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Boo KJ, Kim DH, Cho E, Kim DH, Jeon SJ, Shin CY. Neonatal dysregulation of 2-arachidonoylglycerol induces impaired brain function in adult mice. Neuropharmacology 2024; 257:110045. [PMID: 38885736 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2024.110045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2024] [Revised: 06/03/2024] [Accepted: 06/12/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024]
Abstract
The endocannabinoid system (ECS) regulates neurotransmission linked to synaptic plasticity, cognition, and emotion. While it has been demonstrated that dysregulation of the ECS in adulthood is relevant not only to central nervous system (CNS) disorders such as autism spectrum disorder, cognitive dysfunction, and depression but also to brain function, there are few studies on how dysregulation of the ECS in the neonatal period affects the manifestation and pathophysiology of CNS disorders later in life. In this study, DO34, a diacylglycerol lipase alpha (DAGLα) inhibitor affecting endocannabinoid 2-AG production, was injected into C57BL/6N male mice from postnatal day (PND) 7 to PND 10, inducing dysregulation of the ECS in the neonatal period. Subsequently, we examined whether it affects neuronal function in adulthood through electrophysiological and behavioral evaluation. DO34-injected mice showed significantly decreased cognitive functions, attributed to impairment of hippocampal synaptic plasticity. The findings suggest that regulation of ECS activity in the neonatal period may induce enduring effects on adult brain function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyung-Jun Boo
- School of Medicine and Center for Neuroscience Research, Konkuk University, Seoul, 05029, Republic of Korea
| | - Dae Hyun Kim
- School of Medicine and Center for Neuroscience Research, Konkuk University, Seoul, 05029, Republic of Korea
| | - Eunbi Cho
- Department of Pharmacology and Department of Advanced Translational Medicine, School of Medicine, Konkuk University, 120 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, 05029, Republic of Korea; Institute of Biomedical Sciences & Technology, Konkuk University, Seoul, 05029, Republic of Korea
| | - Dong Hyun Kim
- Department of Pharmacology and Department of Advanced Translational Medicine, School of Medicine, Konkuk University, 120 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, 05029, Republic of Korea; Institute of Biomedical Sciences & Technology, Konkuk University, Seoul, 05029, Republic of Korea.
| | - Se Jin Jeon
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, Hallym University, Chuncheon, Gangwon, 24252, Republic of Korea.
| | - Chan Young Shin
- School of Medicine and Center for Neuroscience Research, Konkuk University, Seoul, 05029, Republic of Korea; Department of Pharmacology and Department of Advanced Translational Medicine, School of Medicine, Konkuk University, 120 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, 05029, Republic of Korea; Institute of Biomedical Sciences & Technology, Konkuk University, Seoul, 05029, Republic of Korea.
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2
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DeVuono MV, Nashed MG, Sarikahya MH, Kocsis A, Lee K, Vanin SR, Hudson R, Lonnee EP, Rushlow WJ, Hardy DB, Laviolette SR. Prenatal tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabidiol exposure produce sex-specific pathophysiological phenotypes in the adolescent prefrontal cortex and hippocampus. Neurobiol Dis 2024; 199:106588. [PMID: 38960101 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2024.106588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2024] [Revised: 06/28/2024] [Accepted: 06/29/2024] [Indexed: 07/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Clinical and preclinical evidence has demonstrated an increased risk for neuropsychiatric disorders following prenatal cannabinoid exposure. However, given the phytochemical complexity of cannabis, there is a need to understand how specific components of cannabis may contribute to these neurodevelopmental risks later in life. To investigate this, a rat model of prenatal cannabinoid exposure was utilized to examine the impacts of specific cannabis constituents (Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol [THC]; cannabidiol [CBD]) alone and in combination on future neuropsychiatric liability in male and female offspring. Prenatal THC and CBD exposure were associated with low birth weight. At adolescence, offspring displayed sex-specific behavioural changes in anxiety, temporal order and social cognition, and sensorimotor gating. These phenotypes were associated with sex and treatment-specific neuronal and gene transcriptional alterations in the prefrontal cortex, and ventral hippocampus, regions where the endocannabinoid system is implicated in affective and cognitive development. Electrophysiology and RT-qPCR analysis in these regions implicated dysregulation of the endocannabinoid system and balance of excitatory and inhibitory signalling in the developmental consequences of prenatal cannabinoids. These findings reveal critical insights into how specific cannabinoids can differentially impact the developing fetal brains of males and females to enhance subsequent neuropsychiatric risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marieka V DeVuono
- Addiction Research Group, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, ON N6A 5C1, Canada; Dept of Anatomy & Cell Biology, University of Western Ontario, London, ON N6A 3K7, Canada.
| | - Mina G Nashed
- Addiction Research Group, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, ON N6A 5C1, Canada; Dept of Anatomy & Cell Biology, University of Western Ontario, London, ON N6A 3K7, Canada
| | - Mohammed H Sarikahya
- Addiction Research Group, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, ON N6A 5C1, Canada; Dept of Anatomy & Cell Biology, University of Western Ontario, London, ON N6A 3K7, Canada
| | - Andrea Kocsis
- Dept of Physiology & Pharmacology, University of Western Ontario, London, ON N6A 3K7, Canada; Dept of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Western Ontario, London, ON N6A 3K7, Canada
| | - Kendrick Lee
- Dept of Physiology & Pharmacology, University of Western Ontario, London, ON N6A 3K7, Canada; Dept of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Western Ontario, London, ON N6A 3K7, Canada
| | - Sebastian R Vanin
- Dept of Physiology & Pharmacology, University of Western Ontario, London, ON N6A 3K7, Canada; Dept of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Western Ontario, London, ON N6A 3K7, Canada
| | - Roger Hudson
- Addiction Research Group, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, ON N6A 5C1, Canada; Dept of Anatomy & Cell Biology, University of Western Ontario, London, ON N6A 3K7, Canada
| | - Eryn P Lonnee
- Addiction Research Group, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, ON N6A 5C1, Canada; Dept of Anatomy & Cell Biology, University of Western Ontario, London, ON N6A 3K7, Canada
| | - Walter J Rushlow
- Addiction Research Group, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, ON N6A 5C1, Canada; Dept of Anatomy & Cell Biology, University of Western Ontario, London, ON N6A 3K7, Canada; Dept of Psychiatry, University of Western Ontario, London, ON N6A 3K7, Canada
| | - Daniel B Hardy
- Dept of Anatomy & Cell Biology, University of Western Ontario, London, ON N6A 3K7, Canada; Dept of Physiology & Pharmacology, University of Western Ontario, London, ON N6A 3K7, Canada; Dept of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Western Ontario, London, ON N6A 3K7, Canada; Division of Maternal, Fetal and Newborn Health, Children's Health Research Institute (CHRI), Lawson Health Research Institute, St. Joseph's Health Care, London, ON N6C 2R5, Canada
| | - Steven R Laviolette
- Addiction Research Group, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, ON N6A 5C1, Canada; Dept of Anatomy & Cell Biology, University of Western Ontario, London, ON N6A 3K7, Canada; Dept of Psychiatry, University of Western Ontario, London, ON N6A 3K7, Canada; Division of Maternal, Fetal and Newborn Health, Children's Health Research Institute (CHRI), Lawson Health Research Institute, St. Joseph's Health Care, London, ON N6C 2R5, Canada
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3
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Gertsch J, Chicca A. CNS Drug Discovery in Academia: Where Basic Research Meets Innovation. Chembiochem 2024:e202400397. [PMID: 38958639 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.202400397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Revised: 05/27/2024] [Indexed: 07/04/2024]
Abstract
The involvement of academic research in drug discovery is consistently growing. However, academic projects seldom advance to clinical trials. Here, we assess the landscape of drug discovery within the National Centre of Competence in Research (NCCR) TransCure launched by the Swiss National Science Foundation to foster basic research and early-stage drug discovery on membrane transporters. This included transporters in central nervous system (CNS) disorders, which represent a huge unmet medical need. While idea championship, sustainable funding, collaborations between disciplines at the interface of academia and industry are important for translational research, Popperian falsifiability, strong intellectual property and a motivated startup team are key elements for innovation. This is exemplified by the NCCR TransCure spin-off company Synendos Therapeutics, a clinical stage biotech company developing the first selective endocannabinoid reuptake inhibitors (SERIs) as novel treatment for neuropsychiatric disorders. We provide a perspective on the challenges related to entering an uncharted druggable space and bridging the often mentioned "valley of death". The high attrition rate of drug discovery projects in the CNS field within academia is often due to the lack of meaningful animal models that can provide pharmacological proof-of-concept for potentially disruptive technologies at the earliest stages, and the absence of solid intellectual property.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jürg Gertsch
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Bern, Bühlstrasse 28, 3012, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Andrea Chicca
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Bern, Bühlstrasse 28, 3012, Bern, Switzerland
- Synendos Therapeutics, Barfüsserplatz, 3, 4051, Basel, Switzerland
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4
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Rivi V, Rigillo G, Batabyal A, Lukowiak K, Pani L, Tascedda F, Benatti C, Blom JMC. Different stressors uniquely affect the expression of endocannabinoid-metabolizing enzymes in the central ring ganglia of Lymnaea stagnalis. J Neurochem 2024. [PMID: 38922726 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.16147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2024] [Revised: 04/16/2024] [Accepted: 05/16/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
The endocannabinoid system (ECS) plays an important role in neuroprotection, neuroplasticity, energy balance, modulation of stress, and inflammatory responses, acting as a critical link between the brain and the body's peripheral regions, while also offering promising potential for novel therapeutic strategies. Unfortunately, in humans, pharmacological inhibitors of different ECS enzymes have led to mixed results in both preclinical and clinical studies. As the ECS has been highly conserved throughout the eukaryotic lineage, the use of invertebrate model organisms like the pond snail Lymnaea stagnalis may provide a flexible tool to unravel unexplored functions of the ECS at the cellular, synaptic, and behavioral levels. In this study, starting from the available genome and transcriptome of L. stagnalis, we first identified putative transcripts of all ECS enzymes containing an open reading frame. Each predicted protein possessed a high degree of sequence conservation to known orthologues of other invertebrate and vertebrate organisms. Sequences were confirmed by qualitative PCR and sequencing. Then, we investigated the transcriptional effects induced by different stress conditions (i.e., bacterial LPS injection, predator scent, food deprivation, and acute heat shock) on the expression levels of the enzymes of the ECS in Lymnaea's central ring ganglia. Our results suggest that in Lymnaea as in rodents, the ECS is involved in mediating inflammatory and anxiety-like responses, promoting energy balance, and responding to acute stressors. To our knowledge, this study offers the most comprehensive analysis so far of the ECS in an invertebrate model organism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronica Rivi
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Giovanna Rigillo
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Anuradha Batabyal
- Department of Physical and Natural Sciences, FLAME University, Pune, India
| | - Ken Lukowiak
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Luca Pani
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Miami, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Fabio Tascedda
- Centre of Neuroscience and Neurotechnology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
- CIB, Consorzio Interuniversitario Biotecnologie, Trieste, Italy
| | - Cristina Benatti
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
- Centre of Neuroscience and Neurotechnology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Johanna M C Blom
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
- Centre of Neuroscience and Neurotechnology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
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5
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Estay SF, Morales-Moraga C, Vielma AH, Palacios-Muñoz A, Chiu CQ, Chávez AE. Non-canonical type 1 cannabinoid receptor signaling regulates night visual processing in the inner rat retina. iScience 2024; 27:109920. [PMID: 38799553 PMCID: PMC11126983 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.109920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2024] [Revised: 04/18/2024] [Accepted: 05/03/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Type 1 cannabinoid receptors (CB1Rs) are expressed in major retinal neurons within the rod-pathway suggesting a role in regulating night visual processing, but the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. Using acute rat retinal slices, we show that CB1R activation reduces glutamate release from rod bipolar cell (RBC) axon terminals onto AII and A17 amacrine cells through a pathway that requires exchange proteins directly activated by cAMP (EPAC1/2) signaling. Consequently, CB1R activation abrogates reciprocal GABAergic feedback inhibition from A17 amacrine cells. Moreover, the activation of CB1Rs in vivo enhances and prolongs the time course of the dim-light rod-driven visual responses, an effect that was eliminated when both GABAA and GABAC receptors were blocked. Altogether, our findings underscore a non-canonical mechanism by which cannabinoid signaling regulates RBC dyad synapses in the inner retina to regulate dim-light visual responses to fine-tune night vision.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastián F. Estay
- Programa de Doctorado en Ciencias, Mención Neurociencia, Valparaíso 2340000, Chile
- Centro Interdisciplinario de Neurociencia de Valparaíso (CINV), Instituto de Neurociencias, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso 2340000, Chile
| | - Camila Morales-Moraga
- Centro Interdisciplinario de Neurociencia de Valparaíso (CINV), Instituto de Neurociencias, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso 2340000, Chile
| | - Alex H. Vielma
- Centro Interdisciplinario de Neurociencia de Valparaíso (CINV), Instituto de Neurociencias, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso 2340000, Chile
| | - Angelina Palacios-Muñoz
- Centro Interdisciplinario de Neurociencia de Valparaíso (CINV), Instituto de Neurociencias, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso 2340000, Chile
| | - Chiayu Q. Chiu
- Centro Interdisciplinario de Neurociencia de Valparaíso (CINV), Instituto de Neurociencias, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso 2340000, Chile
| | - Andrés E. Chávez
- Centro Interdisciplinario de Neurociencia de Valparaíso (CINV), Instituto de Neurociencias, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso 2340000, Chile
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6
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Stanescu AMA, Bejan GC, Balta MD, Andronic O, Toma C, Busnatu S. The Perspective of Cannabidiol in Psoriasis Therapy. PSORIASIS (AUCKLAND, N.Z.) 2024; 14:51-61. [PMID: 38911997 PMCID: PMC11193997 DOI: 10.2147/ptt.s469698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2024] [Accepted: 06/04/2024] [Indexed: 06/25/2024]
Abstract
Psoriasis is a chronic skin condition that can significantly impact the quality of life of those affected. As an autoimmune disease, it can lead to itchy, painful, and scaly patches on the skin. Although various treatments, including topical creams, phototherapy, and systemic medications, are currently available, they may not always offer effective relief and can have side effects. Researchers have thus been exploring the potential benefits of non-psychoactive compounds such as CBD, found in Cannabis sativa plants, for treating psoriasis. CBD treatment may reduce inflammation, oxidative stress, itching, abnormal proliferation of keratinocytes, and may increase hydration. This review aims to provide an overview of the existing literature on the potential uses of CBD for psoriasis treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Maria Alexandra Stanescu
- Department 5, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania
- Academy of Romanian Scientists (AOSR), Bucharest, Romania
- Emil Palade” Center of Excellence for Young Researchers EP-CEYR The Academy of Romanian Scientists AOSR, Bucharest, Romania
| | | | - Mihaela Daniela Balta
- Department 5, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Octavian Andronic
- Department 10, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Cristian Toma
- Department 3, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania
- “Prof.Dr. Theodor Burghele” Clinical Hospital, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Stefan Busnatu
- Department 4, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania
- Bagdasar Arseni Clin Emergency Hospital, Bucharest, Romania
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7
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Raïch I, Lillo J, Rivas-Santisteban R, Rebassa JB, Capó T, Santandreu M, Cubeles-Juberias E, Reyes-Resina I, Navarro G. Potential of CBD Acting on Cannabinoid Receptors CB 1 and CB 2 in Ischemic Stroke. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:6708. [PMID: 38928415 PMCID: PMC11204117 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25126708] [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: 04/03/2024] [Revised: 06/06/2024] [Accepted: 06/16/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Stroke is one of the leading causes of death. It not only affects adult people but also many children. It is estimated that, every year, 15 million people suffer a stroke worldwide. Among them, 5 million people die, while 5 million people are left permanently disabled. In this sense, the research to find new treatments should be accompanied with new therapies to combat neuronal death and to avoid developing cognitive impairment and dementia. Phytocannabinoids are among the compounds that have been used by mankind for the longest period of history. Their beneficial effects such as pain regulation or neuroprotection are widely known and make them possible therapeutic agents with high potential. These compounds bind cannabinoid receptors CB1 and CB2. Unfortunately, the psychoactive side effect has displaced them in the vast majority of areas. Thus, progress in the research and development of new compounds that show efficiency as neuroprotectors without this psychoactive effect is essential. On the one hand, these compounds could selectively bind the CB2 receptor that does not show psychoactive effects and, in glia, has opened new avenues in this field of research, shedding new light on the use of cannabinoid receptors as therapeutic targets to combat neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's disease, or stroke. On the other hand, a new possibility lies in the formation of heteromers containing cannabinoid receptors. Heteromers are new functional units that show new properties compared to the individual protomers. Thus, they represent a new possibility that may offer the beneficial effects of cannabinoids devoid of the unwanted psychoactive effect. Nowadays, the approval of a mixture of CBD (cannabidiol) and Δ9-THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) to treat the neuropathic pain and spasticity in multiple sclerosis or purified cannabidiol to combat pediatric epilepsy have opened new therapeutic possibilities in the field of cannabinoids and returned these compounds to the front line of research to treat pathologies as relevant as stroke.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iu Raïch
- Department of Biochemistry and Physiology, Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Sciences, University of Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain; (I.R.); (J.B.R.); (T.C.); (M.S.); (E.C.-J.)
- Centro de Investigación en Red, Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28031 Madrid, Spain; (J.L.); (R.R.-S.)
- Institute of Neuroscience, University of Barcelona (NeuroUB), Campus Mundet, Passeig de la Vall d’Hebron 171, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jaume Lillo
- Centro de Investigación en Red, Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28031 Madrid, Spain; (J.L.); (R.R.-S.)
- Institute of Neuroscience, University of Barcelona (NeuroUB), Campus Mundet, Passeig de la Vall d’Hebron 171, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biomedicine, School of Biology, University of Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Rafael Rivas-Santisteban
- Centro de Investigación en Red, Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28031 Madrid, Spain; (J.L.); (R.R.-S.)
- Institute of Neuroscience, University of Barcelona (NeuroUB), Campus Mundet, Passeig de la Vall d’Hebron 171, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biomedicine, School of Biology, University of Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Joan Biel Rebassa
- Department of Biochemistry and Physiology, Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Sciences, University of Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain; (I.R.); (J.B.R.); (T.C.); (M.S.); (E.C.-J.)
- Centro de Investigación en Red, Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28031 Madrid, Spain; (J.L.); (R.R.-S.)
- Institute of Neuroscience, University of Barcelona (NeuroUB), Campus Mundet, Passeig de la Vall d’Hebron 171, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Toni Capó
- Department of Biochemistry and Physiology, Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Sciences, University of Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain; (I.R.); (J.B.R.); (T.C.); (M.S.); (E.C.-J.)
- Centro de Investigación en Red, Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28031 Madrid, Spain; (J.L.); (R.R.-S.)
- Institute of Neuroscience, University of Barcelona (NeuroUB), Campus Mundet, Passeig de la Vall d’Hebron 171, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Montserrat Santandreu
- Department of Biochemistry and Physiology, Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Sciences, University of Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain; (I.R.); (J.B.R.); (T.C.); (M.S.); (E.C.-J.)
| | - Erik Cubeles-Juberias
- Department of Biochemistry and Physiology, Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Sciences, University of Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain; (I.R.); (J.B.R.); (T.C.); (M.S.); (E.C.-J.)
| | - Irene Reyes-Resina
- Department of Biochemistry and Physiology, Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Sciences, University of Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain; (I.R.); (J.B.R.); (T.C.); (M.S.); (E.C.-J.)
- Centro de Investigación en Red, Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28031 Madrid, Spain; (J.L.); (R.R.-S.)
- Institute of Neuroscience, University of Barcelona (NeuroUB), Campus Mundet, Passeig de la Vall d’Hebron 171, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Gemma Navarro
- Department of Biochemistry and Physiology, Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Sciences, University of Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain; (I.R.); (J.B.R.); (T.C.); (M.S.); (E.C.-J.)
- Centro de Investigación en Red, Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28031 Madrid, Spain; (J.L.); (R.R.-S.)
- Institute of Neuroscience, University of Barcelona (NeuroUB), Campus Mundet, Passeig de la Vall d’Hebron 171, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
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8
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Carrascosa AJ, Navarrete F, Saldaña R, García-Gutiérrez MS, Montalbán B, Navarro D, Gómez-Guijarro FM, Gasparyan A, Murcia-Sánchez E, Torregrosa AB, Pérez-Doblado P, Gutiérrez L, Manzanares J. Cannabinoid Analgesia in Postoperative Pain Management: From Molecular Mechanisms to Clinical Reality. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:6268. [PMID: 38892456 PMCID: PMC11172912 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25116268] [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: 04/26/2024] [Revised: 05/26/2024] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Postoperative pain (POP) is a challenging clinical phenomenon that affects the majority of surgical patients and demands effective management to mitigate adverse outcomes such as persistent pain. The primary goal of POP management is to alleviate suffering and facilitate a seamless return to normal function for the patient. Despite compelling evidence of its drawbacks, opioid analgesia remains the basis of POP treatment. Novel therapeutic approaches rely on multimodal analgesia, integrating different pharmacological strategies to optimize efficacy while minimizing adverse effects. The recognition of the imperative role of the endocannabinoid system in pain regulation has prompted the investigation of cannabinoid compounds as a new therapeutic avenue. Cannabinoids may serve as adjuvants, enhancing the analgesic effects of other drugs and potentially replacing or at least reducing the dependence on other long-term analgesics in pain management. This narrative review succinctly summarizes pertinent information on the molecular mechanisms, clinical therapeutic benefits, and considerations associated with the plausible use of various cannabinoid compounds in treating POP. According to the available evidence, cannabinoid compounds modulate specific molecular mechanisms intimately involved in POP. However, only two of the eleven clinical trials that evaluated the efficacy of different cannabinoid interventions showed positive results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio J. Carrascosa
- Servicio de Anestesiologia y Reanimación, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, Avda. Córdoba s/n, 28041 Madrid, Spain; (A.J.C.); (R.S.); (B.M.); (F.M.G.-G.); (E.M.-S.); (P.P.-D.)
| | - Francisco Navarrete
- Instituto de Neurociencias, Universidad Miguel Hernández-CSIC, Avda de Ramón y Cajal s/n, San Juan de Alicante, 03550 Alicante, Spain; (F.N.); (M.S.G.-G.); (D.N.); (A.G.); (A.B.T.); (L.G.)
- Redes de Investigación Cooperativa Orientada a Resultados en Salud (RICORS), Red de Investigación en Atención Primaria de Adicciones (RIAPAd), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, MICINN and FEDER, 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria y Biomédica de Alicante (ISABIAL), 03010 Alicante, Spain
| | - Raquel Saldaña
- Servicio de Anestesiologia y Reanimación, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, Avda. Córdoba s/n, 28041 Madrid, Spain; (A.J.C.); (R.S.); (B.M.); (F.M.G.-G.); (E.M.-S.); (P.P.-D.)
| | - María S. García-Gutiérrez
- Instituto de Neurociencias, Universidad Miguel Hernández-CSIC, Avda de Ramón y Cajal s/n, San Juan de Alicante, 03550 Alicante, Spain; (F.N.); (M.S.G.-G.); (D.N.); (A.G.); (A.B.T.); (L.G.)
- Redes de Investigación Cooperativa Orientada a Resultados en Salud (RICORS), Red de Investigación en Atención Primaria de Adicciones (RIAPAd), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, MICINN and FEDER, 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria y Biomédica de Alicante (ISABIAL), 03010 Alicante, Spain
| | - Belinda Montalbán
- Servicio de Anestesiologia y Reanimación, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, Avda. Córdoba s/n, 28041 Madrid, Spain; (A.J.C.); (R.S.); (B.M.); (F.M.G.-G.); (E.M.-S.); (P.P.-D.)
| | - Daniela Navarro
- Instituto de Neurociencias, Universidad Miguel Hernández-CSIC, Avda de Ramón y Cajal s/n, San Juan de Alicante, 03550 Alicante, Spain; (F.N.); (M.S.G.-G.); (D.N.); (A.G.); (A.B.T.); (L.G.)
- Redes de Investigación Cooperativa Orientada a Resultados en Salud (RICORS), Red de Investigación en Atención Primaria de Adicciones (RIAPAd), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, MICINN and FEDER, 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria y Biomédica de Alicante (ISABIAL), 03010 Alicante, Spain
| | - Fernando M. Gómez-Guijarro
- Servicio de Anestesiologia y Reanimación, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, Avda. Córdoba s/n, 28041 Madrid, Spain; (A.J.C.); (R.S.); (B.M.); (F.M.G.-G.); (E.M.-S.); (P.P.-D.)
| | - Ani Gasparyan
- Instituto de Neurociencias, Universidad Miguel Hernández-CSIC, Avda de Ramón y Cajal s/n, San Juan de Alicante, 03550 Alicante, Spain; (F.N.); (M.S.G.-G.); (D.N.); (A.G.); (A.B.T.); (L.G.)
- Redes de Investigación Cooperativa Orientada a Resultados en Salud (RICORS), Red de Investigación en Atención Primaria de Adicciones (RIAPAd), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, MICINN and FEDER, 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria y Biomédica de Alicante (ISABIAL), 03010 Alicante, Spain
| | - Elena Murcia-Sánchez
- Servicio de Anestesiologia y Reanimación, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, Avda. Córdoba s/n, 28041 Madrid, Spain; (A.J.C.); (R.S.); (B.M.); (F.M.G.-G.); (E.M.-S.); (P.P.-D.)
| | - Abraham B. Torregrosa
- Instituto de Neurociencias, Universidad Miguel Hernández-CSIC, Avda de Ramón y Cajal s/n, San Juan de Alicante, 03550 Alicante, Spain; (F.N.); (M.S.G.-G.); (D.N.); (A.G.); (A.B.T.); (L.G.)
- Redes de Investigación Cooperativa Orientada a Resultados en Salud (RICORS), Red de Investigación en Atención Primaria de Adicciones (RIAPAd), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, MICINN and FEDER, 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria y Biomédica de Alicante (ISABIAL), 03010 Alicante, Spain
| | - Paloma Pérez-Doblado
- Servicio de Anestesiologia y Reanimación, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, Avda. Córdoba s/n, 28041 Madrid, Spain; (A.J.C.); (R.S.); (B.M.); (F.M.G.-G.); (E.M.-S.); (P.P.-D.)
| | - Luisa Gutiérrez
- Instituto de Neurociencias, Universidad Miguel Hernández-CSIC, Avda de Ramón y Cajal s/n, San Juan de Alicante, 03550 Alicante, Spain; (F.N.); (M.S.G.-G.); (D.N.); (A.G.); (A.B.T.); (L.G.)
- Redes de Investigación Cooperativa Orientada a Resultados en Salud (RICORS), Red de Investigación en Atención Primaria de Adicciones (RIAPAd), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, MICINN and FEDER, 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria y Biomédica de Alicante (ISABIAL), 03010 Alicante, Spain
| | - Jorge Manzanares
- Instituto de Neurociencias, Universidad Miguel Hernández-CSIC, Avda de Ramón y Cajal s/n, San Juan de Alicante, 03550 Alicante, Spain; (F.N.); (M.S.G.-G.); (D.N.); (A.G.); (A.B.T.); (L.G.)
- Redes de Investigación Cooperativa Orientada a Resultados en Salud (RICORS), Red de Investigación en Atención Primaria de Adicciones (RIAPAd), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, MICINN and FEDER, 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria y Biomédica de Alicante (ISABIAL), 03010 Alicante, Spain
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9
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Li X, Yennawar M, Wiest A, O'Brien WT, Babrowicz B, White RS, Talos DM, Jensen FE. Cannabidiol attenuates seizure susceptibility and behavioural deficits in adult CDKL5 R59X knock-in mice. Eur J Neurosci 2024; 59:3337-3352. [PMID: 38654472 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.16350] [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: 09/09/2023] [Revised: 02/15/2024] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
Cyclin-dependent kinase-like 5 (CDKL5) deficiency disorder (CDD) is caused by a loss-of-function mutation in CDKL5 gene, encoding a serine-threonine kinase highly expressed in the brain. CDD manifests with early-onset epilepsy, autism, motor impairment and severe intellectual disability. While there are no known treatments for CDD, the use of cannabidiol has recently been introduced into clinical practice for neurodevelopmental disorders. Given the increased clinical utilization of cannabidiol, we examined its efficacy in the CDKL5R59X knock-in (R59X) mice, a CDD model based on a human mutation that exhibits both lifelong seizure susceptibility and behavioural deficits. We found that cannabidiol pre-treatment rescued the increased seizure susceptibility in response to the chemoconvulsant pentylenetetrazol (PTZ), attenuated working memory and long-term memory impairments, and rescued social deficits in adult R59X mice. To elucidate a potential mechanism, we compared the developmental hippocampal and cortical expression of common endocannabinoid (eCB) targets in R59X mice and their wild-type littermates, including cannabinoid type 1 receptor (CB1R), transient receptor potential vanilloid type 1 (TRPV1) and 2 (TRPV2), G-coupled protein receptor 55 (GPR55) and adenosine receptor 1 (A1R). Many of these eCB targets were developmentally regulated in both R59X and wild-type mice. In addition, adult R59X mice demonstrated significantly decreased expression of CB1R and TRPV1 in the hippocampus, and TRPV2 in the cortex, while TRPV1 was increased in the cortex. These findings support the potential for dysregulation of eCB signalling as a plausible mechanism and therapeutic target in CDD, given the efficacy of cannabidiol to attenuate hyperexcitability and behavioural deficits in this disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaofan Li
- Department of Neurology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Madhumita Yennawar
- Department of Neurology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Alyssa Wiest
- Department of Neurology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - William T O'Brien
- Neurobehavior Testing Core, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Bergan Babrowicz
- Department of Neurology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Rachel S White
- Department of Neurology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Delia M Talos
- Department of Neurology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Frances E Jensen
- Department of Neurology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
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10
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Dócs K, Balázs A, Papp I, Szücs P, Hegyi Z. Reactive spinal glia convert 2-AG to prostaglandins to drive aberrant astroglial calcium signaling. Front Cell Neurosci 2024; 18:1382465. [PMID: 38784707 PMCID: PMC11112260 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2024.1382465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
The endogenous cannabinoid 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) influences neurotransmission in the central nervous system mainly by activating type 1 cannabinoid receptor (CB1). Following its release, 2-AG is broken down by hydrolases to yield arachidonic acid, which may subsequently be metabolized by cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). COX-2 converts arachidonic acid and also 2-AG into prostanoids, well-known inflammatory and pro-nociceptive mediators. Here, using immunohistochemical and biochemical methods and pharmacological manipulations, we found that reactive spinal astrocytes and microglia increase the expression of COX-2 and the production of prostaglandin E2 when exposed to 2-AG. Both 2-AG and PGE2 evoke calcium transients in spinal astrocytes, but PGE2 showed 30% more efficacy and 55 times more potency than 2-AG. Unstimulated spinal dorsal horn astrocytes responded to 2-AG with calcium transients mainly through the activation of CB1. 2-AG induced exaggerated calcium transients in reactive astrocytes, but this increase in the frequency and area under the curve of calcium signals was only partially dependent on CB1. Instead, aberrant calcium transients were almost completely abolished by COX-2 inhibition. Our results suggest that both reactive spinal astrocytes and microglia perform an endocannabinoid-prostanoid switch to produce PGE2 at the expense of 2-AG. PGE2 in turn is responsible for the induction of aberrant astroglial calcium signals which, together with PGE2 production may play role in the development and maintenance of spinal neuroinflammation-associated disturbances such as central sensitization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Klaudia Dócs
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Anita Balázs
- Department of Theoretical and Integrative Health Sciences, Institute of Health Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Ildikó Papp
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Peter Szücs
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
- HUN-REN-DE Neuroscience Research Group, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Zoltán Hegyi
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
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11
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Igloi K, Marin Bosch B, Kuenzi N, Thomas A, Lauer E, Bringard A, Schwartz S. Interactions between physical exercise, associative memory, and genetic risk for Alzheimer's disease. Cereb Cortex 2024; 34:bhae205. [PMID: 38802684 PMCID: PMC11129939 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhae205] [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: 07/11/2023] [Revised: 04/26/2024] [Accepted: 05/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024] Open
Abstract
The ε4 allele of the APOE gene heightens the risk of late onset Alzheimer's disease. ε4 carriers, may exhibit cognitive and neural changes early on. Given the known memory-enhancing effects of physical exercise, particularly through hippocampal plasticity via endocannabinoid signaling, here we aimed to test whether a single session of physical exercise may benefit memory and underlying neurophysiological processes in young ε3 carriers (ε3/ε4 heterozygotes, risk group) compared with a matched control group (homozygotes for ε3). Participants underwent fMRI while learning picture sequences, followed by cycling or rest before a memory test. Blood samples measured endocannabinoid levels. At the behavioral level, the risk group exhibited poorer associative memory performance, regardless of the exercising condition. At the brain level, the risk group showed increased medial temporal lobe activity during memory retrieval irrespective of exercise (suggesting neural compensatory effects even at baseline), whereas, in the control group, such increase was only detectable after physical exercise. Critically, an exercise-related endocannabinoid increase correlated with task-related hippocampal activation in the control group only. In conclusion, healthy young individuals carrying the ε4 allele may present suboptimal associative memory performance (when compared with homozygote ε3 carriers), together with reduced plasticity (and functional over-compensation) within medial temporal structures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kinga Igloi
- Department of Fundamental Neurosciences, University of Geneva, CH-1211 Geneva, Switzerland
- Swiss Center for Affective Sciences, University of Geneva, CH-1211 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Blanca Marin Bosch
- Department of Fundamental Neurosciences, University of Geneva, CH-1211 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Noémie Kuenzi
- Department of Fundamental Neurosciences, University of Geneva, CH-1211 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Aurélien Thomas
- Faculty Unit of Toxicology, CURML, Faculty of Biology and Medicine, University of Lausanne, CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
- Unit of Forensic Toxicology and Chemistry, CURML, Lausanne and Geneva University Hospitals, Lausanne, CH-1011 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Estelle Lauer
- Unit of Forensic Toxicology and Chemistry, CURML, Lausanne and Geneva University Hospitals, Lausanne, CH-1011 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Aurélien Bringard
- Department of Pneumology, Geneva University Hospitals, CH-1011 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Sophie Schwartz
- Department of Fundamental Neurosciences, University of Geneva, CH-1211 Geneva, Switzerland
- Swiss Center for Affective Sciences, University of Geneva, CH-1211 Geneva, Switzerland
- Geneva Neuroscience Center, University of Geneva, CH-1211 Geneva, Switzerland
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12
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Mikkelsen JD, Aripaka SS, Egilmez CB, Pazarlar BA. Binding of the monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL) radiotracer [ 3H]T-401 in the rat brain after status epilepticus. Neurochem Int 2024; 175:105717. [PMID: 38447759 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuint.2024.105717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2023] [Revised: 02/29/2024] [Accepted: 03/03/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL) is a cytosolic serine hydrolase considered a potential novel drug target for the treatment of CNS disorders including epilepsy. Here we examined MAGL levels in a rat model of epilepsy. METHODS Autoradiography has been used to validate the binding properties of the MAGL radiotracer, [3H]T-401, in the rat brain, and to explore spatial and temporal changes in binding levels in a model of temporal lobe epilepsy model using unilateral intra-hippocampal injections of kainic acid (KA) in rats. RESULTS Specific and saturable binding of [3H]T-401 was detected in both cortical grey and subcortical white matter. Saturation experiments revealed a KD in the range between 15 nM and 17 nM, and full saturation was achieved at concentrations around 30 nM. The binding could be completely blocked with the cold ligand (Ki 44.2 nM) and at higher affinity (Ki 1.27 nM) with another structurally different MAGL inhibitor, ABD 1970. Bilateral reduction in [3H]T-401 binding was observed in the cerebral cortex and the hippocampus few days after status epilepticus that further declined to a level of around 30% compared to the control. No change in binding was observed in either the hypothalamus nor the white matter at any time point. Direct comparison to [3H]UCB-J binding to synaptic vesicle glycoprotein 2 A (SV2A), another protein localized in the pre-synapse, revealed that while binding to MAGL remained low in the chronic phase, SV2A was increased significantly in some cortical areas. SIGNIFICANCE These data show that MAGL is reduced in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus in a chronic epilepsy model and indicate that MAGL inhibitors may further reduce MAGL activity in the treatment resistant epilepsy patient.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jens D Mikkelsen
- Neurobiology Research Unit, University Hospital Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark; Institute of Neuroscience, University of Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | - Sanjay S Aripaka
- Neurobiology Research Unit, University Hospital Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Cansu B Egilmez
- Physiology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Izmir Katip Celebi University, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Burcu A Pazarlar
- Neurobiology Research Unit, University Hospital Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark; Institute of Neuroscience, University of Copenhagen, Denmark; Physiology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Izmir Katip Celebi University, Izmir, Turkey
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Haddad NM, De Jesus LP, Serpa M, Van De Bilt M, Talib L, Costa A, Gattaz W, Loch AA. Endocannabinoid system alterations in schizophrenia: association with cannabis use and antipsychotic medication. Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci 2024:10.1007/s00406-024-01788-x. [PMID: 38502208 DOI: 10.1007/s00406-024-01788-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 02/24/2024] [Indexed: 03/21/2024]
Abstract
Determining peripheral modulation of the endocannabinoid system (ECS) may be important for differentiating individuals with schizophrenia. Such differentiation can also be extended to subgroups of individuals, those who use cannabis and antipsychotic medications, particularly those who are treatment resistant. Patients and controls were recruited from the outpatient clinic of the Psychosis Group of the University of São Paulo, Brazil. A final sample of 93 individuals was divided into 3 groups: patients with schizophrenia using clozapine (treatment-resistant) (n = 29), patients with schizophrenia using another antipsychotic (n = 31), and controls (n = 33). By measuring the proteins and metabolites involved in the ECS pathways in the peripheral blood, AEA (anandamide), 2-AG (2-arachidonoyl ethanolamine), and CB2 receptor (peripheral) were quantified. Individuals reporting lifetime cannabis use had lower 2-AG plasma levels (p = 0.011). Regarding the CB2 receptor, the values of patients with schizophrenia and controls were similar, but those of patients using antipsychotics other than clozapine differed (p = 0.022). In generalized linear models to control for confounders, the use of cannabis remained the only factor that significantly influenced 2-AG levels. The relationship for non-clozapine antipsychotics as the only factor related to CB2 changes was marginally significant. We found for the first time that cannabis use and non-clozapine antipsychotic medication are potentially involved in the modulation of the ECS, specifically influencing 2-AG endocannabinoid and CB2 receptor levels. More studies regarding the ECS are needed since it has been increasingly related to the physiopathology of schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Mansur Haddad
- Laboratório de Neurociências (LIM 27), Instituto de Psiquiatria, Faculdade de Medicina, Hospital das Clínicas HCFMUSP, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Rua Dr. Ovidio Pires de Campos 785, 4 Andar Ala Norte Sala 4N60, Sao Paulo, SP, CEP 05403-010, Brazil.
| | - Leonardo Peroni De Jesus
- Laboratório de Neurociências (LIM 27), Instituto de Psiquiatria, Faculdade de Medicina, Hospital das Clínicas HCFMUSP, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Rua Dr. Ovidio Pires de Campos 785, 4 Andar Ala Norte Sala 4N60, Sao Paulo, SP, CEP 05403-010, Brazil
| | - Mauricio Serpa
- Laboratório de Neurociências (LIM 27), Instituto de Psiquiatria, Faculdade de Medicina, Hospital das Clínicas HCFMUSP, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Rua Dr. Ovidio Pires de Campos 785, 4 Andar Ala Norte Sala 4N60, Sao Paulo, SP, CEP 05403-010, Brazil
- Instituto Nacional de Biomarcadores em Neuropsiquiatria (INBION), Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico, Brasília, Brazil
| | - Martinus Van De Bilt
- Laboratório de Neurociências (LIM 27), Instituto de Psiquiatria, Faculdade de Medicina, Hospital das Clínicas HCFMUSP, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Rua Dr. Ovidio Pires de Campos 785, 4 Andar Ala Norte Sala 4N60, Sao Paulo, SP, CEP 05403-010, Brazil
- Instituto Nacional de Biomarcadores em Neuropsiquiatria (INBION), Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico, Brasília, Brazil
| | - Leda Talib
- Laboratório de Neurociências (LIM 27), Instituto de Psiquiatria, Faculdade de Medicina, Hospital das Clínicas HCFMUSP, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Rua Dr. Ovidio Pires de Campos 785, 4 Andar Ala Norte Sala 4N60, Sao Paulo, SP, CEP 05403-010, Brazil
- Instituto Nacional de Biomarcadores em Neuropsiquiatria (INBION), Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico, Brasília, Brazil
| | - Alana Costa
- Laboratório de Neurociências (LIM 27), Instituto de Psiquiatria, Faculdade de Medicina, Hospital das Clínicas HCFMUSP, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Rua Dr. Ovidio Pires de Campos 785, 4 Andar Ala Norte Sala 4N60, Sao Paulo, SP, CEP 05403-010, Brazil
| | - Wagner Gattaz
- Laboratório de Neurociências (LIM 27), Instituto de Psiquiatria, Faculdade de Medicina, Hospital das Clínicas HCFMUSP, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Rua Dr. Ovidio Pires de Campos 785, 4 Andar Ala Norte Sala 4N60, Sao Paulo, SP, CEP 05403-010, Brazil
- Instituto Nacional de Biomarcadores em Neuropsiquiatria (INBION), Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico, Brasília, Brazil
| | - Alexandre Andrade Loch
- Laboratório de Neurociências (LIM 27), Instituto de Psiquiatria, Faculdade de Medicina, Hospital das Clínicas HCFMUSP, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Rua Dr. Ovidio Pires de Campos 785, 4 Andar Ala Norte Sala 4N60, Sao Paulo, SP, CEP 05403-010, Brazil
- Instituto Nacional de Biomarcadores em Neuropsiquiatria (INBION), Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico, Brasília, Brazil
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14
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Pota V, Sansone P, De Sarno S, Aurilio C, Coppolino F, Barbarisi M, Barbato F, Fiore M, Cosenza G, Passavanti MB, Pace MC. Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Pain: A Narrative Review from Pain Assessment to Therapy. Behav Neurol 2024; 2024:1228194. [PMID: 38524401 PMCID: PMC10960655 DOI: 10.1155/2024/1228194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2023] [Revised: 02/11/2024] [Accepted: 03/06/2024] [Indexed: 03/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is the most frequent neurodegenerative disease of the motor system that affects upper and lower motor neurons, leading to progressive muscle weakness, spasticity, atrophy, and respiratory failure, with a life expectancy of 2-5 years after symptom onset. In addition to motor symptoms, patients with ALS have a multitude of nonmotor symptoms; in fact, it is currently considered a multisystem disease. The purpose of our narrative review is to evaluate the different types of pain, the correlation between pain and the disease's stages, the pain assessment tools in ALS patients, and the available therapies focusing above all on the benefits of cannabis use. Pain is an underestimated and undertreated symptom that, in the last few years, has received more attention from research because it has a strong impact on the quality of life of these patients. The prevalence of pain is between 15% and 85% of ALS patients, and the studies on the type and intensity of pain are controversial. The absence of pain assessment tools validated in the ALS population and the dissimilar study designs influence the knowledge of ALS pain and consequently the pharmacological therapy. Several studies suggest that ALS is associated with changes in the endocannabinoid system, and the use of cannabis could slow the disease progression due to its neuroprotective action and act on pain, spasticity, cramps, sialorrhea, and depression. Our research has shown high patients' satisfaction with the use of cannabis for the treatment of spasticity and related pain. However, especially due to the ethical problems and the lack of interest of pharmaceutical companies, further studies are needed to ensure the most appropriate care for ALS patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincenzo Pota
- Department of Women, Child, General and Specialistic Surgery, University of Campania “L. Vanvitelli”, Naples, Italy
| | - Pasquale Sansone
- Department of Women, Child, General and Specialistic Surgery, University of Campania “L. Vanvitelli”, Naples, Italy
| | - Sara De Sarno
- Department of Women, Child, General and Specialistic Surgery, University of Campania “L. Vanvitelli”, Naples, Italy
| | - Caterina Aurilio
- Department of Women, Child, General and Specialistic Surgery, University of Campania “L. Vanvitelli”, Naples, Italy
| | - Francesco Coppolino
- Department of Women, Child, General and Specialistic Surgery, University of Campania “L. Vanvitelli”, Naples, Italy
| | - Manlio Barbarisi
- Multidisciplinary Department of Medical, Surgical and Dental Specialties, University of Campania “L. Vanvitelli”, Naples, Italy
| | | | - Marco Fiore
- Department of Women, Child, General and Specialistic Surgery, University of Campania “L. Vanvitelli”, Naples, Italy
| | - Gianluigi Cosenza
- Department of Women, Child, General and Specialistic Surgery, University of Campania “L. Vanvitelli”, Naples, Italy
| | - Maria Beatrice Passavanti
- Department of Women, Child, General and Specialistic Surgery, University of Campania “L. Vanvitelli”, Naples, Italy
| | - Maria Caterina Pace
- Department of Women, Child, General and Specialistic Surgery, University of Campania “L. Vanvitelli”, Naples, Italy
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15
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Rice LJ, Cannon L, Dadlani N, Cheung MMY, Einfeld SL, Efron D, Dossetor DR, Elliott EJ. Efficacy of cannabinoids in neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric disorders among children and adolescents: a systematic review. Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry 2024; 33:505-526. [PMID: 36864363 PMCID: PMC10869397 DOI: 10.1007/s00787-023-02169-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 02/14/2023] [Indexed: 03/04/2023]
Abstract
A better understanding of the endocannabinoid system and a relaxation in regulatory control of cannabis globally has increased interest in the medicinal use of cannabinoid-based products (CBP). We provide a systematic review of the rationale and current clinical trial evidence for CBP in the treatment of neuropsychiatric and neurodevelopmental disorders in children and adolescents. A systematic search of MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, and the Cochrane Central Register of Trials was performed to identify articles published after 1980 about CBP for medical purposes in individuals aged 18 years or younger with selected neuropsychiatric or neurodevelopmental conditions. Risk of bias and quality of evidence was assessed for each article. Of 4466 articles screened, 18 were eligible for inclusion, addressing eight conditions (anxiety disorders (n = 1); autism spectrum disorder (n = 5); foetal alcohol spectrum disorder (n = 1); fragile X syndrome (n = 2); intellectual disability (n = 1); mood disorders (n = 2); post-traumatic stress disorder (n = 3); and Tourette syndrome (n = 3)). Only one randomised controlled trial (RCT) was identified. The remaining seventeen articles included one open-label trial, three uncontrolled before-and-after trials, two case series and 11 case reports, thus the risk of bias was high. Despite growing community and scientific interest, our systematic review identified limited and generally poor-quality evidence for the efficacy of CBP in neuropsychiatric and neurodevelopmental disorders in children and adolescents. Large rigorous RCTs are required to inform clinical care. In the meantime, clinicians must balance patient expectations with the limited evidence available.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren J Rice
- The University of Sydney, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Specialty of Child and Adolescent Health, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
- Sydney Children's Hospitals Network, Kids Research, Sydney, Australia.
- The University of Sydney, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Brain and Mind Centre, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
| | - Lisa Cannon
- The University of Sydney, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Specialty of Child and Adolescent Health, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Telethon Kids Institute, Perth Children's Hospital, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Navin Dadlani
- The University of Sydney, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Brain and Mind Centre, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Melissa Mei Yin Cheung
- The University of Sydney, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Specialty of Child and Adolescent Health, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Sydney Children's Hospitals Network, Kids Research, Sydney, Australia
| | - Stewart L Einfeld
- The University of Sydney, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Brain and Mind Centre, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Daryl Efron
- Department of General Paediatrics, Health Services, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, Australia
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - David R Dossetor
- Sydney Children's Hospitals Network, Kids Research, Sydney, Australia
| | - Elizabeth J Elliott
- The University of Sydney, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Specialty of Child and Adolescent Health, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Sydney Children's Hospitals Network, Kids Research, Sydney, Australia
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16
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Aukema RJ, Baglot SL, Scheufen J, Lightfoot SH, Hill MN. Circadian Influence on Acute Stress-induced Changes in Cortico-limbic Endocannabinoid Levels in Adult Male Rats. Neuroscience 2024; 537:84-92. [PMID: 38006961 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2023.11.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2023] [Revised: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 11/27/2023]
Abstract
The endocannabinoid (eCB) system plays an important role in regulating the stress response, including glucocorticoid release and the generation of avoidance behaviour. Its two major ligands, 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) and N-arachidonoylethanolamine (anandamide; AEA), are dynamically influenced by psychological stress to gate the generation of the stress response and facilitate recovery upon stress termination. Many biological systems exhibit circadian "daily" rhythms, including glucocorticoids and endocannabinoids, and the behavioural and endocrine impact of stress is modulated by the time of day. Nonetheless, most preclinical experiments investigating the interaction between stress and endocannabinoids occur in the light, "inactive" phase. We therefore tested if circadian phase influences stress-induced changes in eCB levels in the hippocampus (HIP), prefrontal cortex (PFC), and amygdala (AMY). Adult male rats were exposed to 15 min swim stress or immediately euthanized, and brains were collected. Testing occurred either early in the light or early in the dark phase of their cycle to compare circadian effects. We found that overall, stress decreased AEA in the AMY and HIP, with an effect in the PFC dependent on the time of day. Conversely, stress increased 2-AG in the AMY, with an effect in the PFC and HIP dependent on the time of day. This suggests that stress has a similar overall impact on eCB levels regardless of circadian phase, but that subtle differences may occur depending on the brain region, especially the PFC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert J Aukema
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, 3330 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 4N1, Canada; Mathison Centre for Mental Health, 3330 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Samantha L Baglot
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, 3330 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 4N1, Canada; Mathison Centre for Mental Health, 3330 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Jessica Scheufen
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, 3330 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 4N1, Canada; Mathison Centre for Mental Health, 3330 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Savannah Hm Lightfoot
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, 3330 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 4N1, Canada; Mathison Centre for Mental Health, 3330 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Matthew N Hill
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, 3330 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 4N1, Canada; Mathison Centre for Mental Health, 3330 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 4N1, Canada; Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, 3330 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 4N1, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, 3330 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 4N1, Canada.
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17
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Amir Hamzah K, Toms LM, Kucharski N, Orr J, Turner NP, Hobson P, Nichols DS, Ney LJ. Sex-dimorphism in human serum endocannabinoid and n-acyl ethanolamine concentrations across the lifespan. Sci Rep 2023; 13:23059. [PMID: 38155287 PMCID: PMC10754838 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-50426-4] [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: 10/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 12/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The endocannabinoid (ECB) system has recently been considered a potential treatment target for various clinical disorders. However, research around age- and sex-related changes within the ECB system is relatively limited. To improve our understanding of these changes, the current study measured arachidonoyl ethanolamide (AEA), 2-arachidonoyl glycerol (2-AG), oleoylethanolamine (OEA), palmitoylethanolamine (PEA), arachidonic acid (AA), cortisol, and progesterone in pooled serum samples stratified by sex (male and female) and age groups (5-15; 15-30; 30-45; 45-60; 60-75; 85+), using liquid-chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. Serum progesterone levels significantly increased in females of the 15-30 and 30-45 age groups, before declining. Significantly higher cortisol, AEA, 2-AG, OEA, and PEA were found in males and in older age, while significantly higher AA was found in females. Our results indicate that ECBs and related hormones exhibit sexual dimorphism in the age ranges that correspond with female pregnancy, menopause, and post menopause. Male testosterone levels most likely influences male ECB changes throughout the lifespan. Future research could capitalise on these findings by performing repeated measurements in individuals in a longitudinal style, to further refine the temporal profile of age-specific changes to the ECB system identified here.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khalisa Amir Hamzah
- School of Psychology and Counselling, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, 149 Victoria Park Road, Kelvin Grove, Brisbane, 4059, Australia.
| | - Leisa-Maree Toms
- School of Public Health and Social Work, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove, Australia
| | - Nathaniel Kucharski
- School of Public Health and Social Work, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove, Australia
| | - Julia Orr
- The University of Queensland, Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences, Woolloongabba, QLD, Australia
| | - Natalie P Turner
- The Centre for Children's Health Research (CCHR), Queensland University of Technology, 62 Graham Street, South Brisbane, QLD, 4101, Australia
| | - Peter Hobson
- The University of Queensland, Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences, Woolloongabba, QLD, Australia
- Sullivan and Nicolaides Pathology, 24 Hurworth Street, Bowen Hills, QLD, 4006, Australia
| | - David S Nichols
- Central Science Laboratory, University of Tasmania, Sydney, Australia
| | - Luke J Ney
- School of Psychology and Counselling, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, 149 Victoria Park Road, Kelvin Grove, Brisbane, 4059, Australia
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18
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Martín-Llorente A, Serrano M, Bonilla-Del Río I, Lekunberri L, Ocerin G, Puente N, Ramos A, Rico-Barrio I, Gerrikagoitia I, Grandes P. Omega-3 Recovers Cannabinoid 1 Receptor Expression in the Adult Mouse Brain after Adolescent Binge Drinking. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:17316. [PMID: 38139145 PMCID: PMC10744058 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242417316] [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: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Adolescent binge drinking is a social problem with a long-lasting impact on cognitive functions. The cannabinoid type-1 (CB1) receptor of the endocannabinoid system (ECS) is involved in brain synaptic plasticity, cognition and behavior via receptor localization at specific subcellular compartments of the cortical, limbic and motor regions. Alcohol (EtOH) intake affects the ECS, CB1 and their functions. Evidence indicates that binge drinking during adolescence impairs memory via the abrogation of CB1-dependent synaptic plasticity in the hippocampus. However, the impact of EtOH consumption on global CB1 receptor expression in the adult brain is unknown. We studied this using optical density analysis throughout brain regions processed for light microscopy (LM) immunohistotochemistry. CB1 staining decreased significantly in the secondary motor cortex, cerebellum, cingulate cortex, amygdala and nucleus accumbens. Next, as omega-3 (n-3) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) rescue synaptic plasticity and improve EtOH-impaired cognition, we investigated whether docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) had any effect on CB1 receptors. N-3 intake during EtOH abstinence restored CB1 immunostaining in the secondary motor cortex, cerebellum and amygdala, and ameliorated receptor density in the cingulate cortex. These results show that n-3 supplementation recovers CB1 receptor expression disrupted by EtOH in distinct brain regions involved in motor functions and cognition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ane Martín-Llorente
- Laboratory of Ultrastructural and Functional Neuroanatomy of the Synapse, Department of Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, 48940 Leioa, Spain; (A.M.-L.); (M.S.); (I.B.-D.R.); (L.L.); (G.O.); (N.P.); (A.R.); (I.R.-B.)
| | - Maitane Serrano
- Laboratory of Ultrastructural and Functional Neuroanatomy of the Synapse, Department of Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, 48940 Leioa, Spain; (A.M.-L.); (M.S.); (I.B.-D.R.); (L.L.); (G.O.); (N.P.); (A.R.); (I.R.-B.)
- Achucarro Basque Center for Neuroscience, Science Park of the UPV/EHU, 48940 Leioa, Spain
| | - Itziar Bonilla-Del Río
- Laboratory of Ultrastructural and Functional Neuroanatomy of the Synapse, Department of Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, 48940 Leioa, Spain; (A.M.-L.); (M.S.); (I.B.-D.R.); (L.L.); (G.O.); (N.P.); (A.R.); (I.R.-B.)
- Achucarro Basque Center for Neuroscience, Science Park of the UPV/EHU, 48940 Leioa, Spain
| | - Leire Lekunberri
- Laboratory of Ultrastructural and Functional Neuroanatomy of the Synapse, Department of Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, 48940 Leioa, Spain; (A.M.-L.); (M.S.); (I.B.-D.R.); (L.L.); (G.O.); (N.P.); (A.R.); (I.R.-B.)
- Achucarro Basque Center for Neuroscience, Science Park of the UPV/EHU, 48940 Leioa, Spain
| | - Garazi Ocerin
- Laboratory of Ultrastructural and Functional Neuroanatomy of the Synapse, Department of Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, 48940 Leioa, Spain; (A.M.-L.); (M.S.); (I.B.-D.R.); (L.L.); (G.O.); (N.P.); (A.R.); (I.R.-B.)
- Achucarro Basque Center for Neuroscience, Science Park of the UPV/EHU, 48940 Leioa, Spain
| | - Nagore Puente
- Laboratory of Ultrastructural and Functional Neuroanatomy of the Synapse, Department of Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, 48940 Leioa, Spain; (A.M.-L.); (M.S.); (I.B.-D.R.); (L.L.); (G.O.); (N.P.); (A.R.); (I.R.-B.)
- Achucarro Basque Center for Neuroscience, Science Park of the UPV/EHU, 48940 Leioa, Spain
| | - Almudena Ramos
- Laboratory of Ultrastructural and Functional Neuroanatomy of the Synapse, Department of Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, 48940 Leioa, Spain; (A.M.-L.); (M.S.); (I.B.-D.R.); (L.L.); (G.O.); (N.P.); (A.R.); (I.R.-B.)
- Achucarro Basque Center for Neuroscience, Science Park of the UPV/EHU, 48940 Leioa, Spain
| | - Irantzu Rico-Barrio
- Laboratory of Ultrastructural and Functional Neuroanatomy of the Synapse, Department of Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, 48940 Leioa, Spain; (A.M.-L.); (M.S.); (I.B.-D.R.); (L.L.); (G.O.); (N.P.); (A.R.); (I.R.-B.)
- Achucarro Basque Center for Neuroscience, Science Park of the UPV/EHU, 48940 Leioa, Spain
| | - Inmaculada Gerrikagoitia
- Laboratory of Ultrastructural and Functional Neuroanatomy of the Synapse, Department of Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, 48940 Leioa, Spain; (A.M.-L.); (M.S.); (I.B.-D.R.); (L.L.); (G.O.); (N.P.); (A.R.); (I.R.-B.)
- Achucarro Basque Center for Neuroscience, Science Park of the UPV/EHU, 48940 Leioa, Spain
| | - Pedro Grandes
- Laboratory of Ultrastructural and Functional Neuroanatomy of the Synapse, Department of Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, 48940 Leioa, Spain; (A.M.-L.); (M.S.); (I.B.-D.R.); (L.L.); (G.O.); (N.P.); (A.R.); (I.R.-B.)
- Achucarro Basque Center for Neuroscience, Science Park of the UPV/EHU, 48940 Leioa, Spain
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19
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Wood CP, Avalos B, Alvarez C, DiPatrizio NV. A Sexually Dimorphic Role for Intestinal Cannabinoid Receptor Subtype-1 in the Behavioral Expression of Anxiety. Cannabis Cannabinoid Res 2023; 8:1045-1059. [PMID: 37862126 PMCID: PMC10771877 DOI: 10.1089/can.2023.0150] [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] [Indexed: 10/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Increasing evidence suggests that the endocannabinoid system (ECS) in the brain controls anxiety and may be a therapeutic target for the treatment of anxiety disorders. For example, both pharmacological and genetic disruption of cannabinoid receptor subtype-1 (CB1R) signaling in the central nervous system is associated with increased anxiety-like behaviors in rodents, while activating the system is anxiolytic. Sex is also a critical factor that controls the behavioral expression of anxiety; however, roles for the ECS in the gut in these processes and possible differences between sexes are largely unknown. Objective: In this study, we aimed to determine if CB1Rs in the intestinal epithelium exert control over anxiety-like behaviors in a sex-dependent manner. Methods: We subjected male and female mice with conditional deletion of CB1Rs in the intestinal epithelium (intCB1-/-) and controls (intCB1+/+) to the elevated plus maze (EPM), light/dark box, and open field test. Corticosterone (CORT) levels in plasma were measured at baseline and immediately after EPM exposure. Results: When compared with intCB1+/+ male mice, intCB1-/- male mice exhibited reduced levels of anxiety-like behaviors in the EPM and light/dark box. In contrast to male mice, no differences were found between female intCB1+/+ and intCB1-/- mice. Circulating CORT was higher in female versus male mice for both genotype groups at baseline and after EPM exposure; however, there was no effect of genotype on CORT levels. Conclusions: Collectively, these results indicate that genetic deletion of CB1Rs in the intestinal epithelium is associated with an anxiolytic phenotype in a sex-dependent manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Courtney P. Wood
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, California, USA
| | - Bryant Avalos
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, California, USA
| | - Camila Alvarez
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, California, USA
| | - Nicholas V. DiPatrizio
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, California, USA
- University of California Riverside Center for Cannabinoid Research, Riverside, California, USA
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20
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Widuch-Spodyniuk A, Tarnacka B, Korczyński B, Wiśniowska J. Impact of Robotic-Assisted Gait Therapy on Depression and Anxiety Symptoms in Patients with Subacute Spinal Cord Injuries (SCIs)-A Prospective Clinical Study. J Clin Med 2023; 12:7153. [PMID: 38002765 PMCID: PMC10672092 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12227153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2023] [Revised: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mood disorders, especially depression, and emotional difficulties such as anxiety are very common problems among patients with spinal cord injuries (SCIs). The lack of physical training may deteriorate their mental state, which, in turn, has a significant impact on their improvement in functioning. The aim of the present study was to examine the influence of innovative rehabilitation approaches involving robotic-assisted gait therapy (RAGT) on the depression and anxiety symptoms in patients with SCI. METHODS A total of 110 participants with subacute SCIs were enrolled in this single-center, single-blinded, single-arm, prospective study; patients were divided into experimental (robotic-assisted gait therapy (RAGT)) and control (conventional gait therapy with dynamic parapodium (DPT)) groups. They received five training sessions per week over 7 weeks. At the beginning and end of therapy, the severity of depression was assessed via the Depression Assessment Questionnaire (KPD), and that of anxiety symptoms was assessed via the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI X-1). RESULTS SCI patients in both groups experienced significantly lower levels of anxiety- and depression-related symptoms after completing the seven-week rehabilitation program (KPD: Z = 6.35, p < 0.001, r = 0.43; STAI X-1: Z = -6.20, p < 0.001, r = 0.42). In the RAGT group, post-rehabilitation measurements also indicated an improvement in psychological functioning (i.e., decreases in depression and anxiety and an increase in self-regulation (SR)). Significant results were noted for each variable (STAI X-1: Z = -4.93; KPD: Z = -5.26; SR: Z = -3.21). In the control group, there were also decreases in the effects on depression and state anxiety and an increase in self-regulation ability (STAI X-1: Z = -4.01; KPD: Z = -3.65; SR: Z = -2.83). The rehabilitation modality did not appear to have a statistically significant relationship with the magnitude of improvement in the Depression Assessment Questionnaire (KPD) (including self-regulation) and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) scores. However, there were some significant differences when comparing the groups by the extent and depth of the injury and type of paralysis. Moreover, the study did not find any significant relationships between improvements in physical aspects and changes in psychological factors. CONCLUSIONS Subjects in the robotic-assisted gait therapy (RAGD) and dynamic parapodium training (DPT) groups experienced decreases in anxiety and depression after a 7-week rehabilitation program. However, the rehabilitation modality (DPT vs. RAGT) did not differentiate between the patients with spinal cord injuries in terms of the magnitude of this change. Our results suggest that individuals with severe neurological conditions and complete spinal cord injuries (AIS A, according to the Abbreviated Injury Scale classification) may experience greater benefits in terms of changes in the psychological parameters after rehabilitation with RAGT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alicja Widuch-Spodyniuk
- Research Institute for Innovative Methods of Rehabilitation of Patients with Spinal Cord Injury in Kamien Pomorski, Health Resort Kamien Pomorski, 72-400 Kamień Pomorski, Poland; (A.W.-S.)
| | - Beata Tarnacka
- Department of Rehabilitation, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-091 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Bogumił Korczyński
- Research Institute for Innovative Methods of Rehabilitation of Patients with Spinal Cord Injury in Kamien Pomorski, Health Resort Kamien Pomorski, 72-400 Kamień Pomorski, Poland; (A.W.-S.)
| | - Justyna Wiśniowska
- Department of Rehabilitation, Eleonora Reicher National Institute of Geriatrics, Rheumatology and Rehabilitation, 02-637 Warsaw, Poland;
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21
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Kouchaeknejad A, Van Der Walt G, De Donato MH, Puighermanal E. Imaging and Genetic Tools for the Investigation of the Endocannabinoid System in the CNS. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:15829. [PMID: 37958825 PMCID: PMC10648052 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242115829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2023] [Revised: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
As central nervous system (CNS)-related disorders present an increasing cause of global morbidity, mortality, and high pressure on our healthcare system, there is an urgent need for new insights and treatment options. The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is a critical network of endogenous compounds, receptors, and enzymes that contribute to CNS development and regulation. Given its multifaceted involvement in neurobiology and its significance in various CNS disorders, the ECS as a whole is considered a promising therapeutic target. Despite significant advances in our understanding of the ECS's role in the CNS, its complex architecture and extensive crosstalk with other biological systems present challenges for research and clinical advancements. To bridge these knowledge gaps and unlock the full therapeutic potential of ECS interventions in CNS-related disorders, a plethora of molecular-genetic tools have been developed in recent years. Here, we review some of the most impactful tools for investigating the neurological aspects of the ECS. We first provide a brief introduction to the ECS components, including cannabinoid receptors, endocannabinoids, and metabolic enzymes, emphasizing their complexity. This is followed by an exploration of cutting-edge imaging tools and genetic models aimed at elucidating the roles of these principal ECS components. Special emphasis is placed on their relevance in the context of CNS and its associated disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Emma Puighermanal
- Neuroscience Institute, Autonomous University of Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain; (A.K.); (G.V.D.W.); (M.H.D.D.)
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22
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Gunduz-Cinar O, Castillo LI, Xia M, Van Leer E, Brockway ET, Pollack GA, Yasmin F, Bukalo O, Limoges A, Oreizi-Esfahani S, Kondev V, Báldi R, Dong A, Harvey-White J, Cinar R, Kunos G, Li Y, Zweifel LS, Patel S, Holmes A. A cortico-amygdala neural substrate for endocannabinoid modulation of fear extinction. Neuron 2023; 111:3053-3067.e10. [PMID: 37480845 PMCID: PMC10592324 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2023.06.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2022] [Revised: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 07/24/2023]
Abstract
Preclinical and clinical studies implicate endocannabinoids (eCBs) in fear extinction, but the underlying neural circuit basis of these actions is unclear. Here, we employed in vivo optogenetics, eCB biosensor imaging, ex vivo electrophysiology, and CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing in mice to examine whether basolateral amygdala (BLA)-projecting medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) neurons represent a neural substrate for the effects of eCBs on extinction. We found that photoexcitation of mPFC axons in BLA during extinction mobilizes BLA eCBs. eCB biosensor imaging showed that eCBs exhibit a dynamic stimulus-specific pattern of activity at mPFC→BLA neurons that tracks extinction learning. Furthermore, using CRISPR-Cas9-mediated gene editing, we demonstrated that extinction memory formation involves eCB activity at cannabinoid CB1 receptors expressed at vmPFC→BLA synapses. Our findings reveal the temporal characteristics and a neural circuit basis of eCBs' effects on fear extinction and inform efforts to target the eCB system as a therapeutic approach in extinction-deficient neuropsychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ozge Gunduz-Cinar
- Laboratory of Behavioral and Genomic Neuroscience, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
| | - Laura I Castillo
- Laboratory of Behavioral and Genomic Neuroscience, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Maya Xia
- Laboratory of Behavioral and Genomic Neuroscience, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Elise Van Leer
- Laboratory of Behavioral and Genomic Neuroscience, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Emma T Brockway
- Laboratory of Behavioral and Genomic Neuroscience, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Gabrielle A Pollack
- Laboratory of Behavioral and Genomic Neuroscience, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Farhana Yasmin
- Northwestern Center for Psychiatric Neuroscience, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Olena Bukalo
- Laboratory of Behavioral and Genomic Neuroscience, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Aaron Limoges
- Laboratory of Behavioral and Genomic Neuroscience, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Sarvar Oreizi-Esfahani
- Laboratory of Behavioral and Genomic Neuroscience, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Veronika Kondev
- Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Rita Báldi
- Northwestern Center for Psychiatric Neuroscience, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Ao Dong
- Peking University School of Life Sciences, PKU-IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Judy Harvey-White
- Laboratory of Physiologic Studies, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Resat Cinar
- Laboratory of Physiologic Studies, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; Section on Fibrotic Disorders, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - George Kunos
- Laboratory of Physiologic Studies, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Yulong Li
- Peking University School of Life Sciences, PKU-IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Larry S Zweifel
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA; Department of Pharmacology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Sachin Patel
- Northwestern Center for Psychiatric Neuroscience, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Andrew Holmes
- Laboratory of Behavioral and Genomic Neuroscience, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
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23
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Kimura M, Matsuoka R, Taniguchi S, Maruyama J, Paessler S, Oka S, Yamashita A, Fukuhara T, Matsuura Y, Tani H. Inhibitors of cannabinoid receptor 1 suppress the cellular entry of Lujo virus. Virology 2023; 587:109867. [PMID: 37633192 DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2023.109867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2023] [Revised: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 08/28/2023]
Abstract
Lujo virus (LUJV), which belongs to Mammarenavirus, family Arenaviridae, has emerged as a pathogen causing severe hemorrhagic fever with high mortality. Currently, there are no effective treatments for arenaviruses, including LUJV. Here, we screened chemical compound libraries of Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved drugs and G protein-coupled receptor-associated drugs to identify effective antivirals against LUJV targeting cell entry using a vesicular stomatitis virus-based pseudotyped virus bearing the LUJV envelope glycoprotein (GP). Cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1) antagonists, such as rimonabant, AM251 and AM281, have been identified as robust inhibitors of LUJV entry. The IC50 of rimonabant was 0.26 and 0.53 μM in Vero and Huh7 cells, respectively. Analysis of the cell fusion activity of the LUJV GP in the presence of CB1 inhibitors revealed that these inhibitors suppressed the fusion activity of the LUJV GP. Moreover, rimonabant, AM251 and AM281 reduced the infectivity of authentic LUJV in vitro, suggesting that the antiviral activity of CB1 antagonists against LUJV is mediated, at least in part, by inhibition of the viral entry, especially, membrane fusion. These findings suggest promising candidates for developing new therapies against LUJV infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miyuki Kimura
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Academic Assembly, University of Toyama, Toyama, 930-0194, Japan
| | - Risa Matsuoka
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Academic Assembly, University of Toyama, Toyama, 930-0194, Japan
| | - Satoshi Taniguchi
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, 77555, USA; Department of Virology I, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, 162-8640, Japan
| | - Junki Maruyama
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, 77555, USA
| | - Slobodan Paessler
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, 77555, USA
| | - Saori Oka
- Faculty of Pharma-Science, Teikyo University, Tokyo, Japan
| | | | - Takasuke Fukuhara
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan; Laboratory of Virus Control, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
| | - Yoshiharu Matsuura
- Laboratory of Virus Control, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Japan; Center for Infectious Disease Education and Research, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
| | - Hideki Tani
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Academic Assembly, University of Toyama, Toyama, 930-0194, Japan; Department of Virology I, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, 162-8640, Japan; Department of Virology, Toyama Institute of Health, Toyama, 939-0363, Japan.
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Coelho MP, Duarte P, Calado M, Almeida AJ, Reis CP, Gaspar MM. The current role of cannabis and cannabinoids in health: A comprehensive review of their therapeutic potential. Life Sci 2023; 329:121838. [PMID: 37290668 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2023.121838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2023] [Revised: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
There has been an increased interest of the scientific community in cannabis and its constituents for therapeutic purposes. Although it is believed that cannabinoids can be effective for a few different conditions and syndromes, there are little objective data that clearly support the use of cannabis, cannabis extracts or even cannabidiol (CBD) oil. This review aims to explore the therapeutic potential of phytocannabinoids and synthetic cannabinoids for the treatment of several diseases. A broad search covering the past five years, was performed in PubMed and ClinicalTrial.gov databases, to identify papers focusing on the use of medical phytocannabinoids in terms of tolerability, efficacy and safety. Accordingly, there are preclinical data supporting the use of phytocannabinoids and synthetic cannabinoids for the management of neurological pathologies, acute and chronical pain, cancer, psychiatric disorders and chemotherapy-induced emetic symptoms. However, regarding the clinical trials, most of the collected data do not fully support the use of cannabinoids in the treatment of such conditions. Consequently, more studies are still needed to clarify ascertain if the use of these compounds is useful in the management of different pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana Pinto Coelho
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Avenida Professor Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Patrícia Duarte
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Avenida Professor Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Marta Calado
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Avenida Professor Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - António J Almeida
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Avenida Professor Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal; Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Avenida Professor Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Catarina Pinto Reis
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Avenida Professor Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal; Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Avenida Professor Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal; IBEB, Institute of Biophysics and Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Sciences, Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, 1649-016 Lisboa, Portugal.
| | - M Manuela Gaspar
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Avenida Professor Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal; Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Avenida Professor Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal.
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25
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Vered S, Beiser AS, Sulimani L, Sznitman S, Gonzales MM, Aparicio HJ, DeCarli C, Scott MR, Ghosh S, Lewitus GM, Meiri D, Seshadri S, Weinstein G. The association of circulating endocannabinoids with neuroimaging and blood biomarkers of neuro-injury. Alzheimers Res Ther 2023; 15:154. [PMID: 37700370 PMCID: PMC10496329 DOI: 10.1186/s13195-023-01301-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 09/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Preclinical studies highlight the importance of endogenous cannabinoids (endocannabinoids; eCBs) in neurodegeneration. Yet, prior observational studies focused on limited outcome measures and assessed only few eCB compounds while largely ignoring the complexity of the eCB system. We examined the associations of multiple circulating eCBs and eCB-like molecules with early markers of neurodegeneration and neuro-injury and tested for effect modification by sex. METHODS This exploratory cross-sectional study included a random sample of 237 dementia-free older participants from the Framingham Heart Study Offspring cohort who attended examination cycle 9 (2011-2014), were 65 years or older, and cognitively healthy. Forty-four eCB compounds were quantified in serum, via liquid chromatography high-resolution mass spectrometry. Linear regression models were used to examine the associations of eCB levels with brain MRI measures (i.e., total cerebral brain volume, gray matter volume, hippocampal volume, and white matter hyperintensities volume) and blood biomarkers of Alzheimer's disease and neuro-injury (i.e., total tau, neurofilament light, glial fibrillary acidic protein and Ubiquitin C-terminal hydrolase L1). All models were adjusted for potential confounders and effect modification by sex was examined. RESULTS Participants mean age was 73.3 ± 6.2 years, and 40% were men. After adjustment for potential confounders and correction for multiple comparisons, no statistically significant associations were observed between eCB levels and the study outcomes. However, we identified multiple sex-specific associations between eCB levels and the various study outcomes. For example, high linoleoyl ethanolamide (LEA) levels were related to decreased hippocampal volume among men and to increased hippocampal volume among women (β ± SE = - 0.12 ± 0.06, p = 0.034 and β ± SE = 0.08 ± 0.04, p = 0.026, respectively). CONCLUSIONS Circulating eCBs may play a role in neuro-injury and may explain sex differences in susceptibility to accelerated brain aging. Particularly, our results highlight the possible involvement of eCBs from the N-acyl amino acids and fatty acid ethanolamide classes and suggest specific novel fatty acid compounds that may be implicated in brain aging. Furthermore, investigation of the eCBs contribution to neurodegenerative disease such as Alzheimer's disease in humans is warranted, especially with prospective study designs and among diverse populations, including premenopausal women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiraz Vered
- School of Public Health, University of Haifa, 199 Aba Khoushy Ave., Haifa, 3498838, Israel
| | - Alexa S Beiser
- Department of Neurology, Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, 02118, USA
- Department of Biostatistics, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, 02118, USA
- The Framingham Study, Framingham, MA, 01702, USA
| | - Liron Sulimani
- The Kleifeld Laboratory, Department of Biology, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, 3200003, Haifa, Israel
| | - Sharon Sznitman
- School of Public Health, University of Haifa, 199 Aba Khoushy Ave., Haifa, 3498838, Israel
| | - Mitzi M Gonzales
- Glenn Biggs Institute for Alzheimer's and Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Health Sciences Center, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA
| | - Hugo J Aparicio
- Department of Neurology, Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, 02118, USA
- The Framingham Study, Framingham, MA, 01702, USA
| | - Charles DeCarli
- Department of Neurology, University of California at Davis, Sacramento, CA, 95816, USA
| | - Matthew R Scott
- Department of Biostatistics, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, 02118, USA
| | - Saptaparni Ghosh
- Department of Neurology, Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, 02118, USA
- The Framingham Study, Framingham, MA, 01702, USA
| | - Gil M Lewitus
- The Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Cannabinoid Research, Department of Biology, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, 3200003, Haifa, Israel
| | - David Meiri
- The Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Cannabinoid Research, Department of Biology, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, 3200003, Haifa, Israel
| | - Sudha Seshadri
- Department of Neurology, Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, 02118, USA
- The Framingham Study, Framingham, MA, 01702, USA
- Glenn Biggs Institute for Alzheimer's and Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Health Sciences Center, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA
| | - Galit Weinstein
- School of Public Health, University of Haifa, 199 Aba Khoushy Ave., Haifa, 3498838, Israel.
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Huckleberry KA, Calitri R, Li AJ, Mejdell M, Singh A, Bhutani V, Laine MA, Nastase AS, Morena M, Hill MN, Shansky RM. CB1R blockade unmasks TRPV1-mediated contextual fear generalization in female, but not male rats. Neuropsychopharmacology 2023; 48:1500-1508. [PMID: 37460772 PMCID: PMC10425366 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-023-01650-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2023] [Revised: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 07/28/2023]
Abstract
Increasing evidence suggests that the neurobiological processes that govern learning and memory can be different in males and females, but many of the specific mechanisms underlying these sex differences have not been fully defined. Here we investigated potential sex differences in endocannabinoid (eCB) modulation of Pavlovian fear conditioning and extinction, examining multiple defensive behaviors, including shock responsivity, conditioned freezing, and conditioned darting. We found that while systemic administration of drugs acting on eCB receptors did not influence the occurrence of darting, females that were classified as Darters responded differently to the drug administration than those classified as Non-darters. Most notably, CB1R antagonist AM251 produced an increase in cue-elicited freezing and context generalization selectively in female Non-darters that persisted across extinction and extinction retrieval tests but was prevented by co-administration of TRPV1R antagonist Capsazepine. To identify a potential synaptic mechanism for these sex differences, we next employed biochemical and neuroanatomical tracing techniques to quantify anandamide (AEA), TRPV1R, and perisomatic CB1R expression, focusing on the ventral hippocampus (vHip) given its known role in mediating contextual fear generalization. These assays identified sex-specific effects of both fear conditioning-elicited AEA release and vHip-BLA circuit structure. Together, our data support a model in which sexual dimorphism in vHip-BLA circuitry promotes a female-specific dependence on CB1Rs for context processing that is sensitive to TRPV1-mediated disruption when CB1Rs are blocked.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Roberto Calitri
- Department of Psychology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Anna J Li
- Department of Psychology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Mackenna Mejdell
- Department of Psychology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ashna Singh
- Department of Psychology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Vasvi Bhutani
- Department of Psychology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Mikaela A Laine
- Department of Psychology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Andrei S Nastase
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Maria Morena
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Matthew N Hill
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
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27
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Szanda G, Jourdan T, Wisniewski É, Cinar R, Godlewski G, Rajki A, Liu J, Chedester L, Szalai B, Tóth AD, Soltész-Katona E, Hunyady L, Inoue A, Horváth VB, Spät A, Tam J, Kunos G. Cannabinoid receptor type 1 (CB 1R) inhibits hypothalamic leptin signaling via β-arrestin1 in complex with TC-PTP and STAT3. iScience 2023; 26:107207. [PMID: 37534180 PMCID: PMC10392084 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.107207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2023] [Revised: 05/20/2023] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Molecular interactions between anorexigenic leptin and orexigenic endocannabinoids, although of great metabolic significance, are not well understood. We report here that hypothalamic STAT3 signaling in mice, initiated by physiological elevations of leptin, is diminished by agonists of the cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1R). Measurement of STAT3 activation by semi-automated confocal microscopy in cultured neurons revealed that this CB1R-mediated inhibition requires both T cell protein tyrosine phosphatase (TC-PTP) and β-arrestin1 but is independent of changes in cAMP. Moreover, β-arrestin1 translocates to the nucleus upon CB1R activation and binds both STAT3 and TC-PTP. Consistently, CB1R activation failed to suppress leptin signaling in β-arrestin1 knockout mice in vivo, and in neural cells deficient in CB1R, β-arrestin1 or TC-PTP. Altogether, CB1R activation engages β-arrestin1 to coordinate the TC-PTP-mediated inhibition of the leptin-evoked neuronal STAT3 response. This mechanism may restrict the anorexigenic effects of leptin when hypothalamic endocannabinoid levels rise, as during fasting or in diet-induced obesity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gergő Szanda
- Department of Physiology, Semmelweis University Medical School, 1094 Budapest, Hungary
- ELKH-SE Laboratory of Molecular Physiology Research Group, Eötvös Loránd Research Network, 1094 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Tony Jourdan
- INSERM Center Lipids, Nutrition, Cancer LNC U1231, 21000 Dijon, France
| | - Éva Wisniewski
- Department of Physiology, Semmelweis University Medical School, 1094 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Resat Cinar
- Laboratory of Physiologic Studies, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Grzegorz Godlewski
- Laboratory of Physiologic Studies, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Anikó Rajki
- Department of Physiology, Semmelweis University Medical School, 1094 Budapest, Hungary
- ELKH-SE Laboratory of Molecular Physiology Research Group, Eötvös Loránd Research Network, 1094 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Jie Liu
- Laboratory of Physiologic Studies, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Lee Chedester
- Laboratory of Physiologic Studies, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Bence Szalai
- Department of Physiology, Semmelweis University Medical School, 1094 Budapest, Hungary
| | - András Dávid Tóth
- Department of Physiology, Semmelweis University Medical School, 1094 Budapest, Hungary
- Department of Internal Medicine and Haematology, Semmelweis University, 1085 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Eszter Soltész-Katona
- Department of Physiology, Semmelweis University Medical School, 1094 Budapest, Hungary
- Institute of Enzymology, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Centre of Excellence of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, 1117 Budapest, Hungary
| | - László Hunyady
- Department of Physiology, Semmelweis University Medical School, 1094 Budapest, Hungary
- Institute of Enzymology, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Centre of Excellence of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, 1117 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Asuka Inoue
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tohoku University, Sendai 980-8578, Japan
| | - Viktória Bea Horváth
- Department of Physiology, Semmelweis University Medical School, 1094 Budapest, Hungary
| | - András Spät
- Department of Physiology, Semmelweis University Medical School, 1094 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Joseph Tam
- Obesity and Metabolism Laboratory, The Institute for Drug Research, School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9112102, Israel
| | - George Kunos
- Laboratory of Physiologic Studies, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
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28
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Guo ML, Roodsari SK, Cheng Y, Dempsey RE, Hu W. Microglia NLRP3 Inflammasome and Neuroimmune Signaling in Substance Use Disorders. Biomolecules 2023; 13:922. [PMID: 37371502 DOI: 10.3390/biom13060922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2023] [Revised: 05/22/2023] [Accepted: 05/29/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
During the last decade, substance use disorders (SUDs) have been increasingly recognized as neuroinflammation-related brain diseases. Various types of abused drugs (cocaine, methamphetamine, alcohol, opiate-like drugs, marijuana, etc.) can modulate the activation status of microglia and neuroinflammation levels which are involved in the pathogenesis of SUDs. Several neuroimmune signaling pathways, including TLR/NF-кB, reactive oxygen species, mitochondria dysfunction, as well as autophagy defection, etc., have been implicated in promoting SUDs. Recently, inflammasome-mediated signaling has been identified as playing critical roles in the microglia activation induced by abused drugs. Among the family of inflammasomes, NOD-, LRR-, and pyrin-domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) serves the primary research target due to its abundant expression in microglia. NLRP3 has the capability of integrating multiple external and internal inputs and coordinately determining the intensity of microglia activation under various pathological conditions. Here, we summarize the effects of abused drugs on NLRP3 inflammasomes, as well as others, if any. The research on this topic is still at an infant stage; however, the readily available findings suggest that NLRP3 inflammasome could be a common downstream effector stimulated by various types of abused drugs and play critical roles in determining abused-drug-mediated biological effects through enhancing glia-neuron communications. NLRP3 inflammasome might serve as a novel target for ameliorating the development of SUDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming-Lei Guo
- Drug Addiction Laboratory, Department of Pathology and Anatomy, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA 23507, USA
- Center for Integrative Neuroscience and Inflammatory Diseases, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA 23507, USA
| | - Soheil Kazemi Roodsari
- Drug Addiction Laboratory, Department of Pathology and Anatomy, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA 23507, USA
| | - Yan Cheng
- Drug Addiction Laboratory, Department of Pathology and Anatomy, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA 23507, USA
| | - Rachael Elizabeth Dempsey
- Drug Addiction Laboratory, Department of Pathology and Anatomy, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA 23507, USA
| | - Wenhui Hu
- Center for Metabolic Disease Research, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19140, USA
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29
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Huckleberry KA, Calitri R, Li AJ, Mejdell M, Singh A, Bhutani V, Laine MA, Nastase AS, Morena M, Hill MN, Shansky RM. CB1R blockade unmasks TRPV1-mediated contextual fear generalization in female, but not male rats. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.04.12.536625. [PMID: 37090594 PMCID: PMC10120634 DOI: 10.1101/2023.04.12.536625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/25/2023]
Abstract
Increasing evidence suggests that the neurobiological processes that govern learning and memory can be different in males and females, and here we asked specifically whether the endocannabinoid (eCB) system could modulate Pavlovian fear conditioning in a sex-dependent manner. Systemic (i.p.) injection of CB1R antagonist AM251 in adult male and female Sprague Dawley rats prior to auditory cued fear conditioning produced a female-specific increase in freezing that persisted across extinction and extinction retrieval tests but was prevented by co-administration of TRPV1R antagonist Capsazepine. Notably, AM251 also produced robust freezing in a novel context prior to auditory cue presentation the day following drug administration, but not the day of, suggesting that CB1R blockade elicited contextual fear generalization in females. To identify a potential synaptic mechanism for these sex differences, we next used liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry, Western Blot, and confocal-assisted immunofluorescence techniques to quantify anandamide (AEA), TRPV1R, and perisomatic CB1R expression, respectively, focusing on the ventral hippocampus (vHip). Fear conditioning elicited increased vHip AEA levels in females only, and in both sexes, CB1R expression around vHip efferents targeting the basolateral amygdala (BLA) was twice that at neighboring vHip neurons. Finally, quantification of the vHip-BLA projections themselves revealed that females have over twice the number of neurons in this pathway that males do. Together, our data support a model in which sexual dimorphism in vHip-BLA circuitry promotes a female-specific dependence on CB1Rs for context processing that is sensitive to TRPV1-mediated disruption when CB1Rs are blocked.
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30
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Chen C. Inhibiting degradation of 2-arachidonoylglycerol as a therapeutic strategy for neurodegenerative diseases. Pharmacol Ther 2023; 244:108394. [PMID: 36966972 PMCID: PMC10123871 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2023.108394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2023] [Revised: 03/17/2023] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023]
Abstract
Endocannabinoids are endogenous lipid signaling mediators that participate in a variety of physiological and pathological processes. 2-Arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) is the most abundant endocannabinoid and is a full agonist of G-protein-coupled cannabinoid receptors (CB1R and CB2R), which are targets of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC), the main psychoactive ingredient in cannabis. While 2-AG has been well recognized as a retrograde messenger modulating synaptic transmission and plasticity at both inhibitory GABAergic and excitatory glutamatergic synapses in the brain, growing evidence suggests that 2-AG also functions as an endogenous terminator of neuroinflammation in response to harmful insults, thus maintaining brain homeostasis. Monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL) is the key enzyme that degrades 2-AG in the brain. The immediate metabolite of 2-AG is arachidonic acid (AA), a precursor of prostaglandins (PGs) and leukotrienes. Several lines of evidence indicate that pharmacological or genetic inactivation of MAGL, which boosts 2-AG levels and reduces its hydrolytic metabolites, resolves neuroinflammation, mitigates neuropathology, and improves synaptic and cognitive functions in animal models of neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease (AD), multiple sclerosis (MS), Parkinson's disease (PD), and traumatic brain injury (TBI)-induced neurodegenerative disease. Thus, it has been proposed that MAGL is a potential therapeutic target for treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. As the main enzyme hydrolyzing 2-AG, several MAGL inhibitors have been identified and developed. However, our understanding of the mechanisms by which inactivation of MAGL produces neuroprotective effects in neurodegenerative diseases remains limited. A recent finding that inhibition of 2-AG metabolism in astrocytes, but not in neurons, protects the brain from TBI-induced neuropathology might shed some light on this unsolved issue. This review provides an overview of MAGL as a potential therapeutic target for neurodegenerative diseases and discusses possible mechanisms underlying the neuroprotective effects of restraining degradation of 2-AG in the brain.
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31
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Sysoeva MV, Kuznetsova GD, Sysoev IV, Ngomba RT, Vinogradova LV, Grishchenko AA, van Rijn CM, van Luijtelaar G. NETWORK ANALYSIS REVEALS A ROLE OF THE HIPPOCAMPUS IN ABSENCE SEIZURES: THE EFFECTS OF A CANNABINOID AGONIST. Epilepsy Res 2023; 192:107135. [PMID: 37023553 DOI: 10.1016/j.eplepsyres.2023.107135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2022] [Revised: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 04/04/2023]
Abstract
The role of the hippocampus (Hp) in absence epileptic networks and the effect of endocannabinoid system on this network remain enigmatic. Here, using adapted nonlinear Granger causality, we compared the differences in network strength in four intervals (baseline or interictal, preictal, ictal and postictal) in two hours before (Epoch 1) and six hours (epochs 2, 3 and 4) after the administration of three different doses of the endocannabinoid agonist WIN55,212-2 (WIN) or solvent. Local field potentials were recorded for eight hours in 23 WAG/Rij rats in the Frontal (FC), Parietal PC), Occipital Cortex (OC) and in the hippocampus (Hp). The four intervals were visually marked by an expert neurophysiologist and the strength of couplings between electrode pairs were calculated in both directions. Ictally, a strong decrease in coupling strength was found between Hp and FC, as well as a large increase bidirectionally between PC and FC and unidirectionally from FC and PC to OC, and from FC to Hp over all epochs. The highest dose of WIN increased the couplings strength from FC to Hp and from OC to PC during 4 and 2 hr respectively in all intervals, and decreased the FC to PC coupling strength postictally in epoch 2. A single rat showed generalized convulsive seizures after the highest dose: this rat shared not only coupling changes with the other rats in the same condition, but showed many more. WIN reduced SWD number in epoch 2 and 3, their mean duration increased in epochs 3 and 4. Conclusions:during SWDs FC and PC are strongly coupled and drive OC, while at the same time the influence of Hp to FC is diminished. The first is in agreement with the cortical focus theory, the latter demonstrates an involvement of the hippocampus in SWD occurrence and that ictally the hippocampal control of the cortico-thalamo-cortical system is lost. WIN causes dramatic network changes which have major consequences for the decrease of SWDs, the occurrence of convulsive seizures, and the normal cortico-cortical and cortico-hippocampal interactions.
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32
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Suleymanova EM, Karan AA, Borisova MA, Volobueva MN, Bolshakov AP. Expression of Cytokines and Neurodegeneration in the Rat Hippocampus and Cortex in the Lithium-Pilocarpine Model of Status Epilepticus and the Role of Modulation of Endocannabinoid System. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24076509. [PMID: 37047481 PMCID: PMC10095234 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24076509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2023] [Revised: 03/26/2023] [Accepted: 03/29/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023] Open
Abstract
A significant body of evidence shows that neuroinflammation is one of the key processes in the development of brain pathology in trauma, neurodegenerative disorders, and epilepsy. Various brain insults, including severe and prolonged seizure activity during status epilepticus (SE), trigger proinflammatory cytokine release. We investigated the expression of the proinflammatory cytokines interleukin-1β (Il1b) and interleukin-6 (Il6), and anti-inflammatory fractalkine (Cx3cl1) in the hippocampus, entorhinal cortex, and neocortex of rats 24 h, 7 days, and 5 months after lithium-pilocarpine SE. We studied the relationship between cytokine expression and neuronal death in the hippocampus and evaluated the effect of modulation of endocannabinoid receptors on neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration after SE. The results of the present study showed that inhibition of endocannabinoid CB1 receptors with AM251 early after SE had a transient neuroprotective effect that was absent in the chronic period and did not affect the development of spontaneous seizures after SE. At the same time, AM251 reduced the expression of Il6 in the chronic period after SE. Higher Cx3cl1 levels were found in rats with more prominent hippocampal neurodegeneration.
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33
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Singewald N, Sartori SB, Reif A, Holmes A. Alleviating anxiety and taming trauma: Novel pharmacotherapeutics for anxiety disorders and posttraumatic stress disorder. Neuropharmacology 2023; 226:109418. [PMID: 36623804 PMCID: PMC10372846 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2023.109418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2022] [Revised: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 01/03/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Psychiatric disorders associated with psychological trauma, stress and anxiety are a highly prevalent and increasing cause of morbidity worldwide. Current therapeutic approaches, including medication, are effective in alleviating symptoms of anxiety disorders and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), at least in some individuals, but have unwanted side-effects and do not resolve underlying pathophysiology. After a period of stagnation, there is renewed enthusiasm from public, academic and commercial parties in designing and developing drug treatments for these disorders. Here, we aim to provide a snapshot of the current state of this field that is written for neuropharmacologists, but also practicing clinicians and the interested lay-reader. After introducing currently available drug treatments, we summarize recent/ongoing clinical assessment of novel medicines for anxiety and PTSD, grouped according to primary neurochemical targets and their potential to produce acute and/or enduring therapeutic effects. The evaluation of putative treatments targeting monoamine (including psychedelics), GABA, glutamate, cannabinoid, cholinergic and neuropeptide systems, amongst others, are discussed. We emphasize the importance of designing and clinically assessing new medications based on a firm understanding of the underlying neurobiology stemming from the rapid advances being made in neuroscience. This includes harnessing neuroplasticity to bring about lasting beneficial changes in the brain rather than - as many current medications do - produce a transient attenuation of symptoms, as exemplified by combining psychotropic/cognitive enhancing drugs with psychotherapeutic approaches. We conclude by noting some of the other emerging trends in this promising new phase of drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas Singewald
- Institute of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck (CMBI), Leopold Franzens University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria.
| | - Simone B Sartori
- Institute of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck (CMBI), Leopold Franzens University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Andreas Reif
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Andrew Holmes
- Laboratory of Behavioral and Genomic Neuroscience, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
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Barba SV, Kirschbaum C, Gao W. Endocannabinoid and perceived stress: Association analysis of endocannabinoid levels in hair versus levels in plasma and urine. Biol Psychol 2023; 178:108541. [PMID: 36918140 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsycho.2023.108541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2022] [Revised: 03/05/2023] [Accepted: 03/10/2023] [Indexed: 03/14/2023]
Abstract
The endocannabinoid system is considered to play a role in a wide range of functions, including stress. Hair analysis of endocannabinoids presents a promising methodological advancement for the retrospective assessment of long-term cumulative endocannabinoid secretion. Despite promising pilot study results suggesting the usefulness of hair endocannabinoid assessments, it remains unclear whether hair endocannabinoid levels mirror systemic endocannabinoid levels accurately. Two independent studies were conducted to investigate to what extent hair endocannabinoid and N-Acylethanolamine levels reflect the systemic levels retrospectively. Endocannabinoid and N-Acylethanolamine levels were measured in 3 cm and 1 cm hair segments respectively, and compared with the averaged levels in multiple plasma samples collected during three months (Study I), and in multiple 24-hour urine samples collected over a month (Study II). In addition, the Perceived Stress Scale was used to assess the perceived stress throughout the studies. Against our hypothesis, no association was found between the endocannabinoid or N-Acylethanolamine levels in hair and plasma or urine. However, hair palmitoylethanolamide (PEA), oleoylethanolamide (OEA), and stearoylethanolamide (SEA) levels were positively correlated with perceived stress in Study I. The current findings suggest that hair endocannabinoid or N-Acylethanolamine levels might not accurately reflect the levels of peripheral circulating endocannabinoid or N-Acylethanolamine. Nevertheless, hair N-Acylethanolamine levels might emerge as a useful strategy in the study of some psychological phenotypes, such as stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonia Valdivieso Barba
- Faculty of Psychology, Chair of Biological Psychology, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Clemens Kirschbaum
- Faculty of Psychology, Chair of Biological Psychology, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Wei Gao
- Faculty of Psychology, Chair of Biological Psychology, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany.
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Crombie KM, Adams TG, Dunsmoor JE, Greenwood BN, Smits JA, Nemeroff CB, Cisler JM. Aerobic exercise in the treatment of PTSD: An examination of preclinical and clinical laboratory findings, potential mechanisms, clinical implications, and future directions. J Anxiety Disord 2023; 94:102680. [PMID: 36773486 PMCID: PMC10084922 DOI: 10.1016/j.janxdis.2023.102680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2022] [Revised: 01/19/2023] [Accepted: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
Abstract
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is associated with heightened emotional responding, avoidance of trauma related stimuli, and physical health concerns (e.g., metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease). Existing treatments such as exposure-based therapies (e.g., prolonged exposure) aim to reduce anxiety symptoms triggered by trauma reminders, and are hypothesized to work via mechanisms of extinction learning. However, these conventional gold standard psychotherapies do not address physical health concerns frequently presented in PTSD. In addition to widely documented physical and mental health benefits of exercise, emerging preclinical and clinical evidence supports the hypothesis that precisely timed administration of aerobic exercise can enhance the consolidation and subsequent recall of fear extinction learning. These findings suggest that aerobic exercise may be a promising adjunctive strategy for simultaneously improving physical health while enhancing the effects of exposure therapies, which is desirable given the suboptimal efficacy and remission rates. Accordingly, this review 1) encompasses an overview of preclinical and clinical exercise and fear conditioning studies which form the basis for this claim; 2) discusses several plausible mechanisms for enhanced consolidation of fear extinction memories following exercise, and 3) provides suggestions for future research that could advance the understanding of the potential importance of incorporating exercise into the treatment of PTSD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin M Crombie
- The University of Texas at Austin, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, 1601 Trinity Street, Building B, Austin, TX 78712, United States of America.
| | - Tom G Adams
- University of Kentucky, Department of Psychology, 105 Kastle Hill, Lexington, KY 40506-0044, United States of America; Yale School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, 300 George St., New Haven, CT 06511, United States of America
| | - Joseph E Dunsmoor
- The University of Texas at Austin, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, 1601 Trinity Street, Building B, Austin, TX 78712, United States of America
| | - Benjamin N Greenwood
- University of Colorado Denver, Department of Psychology, Campus Box 173, PO Box 173364, Denver, CO 80217-3364, United States of America
| | - Jasper A Smits
- The University of Texas at Austin, Department of Psychology, 108 E Dean Keeton St., Austin, TX 78712, United States of America
| | - Charles B Nemeroff
- The University of Texas at Austin, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, 1601 Trinity Street, Building B, Austin, TX 78712, United States of America; Institute for Early Life Adversity Research, The University of Texas at Austin Dell Medical School, 1601 Trinity Street, Building B, Austin, TX 78712, United States of America
| | - Josh M Cisler
- The University of Texas at Austin, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, 1601 Trinity Street, Building B, Austin, TX 78712, United States of America; Institute for Early Life Adversity Research, The University of Texas at Austin Dell Medical School, 1601 Trinity Street, Building B, Austin, TX 78712, United States of America
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Raymundi AM, Batista Sohn JM, Salemme BW, Cardoso NC, Silveira Guimarães F, Stern CA. Effects of delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol on fear memory labilization and reconsolidation: A putative role of GluN2B-NMDA receptor within the dorsal hippocampus. Neuropharmacology 2023; 225:109386. [PMID: 36549374 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2022.109386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2022] [Revised: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 12/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Cannabis preparations could be an effective reconsolidation-based treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder. However, the effects of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in fear memory labilization, a critical condition for retrieval-induced reconsolidation, are undetermined. We sought to investigate the effect of a conventional and an ultra-low dose of THC in memory labilization of adult male Wistar rats submitted to contextual fear conditioning. Pretreatment with THC 0.002, but not THC 0.3 mg/kg, i. p., before memory retrieval, did not change memory expression during the retrieval but impaired reconsolidation. No treatment changed freezing expression in an unpaired context. Before retrieval, THC 0.3, but not THC 0.002, decreased GluN2A-NMDA expression and the GluN2A/GluN2B ratio in the dorsal hippocampus (DH) 24 h later. No changes were observed immediately after retrieval. Pretreatment with THC 0.3 abolished the reconsolidation-impairing effect of anisomycin injected into the DH, suggesting an impairment in memory labilization. This effect was associated with an increased freezing expression in the unpaired context and was not observed with the THC ultra-low dose. The GluN2B-NMDA antagonism increased fear generalization in the anisomycin-treated group but restored its reconsolidation-impairing effect and reduced fear generalization when animals were pretreated with THC 0.3. GluN2A-NMDA antagonism or inhibition of the ubiquitin-proteasome system in the DH did not interfere with the effects of THC 0.3. Our findings indicate that THC causes a bidirectional effect on fear memory labilization that depends on hippocampal GluN2B-NMDA receptors' involvement in fear memory generalization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Maria Raymundi
- Department of Pharmacology, Federal University of Parana, Curitiba, PR, Brazil
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Ferreira PC, Bellaver B, Povala G, Brum WS, Tissot C, Badji A, Sloan ME, Benedet AL, Rosa-Neto P, Ashton NJ, Pascoal TA, Leuzy A, Zimmer ER. Endocannabinoid System Biomarkers in Alzheimer's Disease. Cannabis Cannabinoid Res 2023; 8:77-91. [PMID: 36394442 PMCID: PMC10081722 DOI: 10.1089/can.2022.0151] [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] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Alterations in the endocannabinoid system (ES) have been described in Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathophysiology. In the past years, multiple ES biomarkers have been developed, promising to advance our understanding of ES changes in AD. Discussion: ES biomarkers, including positron emission tomography with cannabinoid receptors tracers and biofluid-based endocannabinoids, are associated with AD disease progression and pathological features. Conclusion: Although not specific enough for AD diagnosis, ES biomarkers hold promise for prognosis, drug-target engagement, and a better understanding of the disease. Here, we summarize currently available ES biomarker findings and discuss their potential applications in the AD research field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pâmela C.L. Ferreira
- Graduate Program in Biological Sciences: Biochemistry, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil
- Department of Neurology and Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Bruna Bellaver
- Graduate Program in Biological Sciences: Biochemistry, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil
- Department of Neurology and Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Guilherme Povala
- Graduate Program in Biological Sciences: Biochemistry, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil
- Department of Neurology and Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Wagner S. Brum
- Graduate Program in Biological Sciences: Biochemistry, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience & Physiology, The Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Mölndal, Sweden
| | - Cécile Tissot
- Department of Neurology and Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
- Translational Neuroimaging Laboratory, McGill University Research Centre for Studies in Aging, Alzheimer's Disease Research Unit, Douglas Research Institute, Le Centre intégré universitaire de santé et de services sociaux (CIUSSS) de l'Ouest-de-l'Île-de-Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Psychiatry and Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Atef Badji
- Division of Clinical Geriatrics, Center for Alzheimer Research, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Karolinska University Hospital, Theme Aging, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Matthew E. Sloan
- Addictions Division, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Division of Neurosciences and Clinical Translation, Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Psychological Clinical Science, University of Toronto Scarborough, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Andréa L. Benedet
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience & Physiology, The Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Mölndal, Sweden
- Wallenberg Centre for Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Pedro Rosa-Neto
- Translational Neuroimaging Laboratory, McGill University Research Centre for Studies in Aging, Alzheimer's Disease Research Unit, Douglas Research Institute, Le Centre intégré universitaire de santé et de services sociaux (CIUSSS) de l'Ouest-de-l'Île-de-Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Psychiatry and Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Nicholas J. Ashton
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience & Physiology, The Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Mölndal, Sweden
- Wallenberg Centre for Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- King's College London, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, Maurice Wohl Institute Clinical Neuroscience Institute, London, United Kingdom
- NIHR Biomedical Research Centre for Mental Health and Biomedical Research Unit for Dementia at South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation, London, United Kingdom
| | - Tharick A. Pascoal
- Department of Neurology and Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Antoine Leuzy
- Clinical Memory Research Unit, Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Eduardo R. Zimmer
- Graduate Program in Biological Sciences: Biochemistry, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil
- Translational Neuroimaging Laboratory, McGill University Research Centre for Studies in Aging, Alzheimer's Disease Research Unit, Douglas Research Institute, Le Centre intégré universitaire de santé et de services sociaux (CIUSSS) de l'Ouest-de-l'Île-de-Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Pharmacology, UFRGS, Porto Alegre, Brazil
- Graduate Program in Biological Sciences: Pharmacology and Therapeutics, UFRGS, Porto Alegre, Brazil
- Brain Institute of Rio Grande do Sul, PUCRS, Porto Alegre, Brazil
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Ren SY, Sun ZL, Yang J. The use of biochemical indexes in hair for clinical studies of psychiatric diseases: What can we learn about mental disease from hair? J Psychiatr Res 2023; 158:305-313. [PMID: 36628872 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2023.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2022] [Revised: 12/25/2022] [Accepted: 01/03/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Analysis of hair samples provides unique advantages, including non-invasive sampling, sample stability, and the possibility of additional optimization of high sensitivity detection methods. Hair sample analysis is often used in psychiatric disease research to evaluate previous periods of stress encountered by patients. Glucocorticoid analysis is the most frequently tested indicator of stress. Furthermore, the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonad axis and endocannabinoid system also are involved in the occurrence and development of mental disorders. The endocannabinoid and sex hormone levels in patients experiencing mental illness are considerably different from levels observed in healthy individuals. Nevertheless, due to the different methods used to assess the degree of disease and the range of analytical methods involved in clinical research, the trends in changes for these biomarkers are not uniform. The correlations between changes in biomarker concentrations and illness severity also are not clear. The observed alterations suggest these biochemical substances in hair have potential as biomarkers for diagnosis or predictive treatment. However, the variable results obtained thus far could hamper further development of hair samples for clinical assessment in psychiatric disorders. This article summarizes the published reports documenting the changes in the content of relevant substances in hair in individuals experiencing mental illness and the degree of correlation. In the discussion section, we proposed several issues that should be considered in future studies of hair samples obtained from patients with mental disorders to promote the use of hair sample assessment as an aid in diagnosis or predictive treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Si-Yu Ren
- The National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders & Beijing Key Laboratory of Mental Disorders, Beijing Anding Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China; Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Zuo-Li Sun
- The National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders & Beijing Key Laboratory of Mental Disorders, Beijing Anding Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China; Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Jian Yang
- The National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders & Beijing Key Laboratory of Mental Disorders, Beijing Anding Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China; Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
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Zhu D, Zhang J, Hashem J, Gao F, Chen C. Inhibition of 2-arachidonoylglycerol degradation enhances glial immunity by single-cell transcriptomic analysis. J Neuroinflammation 2023; 20:17. [PMID: 36717883 PMCID: PMC9885699 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-023-02701-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2022] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND 2-Arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) is the most abundant endogenous cannabinoid. Inhibition of 2-AG metabolism by inactivation of monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL), the primary enzyme that degrades 2-AG in the brain, produces anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects in neurodegenerative diseases. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying these beneficial effects are largely unclear. METHODS Hippocampal and cortical cells were isolated from cell type-specific MAGL knockout (KO) mice. Single-cell RNA sequencing was performed by 10 × Genomics platform. Cell Ranger, Seurat (v3.2) and CellChat (1.1.3) packages were used to carry out data analysis. RESULTS Using single-cell RNA sequencing analysis, we show here that cell type-specific MAGL KO mice display distinct gene expression profiles in the brain. Inactivation of MAGL results in robust changes in expression of immune- and inflammation-related genes in microglia and astrocytes. Remarkably, upregulated expression of chemokines in microglia is more pronounced in mice lacking MAGL in astrocytes. In addition, expression of genes that regulate other cellular functions and Wnt signaling in astrocytes is altered in MAGL KO mice. CONCLUSIONS Our results provide transcriptomic evidence that cell type-specific inactivation of MAGL induces differential expression of immune-related genes and other fundamental cellular pathways in microglia and astrocytes. Upregulation of the immune/inflammatory genes suggests that tonic levels of immune/inflammatory vigilance are enhanced in microglia and astrocytes, particularly in microglia, by inhibition of 2-AG metabolism, which likely contribute to anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects produced by inactivation of MAGL in neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dexiao Zhu
- grid.267309.90000 0001 0629 5880Department of Cellular and Integrative Physiology, Joe R. and Teresa Lozano Long School of Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX 78229 USA
| | - Jian Zhang
- grid.267309.90000 0001 0629 5880Department of Cellular and Integrative Physiology, Joe R. and Teresa Lozano Long School of Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX 78229 USA
| | - Jack Hashem
- grid.267309.90000 0001 0629 5880Department of Cellular and Integrative Physiology, Joe R. and Teresa Lozano Long School of Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX 78229 USA
| | - Fei Gao
- grid.267309.90000 0001 0629 5880Department of Cellular and Integrative Physiology, Joe R. and Teresa Lozano Long School of Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX 78229 USA
| | - Chu Chen
- grid.267309.90000 0001 0629 5880Department of Cellular and Integrative Physiology, Joe R. and Teresa Lozano Long School of Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX 78229 USA ,grid.267309.90000 0001 0629 5880Center for Biomedical Neuroscience, Joe R. and Teresa Lozano Long School of Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229 USA
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2-AG-Mediated Control of GABAergic Signaling Is Impaired in a Model of Epilepsy. J Neurosci 2023; 43:571-583. [PMID: 36460464 PMCID: PMC9888507 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0541-22.2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2022] [Revised: 10/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Repeated seizures result in a persistent maladaptation of endocannabinoid (eCB) signaling, mediated part by anandamide signaling deficiency in the basolateral amygdala (BLA) that manifests as aberrant synaptic function and altered emotional behavior. Here, we determined the effect of repeated seizures (kindling) on 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) signaling on GABA transmission by directly measuring tonic and phasic eCB-mediated retrograde signaling in an in vitro BLA slice preparation from male rats. We report that both activity-dependent and muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (mAChR)-mediated depression of GABA synaptic transmission was reduced following repeated seizure activity. These effects were recapitulated in sham rats by preincubating slices with the 2-AG synthesizing enzyme inhibitor DO34. Conversely, preincubating slices with the 2-AG degrading enzyme inhibitor KML29 rescued activity-dependent 2-AG signaling, but not mAChR-mediated synaptic depression, over GABA transmission in kindled rats. These effects were not attributable to a change in cannabinoid type 1 (CB1) receptor sensitivity or altered 2-AG tonic signaling since the application of the highly selective CB1 receptor agonist CP55,940 provoked a similar reduction in GABA synaptic activity in both sham and kindled rats, while no effect of either DO34 or of the CB1 inverse agonist AM251 was observed on frequency and amplitude of spontaneous IPSCs in either sham or kindled rats. Collectively, these data provide evidence that repeated amygdala seizures persistently alter phasic 2-AG-mediated retrograde signaling at BLA GABAergic synapses, probably by impairing stimulus-dependent 2-AG synthesis/release, which contributes to the enduring aberrant synaptic plasticity associated with seizure activity.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT The plastic reorganization of endocannabinoid (eCB) signaling after seizures and during epileptogenesis may contribute to the negative neurobiological consequences associated with seizure activity. Therefore, a deeper understanding of the molecular basis underlying the pathologic long-term eCB signaling remodeling following seizure activity will be crucial to the development of novel therapies for epilepsy that not only target seizure activity, but, most importantly, the epileptogenesis and the comorbid conditions associated with epilepsy.
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Palumbo JM, Thomas BF, Budimirovic D, Siegel S, Tassone F, Hagerman R, Faulk C, O’Quinn S, Sebree T. Role of the endocannabinoid system in fragile X syndrome: potential mechanisms for benefit from cannabidiol treatment. J Neurodev Disord 2023; 15:1. [PMID: 36624400 PMCID: PMC9830713 DOI: 10.1186/s11689-023-09475-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2022] [Accepted: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Multiple lines of evidence suggest a central role for the endocannabinoid system (ECS) in the neuronal development and cognitive function and in the pathogenesis of fragile X syndrome (FXS). This review describes the ECS, its role in the central nervous system, how it is dysregulated in FXS, and the potential role of cannabidiol as a treatment for FXS. FXS is caused by deficiency or absence of the fragile X messenger ribonucleoprotein 1 (FMR1) protein, FMRP, typically due to the presence of >200 cytosine, guanine, guanine sequence repeats leading to methylation of the FMR1 gene promoter. The absence of FMRP, following FMR1 gene-silencing, disrupts ECS signaling, which has been implicated in FXS pathogenesis. The ECS facilitates synaptic homeostasis and plasticity through the cannabinoid receptor 1, CB1, on presynaptic terminals, resulting in feedback inhibition of neuronal signaling. ECS-mediated feedback inhibition and synaptic plasticity are thought to be disrupted in FXS, leading to overstimulation, desensitization, and internalization of presynaptic CB1 receptors. Cannabidiol may help restore synaptic homeostasis by acting as a negative allosteric modulator of CB1, thereby attenuating the receptor overstimulation, desensitization, and internalization. Moreover, cannabidiol affects DNA methylation, serotonin 5HT1A signal transduction, gamma-aminobutyric acid receptor signaling, and dopamine D2 and D3 receptor signaling, which may contribute to beneficial effects in patients with FXS. Consistent with these proposed mechanisms of action of cannabidiol in FXS, in the CONNECT-FX trial the transdermal cannabidiol gel, ZYN002, was associated with improvements in measures of social avoidance, irritability, and social interaction, particularly in patients who are most affected, showing ≥90% methylation of the FMR1 gene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph M. Palumbo
- grid.422480.80000 0004 8307 0679Zynerba Pharmaceuticals Inc., Devon, PA USA
| | | | - Dejan Budimirovic
- grid.240023.70000 0004 0427 667XDepartments of Psychiatry and Neurogenetics, Fragile X Clinic, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD USA ,grid.21107.350000 0001 2171 9311Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences-Child Psychiatry, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD USA
| | - Steven Siegel
- grid.42505.360000 0001 2156 6853Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA USA
| | - Flora Tassone
- grid.413079.80000 0000 9752 8549Medical Investigation of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (MIND) Institute, University of California-Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, CA USA ,grid.413079.80000 0000 9752 8549Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, University of California-Davis, Sacramento, CA USA
| | - Randi Hagerman
- grid.413079.80000 0000 9752 8549Medical Investigation of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (MIND) Institute, University of California-Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, CA USA ,grid.27860.3b0000 0004 1936 9684Department of Pediatrics, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA USA
| | - Christopher Faulk
- grid.17635.360000000419368657Department of Animal Science, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN USA
| | - Stephen O’Quinn
- grid.422480.80000 0004 8307 0679Zynerba Pharmaceuticals Inc., Devon, PA USA
| | - Terri Sebree
- grid.422480.80000 0004 8307 0679Zynerba Pharmaceuticals Inc., Devon, PA USA
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Zöldi M, Katona I. STORM Super-Resolution Imaging of CB 1 Receptors in Tissue Preparations. Methods Mol Biol 2023; 2576:437-451. [PMID: 36152208 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2728-0_36] [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] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Single-molecule localization microscopy (SMLM) opened new possibilities to study the spatial arrangement of molecular distribution and disease-associated redistribution at a previously unprecedented resolution that was not achievable with optical microscopy approaches. Recent discoveries based on SMLM techniques uncovered specific nanoscale organizational principles of signaling proteins in several biological systems including the chemical synapses in the brain. Emerging data suggest that the spatial arrangement of the molecular players of the endocannabinoid system is also precisely regulated at the nanoscale level in synapses and in other neuronal and glial subcellular compartments. The precise nanoscale distribution pattern is likely to be important to subserve several specific signaling functions of this important messenger system in a cell-type- and subcellular domain-specific manner.STochastic Optical Reconstruction Microscopy (STORM) is an especially suitable SMLM modality for cell-type-specific nanoscale molecular imaging due to its compatibility with traditional diffraction-limited microscopy approaches and classical staining methods. Here, we describe a detailed protocol for STORM imaging in mouse brain tissue samples with a focus on the CB1 cannabinoid receptor, one of the most abundant synaptic receptors in the brain. We also summarize important conceptual and methodical details that are essential for the valid interpretation of single-molecule localization microscopy data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miklós Zöldi
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Indiana University, IN, USA
- School of Ph.D. Studies, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - István Katona
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Indiana University, IN, USA.
- Momentum Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Institute of Experimental Medicine, Budapest, Hungary.
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Lim J, Squire E, Jung KM. Phytocannabinoids, the Endocannabinoid System and Male Reproduction. World J Mens Health 2023; 41:1-10. [PMID: 36578200 PMCID: PMC9826913 DOI: 10.5534/wjmh.220132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2022] [Revised: 08/08/2022] [Accepted: 08/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is comprised of a set of lipid-derived messengers (the endocannabinoids, ECBs), proteins that control their production and degradation, and cell-surface cannabinoid (CB) receptors that transduce their actions. ECB molecules such as 2-arachidonoyl-sn-glycerol (2-AG) and anandamide (arachidonoyl ethanolamide) are produced on demand and deactivated through enzymatic actions tightly regulated both temporally and spatially, serving homeostatic roles in order to respond to various challenges to the body. Key components of the ECS are present in the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis, which plays critical roles in the development and regulation of the reproductive system in both males and females. ECB signaling controls the action at each stage of the HPG axis through CB receptors expressed in the hypothalamus, pituitary, and reproductive organs such as the testis and ovary. It regulates the secretion of hypothalamic gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), pituitary follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH), estrogen, testosterone, and affects spermatogenesis in males. Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and other phytocannabinoids from Cannabis sativa affect a variety of physiological processes by altering, or under certain conditions hijacking, the ECB system. Therefore, phytocannabinoids, in particular THC, may modify the homeostasis of the HPG axis by altering CB receptor signaling and cause deficits in reproductive function. While the ability of phytocannabinoids, THC and/or cannabidiol (CBD), to reduce pain and inflammation provides promising opportunities for therapeutic intervention for genitourinary and degenerative disorders, important questions remain regarding their unwanted long-term effects. It is nevertheless clear that the therapeutic potential of modulating the ECS calls for further scientific and clinical investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinhwan Lim
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Erica Squire
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Kwang-Mook Jung
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
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Imperatore R, Cristino L. Assessing CB 1 Expression in the Brain by Immunohistochemical Methods: Light, Confocal, and Electron Microscopy. Methods Mol Biol 2023; 2576:407-424. [PMID: 36152206 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2728-0_34] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Conventional techniques to reveal the neuroanatomical distribution of type 1 cannabinoid receptor (CB1) in the brain, at the cellular and subcellular level, are mainly represented by light, confocal, and electron microscopy. By using immunoperoxidase and immunofluorescence methods, it is possible to reveal CB1 distribution and localization in the brain and its changes under pathological conditions. Moreover, by using electron microscopy, we can define the ultrastructural localization at the level of subcellular structures and organelles. Here, we describe immunoperoxidase, immunofluorescence, and electron microscopy protocols used to get information about CB1 spatial distribution and localization in the brain. Preparation of reagents, resin embedding, preparation for an endogenous activity-blocking step, and background counterstaining and revelation of CB1 by using specific labeled secondary antibodies will be presented. The methods here discussed are highly sensitive and specific multistep processes, where each step is critical to finally obtain an optimum signal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberta Imperatore
- Department of Sciences and Technologies, University of Sannio, Benevento, Italy
| | - Luigia Cristino
- Endocannabinoid Research Group, Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry, National Research Council, Pozzuoli, NA, Italy.
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Provencher J, Cernik R, Marin MF. Impact of Stress and Exercise on Fear Extinction. Curr Top Behav Neurosci 2023; 64:157-178. [PMID: 37498495 DOI: 10.1007/7854_2023_432] [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: 07/28/2023]
Abstract
This chapter reviews the literature on the impact of stress and exercise on fear extinction. Given that key brain regions of the fear circuitry (e.g., hippocampus, amygdala and frontal cortex) can be modulated by stress hormones, it is important to investigate how stress influences this process. Laboratory-based studies performed in healthy adults have yielded mixed results, which are most likely attributable to various methodological factors. Among these factors, inter-individual differences modulating the stress response and timing of stressor administration with respect to the task may contribute to this heterogeneity. Given that fear is a core manifestation of various psychopathologies and that exposure-based therapy relies on fear extinction principles, several studies have attempted to assess the role of stress hormones on exposure-based therapy in patients suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder or anxiety disorders. These studies tend to suggest a beneficial impact of stress hormones (through either natural endogenous variations or synthetic administration) on exposure-based therapy as assessed mostly by subjective fear measures. Similar to stress, exercise can have an impact on many physiological and biological systems in humans. Of note, exercise modulates biomarkers such as brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and anandamide (EAE) that act on brain regions implicated in the fear circuitry, supporting the importance of studying the impact of exercise on fear extinction. Overall, the results converge and indicate that fear extinction (tested in the laboratory or via exposure-based therapy in clinical populations) can be enhanced with exercise. Further research is needed to understand the mechanisms by which stress and exercise modulate fear learning and extinction processes, as well as to maximize the applicability to clinical contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessie Provencher
- Department of Psychology, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Research Centre of the Institut Universitaire en Santé Mentale de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Rebecca Cernik
- Department of Psychology, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Research Centre of the Institut Universitaire en Santé Mentale de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Marie-France Marin
- Department of Psychology, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada.
- Research Centre of the Institut Universitaire en Santé Mentale de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada.
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Uchigashima M, Hayashi Y, Futai K. Regulation of Presynaptic Release Machinery by Cell Adhesion Molecules. ADVANCES IN NEUROBIOLOGY 2023; 33:333-356. [PMID: 37615873 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-34229-5_13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/25/2023]
Abstract
The synapse is a highly specialized asymmetric structure that transmits and stores information in the brain. The size of pre- and postsynaptic structures and function is well coordinated at the individual synapse level. For example, large postsynaptic dendritic spines have a larger postsynaptic density with higher α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole propionic acid receptor (AMPAR) number on their surface, while juxtaposing presynaptic terminals have a larger active zone and higher release probability. This indicates that pre- and postsynaptic domains bidirectionally communicate to coordinate assembly of specific molecules on both sides of the synaptic cleft. Cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) that localize at synapses form transsynaptic protein interactions across the synaptic cleft and play important roles in synapse formation and regulation. The extracellular domain of CAMs is essential for specific synapse formation and function. In contrast, the intracellular domain is necessary for binding with synaptic molecules and signal transduction. Therefore, CAMs play an essential role on synapse function and structure. In fact, ample evidence indicates that transsynaptic CAMs instruct and modulate functions at presynaptic sites. This chapter focuses on transsynaptic protein interactions that regulate presynaptic functions emphasizing the role of neuronal CAMs and the intracellular mechanism of their regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Motokazu Uchigashima
- Department of Cellular Neuropathology, Brain Research Institute, Niigata University, Niigata, Japan
| | - Yasunori Hayashi
- Department of Pharmacology, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Kensuke Futai
- Brudnick Neuropsychiatric Research Institute, Department of Neurobiology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA.
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Xiao J, Zhou Y, Sun L, Wang H. Role of integrating cannabinoids and the endocannabinoid system in neonatal hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy. Front Mol Neurosci 2023; 16:1152167. [PMID: 37122621 PMCID: PMC10130673 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2023.1152167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/16/2023] [Indexed: 05/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Neonatal hypoxic-ischaemic events, which can result in long-term neurological impairments or even cell death, are among the most significant causes of brain injury during neurodevelopment. The complexity of neonatal hypoxic-ischaemic pathophysiology and cellular pathways make it difficult to treat brain damage; hence, the development of new neuroprotective medicines is of great interest. Recently, numerous neuroprotective medicines have been developed to treat brain injuries and improve long-term outcomes based on comprehensive knowledge of the mechanisms that underlie neuronal plasticity following hypoxic-ischaemic brain injury. In this context, understanding of the medicinal potential of cannabinoids and the endocannabinoid system has recently increased. The endocannabinoid system plays a vital neuromodulatory role in numerous brain regions, ensuring appropriate control of neuronal activity. Its natural neuroprotection against adult brain injury or acute brain injury also clearly demonstrate the role of endocannabinoid signalling in modulating neuronal activity in the adult brain. The goal of this review is to examine how cannabinoid-derived compounds can be used to treat neonatal hypoxic-ischaemic brain injury and to assess the critical function of the endocannabinoid system and its potential for use as a new neuroprotective treatment for neonatal hypoxic-ischaemic brain injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Xiao
- Department of Pathology, Huangshi Central Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Hubei Polytechnic University, Huangshi, China
| | - Yue Zhou
- Department of Pharmacy, Xindu District People’s Hospital of Chengdu, Chengdu, China
| | - Luqiang Sun
- Acupuncture and Tuina School, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Haichuan Wang
- Department of Paediatrics, Sichuan Academy of Medical Science and Sichuan Provincial People’s Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
- *Correspondence: Haichuan Wang,
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Botsford C, Brellenthin AG, Cisler JM, Hillard CJ, Koltyn KF, Crombie KM. Circulating endocannabinoids and psychological outcomes in women with PTSD. J Anxiety Disord 2023; 93:102656. [PMID: 36469982 PMCID: PMC9839585 DOI: 10.1016/j.janxdis.2022.102656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2022] [Revised: 10/10/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recent research has attempted to elucidate the relationship between blood-based biomarkers (e.g., endocannabinoids; eCBs: including N-arachidonoylethanolamine [AEA] and 2-arachidonoylglycerol [2-AG]) and mental health outcomes in psychiatric populations such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Prior research suggests that adults with PTSD may have altered circulating eCB tone and a blunted mobilization of eCBs (particularly 2-AG) in response to stress (e.g., aerobic exercise), although our understanding has been limited in part due to heterogenous samples and small sample sizes. METHODS A subset of data was pooled from five studies in which women with and without PTSD (N = 98) completed questionnaires related to mood states and a blood draw prior to and following a bout of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise in order to determine: 1) whether circulating eCBs differ between groups and whether depressive and PTSD symptom severity are associated with baseline eCBs, 2) whether a bout of aerobic exercise increases circulating eCBs in adult women with PTSD, and 3) whether circulating eCBs are associated with overall mood states and exercise-induced improvements in mood states in women with and without PTSD. RESULTS PTSD diagnoses were not associated with baseline concentrations of eCBs. Greater depressive symptom severity and PTSD symptom severity within the negative alteration in cognition and mood cluster were associated with lower circulating AEA. Circulating AEA significantly increased following aerobic exercise for both groups, whereas circulating 2-AG only increased in women without PTSD. Greater circulating AEA within the PTSD group was associated with lower depressive mood, confusion, and total mood disturbance. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that greater circulating AEA is associated with better overall mood and lower depressive and PTSD symptom severity, and that an acute bout of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise increases circulating AEA (but not 2-AG) in adult women with PTSD. These findings are consistent with the idea that greater eCB tone (particularly AEA) following pharmacological and/or non-pharmacological manipulations may be beneficial for improving psychological outcomes (e.g., mood, cognition) among PTSD, and possibly other psychiatric populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chloe Botsford
- University of Wisconsin - Madison, Department of Psychiatry, 6001 Research Park Boulevard, Madison, WI 53719, United States.
| | - Angelique G Brellenthin
- Iowa State University, Department of Kinesiology, Forker Building, 534 Wallace Road, Ames, IA 50011, United States.
| | - Josh M Cisler
- The University of Texas at Austin, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, 1601 Trinity Street, Building B, Austin, TX 78712, United States; Institute for Early Life Adversity Research, The University of Texas at Austin Dell Medical School & Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, 1601 Trinity Street, Building B, Austin, TX 78712, United States.
| | - Cecilia J Hillard
- Medical College of Wisconsin, Neuroscience Research Center, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, 8701 Watertown Plank Rd, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA.
| | - Kelli F Koltyn
- University of Wisconsin - Madison, Department of Kinesiology, 1300 University Avenue, Madison, WI 53706, United States.
| | - Kevin M Crombie
- The University of Texas at Austin, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, 1601 Trinity Street, Building B, Austin, TX 78712, United States.
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Mock ED, Gagestein B, van der Stelt M. Anandamide and other N-acylethanolamines: A class of signaling lipids with therapeutic opportunities. Prog Lipid Res 2023; 89:101194. [PMID: 36150527 DOI: 10.1016/j.plipres.2022.101194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 35.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2022] [Revised: 09/13/2022] [Accepted: 09/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
N-acylethanolamines (NAEs), including N-palmitoylethanolamine (PEA), N-oleoylethanolamine (OEA), N-arachidonoylethanolamine (AEA, anandamide), N-docosahexaenoylethanolamine (DHEA, synaptamide) and their oxygenated metabolites are a lipid messenger family with numerous functions in health and disease, including inflammation, anxiety and energy metabolism. The NAEs exert their signaling role through activation of various G protein-coupled receptors (cannabinoid CB1 and CB2 receptors, GPR55, GPR110, GPR119), ion channels (TRPV1) and nuclear receptors (PPAR-α and PPAR-γ) in the brain and periphery. The biological role of the oxygenated NAEs, such as prostamides, hydroxylated anandamide and DHEA derivatives, are less studied. Evidence is accumulating that NAEs and their oxidative metabolites may be aberrantly regulated or are associated with disease severity in obesity, metabolic syndrome, cancer, neuroinflammation and liver cirrhosis. Here, we comprehensively review NAE biosynthesis and degradation, their metabolism by lipoxygenases, cyclooxygenases and cytochrome P450s and the biological functions of these signaling lipids. We discuss the latest findings and therapeutic potential of modulating endogenous NAE levels by inhibition of their degradation, which is currently under clinical evaluation for neuropsychiatric disorders. We also highlight NAE biosynthesis inhibition as an emerging topic with therapeutic opportunities in endocannabinoid and NAE signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elliot D Mock
- Department of Molecular Physiology, Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University and Oncode Institute, Einsteinweg 55, Leiden 2333 CC, The Netherlands
| | - Berend Gagestein
- Department of Molecular Physiology, Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University and Oncode Institute, Einsteinweg 55, Leiden 2333 CC, The Netherlands
| | - Mario van der Stelt
- Department of Molecular Physiology, Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University and Oncode Institute, Einsteinweg 55, Leiden 2333 CC, The Netherlands.
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Noriega‐Prieto JA, Kofuji P, Araque A. Endocannabinoid signaling in synaptic function. Glia 2023; 71:36-43. [PMID: 36408881 PMCID: PMC9679333 DOI: 10.1002/glia.24256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2022] [Revised: 07/02/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
In the last decades, astrocytes have emerged as important regulatory cells actively involved in brain function by exchanging signaling with neurons. The endocannabinoid (eCB) signaling is widely present in many brain areas, being crucially involved in multiple brain functions and animal behaviors. The present review presents and discusses current evidence demonstrating that astrocytes sense eCBs released during neuronal activity and subsequently release gliotransmitters that regulate synaptic transmission and plasticity. The eCB signaling to astrocytes and the synaptic regulation mediated by astrocytes activated by eCBs are complex phenomena that exhibit exquisite spatial and temporal properties, a wide variety of downstream signaling mechanisms, and a large diversity of functional synaptic outcomes. Studies investigating this topic have revealed novel regulatory processes of synaptic function, like the lateral regulation of synaptic transmission and the active involvement of astrocytes in the spike-timing dependent plasticity, originally thought to be exclusively mediated by the coincident activity of pre- and postsynaptic neurons, following Hebbian rules for associative learning. Finally, the critical influence of astrocyte-mediated eCB signaling on animal behavior is also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Paulo Kofuji
- Department of NeuroscienceUniversity of MinnesotaMinneapolisMinnesotaUSA
| | - Alfonso Araque
- Department of NeuroscienceUniversity of MinnesotaMinneapolisMinnesotaUSA
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