1
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Azarfarin M, Ghadiri T, Dadkhah M, Sahab-Negah S. The interaction between cannabinoids and long-term synaptic plasticity: A survey on memory formation and underlying mechanisms. Cell Biochem Funct 2024; 42:e4100. [PMID: 39090824 DOI: 10.1002/cbf.4100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2024] [Revised: 07/05/2024] [Accepted: 07/12/2024] [Indexed: 08/04/2024]
Abstract
Synaptic plasticity, including long-term potentiation (LTP) and long-term depression (LTD), is an essential phenomenon in memory formation as well as maintenance along with many other cognitive functions, such as those needed for coping with external stimuli. Synaptic plasticity consists of gradual changes in the biochemistry and morphology of pre- and postsynaptic neurons, particularly in the hippocampus. Consuming marijuana as a primary source of exocannabinoids immediately impairs attention and working memory-related tasks. Evidence regarding the effects of cannabinoids on LTP and memory is contradictory. While cannabinoids can affect a variety of specific cannabinoid receptors (CBRs) and nonspecific receptors throughout the body and brain, they exert miscellaneous systemic and local cerebral effects. Given the increasing use of cannabis, mainly among the young population, plus its potential adverse long-term effects on learning and memory processes, it could be a future global health challenge. Indeed, the impact of cannabinoids on memory is multifactorial and depends on the dosage, timing, formula, and route of consumption, plus the background complex interaction of the endocannabinoids system with other cerebral networks. Herein, we review how exogenously administrated organic cannabinoids, CBRs agonists or antagonists, and endocannabinoids can affect LTP and synaptic plasticity through various receptors in interaction with other cerebral pathways and primary neurotransmitters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maryam Azarfarin
- Department of Neuroscience,Faculty of Advanced Medical Sciences, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
- Student Research Committee, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
- Neurosciences Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Tahereh Ghadiri
- Department of Neuroscience,Faculty of Advanced Medical Sciences, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Masoomeh Dadkhah
- Neurosciences Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Sajad Sahab-Negah
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran
- Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
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2
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Lorenzetti V, Gaillard A, McTavish E, Grace S, Rossetti MG, Batalla A, Bellani M, Brambilla P, Chye Y, Conrod P, Cousijn J, Labuschagne I, Clemente A, Mackey S, Rendell P, Solowij N, Suo C, Li CSR, Terrett G, Thompson PM, Yücel M, Garavan H, Roberts CA. Cannabis Dependence is Associated with Reduced Hippocampal Subregion Volumes Independently of Sex: Findings from an ENIGMA Addiction Working Group Multi-Country Study. Cannabis Cannabinoid Res 2024. [PMID: 38498015 DOI: 10.1089/can.2023.0204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Background: Males and females who consume cannabis can experience different mental health and cognitive problems. Neuroscientific theories of addiction postulate that dependence is underscored by neuroadaptations, but do not account for the contribution of distinct sexes. Further, there is little evidence for sex differences in the neurobiology of cannabis dependence as most neuroimaging studies have been conducted in largely male samples in which cannabis dependence, as opposed to use, is often not ascertained. Methods: We examined subregional hippocampus and amygdala volumetry in a sample of 206 people recruited from the ENIGMA Addiction Working Group. They included 59 people with cannabis dependence (17 females), 49 cannabis users without cannabis dependence (20 females), and 98 controls (33 females). Results: We found no group-by-sex effect on subregional volumetry. The left hippocampal cornu ammonis subfield 1 (CA1) volumes were lower in dependent cannabis users compared with non-dependent cannabis users (p<0.001, d=0.32) and with controls (p=0.022, d=0.18). Further, the left cornu ammonis subfield 3 (CA3) and left dentate gyrus volumes were lower in dependent versus non-dependent cannabis users but not versus controls (p=0.002, d=0.37, and p=0.002, d=0.31, respectively). All models controlled for age, intelligence quotient (IQ), alcohol and tobacco use, and intracranial volume. Amygdala volumetry was not affected by group or group-by-sex, but was smaller in females than males. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that the relationship between cannabis dependence and subregional volumetry was not moderated by sex. Specifically, dependent (rather than non-dependent) cannabis use may be associated with alterations in selected hippocampus subfields high in cannabinoid type 1 (CB1) receptors and implicated in addictive behavior. As these data are cross-sectional, it is plausible that differences predate cannabis dependence onset and contribute to the initiation of cannabis dependence. Longitudinal neuroimaging work is required to examine the time-course of the onset of subregional hippocampal alterations in cannabis dependence, and their progression as cannabis dependence exacerbates or recovers over time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Lorenzetti
- Neuroscience of Addiction and Mental Health Program, Healthy Brain and Mind Research Centre, School of Behavioural and Health Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Australian Catholic University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Alexandra Gaillard
- Neuroscience of Addiction and Mental Health Program, Healthy Brain and Mind Research Centre, School of Behavioural and Health Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Australian Catholic University, Melbourne, Australia
- Centre for Mental Health and Department of Health Sciences and Biostatistics, Swinburne University, Hawthorn, Australia
| | - Eugene McTavish
- Neuroscience of Addiction and Mental Health Program, Healthy Brain and Mind Research Centre, School of Behavioural and Health Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Australian Catholic University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Sally Grace
- Neuroscience of Addiction and Mental Health Program, Healthy Brain and Mind Research Centre, School of Behavioural and Health Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Australian Catholic University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Maria Gloria Rossetti
- UOC Psichiatria, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Integrata (AOUI), Verona, Italy
- Section of Psychiatry, Department of Neuroscience, Biomedicine and Movement Science, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Albert Batalla
- Department of Psychiatry, University Medical Center Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Marcella Bellani
- Section of Psychiatry, Department of Neuroscience, Biomedicine and Movement Science, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Paolo Brambilla
- UOC Psichiatria, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Integrata (AOUI), Verona, Italy
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Yann Chye
- Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
| | - Patricia Conrod
- Department of Psychiatry, Université de Montreal, CHU Ste Justine Hospital, Montreal, Canada
| | - Janna Cousijn
- Neuroscience of Addiction Lab, Center for Substance Use and Addiction Research (CESAR), Department of Psychology, Education & Child Studies, Erasmus University Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Izelle Labuschagne
- Neuroscience of Addiction and Mental Health Program, Healthy Brain and Mind Research Centre, School of Behavioural and Health Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Australian Catholic University, Melbourne, Australia
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences, University of Queensland, St Lucia, Australia
| | - Adam Clemente
- Neuroscience of Addiction and Mental Health Program, Healthy Brain and Mind Research Centre, School of Behavioural and Health Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Australian Catholic University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Scott Mackey
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont, USA
| | - Peter Rendell
- Neuroscience of Addiction and Mental Health Program, Healthy Brain and Mind Research Centre, School of Behavioural and Health Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Australian Catholic University, Melbourne, Australia
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences, University of Queensland, St Lucia, Australia
| | - Nadia Solowij
- School of Psychology, Faculty of the Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia
| | - Chao Suo
- Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
| | - Chiang-Shan R Li
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Gill Terrett
- Neuroscience of Addiction and Mental Health Program, Healthy Brain and Mind Research Centre, School of Behavioural and Health Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Australian Catholic University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Paul M Thompson
- Department of Neurology, Imaging Genetics Center, Stevens Institute for Neuroimaging & Informatics, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Marina del Rey, California, USA
| | - Murat Yücel
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, Australia
| | - Hugh Garavan
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences, University of Queensland, St Lucia, Australia
| | - Carl A Roberts
- Department of Psychology, Institute of Population Health, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
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3
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Chandy M, Nishiga M, Wei TT, Hamburg NM, Nadeau K, Wu JC. Adverse Impact of Cannabis on Human Health. Annu Rev Med 2024; 75:353-367. [PMID: 37582489 PMCID: PMC10947506 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-med-052422-020627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/17/2023]
Abstract
Cannabis, the most commonly used recreational drug, is illicit in many areas of the world. With increasing decriminalization and legalization, cannabis use is increasing in the United States and other countries. The adverse effects of cannabis are unclear because its status as a Schedule 1 drug in the United States restricts research. Despite a paucity of data, cannabis is commonly perceived as a benign or even beneficial drug. However, recent studies show that cannabis has adverse cardiovascular and pulmonary effects and is linked with malignancy. Moreover, case reports have shown an association between cannabis use and neuropsychiatric disorders. With growing availability, cannabis misuse by minors has led to increasing incidences of overdose and toxicity. Though difficult to detect, cannabis intoxication may be linked to impaired driving and motor vehicle accidents. Overall, cannabis use is on the rise, and adverse effects are becoming apparent in clinical data sets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark Chandy
- Stanford Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA;
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
- Institute of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
- Department of Medicine, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada;
| | - Masataka Nishiga
- Stanford Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA;
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
- Institute of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Tzu-Tang Wei
- Stanford Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA;
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
- Institute of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
- Department and Graduate Institute of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Naomi M Hamburg
- Boston Medical Center, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine and Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Kari Nadeau
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Joseph C Wu
- Stanford Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA;
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
- Institute of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
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4
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Hasegawa Y, Kim J, Ursini G, Jouroukhin Y, Zhu X, Miyahara Y, Xiong F, Madireddy S, Obayashi M, Lutz B, Sawa A, Brown SP, Pletnikov MV, Kamiya A. Microglial cannabinoid receptor type 1 mediates social memory deficits in mice produced by adolescent THC exposure and 16p11.2 duplication. Nat Commun 2023; 14:6559. [PMID: 37880248 PMCID: PMC10600150 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-42276-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2022] [Accepted: 10/04/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Adolescent cannabis use increases the risk for cognitive impairments and psychiatric disorders. Cannabinoid receptor type 1 (Cnr1) is expressed not only in neurons and astrocytes, but also in microglia, which shape synaptic connections during adolescence. However, the role of microglia in mediating the adverse cognitive effects of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the principal psychoactive constituent of cannabis, is not fully understood. Here, we report that in mice, adolescent THC exposure produces microglial apoptosis in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), which was exacerbated in a model of 16p11.2 duplication, a representative copy number variation (CNV) risk factor for psychiatric disorders. These effects are mediated by microglial Cnr1, leading to reduction in the excitability of mPFC pyramidal-tract neurons and deficits in social memory in adulthood. Our findings suggest the microglial Cnr1 may contribute to adverse effect of cannabis exposure in genetically vulnerable individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuto Hasegawa
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Juhyun Kim
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Korea Brain Research Institute, Daegu, Republic of Korea
| | - Gianluca Ursini
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Johns Hopkins Medical Campus, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Yan Jouroukhin
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences SUNY, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Xiaolei Zhu
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Yu Miyahara
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Feiyi Xiong
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Samskruthi Madireddy
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Mizuho Obayashi
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Beat Lutz
- Institute of Physiological Chemistry, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany
- Leibniz Institute for Resilience Research (LIR) gGmbH, Mainz, Germany
| | - Akira Sawa
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Solange P Brown
- Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Kavli Neuroscience Discovery Institute, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Mikhail V Pletnikov
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences SUNY, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA.
| | - Atsushi Kamiya
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
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5
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Hasegawa Y, Kim J, Ursini G, Jouroukhin Y, Zhu X, Miyahara Y, Xiong F, Madireddy S, Obayashi M, Lutz B, Sawa A, Brown SP, Pletnikov MV, Kamiya A. Microglial cannabinoid receptor type 1 mediates social memory deficits produced by adolescent THC exposure and 16p11.2 duplication. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.07.24.550212. [PMID: 37546830 PMCID: PMC10402026 DOI: 10.1101/2023.07.24.550212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/08/2023]
Abstract
Adolescent cannabis use increases the risk for cognitive impairments and psychiatric disorders. Cannabinoid receptor type 1 (Cnr1) is expressed not only in neurons and astrocytes, but also in microglia, which shape synaptic connections during adolescence. Nonetheless, until now, the role of microglia in mediating the adverse cognitive effects of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the principal psychoactive constituent of cannabis, has been unexplored. Here, we report that adolescent THC exposure produces microglial apoptosis in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), which was exacerbated in the mouse model of 16p11.2 duplication, a representative copy number variation (CNV) risk factor for psychiatric disorders. These effects are mediated by microglial Cnr1, leading to reduction in the excitability of mPFC pyramidal-tract neurons and deficits in social memory in adulthood. Our findings highlight the importance of microglial Cnr1 to produce the adverse effect of cannabis exposure in genetically vulnerable individuals.
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6
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Anchesi I, Schepici G, Chiricosta L, Gugliandolo A, Salamone S, Caprioglio D, Pollastro F, Mazzon E. Δ 8-THC Induces Up-Regulation of Glutamatergic Pathway Genes in Differentiated SH-SY5Y: A Transcriptomic Study. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24119486. [PMID: 37298437 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24119486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2023] [Revised: 05/18/2023] [Accepted: 05/28/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Cannabinoids, natural or synthetic, have antidepressant, anxiolytic, anticonvulsant, and anti-psychotic properties. Cannabidiol (CBD) and delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC) are the most studied cannabinoids, but recently, attention has turned towards minor cannabinoids. Delta-8-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ8-THC), an isomer of Δ9-THC, is a compound for which, to date, there is no evidence of its role in the modulation of synaptic pathways. The aim of our work was to evaluate the effects of Δ8-THC on differentiated SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells. Using next generation sequencing (NGS), we investigated whether Δ8-THC could modify the transcriptomic profile of genes involved in synapse functions. Our results showed that Δ8-THC upregulates the expression of genes involved in the glutamatergic pathway and inhibits gene expression at cholinergic synapses. Conversely, Δ8-THC did not modify the transcriptomic profile of genes involved in the GABAergic and dopaminergic pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivan Anchesi
- IRCCS Centro Neurolesi "Bonino-Pulejo", Via Provinciale Palermo, Contrada Casazza, 98124 Messina, Italy
| | - Giovanni Schepici
- IRCCS Centro Neurolesi "Bonino-Pulejo", Via Provinciale Palermo, Contrada Casazza, 98124 Messina, Italy
| | - Luigi Chiricosta
- IRCCS Centro Neurolesi "Bonino-Pulejo", Via Provinciale Palermo, Contrada Casazza, 98124 Messina, Italy
| | - Agnese Gugliandolo
- IRCCS Centro Neurolesi "Bonino-Pulejo", Via Provinciale Palermo, Contrada Casazza, 98124 Messina, Italy
| | - Stefano Salamone
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Eastern Piedmont, Largo Donegani 2, 28100 Novara, Italy
- PlantaChem S.r.l.s., Via Amico Canobio 4/6, 28100 Novara, Italy
| | - Diego Caprioglio
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Eastern Piedmont, Largo Donegani 2, 28100 Novara, Italy
- PlantaChem S.r.l.s., Via Amico Canobio 4/6, 28100 Novara, Italy
| | - Federica Pollastro
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Eastern Piedmont, Largo Donegani 2, 28100 Novara, Italy
- PlantaChem S.r.l.s., Via Amico Canobio 4/6, 28100 Novara, Italy
| | - Emanuela Mazzon
- IRCCS Centro Neurolesi "Bonino-Pulejo", Via Provinciale Palermo, Contrada Casazza, 98124 Messina, Italy
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7
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The protective effect of cannabinoids against colorectal cancer cachexia through modulation of inflammation and immune responses. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 161:114467. [PMID: 36871538 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.114467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Revised: 02/20/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer cachexia is a multifactorial disorder characterized by weight loss and muscle wasting, and there are currently no FDA-approved medications. In the present study, upregulation of six cytokines was observed in serum samples from patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) and in mouse models. A negative correlation between the levels of the six cytokines and body mass index in CRC patients was seen. Gene Ontology analysis revealed that these cytokines were involved in regulating T cell proliferation. The infiltration of CD8+ T cells was found to be associated with muscle atrophy in mice with CRC. Adoptive transfer of CD8+ T cells isolated from CRC mice resulted in muscle wasting in recipients. The Genotype-Tissue Expression database showed that negative correlations between the expression of cachexia markers and cannabinoid receptor 2 (CB2) in human skeletal muscle tissues. Pharmacological treatment with Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC), a selective CB2 agonist or overexpression of CB2 attenuated CRC-associated muscle atrophy. In contrast, knockout of CB2 with a CRISPR/Cas9-based strategy or depletion of CD8+ T cells in CRC mice abolished the Δ9-THC-mediated effects. This study demonstrates that cannabinoids ameliorate CD8+ T cell infiltration in CRC-associated skeletal muscle atrophy via a CB2-mediated pathway. Serum levels of the six-cytokine signature might serve as a potential biomarker to detect the therapeutic effects of cannabinoids in CRC-associated cachexia.
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Kondev V, Bluett R, Najeed M, Rosas-Vidal LE, Grueter BA, Patel S. Ventral hippocampal diacylglycerol lipase-alpha deletion decreases avoidance behaviors and alters excitation-inhibition balance. Neurobiol Stress 2022; 22:100510. [PMID: 36594052 PMCID: PMC9803955 DOI: 10.1016/j.ynstr.2022.100510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2022] [Revised: 12/01/2022] [Accepted: 12/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The endogenous cannabinoid, 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG), plays a key role in the regulation of anxiety- and stress-related behavioral phenotypes and may represent a novel target for the treatment of anxiety disorders. However, recent studies have suggested a more complex role for 2-AG signaling in the regulation of stress responsivity, including increases in acute fear responses after 2-AG augmentation under some conditions. Thus, 2-AG signaling within distinct brain regions and circuits could regulate anxiety-like behavior and stress responsivity in opposing manners. The ventral hippocampus (vHPC) is a critical region for emotional processing, anxiety-like behaviors, and stress responding. Here, we use a conditional knock-out of the 2-AG synthesis enzyme, diacylglycerol lipase α (DAGLα), to study the role of vHPC 2-AG signaling in the regulation of affective behavior. We show that vHPC DAGLα deletion decreases avoidance behaviors both basally and following an acute stress exposure. Genetic deletion of vHPC DAGLα also promotes stress resiliency, with no effect on fear acquisition, expression, or contextual fear generalization. Using slice electrophysiology, we demonstrate that vHPC DAGLα deletion shifts vHPC activity towards enhanced inhibition. Together, these data indicate endogenous 2-AG signaling in the vHPC promotes avoidance and increases stress reactivity, confirming the notion that 2-AG signaling within distinct brain regions may exert divergent effects on anxiety states and stress adaptability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronika Kondev
- Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
| | - Rebecca Bluett
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Mustafa Najeed
- Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
| | - Luis E. Rosas-Vidal
- Northwestern Center for Psychiatric Neuroscience, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Brad A. Grueter
- Department of Anesthesiology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
| | - Sachin Patel
- Northwestern Center for Psychiatric Neuroscience, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA,Corresponding author. Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, USA.
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9
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Augustin SM, Lovinger DM. Synaptic changes induced by cannabinoid drugs and cannabis use disorder. Neurobiol Dis 2022; 167:105670. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2022.105670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2021] [Revised: 02/10/2022] [Accepted: 02/21/2022] [Indexed: 10/19/2022] Open
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10
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Wei TT, Chandy M, Nishiga M, Zhang A, Kumar KK, Thomas D, Manhas A, Rhee S, Justesen JM, Chen IY, Wo HT, Khanamiri S, Yang JY, Seidl FJ, Burns NZ, Liu C, Sayed N, Shie JJ, Yeh CF, Yang KC, Lau E, Lynch KL, Rivas M, Kobilka BK, Wu JC. Cannabinoid receptor 1 antagonist genistein attenuates marijuana-induced vascular inflammation. Cell 2022; 185:1676-1693.e23. [PMID: 35489334 PMCID: PMC9400797 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2022.04.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2021] [Revised: 02/01/2022] [Accepted: 04/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Epidemiological studies reveal that marijuana increases the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD); however, little is known about the mechanism. Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC), the psychoactive component of marijuana, binds to cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1/CNR1) in the vasculature and is implicated in CVD. A UK Biobank analysis found that cannabis was an risk factor for CVD. We found that marijuana smoking activated inflammatory cytokines implicated in CVD. In silico virtual screening identified genistein, a soybean isoflavone, as a putative CB1 antagonist. Human-induced pluripotent stem cell-derived endothelial cells were used to model Δ9-THC-induced inflammation and oxidative stress via NF-κB signaling. Knockdown of the CB1 receptor with siRNA, CRISPR interference, and genistein attenuated the effects of Δ9-THC. In mice, genistein blocked Δ9-THC-induced endothelial dysfunction in wire myograph, reduced atherosclerotic plaque, and had minimal penetration of the central nervous system. Genistein is a CB1 antagonist that attenuates Δ9-THC-induced atherosclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tzu-Tang Wei
- Stanford Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Department of Radiology, Molecular Imaging Program at Stanford, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Department and Graduate Institute of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan; Chemical Biology and Molecular Biophysics, Taiwan International Graduate Program in Chemical Biology and Molecular Biophysics (TIGP-CBMB), Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Mark Chandy
- Stanford Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Department of Radiology, Molecular Imaging Program at Stanford, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Greenstone Biosciences, Palo Alto, CA 94304, USA
| | - Masataka Nishiga
- Stanford Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Department of Radiology, Molecular Imaging Program at Stanford, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Angela Zhang
- Stanford Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Department of Radiology, Molecular Imaging Program at Stanford, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Kaavya Krishna Kumar
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Dilip Thomas
- Stanford Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Department of Radiology, Molecular Imaging Program at Stanford, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Amit Manhas
- Stanford Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Department of Radiology, Molecular Imaging Program at Stanford, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Siyeon Rhee
- Stanford Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Department of Radiology, Molecular Imaging Program at Stanford, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Greenstone Biosciences, Palo Alto, CA 94304, USA
| | - Johanne Marie Justesen
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Department of Biomedical Data Science, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Ian Y Chen
- Stanford Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Department of Radiology, Molecular Imaging Program at Stanford, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Hung-Ta Wo
- Stanford Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Department of Radiology, Molecular Imaging Program at Stanford, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou Branch, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Saereh Khanamiri
- Stanford Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Department of Radiology, Molecular Imaging Program at Stanford, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Johnson Y Yang
- Stanford Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Department of Radiology, Molecular Imaging Program at Stanford, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | | | - Noah Z Burns
- Department of Chemistry, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Chun Liu
- Stanford Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Department of Radiology, Molecular Imaging Program at Stanford, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Nazish Sayed
- Stanford Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Department of Radiology, Molecular Imaging Program at Stanford, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Jiun-Jie Shie
- Institute of Chemistry, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Fan Yeh
- Department and Graduate Institute of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan; Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Kai-Chien Yang
- Department and Graduate Institute of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan; Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Edward Lau
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Kara L Lynch
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Manuel Rivas
- Department of Biomedical Data Science, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Brian K Kobilka
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Department of Chemical and Systems Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Joseph C Wu
- Stanford Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Department of Radiology, Molecular Imaging Program at Stanford, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Greenstone Biosciences, Palo Alto, CA 94304, USA.
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11
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Luo CK, Chou PH, Ng SK, Lin WY, Wei TT. Cannabinoids orchestrate cross-talk between cancer cells and endothelial cells in colorectal cancer. Cancer Gene Ther 2022; 29:597-611. [PMID: 34007062 DOI: 10.1038/s41417-021-00346-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2021] [Revised: 04/26/2021] [Accepted: 05/06/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Medical marijuana has been approved by the FDA for treating chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. However, less is known about its direct effects on tumor cells and the tumor microenvironment. In this study, RNA-sequencing datasets in the NCBI GEO repository were first analyzed; upregulation of cannabinoid receptors was observed in both primary and metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC) tumor tissues. An increase of cannabinoid receptors was also found in patients with CRC, azoxymethane/dextran sulfate sodium-induced CRC and CRC metastatic mouse models. Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC)-induced tumor progression in both primary and metastatic mouse models and also increased angiogenesis. A human growth factor antibody array indicated that Δ9-THC promoted the secretion of angiogenic growth factors in CRC, leading to the induction of tube formation and migration in human-induced pluripotent stem cell-derived vascular endothelial cells. The nuclear translocation of STAT1 played important roles in Δ9-THC-induced angiogenesis and tumor progression. Pharmacological treatment with STAT1 antagonist or abrogation of STAT1 with CRISPR/Cas9-based strategy rescued those effects of Δ9-THC in CRC. This study demonstrates that marijuana might increase the risk of CRC progression and that inhibition of STAT1 is a potential strategy for attenuating these side effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cong-Kai Luo
- Department and Graduate Institute of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Pei-Hsuan Chou
- Department and Graduate Institute of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Shang-Kok Ng
- Department and Graduate Institute of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Wen-Yen Lin
- School of Pharmacy, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Tzu-Tang Wei
- Department and Graduate Institute of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.
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12
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Sustkova-Fiserova M, Charalambous C, Khryakova A, Certilina A, Lapka M, Šlamberová R. The Role of Ghrelin/GHS-R1A Signaling in Nonalcohol Drug Addictions. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:761. [PMID: 35054944 PMCID: PMC8776007 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23020761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2021] [Revised: 01/05/2022] [Accepted: 01/06/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Drug addiction causes constant serious health, social, and economic burden within the human society. The current drug dependence pharmacotherapies, particularly relapse prevention, remain limited, unsatisfactory, unreliable for opioids and tobacco, and even symptomatic for stimulants and cannabinoids, thus, new more effective treatment strategies are researched. The antagonism of the growth hormone secretagogue receptor type A (GHS-R1A) has been recently proposed as a novel alcohol addiction treatment strategy, and it has been intensively studied in experimental models of other addictive drugs, such as nicotine, stimulants, opioids and cannabinoids. The role of ghrelin signaling in these drugs effects has also been investigated. The present review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of preclinical and clinical studies focused on ghrelin's/GHS-R1A possible involvement in these nonalcohol addictive drugs reinforcing effects and addiction. Although the investigation is still in its early stage, majority of the existing reviewed experimental results from rodents with the addition of few human studies, that searched correlations between the genetic variations of the ghrelin signaling or the ghrelin blood content with the addictive drugs effects, have indicated the importance of the ghrelin's/GHS-R1As involvement in the nonalcohol abused drugs pro-addictive effects. Further research is necessary to elucidate the exact involved mechanisms and to verify the future potential utilization and safety of the GHS-R1A antagonism use for these drug addiction therapies, particularly for reducing the risk of relapse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena Sustkova-Fiserova
- Department of Pharmacology, Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Ruska 87, 100 00 Prague, Czech Republic; (C.C.); (A.K.); (A.C.); (M.L.)
| | - Chrysostomos Charalambous
- Department of Pharmacology, Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Ruska 87, 100 00 Prague, Czech Republic; (C.C.); (A.K.); (A.C.); (M.L.)
| | - Anna Khryakova
- Department of Pharmacology, Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Ruska 87, 100 00 Prague, Czech Republic; (C.C.); (A.K.); (A.C.); (M.L.)
| | - Alina Certilina
- Department of Pharmacology, Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Ruska 87, 100 00 Prague, Czech Republic; (C.C.); (A.K.); (A.C.); (M.L.)
| | - Marek Lapka
- Department of Pharmacology, Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Ruska 87, 100 00 Prague, Czech Republic; (C.C.); (A.K.); (A.C.); (M.L.)
| | - Romana Šlamberová
- Department of Physiology, Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Ke Karlovu 4, 120 00 Prague, Czech Republic;
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13
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Sivils A, Wang JQ, Chu XP. Striatonigrostriatal Spirals in Addiction. Front Neural Circuits 2021; 15:803501. [PMID: 34955762 PMCID: PMC8703003 DOI: 10.3389/fncir.2021.803501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2021] [Accepted: 11/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
A biological reward system is integral to all animal life and humans are no exception. For millennia individuals have investigated this system and its influences on human behavior. In the modern day, with the US facing an ongoing epidemic of substance use without an effective treatment, these investigations are of paramount importance. It is well known that basal ganglia contribute to rewards and are involved in learning, approach behavior, economic choices, and positive emotions. This review aims to elucidate the physiological role of striatonigrostriatal (SNS) spirals, as part of basal ganglia circuits, in this reward system and their pathophysiological role in perpetuating addiction. Additionally, the main functions of neurotransmitters such as dopamine and glutamate and their receptors in SNS circuits will be summarized. With this information, the claim that SNS spirals are crucial intermediaries in the shift from goal-directed behavior to habitual behavior will be supported, making this circuit a viable target for potential therapeutic intervention in those with substance use disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Xiang-Ping Chu
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Missouri-Kansas City, Kansas City, MO, United States
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14
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Kearney-Ramos T, Haney M. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation as a potential treatment approach for cannabis use disorder. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2021; 109:110290. [PMID: 33677045 PMCID: PMC9165758 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2021.110290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2020] [Revised: 01/22/2021] [Accepted: 02/19/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
The expanding legalization of cannabis across the United States is associated with increases in cannabis use, and accordingly, an increase in the number and severity of individuals with cannabis use disorder (CUD). The lack of FDA-approved pharmacotherapies and modest efficacy of psychotherapeutic interventions means that many of those who seek treatment for CUD relapse within the first few months. Consequently, there is a pressing need for innovative, evidence-based treatment development for CUD. Preliminary evidence suggests that repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) may be a novel, non-invasive therapeutic neuromodulation tool for the treatment of a variety of substance use disorders (SUDs), including recently receiving FDA clearance (August 2020) for use as a smoking cessation aid in tobacco cigarette smokers. However, the potential of rTMS for CUD has not yet been reviewed. This paper provides a primer on therapeutic neuromodulation techniques for SUDs, with a particular focus on reviewing the current status of rTMS research in people who use cannabis. Lastly, future directions are proposed for rTMS treatment development in CUD, with suggestions for study design parameters and clinical endpoints based on current gold-standard practices for therapeutic neuromodulation research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tonisha Kearney-Ramos
- New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, USA; Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Margaret Haney
- New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, New York, USA,Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York, USA
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15
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El-Dahan KS, Machtoub D, Massoud G, Nasser SA, Hamam B, Kobeissy F, Zouein FA, Eid AH. Cannabinoids and myocardial ischemia: Novel insights, updated mechanisms, and implications for myocardial infarction. Curr Med Chem 2021; 29:1990-2010. [PMID: 34102966 DOI: 10.2174/0929867328666210608144818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2021] [Revised: 04/13/2021] [Accepted: 04/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Cannabis is the most widely trafficked and abused illicit drug due to its calming psychoactive properties. It has been increasingly recognized as having potential health benefits and relatively less adverse health effects as compared to other illicit drugs; however, growing evidence clearly indicates that cannabis is associated with considerable adverse cardiovascular events. Recent studies have linked cannabis use to myocardial infarction (MI); yet, very little is known about the underlying mechanisms. A MI is a cardiovascular disease characterized by a mismatch in the oxygen supply and demand of the heart, resulting in ischemia and subsequent necrosis of the myocardium. Since cannabis is increasingly being considered a risk factor for MI, there is a growing need for better appreciating its potential health benefits and consequences. Here, we discuss the cellular mechanisms of cannabis that lead to an increased risk of MI. We provide a thorough and critical analysis of cannabinoids' actions, which include modulation of adipocyte biology, regional fat distribution, and atherosclerosis, as well as precipitation of hemodynamic stressors relevant in the setting of a MI. By critically dissecting the modulation of signaling pathways in multiple cell types, this paper highlights the mechanisms through which cannabis may trigger life-threatening cardiovascular events. This then provides a framework for future pharmacological studies which can identify targets or develop drugs that modulate cannabis' effects on the cardiovascular system as well as other organ systems. Cannabis' impact on the autonomic outflow, vascular smooth muscle cells, myocardium, cortisol levels and other hemodynamic changes are also mechanistically reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karim Seif El-Dahan
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Dima Machtoub
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Gaelle Massoud
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Suzanne A Nasser
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Beirut Arab University, P.O. Box 11-5020, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Bassam Hamam
- Department of Biological and Chemical Sciences, School of Arts and Sciences, Lebanese International University, P.O. Box 146404, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Firas Kobeissy
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Fouad A Zouein
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Ali H Eid
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha. Qatar
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16
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Hoffman AF, Hwang EK, Lupica CR. Impairment of Synaptic Plasticity by Cannabis, Δ 9-THC, and Synthetic Cannabinoids. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Med 2021; 11:cshperspect.a039743. [PMID: 32341064 PMCID: PMC8091957 DOI: 10.1101/cshperspect.a039743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The ability of neurons to dynamically and flexibly encode synaptic inputs via short- and long-term plasticity is critical to an organism's ability to learn and adapt to the environment. Whereas synaptic plasticity may be encoded by pre- or postsynaptic mechanisms, current evidence suggests that optimization of learning requires both forms of plasticity. Endogenous cannabinoids (eCBs) play critical roles in modulating synaptic transmission via activation of cannabinoid CB1 receptors (CB1Rs) in many central nervous system (CNS) regions, and the eCB system has been implicated, either directly or indirectly, in several forms of synaptic plasticity. Because of this, perturbations within the eCB signaling system can lead to impairments in a variety of learned behaviors. One agent of altered eCB signaling is exposure to "exogenous cannabinoids" such as the primary psychoactive constituent of cannabis, Δ9-THC, or illicit synthetic cannabinoids that in many cases have higher potency and efficacy than Δ9-THC. Thus, by targeting the eCB system, these agonists can produce widespread impairment of synaptic plasticity by disrupting ongoing eCB function. Here, we review studies in which Δ9-THC and synthetic cannabinoids impair synaptic plasticity in a variety of neuronal circuits and examine evidence that this contributes to their well-documented ability to disrupt cognition and behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander F Hoffman
- Electrophysiology Research Section, National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Maryland 21224, USA
| | - Eun-Kyung Hwang
- Electrophysiology Research Section, National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Maryland 21224, USA
| | - Carl R Lupica
- Electrophysiology Research Section, National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Maryland 21224, USA
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17
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Martin‐Rodriguez JF, Ruiz‐Veguilla M, Alvarez de Toledo P, Aizpurua‐Olaizola O, Zarandona I, Canal‐Rivero M, Rodriguez‐Baena A, Mir P. Impaired motor cortical plasticity associated with cannabis use disorder in young adults. Addict Biol 2021; 26:e12912. [PMID: 32323450 DOI: 10.1111/adb.12912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2019] [Revised: 03/02/2020] [Accepted: 04/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Maladaptive cortical plasticity has been described in individuals with heroin and methamphetamine addiction and may mediate other substance abuse disorders. It is unknown whether cannabis dependence in humans alters the capacity for induction of cortical plasticity. The aim of this study was to non-invasively investigate cortical plasticity with transcranial magnetic stimulation in young adults who meet DSM-5 criteria for cannabis use disorder (CUD). Thirty men (ages 20- 30) who used cannabis daily over the previous 6 months (15 diagnosed of CUD) and 15 demographically matched non-users were enrolled in this study. All participants underwent two sessions of theta burst stimulation (TBS) in which either continuous TBS (cTBS; 600 pulses, 80% active motor threshold) or intermittent TBS (iTBS; 2-s train of cTBS repeated every 10 s for a total of 190 s, 600 pulses) was applied over the primary motor cortex. The effects of these protocols were assessed by analysing the contralateral motor evoked potentials (MEPs). The relationships between cortical plasticity and problematic cannabis use, degree of dependence, and nicotine addiction were also investigated. Significant MEP inhibition after cTBS was observed in both cannabis users without CUD and non-users, while this inhibition was not seen in cannabis users with CUD. Strikingly, less motor cortical plasticity was observed in subjects with severe problematic cannabis use. No significant differences between users and non-users were found in the iTBS-induced cortical plasticity measures. Our study provides the first evidence of maladaptive cortical plasticity associated with cannabis use disorder and problematic cannabis use in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Francisco Martin‐Rodriguez
- Unidad de Trastornos del Movimiento, Servicio de Neurología y Neurofisiología Clínica, Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío/CSIC/Universidad de Sevilla Seville Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED) Madrid Spain
- Experimental Psychology Department, Faculty of Psychology University of Seville Seville Spain
| | - Miguel Ruiz‐Veguilla
- CIBERSAM Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Salud Mental Madrid Spain
- UGC‐SALUD MENTAL, Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla (IBIS) Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocio/CSIC/Universidad de Sevilla/UGC Salud Mental HVR Seville Spain
| | - Paloma Alvarez de Toledo
- Unidad de Trastornos del Movimiento, Servicio de Neurología y Neurofisiología Clínica, Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío/CSIC/Universidad de Sevilla Seville Spain
| | | | - Iratxe Zarandona
- Departamento de Química Analítica Universidad del País Vasco (UPV/EHU) Leioa Spain
| | - Manuel Canal‐Rivero
- CIBERSAM Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Salud Mental Madrid Spain
- Departamento de Psiquiatría Hospital Universitario Germans Trías i Pujol Badalona, Barcelona Spain
| | - Antonio Rodriguez‐Baena
- Unidad de Trastornos del Movimiento, Servicio de Neurología y Neurofisiología Clínica, Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío/CSIC/Universidad de Sevilla Seville Spain
| | - Pablo Mir
- Unidad de Trastornos del Movimiento, Servicio de Neurología y Neurofisiología Clínica, Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío/CSIC/Universidad de Sevilla Seville Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED) Madrid Spain
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18
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Charalambous C, Lapka M, Havlickova T, Syslova K, Sustkova-Fiserova M. Alterations in Rat Accumbens Dopamine, Endocannabinoids and GABA Content During WIN55,212-2 Treatment: The Role of Ghrelin. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 22:ijms22010210. [PMID: 33379212 PMCID: PMC7795825 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22010210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2020] [Revised: 12/21/2020] [Accepted: 12/24/2020] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
The endocannabinoid/CB1R system as well as the central ghrelin signalling with its growth hormone secretagogoue receptors (GHS-R1A) are importantly involved in food intake and reward/reinforcement processing and show distinct overlaps in distribution within the relevant brain regions including the hypothalamus (food intake), the ventral tegmental area (VTA) and the nucleus accumbens (NAC) (reward/reinforcement). The significant mutual interaction between these systems in food intake has been documented; however, the possible role of ghrelin/GHS-R1A in the cannabinoid reinforcement effects and addiction remain unclear. Therefore, the principal aim of the present study was to investigate whether pretreatment with GHS-R1A antagonist/JMV2959 could reduce the CB1R agonist/WIN55,212-2–induced dopamine efflux in the nucleus accumbens shell (NACSh), which is considered a crucial trigger impulse of the addiction process. The synthetic aminoalklylindol cannabinoid WIN55,212-2 administration into the posterior VTA induced significant accumbens dopamine release, which was significantly reduced by the 3 mg/kg i.p. JMV2959 pretreatment. Simultaneously, the cannabinoid-increased accumbens dopamine metabolic turnover was significantly augmented by the JMV2959 pretreament. The intracerebral WIN55,212-2 administration also increased the endocannabinoid arachidonoylethanolamide/anandamide and the 2-arachidonoylglycerol/2-AG extracellular levels in the NACSh, which was moderately but significantly attenuated by the JMV2959 pretreatment. Moreover, the cannabinoid-induced decrease in accumbens γ-aminobutyric acid/gamma-aminobutyric acid levels was reversed by the JMV2959 pretreatment. The behavioural study in the LABORAS cage showed that 3 mg/kg JMV2959 pretreatment also significantly reduced the systemic WIN55,212-2-induced behavioural stimulation. Our results demonstrate that the ghrelin/GHS-R1A system significantly participates in the rewarding/reinforcing effects of the cannabinoid/CB1 agonist that are involved in cannabinoid addiction processing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chrysostomos Charalambous
- Department of Addictology, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Apolinarska 4, 128 00 Prague 2, Czech Republic;
| | - Marek Lapka
- Department of Pharmacology, Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Ruska 87, 100 34 Prague 10, Czech Republic; (M.L.); (T.H.)
| | - Tereza Havlickova
- Department of Pharmacology, Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Ruska 87, 100 34 Prague 10, Czech Republic; (M.L.); (T.H.)
| | - Kamila Syslova
- Laboratory of Medicinal Diagnostics, Department of Organic Technology, University of Chemistry and Technology Prague, Technicka 5, 166 28 Prague 6, Czech Republic;
| | - Magdalena Sustkova-Fiserova
- Department of Pharmacology, Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Ruska 87, 100 34 Prague 10, Czech Republic; (M.L.); (T.H.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +420-267-102-450; Fax: +420-267-102-461
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19
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Monday HR, Bourdenx M, Jordan BA, Castillo PE. CB 1-receptor-mediated inhibitory LTD triggers presynaptic remodeling via protein synthesis and ubiquitination. eLife 2020; 9:54812. [PMID: 32902378 PMCID: PMC7521925 DOI: 10.7554/elife.54812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2019] [Accepted: 09/08/2020] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Long-lasting forms of postsynaptic plasticity commonly involve protein synthesis-dependent structural changes of dendritic spines. However, the relationship between protein synthesis and presynaptic structural plasticity remains unclear. Here, we investigated structural changes in cannabinoid-receptor 1 (CB1)-mediated long-term depression of inhibitory transmission (iLTD), a form of presynaptic plasticity that involves a protein-synthesis-dependent long-lasting reduction in GABA release. We found that CB1-iLTD in acute rat hippocampal slices was associated with protein synthesis-dependent presynaptic structural changes. Using proteomics, we determined that CB1 activation in hippocampal neurons resulted in increased ribosomal proteins and initiation factors, but decreased levels of proteins involved in regulation of the actin cytoskeleton, such as ARPC2 and WASF1/WAVE1, and presynaptic release. Moreover, while CB1-iLTD increased ubiquitin/proteasome activity, ubiquitination but not proteasomal degradation was critical for structural and functional presynaptic CB1-iLTD. Thus, CB1-iLTD relies on both protein synthesis and ubiquitination to elicit structural changes that underlie long-term reduction of GABA release.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah R Monday
- Dominick P. Purpura Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, United States
| | - Mathieu Bourdenx
- Department of Developmental and Molecular Biology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, United States.,Institute for Aging Studies, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, United States
| | - Bryen A Jordan
- Dominick P. Purpura Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, United States.,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, United States
| | - Pablo E Castillo
- Dominick P. Purpura Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, United States.,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, United States
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20
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Prini P, Zamberletti E, Manenti C, Gabaglio M, Parolaro D, Rubino T. Neurobiological mechanisms underlying cannabis-induced memory impairment. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol 2020; 36:181-190. [PMID: 32139186 DOI: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2020.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2019] [Revised: 01/27/2020] [Accepted: 02/17/2020] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
A growing body of literature suggests that cannabis intake can induce memory loss in humans and animals. Besides the recreational use, daily cannabis users may also belong to the ever-increasing population of patients who are administered cannabis as a medicine. As such, they also can experience impairments in memory as a negative side effect of their therapy. Comprehension of the neurobiological mechanisms responsible for such detrimental effects would be therefore of paramount relevance to public health. The investigation of neurobiological mechanisms in humans, despite the progress in the development of imaging technologies that allow the study of brain structure and function, still suffers substantial limitations. Animal models, instead, enable us to establish a causal relationship and thus to better elucidate the neurobiological mechanisms underlying the process under study. In this review, we will attempt to collect the insight coming from animal models about cannabis effects on memory, trying to depict a picture of the neurobiological mechanisms contributing to the development of cognitive deficits following cannabis use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pamela Prini
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, and Neuroscience Center, University of Insubria, Busto Arsizio VA, Italy
| | - Erica Zamberletti
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, and Neuroscience Center, University of Insubria, Busto Arsizio VA, Italy
| | - Cristina Manenti
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, and Neuroscience Center, University of Insubria, Busto Arsizio VA, Italy
| | - Marina Gabaglio
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, and Neuroscience Center, University of Insubria, Busto Arsizio VA, Italy
| | - Daniela Parolaro
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, and Neuroscience Center, University of Insubria, Busto Arsizio VA, Italy; Zardi-Gori Foundation, Milan, Italy
| | - Tiziana Rubino
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, and Neuroscience Center, University of Insubria, Busto Arsizio VA, Italy.
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21
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Überall MA. A Review of Scientific Evidence for THC:CBD Oromucosal Spray (Nabiximols) in the Management of Chronic Pain. J Pain Res 2020; 13:399-410. [PMID: 32104061 PMCID: PMC7027889 DOI: 10.2147/jpr.s240011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2019] [Accepted: 01/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The 20% prevalence of chronic pain in the general population is a major health concern given the often profound associated impairment of daily activities, employment status, and health-related quality of life in sufferers. Resource utilization associated with chronic pain represents an enormous burden for healthcare systems. Although analgesia based on the World Health Organization’s pain ladder continues to be the mainstay of chronic pain management, aside from chronic cancer pain or end-of-life care, prolonged use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or opioids to manage chronic pain is rarely sustainable. As the endocannabinoid system is known to control pain at peripheral, spinal, and supraspinal levels, interest in medical use of cannabis is growing. A proprietary blend of cannabis plant extracts containing delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) as the principal cannabinoids is formulated as an oromucosal spray (USAN name: nabiximols) and standardized to ensure quality, consistency and stability. This review examines evidence for THC:CBD oromucosal spray (nabiximols) in the management of chronic pain conditions. Cumulative evidence from clinical trials and an exploratory analysis of the German Pain e-Registry suggests that add-on THC:CBD oromucosal spray (nabiximols) may have a role in managing chronic neuropathic pain, although further precise clinical trials are required to draw definitive conclusions.
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22
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Fitoussi A, Zunder J, Tan H, Laviolette SR. Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol potentiates fear memory salience through functional modulation of mesolimbic dopaminergic activity states. Eur J Neurosci 2019; 47:1385-1400. [PMID: 29776015 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.13951] [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: 11/29/2017] [Revised: 04/03/2018] [Accepted: 04/12/2018] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Chronic or acute exposure to delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main psychoactive compound in cannabis, has been associated with numerous neuropsychiatric side-effects, including dysregulation of emotional processing and associative memory formation. Clinical and preclinical evidence suggests that the effects of THC are due to the ability to modulate mesolimbic dopamine (DA) activity states in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) and ventral tegmental area (VTA). Nevertheless, the mechanisms by which THC modulates mesolimbic DA function and emotional processing are not well understood. Using an olfactory associative fear memory procedure combined with in vivo neuronal electrophysiology, we examined the effects of direct THC microinfusions targeting the shell region of the NAc (NASh) and examined how THC may modulate the processing of fear-related emotional memory and concomitant activity states of the mesolimbic DA system. We report that intra-NASh THC dose-dependently potentiates the emotional salience of normally subthreshold fear conditioning cues. These effects were dependent upon intra-VTA transmission through GABAergic receptor mechanisms and intra-NASh DAergic transmission. Furthermore, doses of intra-NASh THC that potentiated fear memory salience were found to modulate intra-VTA neuronal network activity by increasing the spontaneous firing and bursting frequency of DAergic neurones whilst decreasing the activity levels of a subpopulation of putative GABAergic VTA neurones. These findings demonstrate that THC can act directly in the NASh to modulate mesolimbic activity states and induce disturbances in emotional salience and memory formation through modulation of VTA DAergic transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aurelie Fitoussi
- Addiction Research Group, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada.,Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
| | - Jordan Zunder
- Addiction Research Group, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada.,Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
| | - Huibing Tan
- Addiction Research Group, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada.,Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
| | - Steven R Laviolette
- Addiction Research Group, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada.,Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
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Hippocampal Protein Kinase C Signaling Mediates the Short-Term Memory Impairment Induced by Delta9-Tetrahydrocannabinol. Neuropsychopharmacology 2018; 43:1021-1031. [PMID: 28816239 PMCID: PMC5854793 DOI: 10.1038/npp.2017.175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2017] [Revised: 08/02/2017] [Accepted: 08/09/2017] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Cannabis affects cognitive performance through the activation of the endocannabinoid system, and the molecular mechanisms involved in this process are poorly understood. Using the novel object-recognition memory test in mice, we found that the main psychoactive component of cannabis, delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), alters short-term object-recognition memory specifically involving protein kinase C (PKC)-dependent signaling. Indeed, the systemic or intra-hippocampal pre-treatment with the PKC inhibitors prevented the short-term, but not the long-term, memory impairment induced by THC. In contrast, systemic pre-treatment with mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 inhibitors, known to block the amnesic-like effects of THC on long-term memory, did not modify such a short-term cognitive deficit. Immunoblot analysis revealed a transient increase in PKC signaling activity in the hippocampus after THC treatment. Thus, THC administration induced the phosphorylation of a specific Ser residue in the hydrophobic-motif at the C-terminal tail of several PKC isoforms. This significant immunoreactive band that paralleled cognitive performance did not match in size with the major PKC isoforms expressed in the hippocampus except for PKCθ. Moreover, THC transiently enhanced the phosphorylation of the postsynaptic calmodulin-binding protein neurogranin in a PKC dependent manner. These data demonstrate that THC alters short-term object-recognition memory through hippocampal PKC/neurogranin signaling.
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Gioia DA, Xu M, Wayman WN, Woodward JJ. Effects of drugs of abuse on channelrhodopsin-2 function. Neuropharmacology 2018; 135:316-327. [PMID: 29580953 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2018.03.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2017] [Revised: 03/21/2018] [Accepted: 03/22/2018] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Channelrhodopsins are light activated ion channels used extensively over the past decade to probe the function of genetically defined neuronal populations and distinct neural circuits with high temporal and spatial precision. The widely used Channelrhodopsin-2 variant (ChR2) is an excitatory opsin that undergoes conformational changes in response to blue light, allowing non-selective passage of protons and cations across the plasma membrane thus leading to depolarization. In the addiction neuroscience field, opsins such as ChR2 provide a means to disambiguate the overlapping circuitry involved in mediating the reinforcing and aversive effects of drugs of abuse as well as to determine the plasticity that can occur in these circuits during the development of dependence. Although ChR2 has been widely used in animal models of drug and alcohol self-administration, direct effects of drugs of abuse on ChR2 function may confound its use and lead to misinterpretation of data. As a variety of neuronal ion channels are primary targets of various drugs of abuse, it is critical to determine whether ChR2-mediated currents are modulated by these drugs. In this study, we performed whole-cell electrophysiological recordings in HEK293 cells expressing the commonly used ChR2(H134R) variant and examined the effects of various drugs of abuse and other commonly used agents on light-induced currents. We found no differences in ChR2-mediated currents in the presence of 30 μM nicotine, 30 μM cocaine, 100 μM methamphetamine or 3 mM toluene. Similarly, ChR2 currents were insensitive to 30 mM ethanol but higher concentrations (100-300 mM) produced significant effects on the desensitization and amplitude of light-evoked currents. Tetrahydrocannabinol (1-10 μM) and morphine (30-100 μM) significantly inhibited ChR2 currents while the cannabinoid receptor antagonist AM-251 had no effect. The sodium channel blocker tetrodotoxin (5 μM) and the generic channel blocker/contrast agent gadolinium chloride (10 mM) also reduced ChR2 currents while the divalent ion magnesium (10 mM) had no effect. Together, the results from this study highlight the importance of conducting appropriate control experiments when testing new compounds in combination with optogenetic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominic A Gioia
- Medical University of South Carolina, Institute of Psychiatry, 67 President St, Charleston, SC, 29425, United States.
| | - Minfu Xu
- Medical University of South Carolina, Institute of Psychiatry, 67 President St, Charleston, SC, 29425, United States.
| | - Wesley N Wayman
- Medical University of South Carolina, Institute of Psychiatry, 67 President St, Charleston, SC, 29425, United States.
| | - John J Woodward
- Medical University of South Carolina, Institute of Psychiatry, 67 President St, Charleston, SC, 29425, United States.
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25
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The cannabinoid-1 receptor is abundantly expressed in striatal striosomes and striosome-dendron bouquets of the substantia nigra. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0191436. [PMID: 29466446 PMCID: PMC5821318 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0191436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2017] [Accepted: 01/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Presynaptic cannabinoid-1 receptors (CB1-R) bind endogenous and exogenous cannabinoids to modulate neurotransmitter release. CB1-Rs are expressed throughout the basal ganglia, including striatum and substantia nigra, where they play a role in learning and control of motivated actions. However, the pattern of CB1-R expression across different striatal compartments, microcircuits and efferent targets, and the contribution of different CB1-R-expressing neurons to this pattern, are unclear. We use a combination of conventional techniques and novel genetic models to evaluate CB1-R expression in striosome (patch) and matrix compartments of the striatum, and in nigral targets of striatal medium spiny projection neurons (MSNs). CB1-R protein and mRNA follow a descending dorsolateral-to-ventromedial intensity gradient in the caudal striatum, with elevated expression in striosomes relative to the surrounding matrix. The lateral predominance of striosome CB1-Rs contrasts with that of the classical striosomal marker, the mu opioid receptor (MOR), which is expressed most prominently in rostromedial striosomes. The dorsolateral-to-ventromedial CB1-R gradient is similar to Drd2 dopamine receptor immunoreactivity and opposite to Substance P. This topology of CB1-R expression is maintained downstream in the globus pallidus and substantia nigra. Dense CB1-R-expressing striatonigral fibers extend dorsally within the substantia nigra pars reticulata, and colocalize with bundles of ventrally extending, striosome-targeted, dendrites of dopamine-containing neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta (striosome-dendron bouquets). Within striatum, CB1-Rs colocalize with fluorescently labeled MSN collaterals within the striosomes. Cre recombinase-mediated deletion of CB1-Rs from cortical projection neurons or MSNs, and MSN-selective reintroduction of CB1-Rs in knockout mice, demonstrate that the principal source of CB1-Rs in dorsolateral striosomes is local MSN collaterals. These data suggest a role for CB1-Rs in caudal dorsolateral striosome collaterals and striosome-dendron bouquet projections to lateral substantia nigra, where they are anatomically poised to mediate presynaptic disinhibition of both striosomal MSNs and midbrain dopamine neurons in response to endocannabinoids and cannabinomimetics.
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26
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Zallar LJ, Farokhnia M, Tunstall BJ, Vendruscolo LF, Leggio L. The Role of the Ghrelin System in Drug Addiction. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF NEUROBIOLOGY 2017; 136:89-119. [PMID: 29056157 DOI: 10.1016/bs.irn.2017.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
In the past years, a significant volume of research has implicated the appetitive hormone ghrelin in the mechanisms underlying drug use and addiction. From a neuroscientific standpoint, ghrelin modulates both reward and stress pathways, two key drivers of substance use behaviors. Previous investigations support a connection between the ghrelin system and alcohol, stimulants, and tobacco use in both animals and humans, while the research on opioids and cannabis is scarce. In general, upregulation of the ghrelin system seems to enhance craving for drugs as well as substances use. On the other hand, acute and chronic exposure to drugs of abuse influences the ghrelin system at different levels. This chapter summarizes the literature on the relationship between the ghrelin system and substance-related behaviors. We also review recent work investigating the ghrelin system as a potential pharmacological target for treating substance use disorders and discuss the need for additional research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lia J Zallar
- Section on Clinical Psychoneuroendocrinology and Neuropsychopharmacology, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism and National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States; Neurobiology of Addiction Section, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Mehdi Farokhnia
- Section on Clinical Psychoneuroendocrinology and Neuropsychopharmacology, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism and National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Brendan J Tunstall
- Neurobiology of Addiction Section, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Leandro F Vendruscolo
- Neurobiology of Addiction Section, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Lorenzo Leggio
- Section on Clinical Psychoneuroendocrinology and Neuropsychopharmacology, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism and National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States; Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies, Brown University, Providence, RI, United States.
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27
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Weiss SRB, Howlett KD, Baler RD. Building smart cannabis policy from the science up. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2017; 42:39-49. [PMID: 28189459 PMCID: PMC5404989 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2017.01.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2016] [Revised: 12/21/2016] [Accepted: 01/09/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Social attitudes and cultural norms around the issue of substance abuse are shifting rapidly around the world, leading to complex and unpredictable consequences. On the positive side, efforts to more intensely disseminate the scientific evidence for the many connections between chronic substance use and the emergence of measurable and discrete brain dysfunctions, has ushered in an evolving climate of acceptance and a new era of improved access to more effective interventions, at least in the United States. On the negative side, there has been a steady erosion in the public perception of the harms associated with the use of popular drugs, especially cannabis. This worrisome trend has sprouted at the convergence of several forces that have combined, more or less fortuitously, to effectively change long-standing policies away from prohibition and toward decriminalization or legalization. These forces include the outsized popularity of the cannabis plant among recreational users, the unflagging campaign by corporate lobbyists and patient advocates to mainstream its medicinal use, and the honest realization in some quarters of the deleterious impact of the drug war and its draconian cannabis laws, in particular, on society's most vulnerable populations. Updating drug policies is a desirable goal, and significant changes may indeed be warranted. However, there is a real concern when policy changes are hurriedly implemented without the required input from the medical, scientific, or policy research communities. Regardless of how well intentioned, such initiatives are bound to magnify the potential for unintended adverse consequences in the form of far ranging health and social costs. To minimize this risk, science must be front and center in this important policy debate. Here, we review the state of the science on cannabis and cannabinoid health effects, both adverse and therapeutic. We focus on the prevalence of use in different populations, the mechanisms by which cannabis exerts its effects (i.e., via the endocannabinoid system), and the double-edged potential of this system to inspire new medications, on one hand, and to cause short and long term harmful effects on the other. By providing knowledge of cannabis' broad ranging effects, we hope to enable better decision making regarding cannabis legislation and policy implementation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan R B Weiss
- National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, United States.
| | - Katia D Howlett
- National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, United States
| | - Ruben D Baler
- National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, United States
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Hoffman AF, Lycas MD, Kaczmarzyk JR, Spivak CE, Baumann MH, Lupica CR. Disruption of hippocampal synaptic transmission and long-term potentiation by psychoactive synthetic cannabinoid 'Spice' compounds: comparison with Δ 9 -tetrahydrocannabinol. Addict Biol 2017; 22:390-399. [PMID: 26732435 PMCID: PMC4935655 DOI: 10.1111/adb.12334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2015] [Revised: 10/16/2015] [Accepted: 10/21/2015] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
There has been a marked increase in the availability of synthetic drugs designed to mimic the effects of marijuana. These cannabimimetic drugs, sold illicitly as 'Spice' and related products, are associated with serious medical complications in some users. In vitro studies suggest that synthetic cannabinoids in these preparations are potent agonists at central cannabinoid CB1 receptors (CB1Rs), but few investigations have delineated their cellular effects, particularly in comparison with the psychoactive component of marijuana, Δ9 -tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9 -THC). We compared the ability of three widely abused synthetic cannabinoids and Δ9 -THC to alter glutamate release and long-term potentiation in the mouse hippocampus. JWH-018 was the most potent inhibitor of hippocampal synaptic transmission (EC50 ~15 nM), whereas its fluoropentyl derivative, AM2201, inhibited synaptic transmission with slightly lower potency (EC50 ~60 nM). The newer synthetic cannabinoid, XLR-11, displayed much lower potency (EC50 ~900 nM) that was similar to Δ9 -THC (EC50 ~700 nM). The effects of all compounds occurred via activation of CB1Rs, as demonstrated by reversal with the selective antagonist/inverse agonist AM251 or the neutral CB1R antagonist PIMSR1. Moreover, AM2201 was without effect in the hippocampus of transgenic mice lacking the CB1R. Hippocampal slices exposed to either synthetic cannabinoids or Δ9 -THC exhibited significantly impaired long-term potentiation (LTP). We find that, compared with Δ9 -THC, the first-generation cannabinoids found in Spice preparations display higher potency, whereas a recent synthetic cannabinoid is roughly equipotent with Δ9 -THC. The disruption of synaptic function by these synthetic cannabinoids is likely to lead to profound impairments in cognitive and behavioral function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander F. Hoffman
- Electrophysiology Research Section, Cellular Neurobiology BranchNational Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research ProgramBaltimoreMDUSA
| | - Matthew D. Lycas
- Electrophysiology Research Section, Cellular Neurobiology BranchNational Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research ProgramBaltimoreMDUSA
| | - Jakub R. Kaczmarzyk
- Electrophysiology Research Section, Cellular Neurobiology BranchNational Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research ProgramBaltimoreMDUSA
| | - Charles E. Spivak
- Electrophysiology Research Section, Cellular Neurobiology BranchNational Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research ProgramBaltimoreMDUSA
| | - Michael H. Baumann
- Designer Drug Research UnitNational Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research ProgramBaltimoreMDUSA
| | - Carl R. Lupica
- Electrophysiology Research Section, Cellular Neurobiology BranchNational Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research ProgramBaltimoreMDUSA
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Volkow ND, Hampson AJ, Baler RD. Don't Worry, Be Happy: Endocannabinoids and Cannabis at the Intersection of Stress and Reward. Annu Rev Pharmacol Toxicol 2017; 57:285-308. [DOI: 10.1146/annurev-pharmtox-010716-104615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Nora D. Volkow
- National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892;
| | - Aidan J. Hampson
- National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892;
| | - Ruben D. Baler
- National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892;
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Johnson KA, Lovinger DM. Presynaptic G Protein-Coupled Receptors: Gatekeepers of Addiction? Front Cell Neurosci 2016; 10:264. [PMID: 27891077 PMCID: PMC5104741 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2016.00264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2016] [Accepted: 10/31/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Drug abuse and addiction cause widespread social and public health problems, and the neurobiology underlying drug actions and drug use and abuse is an area of intensive research. Drugs of abuse alter synaptic transmission, and these actions contribute to acute intoxication as well as the chronic effects of abused substances. Transmission at most mammalian synapses involves neurotransmitter activation of two receptor subtypes, ligand-gated ion channels that mediate fast synaptic responses and G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) that have slower neuromodulatory actions. The GPCRs represent a large proportion of neurotransmitter receptors involved in almost all facets of nervous system function. In addition, these receptors are targets for many pharmacotherapeutic agents. Drugs of abuse directly or indirectly affect neuromodulation mediated by GPCRs, with important consequences for intoxication, drug taking and responses to prolonged drug exposure, withdrawal and addiction. Among the GPCRs are several subtypes involved in presynaptic inhibition, most of which are coupled to the Gi/o class of G protein. There is increasing evidence that these presynaptic Gi/o-coupled GPCRs have important roles in the actions of drugs of abuse, as well as behaviors related to these drugs. This topic will be reviewed, with particular emphasis on receptors for three neurotransmitters, Dopamine (DA; D1- and D2-like receptors), Endocannabinoids (eCBs; CB1 receptors) and glutamate (group II metabotropic glutamate (mGlu) receptors). The focus is on recent evidence from laboratory animal models (and some evidence in humans) implicating these receptors in the acute and chronic effects of numerous abused drugs, as well as in the control of drug seeking and taking. The ability of drugs targeting these receptors to modify drug seeking behavior has raised the possibility of using compounds targeting these receptors for addiction pharmacotherapy. This topic is also discussed, with emphasis on development of mGlu2 positive allosteric modulators (PAMs).
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Affiliation(s)
- Kari A. Johnson
- Section on Synaptic Pharmacology, Laboratory for Integrative Neuroscience, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of HealthBethesda, MD, USA
| | - David M. Lovinger
- Section on Synaptic Pharmacology, Laboratory for Integrative Neuroscience, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of HealthBethesda, MD, USA
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31
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Aso E, Andrés-Benito P, Ferrer I. Delineating the Efficacy of a Cannabis-Based Medicine at Advanced Stages of Dementia in a Murine Model. J Alzheimers Dis 2016; 54:903-912. [DOI: 10.3233/jad-160533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ester Aso
- Institut de Neuropatologia, Servei d’Anatomia Patològica, IDIBELL-Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge, Universitat de Barcelona, L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain
- CIBERNED, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas, Instituto Carlos III, Spain
| | - Pol Andrés-Benito
- Institut de Neuropatologia, Servei d’Anatomia Patològica, IDIBELL-Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge, Universitat de Barcelona, L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain
- CIBERNED, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas, Instituto Carlos III, Spain
| | - Isidro Ferrer
- Institut de Neuropatologia, Servei d’Anatomia Patològica, IDIBELL-Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge, Universitat de Barcelona, L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain
- CIBERNED, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas, Instituto Carlos III, Spain
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32
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Green IW, Glausier JR. Different Paths to Core Pathology: The Equifinal Model of the Schizophrenia Syndrome. Schizophr Bull 2016; 42:542-9. [PMID: 26392629 PMCID: PMC4838077 DOI: 10.1093/schbul/sbv136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Schizophrenia is a clinically heterogeneous disorder that is perhaps more accurately characterized as "the schizophrenia syndrome." This clinical heterogeneity is reflected in the heterogeneous neurobiological presentations associated with the illness. Moreover, even highly specific neural aberrations that are associated with distinct symptoms of schizophrenia are linked to a wide range of risk factors. As such, any individual with schizophrenia likely has a particular set of risk factors that interact and converge to cross the disease threshold, forming a particular etiology that ultimately generates a core pathophysiology. This core pathophysiology may then produce 1 or more symptoms of schizophrenia, leading to common symptoms across individuals in spite of disparate etiologies. As such, the schizophrenia syndrome can be considered as anequifinalentity: a state of dysfunction that can arise from different upstream etiologies. Moreover, schizophrenia etiologies are multifactorial and can involve the interactive effects of a broad range of genetic, environmental, and developmental risk factors. Through a consideration of how disparate etiologies, caused by different sets of risk factors, converge on the same net dysfunction, this paper aims to model the equifinal nature of schizophrenia symptoms. To demonstrate the equifinal model, we discuss how maternal infection and adolescent cannabis use, 2 recognized schizophrenia risk factors, may interact with other genetic, environmental, and/or developmental risk factors to cause the conserved clinical presentation of impaired working memory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isobel W. Green
- Department of Psychology, Harvard College, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA
| | - Jill R. Glausier
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA,*To whom correspondence should be addressed; Department of Psychiatry, Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, University of Pittsburgh, Biomedical Science Tower W1654, 3811 O’Hara Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, US; tel: 412-624-7869, fax: 412-624-9910, e-mail:
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Delgado-Peraza F, Ahn KH, Nogueras-Ortiz C, Mungrue IN, Mackie K, Kendall DA, Yudowski GA. Mechanisms of Biased β-Arrestin-Mediated Signaling Downstream from the Cannabinoid 1 Receptor. Mol Pharmacol 2016; 89:618-29. [PMID: 27009233 PMCID: PMC4885504 DOI: 10.1124/mol.115.103176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2015] [Accepted: 03/22/2016] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Activation of G protein-coupled receptors results in multiple waves of signaling that are mediated by heterotrimeric G proteins and the scaffolding proteins β-arrestin 1/2. Ligands can elicit full or subsets of cellular responses, a concept defined as ligand bias or functional selectivity. However, our current understanding of β-arrestin-mediated signaling is still very limited. Here we provide a comprehensive view of β-arrestin-mediated signaling from the cannabinoid 1 receptor (CB1R). By using a signaling biased receptor, we define the cascades, specific receptor kinases, and molecular mechanism underlying β-arrestin-mediated signaling: We identify the interaction kinetics of CB1R and β-arrestin 1 during their endocytic trafficking as directly proportional to its efficacy. Finally, we demonstrate that signaling results in the control of genes clustered around prosurvival and proapoptotic functions among others. Together, these studies constitute a comprehensive description of β-arrestin-mediated signaling from CB1Rs and suggest modulation of receptor endocytic trafficking as a therapeutic approach to control β-arrestin-mediated signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francheska Delgado-Peraza
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology (F.D.-P., G.A.Y.) and Institute of Neurobiology (F.D.-P., C.N.-O., G.A.Y.), University of Puerto Rico - Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, Puerto Rico; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut (K.H.A., D.A.K.); Department of Pharmacology & Experimental Therapeutics, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, Louisiana (I.N.M.); and Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences, Gill Center for Biomedical Sciences, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana (K.M.)
| | - Kwang H Ahn
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology (F.D.-P., G.A.Y.) and Institute of Neurobiology (F.D.-P., C.N.-O., G.A.Y.), University of Puerto Rico - Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, Puerto Rico; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut (K.H.A., D.A.K.); Department of Pharmacology & Experimental Therapeutics, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, Louisiana (I.N.M.); and Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences, Gill Center for Biomedical Sciences, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana (K.M.)
| | - Carlos Nogueras-Ortiz
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology (F.D.-P., G.A.Y.) and Institute of Neurobiology (F.D.-P., C.N.-O., G.A.Y.), University of Puerto Rico - Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, Puerto Rico; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut (K.H.A., D.A.K.); Department of Pharmacology & Experimental Therapeutics, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, Louisiana (I.N.M.); and Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences, Gill Center for Biomedical Sciences, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana (K.M.)
| | - Imran N Mungrue
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology (F.D.-P., G.A.Y.) and Institute of Neurobiology (F.D.-P., C.N.-O., G.A.Y.), University of Puerto Rico - Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, Puerto Rico; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut (K.H.A., D.A.K.); Department of Pharmacology & Experimental Therapeutics, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, Louisiana (I.N.M.); and Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences, Gill Center for Biomedical Sciences, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana (K.M.)
| | - Ken Mackie
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology (F.D.-P., G.A.Y.) and Institute of Neurobiology (F.D.-P., C.N.-O., G.A.Y.), University of Puerto Rico - Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, Puerto Rico; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut (K.H.A., D.A.K.); Department of Pharmacology & Experimental Therapeutics, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, Louisiana (I.N.M.); and Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences, Gill Center for Biomedical Sciences, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana (K.M.)
| | - Debra A Kendall
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology (F.D.-P., G.A.Y.) and Institute of Neurobiology (F.D.-P., C.N.-O., G.A.Y.), University of Puerto Rico - Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, Puerto Rico; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut (K.H.A., D.A.K.); Department of Pharmacology & Experimental Therapeutics, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, Louisiana (I.N.M.); and Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences, Gill Center for Biomedical Sciences, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana (K.M.)
| | - Guillermo A Yudowski
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology (F.D.-P., G.A.Y.) and Institute of Neurobiology (F.D.-P., C.N.-O., G.A.Y.), University of Puerto Rico - Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, Puerto Rico; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut (K.H.A., D.A.K.); Department of Pharmacology & Experimental Therapeutics, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, Louisiana (I.N.M.); and Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences, Gill Center for Biomedical Sciences, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana (K.M.)
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The Changing Face of Recreational Drug Use. CEREBRUM : THE DANA FORUM ON BRAIN SCIENCE 2016; 2016:cer-01-16. [PMID: 27408674 PMCID: PMC4938259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Our author writes that recent data from the United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime indicate that 540 different drugs classified as new psychoactive substances (NPS) have been identified worldwide as of 2014, and this number is expected to rise. His article describes the complexity of the NPS problem, what is known about the molecular mechanisms of action, and the pharmacological effects of NPS. It also highlights some of the considerable challenges in dealing with this emerging issue.
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Korpi ER, den Hollander B, Farooq U, Vashchinkina E, Rajkumar R, Nutt DJ, Hyytiä P, Dawe GS. Mechanisms of Action and Persistent Neuroplasticity by Drugs of Abuse. Pharmacol Rev 2015; 67:872-1004. [DOI: 10.1124/pr.115.010967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 101] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
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Wang H, Treadway T, Covey DP, Cheer JF, Lupica CR. Cocaine-Induced Endocannabinoid Mobilization in the Ventral Tegmental Area. Cell Rep 2015; 12:1997-2008. [PMID: 26365195 PMCID: PMC4857883 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2015.08.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2015] [Revised: 06/02/2015] [Accepted: 08/11/2015] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Cocaine is a highly addictive drug that acts upon the brain’s reward circuitry via the inhibition of mono-amine uptake. Endogenous cannabinoids (eCB) are lipid molecules released from midbrain dopamine (DA) neurons that modulate cocaine’s effects through poorly understood mechanisms. We find that cocaine stimulates release of the eCB, 2-arach-idonoylglycerol (2-AG), in the rat ventral midbrain to suppress GABAergic inhibition of DA neurons, through activation of presynaptic cannabinoid CB1 receptors. Cocaine mobilizes 2-AG via inhibition of norepinephrine uptake and promotion of a cooperative interaction between Gq/11-coupled type-1 metabotropic glutamate and α1-adrenergic receptors to stimulate internal calcium stores and activate phospholipase C. The disinhibition of DA neurons by cocaine-mobilized 2-AG is also functionally relevant because it augments DA release in the nucleus accumbens in vivo. Our results identify a mechanism through which the eCB system can regulate the rewarding and addictive properties of cocaine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huikun Wang
- Electrophysiology Research Section, Cellular Neurobiology Research Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse, 251 Bayview Boulevard, Suite 200, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
| | - Tyler Treadway
- Electrophysiology Research Section, Cellular Neurobiology Research Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse, 251 Bayview Boulevard, Suite 200, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
| | - Daniel P Covey
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Joseph F Cheer
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Carl R Lupica
- Electrophysiology Research Section, Cellular Neurobiology Research Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse, 251 Bayview Boulevard, Suite 200, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA.
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Panlilio LV, Goldberg SR, Justinova Z. Cannabinoid abuse and addiction: Clinical and preclinical findings. Clin Pharmacol Ther 2015; 97:616-27. [PMID: 25788435 DOI: 10.1002/cpt.118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2015] [Accepted: 03/13/2015] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Cannabinoid abuse disorders represent a widespread public health issue, but there are no approved medications for their treatment. This review describes efforts to understand the mechanisms of cannabinoid abuse and its adverse effects, to identify molecular targets for pharmacotherapy, and to evaluate potential treatments in human volunteers and animal models of cannabinoid reward, withdrawal, and relapse.
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Affiliation(s)
- L V Panlilio
- Preclinical Pharmacology Section, Behavioral Neuroscience Research Branch, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, NIH, DHHS, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - S R Goldberg
- Preclinical Pharmacology Section, Behavioral Neuroscience Research Branch, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, NIH, DHHS, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Z Justinova
- Preclinical Pharmacology Section, Behavioral Neuroscience Research Branch, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, NIH, DHHS, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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Ceccarini J, Kuepper R, Kemels D, van Os J, Henquet C, Van Laere K. [18F]MK-9470 PET measurement of cannabinoid CB1 receptor availability in chronic cannabis users. Addict Biol 2015; 20:357-67. [PMID: 24373053 DOI: 10.1111/adb.12116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 96] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Δ(9) -Tetrahydrocannabinol, the main psychoactive component of cannabis, exerts its central effects through activation of the cerebral type 1 cannabinoid (CB1 ) receptor. Pre-clinical studies have provided evidence that chronic cannabis exposure is linked to decreased CB1 receptor expression and this is thought to be a component underlying drug tolerance and dependence. In this study, we make first use of the selective high-affinity positron emission tomography (PET) ligand [(18) F]MK-9470 to obtain in vivo measurements of cerebral CB1 receptor availability in 10 chronic cannabis users (age = 26.0 ± 4.1 years). Each patient underwent [(18) F]MK-9470 PET within the first week following the last cannabis consumption. A population of 10 age-matched healthy subjects (age = 23.0 ± 2.9 years) was used as control group. Parametric modified standardized uptake value images, reflecting CB1 receptor availability, were calculated. Statistical parametric mapping and volume-of-interest (VOI) analyses of CB1 receptor availability were performed. Compared with controls, cannabis users showed a global decrease in CB1 receptor availability (-11.7 percent). VOI-based analysis demonstrated that the CB1 receptor decrease was significant in the temporal lobe (-12.7 percent), anterior (-12.6 percent) and posterior cingulate cortex (-13.5 percent) and nucleus accumbens (-11.2 percent). Voxel-based analysis confirmed this decrease and regional pattern in CB1 receptor availability in cannabis users. These findings revealed that chronic cannabis use may alter specific regional CB1 receptor expression through neuroadaptive changes in CB1 receptor availability, opening the way for the examination of specific CB1 -cannabis addiction interactions which may predict future cannabis-related treatment outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenny Ceccarini
- Division of Nuclear Medicine; University Hospitals Leuven and Department of Imaging and Pathology; KU Leuven; Belgium
| | - Rebecca Kuepper
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychology; Maastricht University Medical Centre; South Limburg Mental Health Research and Teaching Network; EURON; The Netherlands
| | - Dieter Kemels
- Division of Nuclear Medicine; University Hospitals Leuven and Department of Imaging and Pathology; KU Leuven; Belgium
| | - Jim van Os
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychology; Maastricht University Medical Centre; South Limburg Mental Health Research and Teaching Network; EURON; The Netherlands
- Department of Psychosis Studies; Institute of Psychiatry; King's Health Partners; King's College London; UK
| | - Cécile Henquet
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychology; Maastricht University Medical Centre; South Limburg Mental Health Research and Teaching Network; EURON; The Netherlands
- PsyQ Heerlen; The Netherlands
| | - Koen Van Laere
- Division of Nuclear Medicine; University Hospitals Leuven and Department of Imaging and Pathology; KU Leuven; Belgium
- LIND, Leuven Institute for Neurobiology and Disease; KU Leuven; Belgium
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Zhang X, Feng ZJ, Chergui K. Induction of cannabinoid- and N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor-mediated long-term depression in the nucleus accumbens and dorsolateral striatum is region and age dependent. Int J Neuropsychopharmacol 2015; 18:pyu052. [PMID: 25618403 PMCID: PMC4360221 DOI: 10.1093/ijnp/pyu052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The adolescent brain is sensitive to experience-dependent plasticity and might be more vulnerable than the adult brain to the effects of some drugs of abuse. The factors that contribute to these differences are not fully identified. We have examined the ability of cannabinoids to induce a form of synaptic plasticity, long-term depression, in the nucleus accumbens and dorsolateral striatum of adolescent and adult mice. METHODS We measured field excitatory postsynaptic potentials/population spikes in brain slices. RESULTS We found that the cannabinoid receptor agonist WIN 55,212-2 (R)-(+)-[2,3-dihydro-5-methyl-3-(4-morpholinylmethyl)pyrrolo[1,2,3-de]-1,4-benzoxazin-6-yl]-1-naphthalenylmethanone mesylate) induced long-term depression in the nucleus accumbens of adolescent but not adult mice and failed to induce long-term depression in the dorsolateral striatum of adolescent or adult mice. Similar results were obtained with the group I metabotropic glutamate receptor agonist (S)-3,5- dihydroxyphenylglycine, which has previously been shown to promote the release of endocannabinoids. These age-related differences were associated with reduced protein levels of the cannabinoid type 1 receptor and metabotropic glutamate receptor 1 in adult nucleus accumbens and dorsolateral striatum and with an increased tone of endocannabinoids in the dorsolateral striatum of adult mice. We also found that N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor-dependent long-term depression, which was induced in the nucleus accumbens of adolescent mice, was blunted in adult mice, possibly because of decreased levels of GluN1, the obligatory subunit of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors. CONCLUSIONS This study identifies region- and age-specific differences in the ability of endogenous and exogenous cannabinoids, and of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors, to induce long-term depression in the striatal complex. These observations might contribute to a better understanding of the increased sensitivity of the adolescent brain to drug induced-plasticity.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Karima Chergui
- The Karolinska Institute, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Section of Molecular Neurophysiology, Von Eulers väg 8, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden (Drs Zhang, Feng, and Chergui).
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Rosa E, Skilling QM, Stein W. Effects of reciprocal inhibitory coupling in model neurons. Biosystems 2014; 127:73-83. [PMID: 25448894 DOI: 10.1016/j.biosystems.2014.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2014] [Revised: 10/23/2014] [Accepted: 11/02/2014] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Central pattern generators are neuron networks that produce vital rhythmic motor outputs such as those observed in mastication, walking and breathing. Their activity patterns depend on the tuning of their intrinsic ionic conductances, their synaptic interconnectivity and entrainment by extrinsic neurons. The influence of two commonly found synaptic connectivities--reciprocal inhibition and electrical coupling--are investigated here using a neuron model with subthreshold oscillation capability, in different firing and entrainment regimes. We study the dynamics displayed by a network of a pair of neurons with various firing regimes, coupled by either (i) only reciprocal inhibition or by (ii) electrical coupling first and then reciprocal inhibition. In both scenarios a range of coupling strengths for the reciprocal inhibition is tested, and in general the neuron with the lower firing rate stops spiking for strong enough inhibitory coupling, while the faster neuron remains active. However, in scenario (ii) the originally slower neuron stops spiking at weaker inhibitory coupling strength, suggesting that the electrical coupling introduces an element of instability to the two-neuron network.
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Affiliation(s)
- Epaminondas Rosa
- Department of Physics, Illinois State University, Normal, IL 61790, USA.
| | | | - Wolfgang Stein
- School of Biological Sciences, Illinois State University, Normal, IL 61790, USA
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