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Circadian regulation of memory under stress: Endocannabinoids matter. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2022; 138:104712. [PMID: 35643119 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2022] [Revised: 04/27/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Organisms ranging from plants to higher mammals have developed 24-hour oscillation rhythms to optimize physiology to environmental changes and regulate a plethora of neuroendocrine and behavioral processes, including neurotransmitter and hormone regulation, stress response and learning and memory function. Compelling evidence indicates that a wide array of memory processes is strongly influenced by stress- and emotional arousal-activated neurobiological systems, including the endocannabinoid system which has been extensively shown to play an integral role in mediating stress effects on memory. Here, we review findings showing how circadian rhythms and time-of-day influence stress systems and memory performance. We report evidence of circadian regulation of memory under stress, focusing on the role of the endocannabinoid system and highlighting its circadian rhythmicity. Our discussion illustrates how the endocannabinoid system mediates stress effects on memory in a circadian-dependent fashion. We suggest that endocannabinoids might regulate molecular mechanisms that control memory function under circadian and stress influence, with potential important clinical implications for both neurodevelopmental disorders and psychiatric conditions involving memory impairments.
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2
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Scienza-Martin K, Lotz FN, Zanona QK, Santana-Kragelund F, Crestani AP, Boos FZ, Calcagnotto ME, Quillfeldt JA. Memory consolidation depends on endogenous hippocampal levels of anandamide: CB1 and M4, but possibly not TRPV1 receptors mediate AM404 effects. Neuroscience 2022; 497:53-72. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2022.04.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2021] [Revised: 03/14/2022] [Accepted: 04/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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3
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Ney LJ, Crombie KM, Mayo LM, Felmingham KL, Bowser T, Matthews A. Translation of animal endocannabinoid models of PTSD mechanisms to humans: Where to next? Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2021; 132:76-91. [PMID: 34838529 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.11.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2021] [Revised: 11/21/2021] [Accepted: 11/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The endocannabinoid system is known to be involved in mechanisms relevant to PTSD aetiology and maintenance, though this understanding is mostly based on animal models of the disorder. Here we review how human paradigms can successfully translate animal findings to human subjects, with the view that substantially increased insight into the effect of endocannabinoid signalling on stress responding, emotional and intrusive memories, and fear extinction can be gained using modern paradigms and methods for assessing the state of the endocannabinoid system in PTSD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luke J Ney
- School of Psychological Sciences, University of Tasmania, Australia; School of Psychology and Counselling, Queensland University of Technology, Australia.
| | - Kevin M Crombie
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Texas at Austin, United States
| | - Leah M Mayo
- Center for Social and Affective Neuroscience, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Science, Linköping University, Sweden
| | - Kim L Felmingham
- Department of Psychological Sciences, University of Melbourne, Australia
| | | | - Allison Matthews
- School of Psychological Sciences, University of Tasmania, Australia
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4
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Colucci P, Santori A, Romanelli L, Zwergel C, Mai A, Scaccianoce S, Campolongo P. Amphetamine Modulation of Long-Term Object Recognition Memory in Rats: Influence of Stress. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:644521. [PMID: 33716754 PMCID: PMC7943736 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.644521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2020] [Accepted: 01/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Amphetamine is a potent psychostimulant that increases brain monoamine levels. Extensive evidence demonstrated that norepinephrine is crucially involved in the regulation of memory consolidation for stressful experiences. Here, we investigated amphetamine effects on the consolidation of long-term recognition memory in rats exposed to different intensities of forced swim stress immediately after training. Furthermore, we evaluated whether such effects are dependent on the activation of the peripheral adrenergic system. To this aim, male adult Sprague Dawley rats were subjected to an object recognition task and intraperitoneally administered soon after training with amphetamine (0.5 or 1 mg/kg), or its corresponding vehicle. Rats were thereafter exposed to a mild (1 min, 25 ± 1°C) or strong (5 min, 19 ± 1°C) forced swim stress procedure. Recognition memory retention was assessed 24-h after training. Our findings showed that amphetamine enhances the consolidation of memory in rats subjected to mild stress condition, while it impairs long-term memory performance in rats exposed to strong stress. These dichotomic effects is dependent on stress-induced activation of the peripheral adrenergic response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Colucci
- Dept. of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.,Neurobiology of Behavior Laboratory, Section of Neuropsychopharmacology, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy
| | - Alessia Santori
- Dept. of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.,Neurobiology of Behavior Laboratory, Section of Neuropsychopharmacology, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy
| | - Luca Romanelli
- Dept. of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Clemens Zwergel
- Dept. of Drug Chemistry & Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Antonello Mai
- Dept. of Drug Chemistry & Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Sergio Scaccianoce
- Dept. of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Patrizia Campolongo
- Dept. of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.,Neurobiology of Behavior Laboratory, Section of Neuropsychopharmacology, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy
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5
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Vaseghi S, Nasehi M, Zarrindast MR. How do stupendous cannabinoids modulate memory processing via affecting neurotransmitter systems? Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2020; 120:173-221. [PMID: 33171142 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2020.10.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2020] [Revised: 10/17/2020] [Accepted: 10/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
In the present study, we wanted to review the role of cannabinoids in learning and memory in animal models, with respect to their interaction effects with six principal neurotransmitters involved in learning and memory including dopamine, glutamate, GABA (γ-aminobutyric acid), serotonin, acetylcholine, and noradrenaline. Cannabinoids induce a wide-range of unpredictable effects on cognitive functions, while their mechanisms are not fully understood. Cannabinoids in different brain regions and in interaction with different neurotransmitters, show diverse responses. Previous findings have shown that cannabinoids agonists and antagonists induce various unpredictable effects such as similar effect, paradoxical effect, or dualistic effect. It should not be forgotten that brain neurotransmitter systems can also play unpredictable roles in mediating cognitive functions. Thus, we aimed to review and discuss the effect of cannabinoids in interaction with neurotransmitters on learning and memory. In addition, we mentioned to the type of interactions between cannabinoids and neurotransmitter systems. We suggested that investigating the type of interactions is a critical neuropharmacological issue that should be considered in future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salar Vaseghi
- Cognitive and Neuroscience Research Center (CNRC), Amir-Almomenin Hospital, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran; Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Institute for Cognitive Science Studies (ICSS), Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Nasehi
- Cognitive and Neuroscience Research Center (CNRC), Amir-Almomenin Hospital, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Mohammad-Reza Zarrindast
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Institute for Cognitive Science Studies (ICSS), Tehran, Iran; Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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6
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Azam S, Haque ME, Jakaria M, Jo SH, Kim IS, Choi DK. G-Protein-Coupled Receptors in CNS: A Potential Therapeutic Target for Intervention in Neurodegenerative Disorders and Associated Cognitive Deficits. Cells 2020; 9:cells9020506. [PMID: 32102186 PMCID: PMC7072884 DOI: 10.3390/cells9020506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2020] [Revised: 02/15/2020] [Accepted: 02/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases are a large group of neurological disorders with diverse etiological and pathological phenomena. However, current therapeutics rely mostly on symptomatic relief while failing to target the underlying disease pathobiology. G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are one of the most frequently targeted receptors for developing novel therapeutics for central nervous system (CNS) disorders. Many currently available antipsychotic therapeutics also act as either antagonists or agonists of different GPCRs. Therefore, GPCR-based drug development is spreading widely to regulate neurodegeneration and associated cognitive deficits through the modulation of canonical and noncanonical signals. Here, GPCRs’ role in the pathophysiology of different neurodegenerative disease progressions and cognitive deficits has been highlighted, and an emphasis has been placed on the current pharmacological developments with GPCRs to provide an insight into a potential therapeutic target in the treatment of neurodegeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shofiul Azam
- Department of Applied Life Science & Integrated Bioscience, Graduate School, Konkuk University, Chungju 27478, Korea; (S.A.); (M.E.H.); (M.J.); (S.-H.J.)
| | - Md. Ezazul Haque
- Department of Applied Life Science & Integrated Bioscience, Graduate School, Konkuk University, Chungju 27478, Korea; (S.A.); (M.E.H.); (M.J.); (S.-H.J.)
| | - Md. Jakaria
- Department of Applied Life Science & Integrated Bioscience, Graduate School, Konkuk University, Chungju 27478, Korea; (S.A.); (M.E.H.); (M.J.); (S.-H.J.)
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Song-Hee Jo
- Department of Applied Life Science & Integrated Bioscience, Graduate School, Konkuk University, Chungju 27478, Korea; (S.A.); (M.E.H.); (M.J.); (S.-H.J.)
| | - In-Su Kim
- Department of Integrated Bioscience & Biotechnology, College of Biomedical and Health Science, and Research Institute of Inflammatory Disease (RID), Konkuk University, Chungju 27478, Korea
- Correspondence: (I.-S.K.); (D.-K.C.); Tel.: +82-010-3876-4773 (I.-S.K.); +82-43-840-3610 (D.-K.C.); Fax: +82-43-840-3872 (D.-K.C.)
| | - Dong-Kug Choi
- Department of Applied Life Science & Integrated Bioscience, Graduate School, Konkuk University, Chungju 27478, Korea; (S.A.); (M.E.H.); (M.J.); (S.-H.J.)
- Department of Integrated Bioscience & Biotechnology, College of Biomedical and Health Science, and Research Institute of Inflammatory Disease (RID), Konkuk University, Chungju 27478, Korea
- Correspondence: (I.-S.K.); (D.-K.C.); Tel.: +82-010-3876-4773 (I.-S.K.); +82-43-840-3610 (D.-K.C.); Fax: +82-43-840-3872 (D.-K.C.)
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Carr RL, Alugubelly N, de Leon K, Loyant L, Mohammed AN, Patterson ME, Ross MK, Rowbotham NE. Inhibition of fatty acid amide hydrolase by chlorpyrifos in juvenile rats results in altered exploratory and social behavior as adolescents. Neurotoxicology 2020; 77:127-136. [PMID: 31931040 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuro.2020.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2019] [Revised: 12/31/2019] [Accepted: 01/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
The organophosphorus insecticide chlorpyrifos (CPF) is suspected to cause developmental neurotoxicity in children leading to long term effects. Developmental exposure of rat pups to CPF at low levels disrupts degradation of the brain endocannabinoids through the inhibition of fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) and decreases the reactivity of juvenile rats in an emergence test. In this study, we further investigated the effects of developmental CPF exposure on behavior but also included exposure to PF-04457845, a specific inhibitor of FAAH, for comparison of behavior altered by FAAH inhibition with behavior altered by CPF. Ten day old rat pups were exposed orally either to 0.5, 0.75, or 1.0 mg/kg CPF or 0.02 mg/kg PF-04457845 daily for 7 days. In an open field (day 23), the high CPF and PF-04457845 groups exhibited increased motor activity but no differences in the time spent in the field's center. In an elevated plus maze (day 29), all treatment groups had increased open arm activity but ethological behaviors associated with anxiety were not altered. Behaviors in the maze associated with increased general activity and exploratory drive were increased. Social interactions (day 36) were measured and all treatment groups exhibited increased levels of play behavior. The similarities in behavior between PF-04457845 and CPF suggest that enhanced endocannabinoid signaling during the exposure period plays a role in the persistent alteration of behavior observed following developmental CPF exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Russell L Carr
- Center for Environmental Health Sciences, Department of Basic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS, USA.
| | - Navatha Alugubelly
- Center for Environmental Health Sciences, Department of Basic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS, USA
| | - Kathryne de Leon
- Center for Environmental Health Sciences, Department of Basic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS, USA
| | - Louise Loyant
- Center for Environmental Health Sciences, Department of Basic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS, USA
| | - Afzaal N Mohammed
- Center for Environmental Health Sciences, Department of Basic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS, USA
| | - M Elizabeth Patterson
- Center for Environmental Health Sciences, Department of Basic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS, USA
| | - Matthew K Ross
- Center for Environmental Health Sciences, Department of Basic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS, USA
| | - Nicole E Rowbotham
- Center for Environmental Health Sciences, Department of Basic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS, USA
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8
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Goldstein Ferber S, Trezza V, Weller A. Early life stress and development of the endocannabinoid system: A bidirectional process in programming future coping. Dev Psychobiol 2019; 63:143-152. [PMID: 31849055 DOI: 10.1002/dev.21944] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2019] [Revised: 10/31/2019] [Accepted: 11/21/2019] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
The endocannabinoid system (ECS) critically regulates stress responsivity and emotional behavior throughout development. It regulates anxiety-like behaviors in humans and animal models. In addition, it is sensitive to early life stress at the gene expression level in a sex-dependent and region-dependent manner, and these changes are already evident in the adolescent brain. The ECS modulates the neuroendocrine and behavioral effects of stress, and is also capable of being affected by stress exposure itself. Early life stress interferes with the development of corticolimbic circuits, a major location of endocannabinoid receptors, and increases vulnerability to adult psychopathology. Early life stress alters the ontogeny of the ECS, resulting in a sustained deficit in its function, particularly within the hippocampus. Specifically, exposure to early stress results in bidirectional changes in anandamide and 2-AG tissue levels within the amygdala and hippocampus and reduces hippocampal endocannabinoid function at puberty. CB1 receptor densities across all brain regions are downregulated later in life following exposure to early life stress. Manipulations affecting the glucocorticoid and the endocannabinoid systems persistently adjust individual emotional responses and synaptic plasticity. This review aims to show the bidirectional trajectories of endocannabinoid modulation of emotionality in reaction to early life stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sari Goldstein Ferber
- Psychology Department and Gonda Brain Research Center, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | | | - Aron Weller
- Psychology Department and Gonda Brain Research Center, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
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9
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El-Alfy AT, Abourashed EA, Patel C, Mazhari N, An H, Jeon A. Phenolic compounds from nutmeg (Myristica fragrans Houtt.) inhibit the endocannabinoid-modulating enzyme fatty acid amide hydrolase. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2019; 71:1879-1889. [PMID: 31595522 DOI: 10.1111/jphp.13174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2019] [Accepted: 09/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The study aimed to identify nutmeg compounds that indirectly interact with the endocannabinoid system through inhibition of the fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) and monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL) enzymes. METHODS Thirteen compounds were screened for FAAH and MAGL inhibition. Compounds demonstrating significant FAAH inhibition were evaluated to determine the halfmaximal inhibitory concentration (IC50 ). The most potent compound was investigated in the elevated plus maze (EPM) rodent anxiety model. KEY FINDINGS Three compounds, licarin A (9), 5'-methoxylicarin A (8) and malabaricone C (6) were most active in inhibiting FAAH with IC50 of 7.02 μm ± 2.02, 4.57 μm ± 0.66 and 38.29 μm ± 6.18, respectively. None of the purified compounds showed significant MAGL inhibition. Because of its relative high potency and selectivity, compound 8 was further evaluated in the EPM animal model of anxiety. The compound showed significant increase in number of open arm entries (P < 0.05) when administered at 120 mg/kg dose. No effect was observed on the locomotor activity. CONCLUSIONS Results collected introduce active nutmeg compounds as potential leads for further development. Of the three compounds, 8 possesses highest potency and FAAH selectivity as well as anxiolytic activity. Furthermore, in vivo testing in appropriate behavioural animal paradigms is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abir T El-Alfy
- School of Pharmacy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | - Ehab A Abourashed
- School of Pharmacy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | - Christina Patel
- College of Pharmacy, Chicago State University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | | | - HeaRe An
- College of Pharmacy, Chicago State University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Andrew Jeon
- College of Pharmacy, Chicago State University, Chicago, IL, USA
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10
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Santori A, Colucci P, Mancini GF, Morena M, Palmery M, Trezza V, Puglisi-Allegra S, Hill MN, Campolongo P. Anandamide modulation of circadian- and stress-dependent effects on rat short-term memory. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2019; 108:155-162. [PMID: 31302498 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2019.06.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2018] [Revised: 05/22/2019] [Accepted: 06/28/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
The endocannabinoid system plays a key role in the control of emotional responses to environmental challenges. CB1 receptors are highly expressed within cortico-limbic brain areas, where they modulate stress effects on memory processes. Glucocorticoid and endocannabinoid release is influenced by circadian rhythm. Here, we investigated how different stress intensities immediately after encoding influence rat short-term memory in an object recognition task, whether the effects depend on circadian rhythm and if exogenous augmentation of anandamide levels could restore any observed impairment. Two separate cohorts of male adult Sprague-Dawley rats were tested at two different times of the day, morning (inactivity phase) or afternoon (before the onset of the activity phase) in an object recognition task. The anandamide hydrolysis inhibitor URB597 was intraperitoneally administered immediately after the training trial. Rats were thereafter subjected to a forced swim stress under low or high stress conditions and tested 1 h after training. Control rats underwent the same experimental procedure except for the forced swim stress (no stress). We further investigated whether URB597 administration might modulate corticosterone release in rats subjected to the different stress conditions, both in the morning or afternoon. The low stressor elevated plasma corticosterone levels and impaired 1 h recognition memory performance when animals were tested in the morning. Exposure to the higher stress condition elevated plasma corticosterone levels and impaired memory performance, independently of the testing time. These findings show that stress impairing effects on short-term recognition memory are dependent on the intensity of stress and circadian rhythm. URB597 (0.3 mg kg-1) rescued the altered memory performance and decreased corticosterone levels in all the impaired groups yet leaving memory unaltered in the non-impaired groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessia Santori
- Dept. of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Paola Colucci
- Dept. of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Maria Morena
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Depts. of Cell Biology and Anatomy &Psychiatry, University of Calgary, T2N 4N1, Calgary, Canada
| | - Maura Palmery
- Dept. of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Viviana Trezza
- Dept. of Science, Section of Biomedical Sciences and Technologies, University Roma Tre, 00146, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Matthew N Hill
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Depts. of Cell Biology and Anatomy &Psychiatry, University of Calgary, T2N 4N1, Calgary, Canada
| | - Patrizia Campolongo
- Dept. of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185, Rome, Italy; Neurobiology of Behavior Laboratory, Santa Lucia Foundation, 00143, Rome, Italy.
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11
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Wirz L, Reuter M, Felten A, Schwabe L. An endocannabinoid receptor polymorphism modulates affective processing under stress. Soc Cogn Affect Neurosci 2019; 13:1177-1189. [PMID: 30239920 PMCID: PMC6234318 DOI: 10.1093/scan/nsy083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2017] [Accepted: 09/17/2018] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Stress has a critical impact on affective and cognitive processing. Based on rodent data suggesting that endocannabinoid signaling via CB1 receptors serves as an emotional buffer, we hypothesized that a common variant of the gene coding for the CB1 receptor modulates affective processing under stress (CNR1; rs1049353 A vs G allele). Therefore, 139 participants, genotyped for this polymorphism, underwent a stress or control manipulation before they viewed emotionally neutral and negative pictures in a magnetic resonance imaging scanner. The ventromedial prefrontal cortex, known for its crucial role in emotion regulation, was significantly more activated in AA/AG vs GG genotype carriers when viewing negative pictures after stress. Under no-stress conditions, AA/AG genotype carriers showed enhanced crosstalk between the ventrolateral prefrontal cortex and the amygdala. We further assessed participants' 24 h-delayed memory for the presented pictures and found that memory performance correlated with amygdala and hippocampus activity and connectivity in stressed carriers of the AA/AG but not the GG genotype. These findings underline the modulatory role of the endocannabinoid system in stress effects on emotion and cognition and provide insights into the neural mechanisms that may contribute to the suggested protective effect of the AA/AG genotype of the CB1 receptor polymorphism against stress-related psychopathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Wirz
- Department of Cognitive Psychology, University of Hamburg, Hamburg Germany
| | - Martin Reuter
- Department of Differential and Biological Psychology, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Andrea Felten
- Department of Differential and Biological Psychology, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Lars Schwabe
- Department of Cognitive Psychology, University of Hamburg, Hamburg Germany
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12
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Chye Y, Christensen E, Solowij N, Yücel M. The Endocannabinoid System and Cannabidiol's Promise for the Treatment of Substance Use Disorder. Front Psychiatry 2019; 10:63. [PMID: 30837904 PMCID: PMC6390812 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2019.00063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2018] [Accepted: 01/28/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Substance use disorder is characterized by repeated use of a substance, leading to clinically significant distress, making it a serious public health concern. The endocannabinoid system plays an important role in common neurobiological processes underlying substance use disorder, in particular by mediating the rewarding and motivational effects of substances and substance-related cues. In turn, a number of cannabinoid drugs (e.g., rimonabant, nabiximols) have been suggested for potential pharmacological treatment for substance dependence. Recently, cannabidiol (CBD), a non-psychoactive phytocannabinoid found in the cannabis plant, has also been proposed as a potentially effective treatment for the management of substance use disorder. Animal and human studies suggest that these cannabinoids have the potential to reduce craving and relapse in abstinent substance users, by impairing reconsolidation of drug-reward memory, salience of drug cues, and inhibiting the reward-facilitating effect of drugs. Such functions likely arise through the targeting of the endocannabinoid and serotonergic systems, although the exact mechanism is yet to be elucidated. This article seeks to review the role of the endocannabinoid system in substance use disorder and the proposed pharmacological action supporting cannabinoid drugs' therapeutic potential in addictions, with a focus on CBD. Subsequently, this article will evaluate the underlying evidence for CBD as a potential treatment for substance use disorder, across a range of substances including nicotine, alcohol, psychostimulants, opioids, and cannabis. While early research supports CBD's promise, further investigation and validation of CBD's efficacy, across preclinical and clinical trials will be necessary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yann Chye
- Brain and Mental Health Research Hub, Monash Institute of Cognitive and Clinical Neurosciences, School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Erynn Christensen
- Brain and Mental Health Research Hub, Monash Institute of Cognitive and Clinical Neurosciences, School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Nadia Solowij
- School of Psychology and Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia.,The Australian Centre for Cannabinoid Clinical and Research Excellence, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia
| | - Murat Yücel
- Brain and Mental Health Research Hub, Monash Institute of Cognitive and Clinical Neurosciences, School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
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13
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Modulation of the endocannabinoid system by sex hormones: Implications for posttraumatic stress disorder. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2018; 94:302-320. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2018.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2018] [Revised: 07/10/2018] [Accepted: 07/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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14
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Bara A, Manduca A, Bernabeu A, Borsoi M, Serviado M, Lassalle O, Murphy M, Wager-Miller J, Mackie K, Pelissier-Alicot AL, Trezza V, Manzoni OJ. Sex-dependent effects of in utero cannabinoid exposure on cortical function. eLife 2018; 7:e36234. [PMID: 30201092 PMCID: PMC6162091 DOI: 10.7554/elife.36234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2018] [Accepted: 08/15/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Cannabinoids can cross the placenta, thus may interfere with fetal endocannabinoid signaling during neurodevelopment, causing long-lasting deficits. Despite increasing reports of cannabis consumption during pregnancy, the protracted consequences of prenatal cannabinoid exposure (PCE) remain incompletely understood. Here, we report sex-specific differences in behavioral and neuronal deficits in the adult progeny of rat dams exposed to low doses of cannabinoids during gestation. In males, PCE reduced social interaction, ablated endocannabinoid long-term depression (LTD) and heightened excitability of prefrontal cortex pyramidal neurons, while females were spared. Group 1 mGluR and endocannabinoid signaling regulate emotional behavior and synaptic plasticity. Notably, sex-differences following PCE included levels of mGluR1/5 and TRPV1R mRNA. Finally, positive allosteric modulation of mGlu5 and enhancement of anandamide levels restored LTD and social interaction in PCE adult males. Together, these results highlight marked sexual differences in the effects of PCE and introduce strategies for reversing detrimental effects of PCE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anissa Bara
- Aix Marseille University, INSERM, INMEDMarseilleFrance
- Cannalab, Cannabinoids Neuroscience Research International Associated LaboratoryIndiana UniversityIndianaUnited States
| | - Antonia Manduca
- Aix Marseille University, INSERM, INMEDMarseilleFrance
- Cannalab, Cannabinoids Neuroscience Research International Associated LaboratoryIndiana UniversityIndianaUnited States
- Section of Biomedical Sciences and Technologies, Department of ScienceUniversity Roma TreRomeItaly
| | - Axel Bernabeu
- Aix Marseille University, INSERM, INMEDMarseilleFrance
- Cannalab, Cannabinoids Neuroscience Research International Associated LaboratoryIndiana UniversityIndianaUnited States
- APHMCHU Conception, Service de PsychiatrieMarseilleFrance
| | - Milene Borsoi
- Aix Marseille University, INSERM, INMEDMarseilleFrance
- Cannalab, Cannabinoids Neuroscience Research International Associated LaboratoryIndiana UniversityIndianaUnited States
| | - Michela Serviado
- Section of Biomedical Sciences and Technologies, Department of ScienceUniversity Roma TreRomeItaly
| | - Olivier Lassalle
- Aix Marseille University, INSERM, INMEDMarseilleFrance
- Cannalab, Cannabinoids Neuroscience Research International Associated LaboratoryIndiana UniversityIndianaUnited States
| | - Michelle Murphy
- Cannalab, Cannabinoids Neuroscience Research International Associated LaboratoryIndiana UniversityIndianaUnited States
- Department of Psychological and Brain SciencesIndiana UniversityBloomingtonUnited States
- Gill CentreIndiana UniversityBloomingtonUnited States
| | - Jim Wager-Miller
- Cannalab, Cannabinoids Neuroscience Research International Associated LaboratoryIndiana UniversityIndianaUnited States
- Department of Psychological and Brain SciencesIndiana UniversityBloomingtonUnited States
- Gill CentreIndiana UniversityBloomingtonUnited States
| | - Ken Mackie
- Cannalab, Cannabinoids Neuroscience Research International Associated LaboratoryIndiana UniversityIndianaUnited States
- Department of Psychological and Brain SciencesIndiana UniversityBloomingtonUnited States
- Gill CentreIndiana UniversityBloomingtonUnited States
| | - Anne-Laure Pelissier-Alicot
- Aix Marseille University, INSERM, INMEDMarseilleFrance
- Cannalab, Cannabinoids Neuroscience Research International Associated LaboratoryIndiana UniversityIndianaUnited States
- APHMCHU Conception, Service de PsychiatrieMarseilleFrance
- APHMCHU Timone Adultes, Service de Médecine LégaleMarseilleFrance
| | - Viviana Trezza
- Section of Biomedical Sciences and Technologies, Department of ScienceUniversity Roma TreRomeItaly
| | - Olivier J Manzoni
- Aix Marseille University, INSERM, INMEDMarseilleFrance
- Cannalab, Cannabinoids Neuroscience Research International Associated LaboratoryIndiana UniversityIndianaUnited States
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Nasehi M, Shahbazzadeh S, Ebrahimi-Ghiri M, Zarrindast MR. Bidirectional influence of amygdala β 1-adrenoceptors blockade on cannabinoid signaling in contextual and auditory fear memory. J Psychopharmacol 2018; 32:932-942. [PMID: 29580129 DOI: 10.1177/0269881118760654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
The basolateral amygdala (BLA) is a major target and modulator of stress and has a critical role in the neural circuitry presenting learned fear behaviors. On the other hand, both the endocannabinoid and noradrenergic systems may be involved in regulating the stress responses, fear, and anxiety. Considering the aforementioned, we have investigated the involvement of the BLA β1-adrenoceptors in conditioned fear responses induced by ACPA, a CB1 receptor (CB1R) agonist. In adult male NMRI mice, freezing responses to context and cue were measured using a Pavlovian fear conditioning apparatus. Pre-training intra-BLA microinjection of xamoterol (0.01 and 0.02 µg/mouse), a partial β1-adrenoceptor agonist, or atenolol (0.5 µg/mouse), a β1-adrenoceptor antagonist, decreased freezing behavior, which suggests an impairment of contextual and auditory fear retrieval. Similar results were found with pre-training intraperitoneal administration of ACPA (0.5 mg/kg). A sub-threshold dose of xamoterol, infused into the BLA, decreased ACPA (0.005 and 0.05 mg/kg) effect on both memories, while atenolol increased ACPA response to the context at the middle dose and decreased ACPA response to the tone at the lower dose. It can be concluded that the blockade of BLA β1-adrenoceptors differentially affects ACPA response on the contextual and auditory conditioned fear memories.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Nasehi
- 1 Cognitive and Neuroscience Research Center (CNRC), Tehran Medical Sciences Branch, Islamic Azad University, Iran
| | - Saman Shahbazzadeh
- 2 Department of Animal Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Mohammad-Reza Zarrindast
- 4 Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Iran.,5 Iranian National Center for Addiction Studies, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Iran.,6 Institute for Cognitive Science Studies (ICSS), Tehran, Iran
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Do psychoactive drugs have a therapeutic role in compulsivity? Studies on schedule-induced polydipsia. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2018; 235:419-432. [PMID: 29313138 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-017-4819-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2017] [Accepted: 12/21/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE Clinical studies have shown that some psychoactive recreational drugs have therapeutic applications in anxiety, depression, and schizophrenia. However, to date, there are few studies on the therapeutic potential efficacy of recreational drugs in compulsive neuropsychiatric disorders. OBJECTIVES We explored the therapeutic potential of different psychoactive and psychedelic drugs in a preclinical model of compulsive behavior. METHODS Outbred male Wistar rats were selected as either high (HD) or low (LD) drinkers according to their behavior in schedule-induced polydipsia (SIP). Subsequently, we assessed the effects of acute administration of scopolamine (0.125, 0.25, and 0.5 mg/kg), methamphetamine (0.25, 0.5, 1.25, and 2.5 mg/kg), ketamine (1.25, 2.5, 5, and 10 mg/kg), cannabidiol (1 and 3 mg/kg), WIN21255-2 (0.5, 075, and 1 mg/kg), and AM404 (0.25 and 0.5 mg/kg) on compulsive drinking in SIP. RESULTS Scopolamine reduced dose-dependent compulsive drinking in HD compared with LD rats in SIP. Methamphetamine induced a dose-dependent inverted U-curve effect in both groups, in which lower doses increased and higher doses reduced compulsive drinking in SIP. Ketamine, cannabidiol, WIN21255-2, and AM404 did not have any relevant effects in SIP. CONCLUSIONS These data provide new evidence that low doses of scopolamine and intermediate doses of methamphetamine might therapeutically reduce compulsive behaviors and suggest that there is not a direct participation of the endocannabinoid system in compulsive behavior on SIP. The research in the underlying neurochemical mechanisms of these psychoactive drugs might provide an additional insight on new therapeutic targets in compulsive neuropsychiatric disorders.
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Cannabinoid Modulation of Object Recognition and Location Memory—A Preclinical Assessment. HANDBOOK OF OBJECT NOVELTY RECOGNITION 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-812012-5.00031-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
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18
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Scarante FF, Vila-Verde C, Detoni VL, Ferreira-Junior NC, Guimarães FS, Campos AC. Cannabinoid Modulation of the Stressed Hippocampus. Front Mol Neurosci 2017; 10:411. [PMID: 29311804 PMCID: PMC5742214 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2017.00411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2017] [Accepted: 11/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Exposure to stressful situations is one of the risk factors for the precipitation of several psychiatric disorders, including Major Depressive Disorder, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Schizophrenia. The hippocampal formation is a forebrain structure highly associated with emotional, learning and memory processes; being particularly vulnerable to stress. Exposure to stressful stimuli leads to neuroplastic changes and imbalance between inhibitory/excitatory networks. These changes have been associated with an impaired hippocampal function. Endocannabinoids (eCB) are one of the main systems controlling both excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmission, as well as neuroplasticity within the hippocampus. Cannabinoids receptors are highly expressed in the hippocampus, and several lines of evidence suggest that facilitation of cannabinoid signaling within this brain region prevents stress-induced behavioral changes. Also, chronic stress modulates hippocampal CB1 receptors expression and endocannabinoid levels. Moreover, cannabinoids participate in mechanisms related to synaptic plasticity and adult neurogenesis. Here, we discussed the main findings supporting the involvement of hippocampal cannabinoid neurotransmission in stress-induced behavioral and neuroplastic changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Franciele F Scarante
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, Centre for Interdisciplinary Research on Applied Neurosciences (NAPNA), Cannabinoid Research Institute, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Carla Vila-Verde
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, Centre for Interdisciplinary Research on Applied Neurosciences (NAPNA), Cannabinoid Research Institute, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Vinícius L Detoni
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, Centre for Interdisciplinary Research on Applied Neurosciences (NAPNA), Cannabinoid Research Institute, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Nilson C Ferreira-Junior
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, Centre for Interdisciplinary Research on Applied Neurosciences (NAPNA), Cannabinoid Research Institute, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Francisco S Guimarães
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, Centre for Interdisciplinary Research on Applied Neurosciences (NAPNA), Cannabinoid Research Institute, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Alline C Campos
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, Centre for Interdisciplinary Research on Applied Neurosciences (NAPNA), Cannabinoid Research Institute, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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Ratano P, Palmery M, Trezza V, Campolongo P. Cannabinoid Modulation of Memory Consolidation in Rats: Beyond the Role of Cannabinoid Receptor Subtype 1. Front Pharmacol 2017; 8:200. [PMID: 28446875 PMCID: PMC5388693 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2017.00200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2017] [Accepted: 03/28/2017] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The effects induced by exogenous manipulation of endocannabinoid neurotransmission on emotion and memory are often contradictory. Among the different factors involved, of particular interest is the binding affinity of endocannabinoids, and their analogs, for other receptor families beyond cannabinoid receptors, such as the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs), and the transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily V member 1 (TRPV1). The aim of this study was to investigate which receptor subtype mediates cannabinoid effects on memory consolidation for emotionally arousing experiences. We tested two cannabinoid compounds with different pharmacological properties in the inhibitory avoidance task, and evaluated whether the observed effects are mediated by cannabinoid, PPARα or TRPV1 receptor activation. We found that the synthetic cannabinoid agonist WIN55,212-2 and the FAAH inhibitor URB597 both enhanced memory consolidation for inhibitory avoidance training. WIN55,212-22 effects on memory consolidation were predominantly mediated by CB1 receptor activation but CB2 receptors were involved as well. The URB597-induced memory enhancement was dependent on the activation not only of CB1 and CB2 receptors but, notwithstanding, PPAR-α and TRPV1 receptors were involved as well. Our findings drive beyond the classical hypothesis centered on the unique role of CB1 receptor activation for cannabinoid effects on memory, and reveal new insights in the neural mechanisms of memory consolidation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrizia Ratano
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University of RomeRome, Italy
| | - Maura Palmery
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University of RomeRome, Italy
| | - Viviana Trezza
- Department of Science, Section of Biomedical Sciences and Technologies, Roma Tre UniversityRome, Italy
| | - Patrizia Campolongo
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University of RomeRome, Italy
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20
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Endocannabinoid System: the Direct and Indirect Involvement in the Memory and Learning Processes-a Short Review. Mol Neurobiol 2016; 54:8332-8347. [PMID: 27924524 PMCID: PMC5684264 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-016-0313-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2016] [Accepted: 11/21/2016] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
The endocannabinoid system via cannabinoid (CB: CB1 and CB2) receptors and their endogenous ligands is directly and indirectly involved in many physiological functions, especially in memory and learning processes. Extensive studies reported that this system strictly modulates cognition-related processes evaluated in various animal models. However, the effects of cannabinoids on the cognition have been contradictory. The cannabinoid compounds were able to both impair or improve different phases of memory processes through direct (receptor related) or indirect (non-receptor related) mechanism. The memory-related effects induced by the cannabinoids can be depended on the kind of cannabinoid compound used, dosage, and route of administration as well as on the memory task chosen. Therefore, the objectives of this paper are to review and summarize the results describing the role of endocannabinoid system in cognition, including various stages of memory.
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Morena M, Leitl KD, Vecchiarelli HA, Gray JM, Campolongo P, Hill MN. Emotional arousal state influences the ability of amygdalar endocannabinoid signaling to modulate anxiety. Neuropharmacology 2016; 111:59-69. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2016.08.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2016] [Revised: 07/26/2016] [Accepted: 08/16/2016] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
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22
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Dow-Edwards D, Frank A, Wade D, Weedon J, Izenwasser S. Sexually-dimorphic alterations in cannabinoid receptor density depend upon prenatal/early postnatal history. Neurotoxicol Teratol 2016; 58:31-39. [PMID: 27634313 DOI: 10.1016/j.ntt.2016.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2016] [Revised: 09/08/2016] [Accepted: 09/10/2016] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Recent research has demonstrated that the endogenous cannabinoid system is central to the brain's response to stress. As part of an ongoing collaboration, we sought to examine the effects of prenatal and early postnatal rearing and housing conditions on developing endocannabinoid systems. We compare brain cannabinoid receptors (CBR) in offspring of either prenatal vehicle intubated or non-treated dams (Experiment 1) or in rats derived from a vendor and shipped at weaning to a collaborating lab (Experiment 2). From postnatal day (PND) 23, all rats were either housed in isolated conditions or enriched conditions with 3 rats/cage and a variety of stimulus objects changed twice a week. All rats underwent 5days of handling as controls for a behavior study and all rats were sacrificed at approximately PND48-50 within 2hours of the last behavioral test. All brains were processed together for CB1 receptor binding using 3H CP55,940 in prefrontal cortex, striatum, amygdala and hippocampus. Conditions in the two labs were as similar as possible since the two studies were intentionally designed to be comparable and contemporary. Results show that 1) comparing offspring of non-treated dams to offspring of dams receiving daily vehicle intubations, males show decreased CB1 binding in most brain regions while females only showed alterations in the hippocampus and these were increases in the offspring of the vehicle-intubated dams. 2) When comparing offspring of non-treated dams in NY with those derived from a vendor, shipped and maintained in the collaborating lab, this latter group showed reduced CB1 binding in prefrontal cortex in males and increased binding in all four brain regions in females. Therefore, overall, both prenatal handling (intubations) and being vendor-derived, shipped and maintained in a collaborating facility reduced CB1 receptors in males and increased them in females in key limbic brain regions. Effects of environmental enrichment or isolation were minor with only the prefrontal cortex showing an increase in binding in the isolated animals that were offspring of the vehicle-intubated dams. These results support the ideas that prenatal/early postnatal conditions produce different effects in males and females and override the effects of enrichment/isolation on cannabinoid receptors. Behavioral responses to cannabinoid challenges would therefore be expected to vary depending on sex, prenatal/early postnatal history and postweaning conditions of the rats. Since exogenous cannabinoids act through the CBR, the present data may provide a molecular basis for discrepant behavioral effects reported across various labs in the literature as well as sex differences seen following stress and/or manipulation of the cannabinoid system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana Dow-Edwards
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, SUNY Downstate Medical Center, M S 29, 450 Clarkson Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11203, USA.
| | - Ashley Frank
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, 1600 NW 10th Avenue, Room 4113A (D-80), Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Dean Wade
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, 1600 NW 10th Avenue, Room 4113A (D-80), Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Jeremy Weedon
- Scientific Computing Center, SUNY Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY, USA
| | - Sari Izenwasser
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, 1600 NW 10th Avenue, Room 4113A (D-80), Miami, FL 33136, USA
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Mohammadmirzaei N, Rezayof A, Ghasemzadeh Z. Activation of cannabinoid CB1 receptors in the ventral hippocampus improved stress-induced amnesia in rat. Brain Res 2016; 1646:219-226. [DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2016.06.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2016] [Revised: 05/03/2016] [Accepted: 06/05/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
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Morena M, Patel S, Bains JS, Hill MN. Neurobiological Interactions Between Stress and the Endocannabinoid System. Neuropsychopharmacology 2016; 41:80-102. [PMID: 26068727 PMCID: PMC4677118 DOI: 10.1038/npp.2015.166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 402] [Impact Index Per Article: 50.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2015] [Revised: 05/20/2015] [Accepted: 05/20/2015] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Stress affects a constellation of physiological systems in the body and evokes a rapid shift in many neurobehavioral processes. A growing body of work indicates that the endocannabinoid (eCB) system is an integral regulator of the stress response. In the current review, we discuss the evidence to date that demonstrates stress-induced regulation of eCB signaling and the consequential role changes in eCB signaling have with respect to many of the effects of stress. Across a wide array of stress paradigms, studies have generally shown that stress evokes bidirectional changes in the two eCB molecules, anandamide (AEA) and 2-arachidonoyl glycerol (2-AG), with stress exposure reducing AEA levels and increasing 2-AG levels. Additionally, in almost every brain region examined, exposure to chronic stress reliably causes a downregulation or loss of cannabinoid type 1 (CB1) receptors. With respect to the functional role of changes in eCB signaling during stress, studies have demonstrated that the decline in AEA appears to contribute to the manifestation of the stress response, including activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and increases in anxiety behavior, while the increased 2-AG signaling contributes to termination and adaptation of the HPA axis, as well as potentially contributing to changes in pain perception, memory and synaptic plasticity. More so, translational studies have shown that eCB signaling in humans regulates many of the same domains and appears to be a critical component of stress regulation, and impairments in this system may be involved in the vulnerability to stress-related psychiatric conditions, such as depression and posttraumatic stress disorder. Collectively, these data create a compelling argument that eCB signaling is an important regulatory system in the brain that largely functions to buffer against many of the effects of stress and that dynamic changes in this system contribute to different aspects of the stress response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Morena
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada,Mathison Centre for Mental Health Research and Education, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Sachin Patel
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics and Psychiatry, Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt-Kennedy Center for Research on Human Development, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Jaideep S Bains
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada,Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Matthew N Hill
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada,Mathison Centre for Mental Health Research and Education, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada,Departments of Cell Biology and Anatomy and Psychiatry, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada,Departments of Cell Biology and Anatomy, University of Calgary, 3330 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, AB T2N4N1, Canada, Tel: +1 403 220 8466, Fax: +1 403 283 2700, E-mail:
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Correlations between the Memory-Related Behavior and the Level of Oxidative Stress Biomarkers in the Mice Brain, Provoked by an Acute Administration of CB Receptor Ligands. Neural Plast 2015; 2016:9815092. [PMID: 26839719 PMCID: PMC4709727 DOI: 10.1155/2016/9815092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2015] [Revised: 09/19/2015] [Accepted: 09/29/2015] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The endocannabinoid system, through cannabinoid (CB) receptors, is involved in memory-related responses, as well as in processes that may affect cognition, like oxidative stress processes. The purpose of the experiments was to investigate the impact of CB1 and CB2 receptor ligands on the long-term memory stages in male Swiss mice, using the passive avoidance (PA) test, as well as the influence of these compounds on the level of oxidative stress biomarkers in the mice brain. A single injection of a selective CB1 receptor antagonist, AM 251, improved long-term memory acquisition and consolidation in the PA test in mice, while a mixed CB1/CB2 receptor agonist WIN 55,212-2 impaired both stages of cognition. Additionally, JWH 133, a selective CB2 receptor agonist, and AM 630, a competitive CB2 receptor antagonist, significantly improved memory. Additionally, an acute administration of the highest used doses of JWH 133, WIN 55,212-2, and AM 630, but not AM 251, increased total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in the brain. In turn, the processes of lipids peroxidation, expressed as the concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA), were more advanced in case of AM 251. Thus, some changes in the PA performance may be connected with the level of oxidative stress in the brain.
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The dual effect of CA1 NMDA receptor modulation on ACPA-induced amnesia in step-down passive avoidance learning task. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol 2015; 25:557-65. [PMID: 25680309 DOI: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2015.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2014] [Revised: 12/30/2014] [Accepted: 01/09/2015] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
It is well documented that cannabinoids play an important role in certain hippocampal memory processes in rodents. On the other hand, N-Methyl-d-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) mediate the synaptic plasticity related to learning and memory processes which take place in the hippocampus. Such insights prompted us to investigate the influence of dorsal hippocampal (CA1) NMDA receptor agents on amnesia induced by cannabinoid CB1 receptor agonist, arachidonylcyclopropylamide (ACPA) in male mice. One-trial step-down passive avoidance and hole-board apparatuses were used to examine the memory retrieval and exploratory behaviors, respectively. Based on our findings, pre-training intraperitoneal (i.p.) administration of ACPA (0.01mg/kg) decreased memory acquisition. Moreover, pre-training intra-CA1 infusion of NMDA (0.001, 0.0125, 0.025 and 0.2µg/mouse), d-AP7 (0.5 and 1µg/mouse) or AM251 (50ng/mouse) impaired the memory acquisition. Meanwhile, NMDA-treated animals at the doses of 0.0005, 0.05 and 0.1µg/mouse acquired memory formation. In addition, intra-CA1 microinjection of NMDA (0.0005) plus different doses of ACPA potentiated the ACPA response, while NMDA (0.1) plus the lower or the higher dose of ACPA potentiated or restored the ACPA response, respectively. Further investigation revealed that a subthreshold dose of d-AP7 could potentiate the memory acquisition impairment induced by ACPA. Moreover, the subthreshold dose of AM251 did not alter the ACPA response, while the effective dose of the drug restored the memory acquisition impairment induced by ACPA. According to these results, we concluded that activation of the NMDA receptors in the CA1 mediates a dual effect on ACPA-induced amnesia in step-down passive avoidance learning task.
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Endogenous cannabinoid release within prefrontal-limbic pathways affects memory consolidation of emotional training. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2014; 111:18333-8. [PMID: 25489086 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1420285111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 107] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Previous studies have provided extensive evidence that administration of cannabinoid drugs after training modulates the consolidation of memory for an aversive experience. The present experiments investigated whether the memory consolidation is regulated by endogenously released cannabinoids. The experiments first examined whether the endocannabinoids anandamide (AEA) and 2-arachidonoyl glycerol (2-AG) are released by aversive training. Inhibitory avoidance training with higher footshock intensity produced increased levels of AEA in the amygdala, hippocampus, and medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) shortly after training in comparison with levels assessed in rats trained with lower footshock intensity or unshocked controls exposed only to the training apparatus. In contrast, 2-AG levels were not significantly elevated. The additional finding that posttraining infusions of the fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) inhibitor URB597, which selectively increases AEA levels at active synapses, administered into the basolateral complex of the amygdala (BLA), hippocampus, or mPFC enhanced memory strongly suggests that the endogenously released AEA modulates memory consolidation. Moreover, in support of the view that this emotional training-associated increase in endocannabinoid neurotransmission, and its effects on memory enhancement, depends on the integrity of functional interactions between these different brain regions, we found that disruption of BLA activity blocked the training-induced increases in AEA levels as well as the memory enhancement produced by URB597 administered into the hippocampus or mPFC. Thus, the findings provide evidence that emotionally arousing training increases AEA levels within prefrontal-limbic circuits and strongly suggest that this cannabinoid activation regulates emotional arousal effects on memory consolidation.
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28
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Inhibition of endocannabinoid neuronal uptake and hydrolysis as strategies for developing anxiolytic drugs. Behav Pharmacol 2014; 25:425-33. [DOI: 10.1097/fbp.0000000000000073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Manduca A, Servadio M, Campolongo P, Palmery M, Trabace L, Vanderschuren LJMJ, Cuomo V, Trezza V. Strain- and context-dependent effects of the anandamide hydrolysis inhibitor URB597 on social behavior in rats. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol 2014; 24:1337-48. [PMID: 24933531 DOI: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2014.05.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2014] [Revised: 04/01/2014] [Accepted: 05/07/2014] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Genetic and environmental factors play an important role in the cannabinoid modulation of motivation and emotion. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to test whether anandamide modulation of social behavior is strain- and context-dependent. We tested the effects of the anandamide hydrolysis inhibitor URB597 on social behavior and 50-kHz ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs) in adolescent and adult Wistar and Sprague-Dawley rats tested in different emotionally arousing conditions (familiarity/unfamiliarity to the test cage, low/high light). Under all experimental conditions, adolescent and adult Sprague-Dawley rats displayed higher levels of social behavior and emitted more 50-kHz USVs than Wistar rats. URB597 enhanced social play behavior in adolescent Wistar rats under all experimental conditions. However, URB597 only increased social interaction in adult Wistar rats under unfamiliar/high light conditions. URB597 did not affect adolescent social play behavior and adult social interaction in Sprague-Dawley rats under any experimental condition. Moreover, URB597 increased the USVs emitted during social interaction by adolescent Wistar and adult Sprague-Dawley rats tested under familiar/high light and unfamiliar/high light, respectively. These results show that anandamide has distinct roles in adolescent and adult social behaviors. Anandamide modulation of adolescent social play behavior is strain- but not context-dependent. Conversely, anandamide modulation of adult social behavior and USV emission depends upon both strain and experimental context. Furthermore, these results confirm that profound behavioral differences exist between Wistar and Sprague-Dawley rats, which may explain the sometimes contradictory effects of cannabinoid drugs on emotionality in different strains of rodents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonia Manduca
- Department of Science, Section of Biomedical Sciences and Technologies, University "Roma Tre", Rome, Italy
| | - Michela Servadio
- Department of Science, Section of Biomedical Sciences and Technologies, University "Roma Tre", Rome, Italy
| | - Patrizia Campolongo
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Maura Palmery
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Luigia Trabace
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy
| | - Louk J M J Vanderschuren
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands; Department of Animals in Science and Society, Division of Behavioral Neuroscience, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Vincenzo Cuomo
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Viviana Trezza
- Department of Science, Section of Biomedical Sciences and Technologies, University "Roma Tre", Rome, Italy.
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Haller J, Aliczki M, Pelczer KG, Spitzer K, Balogh Z, Kantor S. Effects of the fatty acid amide hydrolase inhibitor URB597 on coping behavior under challenging conditions in mice. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2014; 231:593-601. [PMID: 24037493 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-013-3273-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2013] [Accepted: 08/27/2013] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE Recent evidence suggests that in addition to controlling emotional behavior in general, endocannabinoid signaling is engaged in shaping behavioral responses to challenges. This important function of endocannabinoids is still poorly understood. OBJECTIVES Here we investigated the impact of blockade of fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH), the degrading enzyme of anandamide on behavioral responses induced by challenges of different intensity. METHODS Mice treated with FAAH inhibitor URB597 were either manually restrained on their backs (back test) or received foot-shocks. RESULTS The behavior of mice showed bimodal distribution in the back test: they either predominantly showed escape attempts or equally distributed time between passivity and escape. URB597 increased escapes in animals with low escape scores. No effects were noticed in mice showing high escape scores, which is likely due to a ceiling effect. We hypothesized that stronger stressors would wash out individual differences in coping; therefore, we exposed mice to foot-shocks that decreased locomotion and increased freezing in all mice. URB597 ameliorated both responses. The re-exposure of mice to the shock cage 14 days later without delivering shocks or treatment was followed by reduced and fragmented sleep as shown by electrophysiological recordings. Surprisingly, sleep was more disturbed after the reminder than after shocks in rats receiving vehicle before foot-shocks. These reminder-induced disturbances were abolished by URB597 administered before shocks. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that FAAH blockade has an important role in the selection of behavioral responses under challenging conditions and-judging from its long-term effects-that it influences the cognitive appraisal of the challenge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jozsef Haller
- Department of Behavioural Neurobiology, Institute of Experimental Medicine, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, P.O. Box 67, 1450, Budapest, Hungary,
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The endocannabinoid system: an emotional buffer in the modulation of memory function. Neurobiol Learn Mem 2013; 112:30-43. [PMID: 24382324 DOI: 10.1016/j.nlm.2013.12.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 107] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2013] [Revised: 12/16/2013] [Accepted: 12/20/2013] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Extensive evidence indicates that endocannabinoids modulate cognitive processes in animal models and human subjects. However, the results of endocannabinoid system manipulations on cognition have been contradictory. As for anxiety behavior, a duality has indeed emerged with regard to cannabinoid effects on memory for emotional experiences. Here we summarize findings describing cannabinoid effects on memory acquisition, consolidation, retrieval and extinction. Additionally, we review findings showing how the endocannabinoid system modulates memory function differentially, depending on the level of stress and arousal associated with the experimental context. Based on the evidence reviewed here, we propose that the endocannabinoid system is an emotional buffer that moderates the effects of environmental context and stress on cognitive processes.
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Haller J, Goldberg SR, Pelczer KG, Aliczki M, Panlilio LV. The effects of anandamide signaling enhanced by the FAAH inhibitor URB597 on coping styles in rats. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2013; 230:353-62. [PMID: 23743650 PMCID: PMC3830591 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-013-3161-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2013] [Accepted: 05/20/2013] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE Coping styles are fundamental characteristics of behavior that affect susceptibility to, and resilience during, mental and physical illness. Shifts from passive to active coping are considered therapeutic goals in many stress-related disorders, but the neural control of coping is poorly understood. Based on earlier findings, we hypothesized that coping styles are influenced by endocannabinoids. OBJECTIVES Here, we tested whether FAAH inhibition by URB597 affects behaviors aimed at controlling a critical situation and the degree to which environmental stimuli influence behavior i.e., we studied the impact of URB597 on the two main attributes of coping styles. METHODS Rats were tested in the tail-pinch test of coping and in the elevated plus-maze test that was performed under highly divergent conditions. RESULTS Under the effects of URB597, rats focused their behavior more on the discomfort-inducing clamp in the tail-pinch test, i.e., they coped with the challenge more actively. In the elevated plus-maze, URB597-treated rats demonstrated an autonomous behavioral control by reducing both "wariness" induced by aversive conditions and "carelessness" resulting from favorable conditions. CONCLUSIONS URB597 treatment-induced behavioral changes indicated a shift towards active coping with challenges. This behavioral change appears compatible with the previously suggested role of endocannabinoids in emotional homeostasis. Albeit further studies are required to characterize the role of endocannabinoids in coping, these findings suggest that the enhancement of endocannabinoid signaling may become a therapeutic option in emotional disorders characterized by passive coping (e.g., anxiety and depression) and in physical diseases where active coping is therapeutically desirable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jozsef Haller
- Department of Behavioral Neurobiology, Institute of Experimental Medicine, Budapest, Hungary,
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Trezza V, Campolongo P. The endocannabinoid system as a possible target to treat both the cognitive and emotional features of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Front Behav Neurosci 2013; 7:100. [PMID: 23950739 PMCID: PMC3739026 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2013.00100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2013] [Accepted: 07/19/2013] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a psychiatric disorder of significant prevalence and morbidity, whose pathogenesis relies on paradoxical changes of emotional memory processing. An ideal treatment would be a drug able to block the pathological over-consolidation and continuous retrieval of the traumatic event, while enhancing its extinction and reducing the anxiety symptoms. While the latter benefit from antidepressant medications, no drug is available to control the cognitive symptomatology. Endocannabinoids regulate affective states and participate in memory consolidation, retrieval, and extinction. Clinical findings showing a relationship between Cannabis use and PTSD, as well as changes in endocannabinoid activity in PTSD patients, further suggest the existence of a link between endocannabinoids and maladaptive brain changes after trauma exposure. Along these lines, we suggest that endocannabinoid degradation inhibitors may be an ideal therapeutic approach to simultaneously treat the emotional and cognitive features of PTSD, avoiding the unwanted psychotropic effects of compounds directly binding cannabinoid receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viviana Trezza
- Department of Sciences, Section of Biomedical Sciences and Technologies, University "Roma Tre," Rome, Italy
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Campolongo P, Morena M, Scaccianoce S, Trezza V, Chiarotti F, Schelling G, Cuomo V, Roozendaal B. Novelty-induced emotional arousal modulates cannabinoid effects on recognition memory and adrenocortical activity. Neuropsychopharmacology 2013; 38:1276-86. [PMID: 23340520 PMCID: PMC3656371 DOI: 10.1038/npp.2013.26] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Although it is well established that cannabinoid drugs can influence cognitive performance, the findings-describing both enhancing and impairing effects-have been ambiguous. Here, we investigated the effects of posttraining systemic administration of the synthetic cannabinoid agonist WIN55,212-2 (0.1, 0.3, or 1.0 mg/kg) on short- and long-term retention of object recognition memory under two conditions that differed in their training-associated arousal level. In male Sprague-Dawley rats that were not previously habituated to the experimental context, WIN55,212-2 administered immediately after a 3-min training trial, biphasically impaired retention performance at a 1-h interval. In contrast, WIN55,212-2 enhanced 1-h retention of rats that had received extensive prior habituation to the experimental context. Interestingly, immediate posttraining administration of WIN55,212-2 to non-habituated rats, in doses that impaired 1-h retention, enhanced object recognition performance at a 24-h interval. Posttraining WIN55,212-2 administration to habituated rats did not significantly affect 24-h retention. In light of intimate interactions between cannabinoids and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, we further investigated whether cannabinoid administration might differently influence training-induced glucocorticoid activity in rats in these two habituation conditions. WIN55,212-2 administered after object recognition training elevated plasma corticosterone levels in non-habituated rats whereas it decreased corticosterone levels in habituated rats. Most importantly, following pretreatment with the corticosterone-synthesis inhibitor metyrapone, WIN55,212-2 effects on 1- and 24-h retention of non-habituated rats became similar to those seen in the low-aroused habituated animals, indicating that cannabinoid-induced regulation of adrenocortical activity contributes to the environmentally sensitive effects of systemically administered cannabinoids on short- and long-term retention of object recognition memory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrizia Campolongo
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le A. Moro 5, Rome, Italy.
| | - Maria Morena
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le A. Moro 5, Rome, Italy
| | - Sergio Scaccianoce
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le A. Moro 5, Rome, Italy
| | - Viviana Trezza
- Department of Biology, University of Roma Tre, Viale Marconi 446, Rome, Italy
| | - Flavia Chiarotti
- Section of Neurotoxicology and Neuroendocrinology, Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Instituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Gustav Schelling
- Department of Anaesthesiology, Ludwig-Maximilians University, Munich, Germany
| | - Vincenzo Cuomo
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le A. Moro 5, Rome, Italy
| | - Benno Roozendaal
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands,Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Nijmegen, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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Litvin Y, Phan A, Hill MN, Pfaff DW, McEwen BS. CB1receptor signaling regulates social anxiety and memory. GENES BRAIN AND BEHAVIOR 2013; 12:479-89. [DOI: 10.1111/gbb.12045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2012] [Revised: 03/15/2013] [Accepted: 04/27/2013] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - M. N. Hill
- Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology; The Rockefeller University; New York; NY; USA
| | | | - B. S. McEwen
- Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology; The Rockefeller University; New York; NY; USA
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Micale V, Di Marzo V, Sulcova A, Wotjak CT, Drago F. Endocannabinoid system and mood disorders: Priming a target for new therapies. Pharmacol Ther 2013; 138:18-37. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2012.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 159] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
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Cannabidiol enhances consolidation of explicit fear extinction in humans. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2013; 226:781-92. [PMID: 23307069 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-012-2955-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 143] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2012] [Accepted: 12/06/2012] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE Whilst Cannabidiol (CBD), a non-psychotomimetic cannabinoid, has been shown to enhance extinction learning in rats, its effects on fear memory in humans have not previously been studied. OBJECTIVES We employed a Pavlovian fear-conditioning paradigm in order to assess the effects of CBD on extinction and consolidation. METHOD Forty-eight participants were conditioned to a coloured box (CS) with electric shocks (UCS) in one context and were extinguished in a second context. Participants received 32 mg of CBD either following before or after extinction in a double-blind, placebo-controlled design. At recall, 48 h later, participants were exposed to CSs and conditioning contexts before (recall) and after (reinstatement) exposure to the UCS. Skin conductance and shock expectancy measures of conditioned responding were recorded throughout. RESULTS Successful conditioning, extinction and recall were found in all three treatment groups. CBD given post-extinction enhanced consolidation of extinction learning as assessed by shock expectancy. CBD administered at either time produced trend level reduction in reinstatement of autonomic contextual responding. No acute effects of CBD were found on extinction. CONCLUSIONS These findings provide the first evidence that CBD can enhance consolidation of extinction learning in humans and suggest that CBD may have potential as an adjunct to extinction-based therapies for anxiety disorders.
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Gasbarri A, Tomaz C. Memory and motivational/emotional processes. Front Behav Neurosci 2012; 6:71. [PMID: 23129995 PMCID: PMC3487156 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2012.00071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2012] [Accepted: 10/16/2012] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Antonella Gasbarri
- Department of Applied Clinical and Biotechnologic Sciences, University of L'Aquila L'Aquila, Italy
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