Cannabinoid-Based Therapies and Brain Development : Potential Harmful Effect of Early Modulation of the Endocannabinoid System Patrícia Schonhofen, Ivi Juliana Bristot, José Alexandre Crippa, Jaime Eduardo Cecílio Hallak, Antônio Waldo Zuardi, Richard B. Parsons, Fábio Klamt CNS Drugs, 2018, 32, (Suppl 1), 1-16. Springer Nature Switzerland, Doi : 10.1007/s40263-018-0550-4 Abstract The endocannabinoid retrograde signaling pathway is widely expressed in the central nervous system, where it plays major roles in regulating synaptic plasticity (excitatory and inhibitory) through long-term potentiation and long-term depression. The endocannabinoid system (ECS) components—cannabinoid receptors, endocannabinoids and synthesis/degradation enzymes—are expressed and are functional from early developmental stages and throughout adolescent cortical development, regulating progenitor [...]
Lire la suiteEffects of endocannabinoid neurotransmission modulators on brain stimulation reward Styliani Vlachou, George G. Nomikos & George Panagis Psychopharmacology, 2006, 188, 293–305 Doi : 10.1007/s00213-006-0506-0 Abstract Rationale : The endogenous cannabinoid system is responsive to the neurobiological actions of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and other cannabinoid ligands. While numerous studies have focused on the behavioral and pharmacological effects of THC and cannabinoid agonists in experimental animals, most recent work focuses on compounds that modulate endocannabinoid neurotransmission. However, the relevant studies concerning the ability of endocannabinoid modulators to modify reward processes in experimental animals remain rather scarce. Objectives : The present study examined the effects of drugs modulating endocannabinoid neurotransmission on [...]
Lire la suiteMedicinal cannabis not proven in mental health, study finds Kate Kelland Reuters, Health News, October 28, 2019 LONDON (Reuters) - Evidence is weak for whether medicinal cannabis treatments can relieve mental illnesses such as anxiety, depression and psychosis, and doctors should prescribe them with great caution, researchers said on Monday. In a review of scientific studies that analyzed the impact of medicinal cannabinoids on six mental health disorders, the researchers found “a lack of evidence for their effectiveness.” Their findings have important implications for countries such as the United States, Australia, Britain and Canada, where medical cannabis is being made available for patients with certain [...]
Lire la suiteCannabinoids for the treatment of mental disorders and symptoms of mental disorders : a systematic review and meta-analysis Nicola Black, Emily Stockings, Gabrielle Campbell, Lucy T. Tran, Dino Zagic, Wayne D. Hall, Michael Farrell, Louisa Degenhardt Lancet Psychiatry, 2019 https://doi.org/10.1016/S2215-0366(19)30401-8 Summary Background : Medicinal cannabinoids, including medicinal cannabis and pharmaceutical cannabinoids and their synthetic derivatives, such as tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), have been suggested to have a therapeutic role in certain mental disorders. We analysed the available evidence to ascertain the effectiveness and safety of all types of medicinal cannabinoids in treating symptoms of various mental disorders. Methods : For this systematic review and meta-analysis [...]
Lire la suiteHippocampal Neurotoxicity of D9-Tetrahydrocannabinol Guy Chiu-Kai Chan, Thomas R. Hinds, Soren Impey, and Daniel R. Storm The Journal of Neuroscience, 1998, 18, (14), 5322–5332 Marijuana consumption elicits diverse physiological and psychological effects in humans, including memory loss. Here we report that D9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the major psychoactive component of marijuana, is toxic for hippocampal neurons. Treatment of cultured neurons or hippocampal slices with THC caused shrinkage of neuronal cell bodies and nuclei as well as genomic DNA strand breaks, hallmarks of neuronal apoptosis. Neuron death induced by THC was inhibited by nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, including indomethacin and aspirin, as well as vitamin E and [...]
Lire la suiteThe Effects of Dosage-Controlled Cannabis Capsules on Cancer-Related Cachexia and Anorexia Syndrome in Advanced Cancer Patients : Pilot Study Gil Bar-Sela, Daniela Zalman, Valerya Semenysty and Eyal Ballan Integrative Cancer Therapies, 2019, Volume 18, 1–8 DOI: 10.1177/1534735419881498 Abstract Background : Cancer-related cachexia and anorexia syndrome (CACS) is a common phenomenon in cancer patients. Cannabis has been suggested to stimulate appetite but research on this issue has yielded mixed results. The current study aimed to evaluate the effect of dosage-controlled cannabis capsules on CACS in advanced cancer patients. Methods : The cannabis capsules used in this study contained two fractions of oil-based compounds. The planned treatment was [...]
Lire la suiteNeuroanatomical substrates involved in cannabinoid modulation of defensive responses F.A. Moreira, D.C. Aguiar, L.B. Resstel, S.F. Lisboa, A.C. Campos, F.V. Gomes and F.S. Guimaraes Journal of Psychopharmacology, 2012, 26, (1), 40–55 DOI: 10.1177/0269881111400651 Abstract Administration of Cannabis sativa derivatives causes anxiolytic or anxiogenic effects in humans and laboratory animals, depending on the specific compound and dosage used. In agreement with these findings, several studies in the last decade have indicated that the endocannabinoid system modulates neuronal activity in areas involved in defensive responses. The mechanisms of these effects, however, are still not clear. The present review summarizes recent data suggesting that they involve modulation of [...]
Lire la suiteComparison of the Neurotoxic and Seizure-Inducing Effects of Synthetic and Endogenous Cannabinoids with Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol Chris S. Breivogel, Jacob R. Wells, Amreen Jonas, Artik H. Mistry, Morgan L. Gravley, Rajul M. Patel, Brianna E. Whithorn, and Bonnie M. Brenseke Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research, 2019, Volume X, Number X DOI: 10.1089/can.2019.0003 Abstract Introduction : Synthetic cannabinoids (SCs) are commonly found in preparations used as recreational drugs. Although severe adverse health effects are not generally associated with cannabis use, a rising number of studies document seizures and even death after SC use. In this study, a mouse model is used to investigate the hypothesis that SCs are more [...]
Lire la suiteAdolescent‐onset heavy cannabis use associated with significantly reduced glial but not neuronal markers and glutamate levels in the hippocampus Grace Blest‐Hopley | Aisling O'Neill | Robin Wilson | Vincent Giampietro | David Lythgoe | Alice Egerton | Sagnik Bhattacharyya Addiction Biology, 2019, e12827, 1-11. DOI: 10.1111/adb.12827 Abstract Cannabis use has been associated with adverse mental health outcomes, the neurochemical underpinnings of which are poorly understood. Although preclinical evidence suggests glutamatergic dysfunction following cannabis exposure in several brain regions including the hippocampus, evidence from human studies have been inconsistent. We investigated the effect of persistent cannabis use on the brain levels of N‐acetyl aspartate (NAA) and myo-inositol, [...]
Lire la suiteThe Consumption of Psychoactive Plants During Religious Rituals : The Roots of Common Symbols and Figures in Religions and Myths H. Umit Sayin NeuroQuantology, June 2014, Volume 12, Issue 2, 276-296 Doi : 10.14704/nq.2014.12.2.753 ABSTRACT Psychoactive plants which contain hallucinogenic molecules that induce a form of altered states of consciousness (HASC) have been widely used during the religious rituals of many cultures throughout the centuries, while the consumption of these plants for spiritual and religious purposes is as old as human history. Some of those cultures were shaman and pagan subcultures; African native religions; Bwiti Cult; South American native religions; Amazon Cultures; Central American Cultures; [...]
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