of MOE for Modern Teaching Technology, Shaanxi Normal University
| | - Haoquan Wang
- Key Laboratory of MOE for Modern Teaching Technology, Shaanxi Normal University
| | - Zhiqiang Liu
- Key Laboratory of MOE for Modern Teaching Technology, Shaanxi Normal University
| | - Wei Ren
- Key Laboratory of MOE for Modern Teaching Technology, Shaanxi Normal University
| | - Xia Zhang
- University of Ottawa Institute of Mental Health Research
| | - Jing Han
- Key Laboratory of MOE for Modern Teaching Technology, Shaanxi Normal University
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Korpi ER, den Hollander B, Farooq U, Vashchinkina E, Rajkumar R, Nutt DJ, Hyytiä P, Dawe GS. Mechanisms of Action and Persistent Neuroplasticity by Drugs of Abuse. Pharmacol Rev 2015; 67:872-1004. [DOI: 10.1124/pr.115.010967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 101] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
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18
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Lubman DI, Cheetham A, Yücel M. Cannabis and adolescent brain development. Pharmacol Ther 2014; 148:1-16. [PMID: 25460036 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2014.11.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 189] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2014] [Accepted: 11/03/2014] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Heavy cannabis use has been frequently associated with increased rates of mental illness and cognitive impairment, particularly amongst adolescent users. However, the neurobiological processes that underlie these associations are still not well understood. In this review, we discuss the findings of studies examining the acute and chronic effects of cannabis use on the brain, with a particular focus on the impact of commencing use during adolescence. Accumulating evidence from both animal and human studies suggests that regular heavy use during this period is associated with more severe and persistent negative outcomes than use during adulthood, suggesting that the adolescent brain may be particularly vulnerable to the effects of cannabis exposure. As the endocannabinoid system plays an important role in brain development, it is plausible that prolonged use during adolescence results in a disruption in the normative neuromaturational processes that occur during this period. We identify synaptic pruning and white matter development as two processes that may be adversely impacted by cannabis exposure during adolescence. Potentially, alterations in these processes may underlie the cognitive and emotional deficits that have been associated with regular use commencing during adolescence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan I Lubman
- Turning Point, Eastern Health and Eastern Health Clinical School, Monash University, Victoria, Australia.
| | - Ali Cheetham
- Turning Point, Eastern Health and Eastern Health Clinical School, Monash University, Victoria, Australia
| | - Murat Yücel
- Melbourne Neuropsychiatry Centre, Department of Psychiatry, The University of Melbourne and Melbourne Health, Victoria, Australia; Monash Clinical & Imaging Neuroscience, School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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19
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Paracetamol—The outcome on neurotransmission and spatial learning in rats. Behav Brain Res 2013; 253:157-64. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2013.07.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2013] [Revised: 07/01/2013] [Accepted: 07/07/2013] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
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20
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Casimiro TM, Nawy S, Carroll RC. Molecular mechanisms underlying activity-dependent AMPA receptor cycling in retinal ganglion cells. Mol Cell Neurosci 2013; 56:384-92. [PMID: 23911793 DOI: 10.1016/j.mcn.2013.07.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2012] [Revised: 06/20/2013] [Accepted: 07/24/2013] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
On retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) transmit light encoded information to the brain and receive excitatory input from On cone bipolar cells (CBPs). The synaptic CBP input onto On RGCs is mediated by AMPA-type glutamate receptors (AMPARs) that include both those lacking a GluA2 subunit, and are therefore permeable to Ca(2+), and those that possess at least one GluA2 subunit and are Ca(2+)-impermeable. We have previously demonstrated in electrophysiological studies that periods of low synaptic activity, brought about by housing animals in darkness, enhance the proportion of GluA2-lacking AMPARs at the On CBP-On RGC synapse by mobilizing surface GluA2 containing receptors into a receptor pool that rapidly cycles in and out of the membrane. AMPAR cycling induction by reduced synaptic activity takes several hours. This delay suggests that changes in expression of proteins which regulate AMPAR trafficking may mediate the altered mobility of GluA2 AMPARs in RGCs. In this study, we test the hypothesis that AMPAR trafficking proteins couple synaptic activity to AMPAR cycling in RGCs. Immunocytochemical and biochemical analyses confirmed that darkness decreases surface GluA2 in RGCs and changed the expression levels of three proteins associated with GluA2 trafficking. GRIP was decreased, while PICK1 and Arc were increased. Knockdown of GRIP with siRNA elevated constitutive AMPAR cycling, mimicking effects of reduced synaptic activity, while knockdown of PICK1 and Arc blocked increases in constitutive GluA2 trafficking. Our results support a role for correlated, activity-driven changes in multiple AMPAR trafficking proteins that modulate GluA2 cycling which can in turn affect synaptic AMPAR composition in RGCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanya M Casimiro
- Dominick P. Purpura Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, The Rose F. Kennedy Center, 1410 Pelham Parkway, Bronx, NY 10461, United States
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21
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Ruiz-Contreras AE, Carrillo-Sánchez K, Gómez-López N, Vadillo-Ortega F, Hernández-Morales S, Carnevale-Cantoni A, Espejel-Núñez A, Méndez-Díaz M, Prospéro-García O. Working memory performance in young adults is associated to the AATn polymorphism of the CNR1 gene. Behav Brain Res 2012; 236:62-66. [PMID: 22944513 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2012.08.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2012] [Revised: 08/14/2012] [Accepted: 08/17/2012] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Working memory (WM) depends on several neural networks and neurochemical systems. One of them is the endocannabinoid (eCB) system, which CB1 receptor (CB1R) is widely distributed all over the brain. The stimulation of CB1R by agonists reduces WM efficiency. The CNR1 human gene (6q14-15) encodes the CB1R. AATn polymorphism of the CNR1 gene has been related to psychiatric disorders, and to procedural learning and attention in healthy subjects. The aim of this exploratory research was to test whether AATn polymorphism of the CNR1 is related to the WM performance, by measuring n-back task. Mexican healthy young adults (n = 94) performed the WM n-back task. One of the most frequent AATn allele in our sample was the AAT12. We formed three groups, as a function of the AATn genotype: AAT ≤ 12/AAT≤12, AAT ≤ 12/AAT > 12 and AAT > 12/AAT > 12, and their accuracy on the n-back task was compared. WM accuracy differed among genotypes (P=0.03): AAT ≤ 12/AAT≤12 group had a higher performance than the AAT > 12/AAT > 12 group (statistical power: 0.65, f(2) = 0.20, P<0.05). These results suggest that the fewer AATn repeats of the CNR1 gene, the better WM performance, and sustain the idea that eCB system participates in the modulation of the human brain network involved in WM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandra E Ruiz-Contreras
- Gpo. Neurociencias: Lab. Neurogenomica Cognitiva, Depto. Psicofisiologia, Fac. Psicologia, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico (UNAM), Mexico; Gpo. Neurociencias: Lab. Canabinoides, Depto. Fisiologia, Fac. Medicina, UNAM, Mexico.
| | | | - Nardhy Gómez-López
- Instituto Nacional de Perinatologia Isidro Espinosa de los Reyes, Mexico; Dept. Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
| | | | | | | | | | - Mónica Méndez-Díaz
- Gpo. Neurociencias: Lab. Canabinoides, Depto. Fisiologia, Fac. Medicina, UNAM, Mexico
| | - Oscar Prospéro-García
- Gpo. Neurociencias: Lab. Canabinoides, Depto. Fisiologia, Fac. Medicina, UNAM, Mexico
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Dalton VS, Verdurand M, Walker A, Hodgson DM, Zavitsanou K. Synergistic Effect between Maternal Infection and Adolescent Cannabinoid Exposure on Serotonin 5HT1A Receptor Binding in the Hippocampus: Testing the "Two Hit" Hypothesis for the Development of Schizophrenia. ISRN PSYCHIATRY 2012; 2012:451865. [PMID: 23738203 PMCID: PMC3658855 DOI: 10.5402/2012/451865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2012] [Accepted: 04/10/2012] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Infections during pregnancy and adolescent cannabis use have both been identified as environmental risk factors for schizophrenia. We combined these factors in an animal model and looked at their effects, alone and in combination, on serotonin 5HT1A receptor binding (5HT1AR) binding longitudinally from late adolescence to adulthood. Pregnant rats were exposed to the viral mimic poly I:C on embryonic day 15. Adolescent offspring received daily injections of the cannabinoid HU210 for 14 days starting on postnatal day (PND) 35. Hippocampal and cortical 5HT1AR binding was quantified autoradiographically using [3H]8-OH-DPAT, in late adolescent (PND 55), young adult (PND 65) and adult (PND 90) rats. Descendants of poly I:C treated rats showed significant increases of 15–18% in 5HT1AR in the hippocampus (CA1) compared to controls at all developmental ages. Offspring of poly I:C treated rats exposed to HU210 during adolescence exhibited even greater elevations in 5HT1AR (with increases of 44, 29, and 39% at PNDs 55, 65, and 90). No effect of HU210 alone was observed. Our results suggest a synergistic effect of prenatal infection and adolescent cannabinoid exposure on the integrity of the serotoninergic system in the hippocampus that may provide the neurochemical substrate for abnormal hippocampal-related functions relevant to schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria S Dalton
- Schizophrenia Research Institute, Sydney, NSW 2010, Australia ; Department of Psychiatry and Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
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Han J, Kesner P, Metna-Laurent M, Duan T, Xu L, Georges F, Koehl M, Abrous DN, Mendizabal-Zubiaga J, Grandes P, Liu Q, Bai G, Wang W, Xiong L, Ren W, Marsicano G, Zhang X. Acute cannabinoids impair working memory through astroglial CB1 receptor modulation of hippocampal LTD. Cell 2012; 148:1039-50. [PMID: 22385967 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2012.01.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 343] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2011] [Revised: 10/21/2011] [Accepted: 01/11/2012] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Impairment of working memory is one of the most important deleterious effects of marijuana intoxication in humans, but its underlying mechanisms are presently unknown. Here, we demonstrate that the impairment of spatial working memory (SWM) and in vivo long-term depression (LTD) of synaptic strength at hippocampal CA3-CA1 synapses, induced by an acute exposure of exogenous cannabinoids, is fully abolished in conditional mutant mice lacking type-1 cannabinoid receptors (CB(1)R) in brain astroglial cells but is conserved in mice lacking CB(1)R in glutamatergic or GABAergic neurons. Blockade of neuronal glutamate N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDAR) and of synaptic trafficking of glutamate α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-isoxazole propionic acid receptors (AMPAR) also abolishes cannabinoid effects on SWM and LTD induction and expression. We conclude that the impairment of working memory by marijuana and cannabinoids is due to the activation of astroglial CB(1)R and is associated with astroglia-dependent hippocampal LTD in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Han
- College of Life Sciences and Key Laboratory of Modern Teaching Technology, Shaanxi Normal University, Xian, China
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Abush H, Akirav I. Short- and long-term cognitive effects of chronic cannabinoids administration in late-adolescence rats. PLoS One 2012; 7:e31731. [PMID: 22348124 PMCID: PMC3278466 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0031731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2011] [Accepted: 01/12/2012] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The use of cannabis can impair cognitive function, especially short-term memory. A controversial question is whether long-term cannabis use during the late-adolescence period can cause irreversible deficits in higher brain function that persist after drug use stops. In order to examine the short- and long-term effects of chronic exposure to cannabinoids, rats were administered chronic i.p. treatment with the CB1/CB2 receptor agonist WIN55,212-2 (WIN; 1.2 mg/kg) for two weeks during the late adolescence period (post-natal days 45–60) and tested for behavioral and electrophysiological measures of cognitive performance 24 hrs, 10 and 30 days after the last drug injection. The impairing effects of chronic WIN on short-term memory in the water maze and the object recognition tasks as well as long-term potentiation (LTP) in the ventral subiculum (vSub)-nucleus accumbens (NAc) pathway were temporary as they lasted only 24 h or 10 d after withdrawal. However, chronic WIN significantly impaired hippocampal dependent short-term memory measured in the object location task 24 hrs, 10, 30, and 75 days after the last drug injection. Our findings suggest that some forms of hippocampal-dependent short-term memory are sensitive to chronic cannabinoid administration but other cognitive impairments are temporary and probably result from a residue of cannabinoids in the brain or acute withdrawal effects from cannabinoids. Understanding the effects of cannabinoids on cognitive function may provide us with tools to overcome these impairments and for cannabinoids to be more favorably considered for clinical use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hila Abush
- Department of Psychology, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
| | - Irit Akirav
- Department of Psychology, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
- * E-mail:
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Alterations of endocannabinoid signaling, synaptic plasticity, learning, and memory in monoacylglycerol lipase knock-out mice. J Neurosci 2011; 31:13420-30. [PMID: 21940435 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.2075-11.2011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 115] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Endocannabinoid (eCB) signaling is tightly regulated by eCB biosynthetic and degradative enzymes. The eCB 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) is hydrolyzed primarily by monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL). Here, we investigated whether eCB signaling, synaptic function, and learning behavior were altered in MAGL knock-out mice. We report that MAGL⁻/⁻ mice exhibited prolonged depolarization-induced suppression of inhibition (DSI) in hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons, providing genetic evidence that the inactivation of 2-AG by MAGL determines the time course of the eCB-mediated retrograde synaptic depression. CB₁ receptor antagonists enhanced basal IPSCs in CA1 pyramidal neurons in MAGL⁻/⁻ mice, while the magnitude of DSI or CB₁ receptor agonist-induced depression of IPSCs was decreased in MAGL⁻/⁻ mice. These results suggest that 2-AG elevations in MAGL⁻/⁻ mice cause tonic activation and partial desensitization of CB₁ receptors. Genetic deletion of MAGL selectively enhanced theta burst stimulation (TBS)-induced long-term potentiation (LTP) in the CA1 region of hippocampal slices but had no significant effect on LTP induced by high-frequency stimulation or long-term depression induced by low-frequency stimulation. The enhancement of TBS-LTP in MAGL⁻/⁻ mice appears to be mediated by 2-AG-induced suppression of GABA(A) receptor-mediated inhibition. MAGL⁻/⁻ mice exhibited enhanced learning as shown by improved performance in novel object recognition and Morris water maze. These results indicate that genetic deletion of MAGL causes profound changes in eCB signaling, long-term synaptic plasticity, and learning behavior.
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Liu Z, Han J, Jia L, Maillet JC, Bai G, Xu L, Jia Z, Zheng Q, Zhang W, Monette R, Merali Z, Zhu Z, Wang W, Ren W, Zhang X. Synaptic neurotransmission depression in ventral tegmental dopamine neurons and cannabinoid-associated addictive learning. PLoS One 2010; 5:e15634. [PMID: 21187978 PMCID: PMC3004941 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0015634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2010] [Accepted: 11/18/2010] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Drug addiction is an association of compulsive drug use with long-term associative learning/memory. Multiple forms of learning/memory are primarily subserved by activity- or experience-dependent synaptic long-term potentiation (LTP) and long-term depression (LTD). Recent studies suggest LTP expression in locally activated glutamate synapses onto dopamine neurons (local Glu-DA synapses) of the midbrain ventral tegmental area (VTA) following a single or chronic exposure to many drugs of abuse, whereas a single exposure to cannabinoid did not significantly affect synaptic plasticity at these synapses. It is unknown whether chronic exposure of cannabis (marijuana or cannabinoids), the most commonly used illicit drug worldwide, induce LTP or LTD at these synapses. More importantly, whether such alterations in VTA synaptic plasticity causatively contribute to drug addictive behavior has not previously been addressed. Here we show in rats that chronic cannabinoid exposure activates VTA cannabinoid CB1 receptors to induce transient neurotransmission depression at VTA local Glu-DA synapses through activation of NMDA receptors and subsequent endocytosis of AMPA receptor GluR2 subunits. A GluR2-derived peptide blocks cannabinoid-induced VTA synaptic depression and conditioned place preference, i.e., learning to associate drug exposure with environmental cues. These data not only provide the first evidence, to our knowledge, that NMDA receptor-dependent synaptic depression at VTA dopamine circuitry requires GluR2 endocytosis, but also suggest an essential contribution of such synaptic depression to cannabinoid-associated addictive learning, in addition to pointing to novel pharmacological strategies for the treatment of cannabis addiction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiqiang Liu
- College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xian, People's Republic of China
- Institute of Mental Health Research and Departments of Psychiatry and Cellular & Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Jing Han
- College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xian, People's Republic of China
- Institute of Mental Health Research and Departments of Psychiatry and Cellular & Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Lintao Jia
- Institute of Mental Health Research and Departments of Psychiatry and Cellular & Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Jean-Christian Maillet
- Institute of Mental Health Research and Departments of Psychiatry and Cellular & Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Guang Bai
- Department of Neural and Pain Sciences, Dental School, Program in Neuroscience, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Lin Xu
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Science, Kunming, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhengping Jia
- Neurosciences and Mental Health, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Qiaohua Zheng
- Institute of Mental Health Research and Departments of Psychiatry and Cellular & Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Wandong Zhang
- Neurobiology Program, Institute for Biological Sciences, National Research Council of Canada, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Robert Monette
- Neurobiology Program, Institute for Biological Sciences, National Research Council of Canada, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Zul Merali
- Institute of Mental Health Research and Departments of Psychiatry and Cellular & Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Zhou Zhu
- Department of Neurology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Wei Wang
- Department of Neurology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Wei Ren
- College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xian, People's Republic of China
| | - Xia Zhang
- College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xian, People's Republic of China
- Institute of Mental Health Research and Departments of Psychiatry and Cellular & Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada
- * E-mail:
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Goonawardena AV, Robinson L, Riedel G, Hampson RE. Recruitment of hippocampal neurons to encode behavioral events in the rat: alterations in cognitive demand and cannabinoid exposure. Hippocampus 2010; 20:1083-94. [PMID: 19771586 PMCID: PMC2891278 DOI: 10.1002/hipo.20706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Successful performance by rats of a delayed-nonmatch-to-sample (DNMS) task is hippocampal dependent. We have shown that neurons in hippocampus differentially encode task-relevant events. These responses are critical for correct DNMS performance and are diminished by exogenous cannabinoids. We therefore reasoned that hippocampal neural correlates of behavior are likely shaped during learning; however, to date, no work has examined these correlates during DNMS acquisition training. Consequently, the present study assessed the emergence of hippocampal neural encoding when (i) cognitive task demands were increased through prolongation of delay intervals between sample and nonmatch phase and (ii) when animals are under cannabinoid treatment and performance is compromised. Adult, male Long-Evans rats were trained to perform the DNMS task without delay and then implanted with multielectrode recording arrays directed to CA3 and CA1 subfields of the hippocampus. Following recovery, single units were isolated and animals divided into two treatment groups: vehicle or WIN 55,212-2 (WIN-2, 0.35 mg/kg). Ensemble firing was monitored during retraining in DNMS task at 0 s, and subsequently delay intervals were progressively increased to 1-10 s, 11-20 s, and 21-30 s when animals met criterion (80% correct) at each respective interval. Hippocampal CA3 and CA1 principal cells were isolated and recorded throughout treatment. Extension of the delay led to an increase in the number of task-correlated neurons in controls. This recruitment of novel cells was reduced/prevented in the presence of WIN-2 and was paralleled by impairment in acquisition learning at longer delay intervals. Moreover, WIN-2 suppressed hippocampal ensemble firing during the sample (encoding) but not nonmatch phase of the DNMS task across all delays. These cannabinoid-induced alterations in hippocampal neuronal activity may explain the observed deficits in DNMS performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anushka V Goonawardena
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center, Winston-Salem North Carolina, United States
- School of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
| | - Lianne Robinson
- School of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
| | - Gernot Riedel
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center, Winston-Salem North Carolina, United States
- School of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
| | - Robert E Hampson
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center, Winston-Salem North Carolina, United States
- School of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
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Cannabinoid administration increases 5HT1A receptor binding and mRNA expression in the hippocampus of adult but not adolescent rats. Neuroscience 2010; 169:315-24. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2010.04.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2009] [Revised: 02/26/2010] [Accepted: 04/03/2010] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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Verdurand M, Dalton VS, Zavitsanou K. GABA(A) receptor density is altered by cannabinoid treatment in the hippocampus of adult but not adolescent rats. Brain Res 2010; 1351:238-245. [PMID: 20599838 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2010.06.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2010] [Revised: 06/10/2010] [Accepted: 06/10/2010] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Cannabinoids are known to induce transient psychotic symptoms and cognitive dysfunction in healthy individuals and contribute to trigger schizophrenia in vulnerable individuals, particularly during adolescence. Converging preclinical evidence suggests important interactions between cannabinoid and GABAergic systems. In the present study, we compared the effects of cannabinoid treatment on GABA(A) receptor binding in the brain of adolescent and adult rats. Adolescent (5 weeks old) and adult (10 weeks old) rats were treated with the synthetic cannabinoid HU210 (25, 50 or 100 microg/kg/day) or vehicle for 1, 4 or 14 days. Rats were sacrificed 24 h after the last injection and GABA(A) receptor density was measured in several brain regions using [(35)S]TBPS and in vitro autoradiography. Adolescent rats had higher numbers of GABA(A) receptors compared to adults. A 24% increase of binding in adult rats treated with 100 microg/kg HU210 for 14 days compared to controls was observed in the CA1 region of the hippocampus (16.1 versus 12.9 fmol/mg tissue equivalent, t=2.720, p<0.05). HU210 did not affect GABA(A) receptors in adolescent rats in any treatment regimen and in adult rats treated with HU210 for 1 or 4 days. These data suggest that long-term, high-dose treatment with HU210 increases GABA(A) receptors in the hippocampus of adult rats, changes that may interfere with associated hippocampal cognitive functions such as learning and memory. In addition, our results suggest that the adolescent brain does not display the same compensatory mechanisms that are activated in the adult brain following cannabinoid treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathieu Verdurand
- Schizophrenia Research Institute, Sydney, Australia; ANSTO Life Sciences, Sydney, Australia
| | | | - Katerina Zavitsanou
- Schizophrenia Research Institute, Sydney, Australia; ANSTO Life Sciences, Sydney, Australia.
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Apryani E, Hidayat MT, Moklas MAA, Fakurazi S, Idayu NF. Effects of mitragynine from Mitragyna speciosa Korth leaves on working memory. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2010; 129:357-360. [PMID: 20371280 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2010.03.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2009] [Revised: 03/21/2010] [Accepted: 03/29/2010] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
AIM OF THE STUDY Mitragyna speciosa Korth from Rubiaceae family is a tropical plant indigenous to Southeast Asia particularly in Thailand, Peninsular of Malaysia and Indonesia. The leaves have been used by natives for their opium-like effect and cocaine-like stimulant ability to combat fatigue and enhance tolerance to hard work. However there is no scientific information about the effect of mitragynine on the cognitive performances. This study is designed to examine the working memory effects of mitragynine which is extracted from Mitragyna speciosa mature leaves. MATERIALS AND METHODS The cognitive effect was studied using object location task and the motor activity in open-field test. Mitragynine 5, 10 and 15 mg/kg and were administered by intraperitoneal (IP) for 28 consecutive days and evaluated on day 28 after the last dose treatment. Scopolamine was used as the control positive drug. RESULTS In this study there is prominent effects on horizontal locomotor activity was observed. Mitragynine significantly reduced locomotor activity in open-field test compared with vehicle. In object location task mitragynine (5, 10 and 15 mg/kg) did not showed any significances discrimination between the object that had changed position than the object that had remain in a constant position. CONCLUSION Our results suggest that chronic administration of mitragynine can altered the cognitive behavioral function in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evhy Apryani
- Department of Human Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
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Abstract
The age of an experimental animal can be a critical variable, yet age matters are often overlooked within neuroscience. Many studies make use of young animals, without considering possible differences between immature and mature subjects. This is especially problematic when attempting to model traits or diseases that do not emerge until adulthood. In this commentary we discuss the reasons for this apparent bias in age of experimental animals, and illustrate the problem with a systematic review of published articles on long-term potentiation. Additionally, we review the developmental stages of a rat and discuss the difficulty of using the weight of an animal as a predictor of its age. Finally, we provide original data from our laboratory and review published data to emphasize that development is an ongoing process that does not end with puberty. Developmental changes can be quantitative in nature, involving gradual changes, rapid switches, or inverted U-shaped curves. Changes can also be qualitative. Thus, phenomena that appear to be unitary may be governed by different mechanisms at different ages. We conclude that selection of the age of the animals may be critically important in the design and interpretation of neurobiological studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- James Edgar McCutcheon
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, The Chicago Medical School, 3333 Green Bay Road, North Chicago, IL 60064, USA
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Li X, Zhang Y, Zhang X. Tat-3L4F does not significantly affect spatial learning and memory. Behav Brain Res 2008; 193:170-3. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2008.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2007] [Revised: 05/05/2008] [Accepted: 05/12/2008] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Sokal DM, Benetti C, Girlanda E, Large CH. The CB1 receptor antagonist, SR141716A, prevents high-frequency stimulation-induced reduction of feedback inhibition in the rat dentate gyrus following perforant path stimulation in vivo. Brain Res 2008; 1223:50-8. [PMID: 18599027 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2008.05.065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2008] [Revised: 05/27/2008] [Accepted: 05/28/2008] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Endocannabinoids acting through CB(1) receptors are thought to regulate GABAergic and glutamatergic neurotransmission and may modulate long-term potentiation (LTP). High-frequency stimulation (HFS) of the medial perforant path to induce LTP was studied in the dentate gyrus with or without the selective CB(1) receptor antagonist, SR141716A in isoflurane-anaesthetised rats. HFS significantly increased the slope of the field excitatory post-synaptic potential (fEPSP) and the amplitude of the population spike (PS; P<0.001 in each case; n=6). Following administration of SR141716A, HFS no longer increased fEPSP slope, whereas PS amplitude potentiation remained significant (P<0.0001; n=6). Paired-stimuli revealed that HFS significantly reduced inhibition observed at intervals of 10 ms (P<0.01; n=6), and produced a leftward shift of the interval-inhibition curve (P<0.05; n=6). Following administration of SR141716A, HFS no longer reduced inhibition at the 10 ms interval, but a leftward shift in the interval-inhibition curve was still observed (P<0.05, n=6). These results indicate that LTP in the dentate gyrus reduces local circuit inhibition, consistent with a reduction of GABA release and/or duration of the post-synaptic GABA-receptor mediated response. Selective effects of SR141716A on the degree, but not the timecourse, of paired-pulse inhibition suggest that the reduction in GABA release following LTP induction is due to CB(1) activation. Results also suggest that CB(1) receptors contribute to HFS-induced potentiation of the fEPSP, but not to the mechanism underlying potentiation of PS amplitude. We suggest that CB(1) activation during HFS of the medial perforant path increases glutamate release from perforant path synapses, but inhibits release of GABA from local circuit interneurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- David M Sokal
- Department of Biology, Psychiatry CEDD, GlaxoSmithKline Medicines Research Centre, Via A. Fleming 4, Verona, Italy.
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McLaughlin RJ, Hill MN, Morrish AC, Gorzalka BB. Local enhancement of cannabinoid CB1 receptor signalling in the dorsal hippocampus elicits an antidepressant-like effect. Behav Pharmacol 2007; 18:431-8. [PMID: 17762511 DOI: 10.1097/fbp.0b013e3282ee7b44] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Systemic administration of direct cannabinoid CB1 receptor agonists and inhibitors of the hydrolytic enzyme fatty acid amide hydrolase have been shown to elicit antidepressant effects. Moreover, the endocannabinoid system in the hippocampus is sensitive to both chronic stress and antidepressant administration, suggesting a potential role of this system in emotional changes associated with these regimens. The aim of this study was to determine if cannabinoid CB1 receptors in the hippocampus modulate emotionality in rats as assessed via the forced swim test. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were bilaterally implanted with cannulae directed at the dentate gyrus of the dorsal hippocampus and subsequently received three infusions of either the cannabinoid CB1 receptor agonist HU-210 (1 and 2.5 microg), the fatty acid amide hydrolase inhibitor URB597 (0.5 and 1 microg), the cannabinoid CB1 receptor antagonist AM251 (1 and 2.5 microg), or vehicle (dimethyl sulfoxide) and were assessed in the forced swim test. Infusion of both doses of HU-210 resulted in a dramatic reduction in immobility and increase in swimming behaviour, indicative of an antidepressant response, which was partially reversed by coadministration of AM251. No effect of URB597 administration or any effect following the administration of AM251 alone was, however, observed. These data indicate that activation of CB1 receptors in the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus results in an antidepressant-like response. Collectively, these data highlight the potential importance of changes in the hippocampal endocannabinoid system following stress or antidepressant treatment with respect to the manifestation and/or treatment of depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan J McLaughlin
- Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
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Robinson L, Goonawardena AV, Pertwee RG, Hampson RE, Riedel G. The synthetic cannabinoid HU210 induces spatial memory deficits and suppresses hippocampal firing rate in rats. Br J Pharmacol 2007; 151:688-700. [PMID: 17502849 PMCID: PMC2013991 DOI: 10.1038/sj.bjp.0707273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2007] [Revised: 02/27/2007] [Accepted: 03/14/2007] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Previous work implied that the hippocampal cannabinoid system was particularly important in some forms of learning, but direct evidence for this hypothesis is scarce. We therefore assessed the effects of the synthetic cannabinoid HU210 on memory and hippocampal activity. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH HU210 (100 microg kg(-1)) was administered intraperitoneally to rats under three experimental conditions. One group of animals were pre-trained in spatial working memory using a delayed-matching-to-position task and effects of HU210 were assessed in a within-subject design. In another, rats were injected before acquisition learning of a spatial reference memory task with constant platform location. Finally, a separate group of animals was implanted with electrode bundles in CA1 and CA3 and single unit responses were isolated, before and after HU210 treatment. KEY RESULTS HU210 treatment had no effect on working or short-term memory. Relative to its control Tween 80, deficits in acquisition of a reference memory version of the water maze were obtained, along with drug-related effects on anxiety, motor activity and spatial learning. Deficits were not reversed by the CB(1) receptor antagonists SR141716A (3 mg kg(-1)) or AM281 (1.5 mg kg(-1)). Single unit recordings from principal neurons in hippocampal CA3 and CA1 confirmed HU210-induced attenuation of the overall firing activity lowering both the number of complex spikes fired and the occurrence of bursts. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS These data provide the first direct evidence that the underlying mechanism for the spatial memory deficits induced by HU210 in rats is the accompanying abnormality in hippocampal cell firing.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Robinson
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Institute for Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill Aberdeen, UK
| | - A V Goonawardena
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Institute for Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill Aberdeen, UK
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Wake Forest University Health Sciences Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - R G Pertwee
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Institute for Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill Aberdeen, UK
| | - R E Hampson
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Wake Forest University Health Sciences Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - G Riedel
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Institute for Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill Aberdeen, UK
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Hoffman AF, Oz M, Yang R, Lichtman AH, Lupica CR. Opposing actions of chronic Delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabinoid antagonists on hippocampal long-term potentiation. Learn Mem 2007; 14:63-74. [PMID: 17202425 PMCID: PMC1828281 DOI: 10.1101/lm.439007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 111] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Memory deficits produced by marijuana arise partly via interaction of the psychoactive component, Delta(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol (Delta(9)-THC), with cannabinoid receptors in the hippocampus. Although cannabinoids acutely reduce glutamate release and block hippocampal long-term potentiation (LTP), a potential substrate for learning and memory, the consequences of prolonged exposure to Delta(9)-THC for hippocampal function are poorly understood. Rats were injected with Delta(9)-THC (10 mg/kg, i.p., q.d.) for 1, 3, or 7 d, and electrophysiological recordings were performed in hippocampal slices 1d after the final injection. At this time, Delta(9)-THC was undetectable in hippocampus using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). Hippocampal LTP generated using high-frequency (HFS) or theta burst stimulation was not observed in brain slices from the 7-d Delta(9)-THC-treated animals. Delta(9)-THC also blocked HFS-LTP after 3 d, but not 1 d of treatment. The complete blockade of LTP persisted for 3 d after the last Delta(9)-THC injection, and full reversal of the LTP deficit was not observed up to 14 d following Delta(9)-THC withdrawal. The cannabinoid antagonist AM251 (2 mg/kg), administered before each Delta(9)-THC injection prevented the blockade of LTP, and 7-d treatment with AM251 alone significantly increased the level of LTP. Chronic Delta(9)-THC also produced tolerance to the inhibition of synaptic GABA, but not glutamate release by the agonist WIN55,212-2. These data define consequences of repeated Delta(9)-THC exposure for synaptic plasticity in the hippocampus that may help explain memory impairments in humans following chronic marijuana use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander F. Hoffman
- United States Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Intramural Research Program, Cellular Neurobiology Branch, Electrophysiology Research Unit, Baltimore, Maryland 21224, USA
| | - Murat Oz
- United States Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Intramural Research Program, Cellular Neurobiology Branch, Electrophysiology Research Unit, Baltimore, Maryland 21224, USA
| | - Ruiqin Yang
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia 23298-0613, USA
| | - Aron H. Lichtman
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia 23298-0613, USA
| | - Carl R. Lupica
- United States Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Intramural Research Program, Cellular Neurobiology Branch, Electrophysiology Research Unit, Baltimore, Maryland 21224, USA
- Corresponding author.E-mail ; fax (410) 550-1621
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Jacobsen LK, Pugh KR, Constable RT, Westerveld M, Mencl WE. Functional correlates of verbal memory deficits emerging during nicotine withdrawal in abstinent adolescent cannabis users. Biol Psychiatry 2007; 61:31-40. [PMID: 16631130 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2006.02.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 111] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2005] [Revised: 12/07/2005] [Accepted: 02/22/2006] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cannabis remains the most widely used illicit substance by adolescents and is typically consumed by this population in the context of ongoing tobacco use. Human studies have shown that both cannabis and tobacco exert effects on cognitive function; however, little is known about possible interacting effects of these drugs on brain function and cognition during adolescent development. METHODS Verbal learning and memory were assessed in 20 adolescent users of tobacco and cannabis and 25 adolescent tobacco users with minimal history of cannabis use. Functional magnetic resonance imaging was used to examine brain function and functional connectivity while a subset of these subjects performed a verbal working memory task. RESULTS Delayed recall of verbal stimuli deteriorated during nicotine withdrawal among cannabis users but not among comparison subjects. During high verbal working memory load, nicotine withdrawal selectively increased task-related activation of posterior cortical regions and was associated with disruption of frontoparietal connectivity in adolescent cannabis users relative to comparison subjects. CONCLUSIONS These observations suggest that cannabis use during adolescent development may disrupt neurocircuitry supporting verbal memory formation and that deficits associated with disruption of these neurocircuits are unmasked during nicotine withdrawal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leslie K Jacobsen
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, Connecticut 06519, USA.
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Hill MN, Froese LM, Morrish AC, Sun JC, Floresco SB. Alterations in behavioral flexibility by cannabinoid CB1 receptor agonists and antagonists. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2006; 187:245-59. [PMID: 16752140 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-006-0421-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2006] [Accepted: 04/29/2006] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE Cannabinoid CB1 receptors are expressed in the prefrontal cortex, but their role in mediating executive functions such as behavioral flexibility is unclear. OBJECTIVE The present study examined the effect of pharmacological activation or blockade of the cannabinoid CB1 receptors on behavioral flexibility using a strategy set-shifting task conducted on a cross maze. MATERIALS AND METHODS In experiment 1, rats initially were trained to turn left or right while ignoring the visual cue to obtain a food; on the second test day, rats had to inhibit the previously learned rule and approach the cue to obtain the food. In experiment 2, the order of discrimination training was reversed. RESULTS Administration of the cannabinoid CB1 receptor agonist HU-210 before the set-shift on day 2 elicited dose-dependent effects on performance. A 20-microg/kg dose of HU-210 increased perseverative errors, whereas the effects of a lower, 5-microg/kg dose caused differential effects depending on whether rats were required to shift from a response to a visual-cue discrimination strategy or vice versa. Conversely, administration of a 2-mg/kg, but not a 5-mg/kg dose of the CB1 receptor antagonist AM251 reduced perseverative errors. CONCLUSIONS These data demonstrate a biphasic and dose-sensitive role for the cannabinoid system in behavioral flexibility, which in turn may have clinical implications for the role of the endocannabinoid system in psychiatric disorders where behavioral flexibility is compromised.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew N Hill
- Department of Psychology and the Brain Research Centre, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, V6T1Z4, BC, Canada
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Egerton A, Allison C, Brett RR, Pratt JA. Cannabinoids and prefrontal cortical function: Insights from preclinical studies. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2006; 30:680-95. [PMID: 16574226 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2005.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 96] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2005] [Revised: 11/18/2005] [Accepted: 12/19/2005] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Marijuana use has been associated with disordered cognition across several domains influenced by the prefrontal cortex (PFC). Here, we review the contribution of preclinical research to understanding the effects of cannabinoids on cognitive ability, and the mechanisms by which cannabinoids may affect the neurochemical processes in the PFC that are associated with these impairments. In rodents, acute administration of cannabinoid agonists produces deficits in working memory, attentional function and reversal learning. These effects appear to be largely dependent on CB1 cannabinoid receptor activation. Preclinical studies also indicate that the endogenous cannabinoid system may tonically regulate some mnemonic processes. Effects of cannabinoids on cognition may be mediated via interaction with neurochemical processes in the PFC and hippocampus. In the PFC, cannabinoids may alter dopaminergic, cholinergic and serotonergic transmission. These mechanisms may underlie cognitive impairments observed following marijuana intake in humans, and may also be relevant to other disorders of cognition. Preclinical research will further enhance our understanding of the interactions between the cannabinoid system and cognitive functioning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice Egerton
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Strathclyde Institute for Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G4 0NR, UK
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Moore SA, Nomikos GG, Dickason-Chesterfield AK, Schober DA, Schaus JM, Ying BP, Xu YC, Phebus L, Simmons RMA, Li D, Iyengar S, Felder CC. Identification of a high-affinity binding site involved in the transport of endocannabinoids. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2005; 102:17852-7. [PMID: 16314570 PMCID: PMC1295594 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0507470102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 137] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Phytocannabinoids, such as the principal bioactive component of marijuana, delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol, have been used for thousands of years for medical and recreational purposes. delta9-Tetrahydrocannabinol and endogenous cannabinoids (e.g., anandamide) initiate their agonist properties by stimulating the cannabinoid family of G protein-coupled receptors (CB1 and CB2). The biosynthesis and physiology of anandamide is well understood, but its mechanism of uptake (resulting in signal termination by fatty acid amide hydrolase) has been elusive. Mounting evidence points to the existence of a specific anandamide transport protein; however, no direct evidence for this protein has been provided. Here, we use a potent, competitive small molecule inhibitor of anandamide uptake (LY2318912, IC50 7.27 +/- 0.510 nM) to identify a high-affinity, saturable anandamide transporter binding site (LY2318912; K(d) = 7.62 +/- 1.18 nM, B(max) = 31.6 +/- 1.80 fmol/mg protein) that is distinct from fatty acid amide hydrolase. Systemic administration of the inhibitor into rodents elevates anandamide levels 5-fold in the brain and demonstrates efficacy in the formalin paw-licking model of persistent pain with no obvious adverse effects on motor function. Identification of the anandamide transporter binding site resolves a missing mechanistic link in endocannabinoid signaling, and in vivo results suggest that endocannabinoid transporter antagonists may provide a strategy for positive modulation of cannabinoid receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- S A Moore
- Eli Lilly and Company, Lilly Research Laboratories, Lilly Corporate Center, Indianapolis, IN 46285-0510, USA
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