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Baenas I, Solé-Morata N, Granero R, Fernández-Aranda F, Pujadas M, Mora-Maltas B, Lucas I, Gómez-Peña M, Moragas L, del Pino-Gutiérrez A, Tapia J, de la Torre R, Potenza MN, Jiménez-Murcia S. Anandamide and 2-arachidonoylglycerol baseline plasma concentrations and their clinical correlate in gambling disorder. Eur Psychiatry 2023; 66:e97. [PMID: 37937379 PMCID: PMC10755577 DOI: 10.1192/j.eurpsy.2023.2460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2023] [Revised: 09/08/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/09/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Different components of the endocannabinoid (eCB) system such as their most well-known endogenous ligands, anandamide (AEA) and 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG), have been implicated in brain reward pathways. While shared neurobiological substrates have been described among addiction-related disorders, information regarding the role of this system in behavioral addictions such as gambling disorder (GD) is scarce. AIMS Fasting plasma concentrations of AEA and 2-AG were analyzed in individuals with GD at baseline, compared with healthy control subjects (HC). Through structural equation modeling, we evaluated associations between endocannabinoids and GD severity, exploring the potentially mediating role of clinical and neuropsychological variables. METHODS The sample included 166 adult outpatients with GD (95.8% male, mean age 39 years old) and 41 HC. Peripheral blood samples were collected after overnight fasting to assess AEA and 2-AG concentrations (ng/ml). Clinical (i.e., general psychopathology, emotion regulation, impulsivity, personality) and neuropsychological variables were evaluated through a semi-structured clinical interview and psychometric assessments. RESULTS Plasma AEA concentrations were higher in patients with GD compared with HC (p = .002), without differences in 2-AG. AEA and 2-AG concentrations were related to GD severity, with novelty-seeking mediating relationships. CONCLUSIONS This study points to differences in fasting plasma concentrations of endocannabinoids between individuals with GD and HC. In the clinical group, the pathway defined by the association between the concentrations of endocannabinoids and novelty-seeking predicted GD severity. Although exploratory, these results could contribute to the identification of potential endophenotypic features that help optimize personalized approaches to prevent and treat GD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabel Baenas
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Bellvitge University Hospital, Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER Physiopathology of Obesity and Nutrition (CIBEROBN), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Barcelona Spain
- Psychoneurobiology of Eating and Addictive Behaviors Group, Neuroscience Program, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
- Doctoral Program in Medicine and Translational Research, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Neus Solé-Morata
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Bellvitge University Hospital, Barcelona, Spain
- Psychoneurobiology of Eating and Addictive Behaviors Group, Neuroscience Program, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Roser Granero
- CIBER Physiopathology of Obesity and Nutrition (CIBEROBN), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Barcelona Spain
- Psychoneurobiology of Eating and Addictive Behaviors Group, Neuroscience Program, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Psychobiology and Methodology, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Fernando Fernández-Aranda
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Bellvitge University Hospital, Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER Physiopathology of Obesity and Nutrition (CIBEROBN), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Barcelona Spain
- Psychoneurobiology of Eating and Addictive Behaviors Group, Neuroscience Program, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Clinical Sciences, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Mitona Pujadas
- Integrative Pharmacology and Systems Neuroscience Research Group, Hospital del Mar Research Institute (IMIM), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Bernat Mora-Maltas
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Bellvitge University Hospital, Barcelona, Spain
- Psychoneurobiology of Eating and Addictive Behaviors Group, Neuroscience Program, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
- Doctoral Program in Medicine and Translational Research, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ignacio Lucas
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Bellvitge University Hospital, Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER Physiopathology of Obesity and Nutrition (CIBEROBN), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Barcelona Spain
- Psychoneurobiology of Eating and Addictive Behaviors Group, Neuroscience Program, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Mónica Gómez-Peña
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Bellvitge University Hospital, Barcelona, Spain
- Psychoneurobiology of Eating and Addictive Behaviors Group, Neuroscience Program, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Laura Moragas
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Bellvitge University Hospital, Barcelona, Spain
- Psychoneurobiology of Eating and Addictive Behaviors Group, Neuroscience Program, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Amparo del Pino-Gutiérrez
- CIBER Physiopathology of Obesity and Nutrition (CIBEROBN), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Barcelona Spain
- Psychoneurobiology of Eating and Addictive Behaviors Group, Neuroscience Program, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Public Health, Mental Health and Perinatal Nursing, School of Nursing, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Javier Tapia
- Psychoneurobiology of Eating and Addictive Behaviors Group, Neuroscience Program, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
- Doctoral Program in Medicine and Translational Research, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Rafael de la Torre
- CIBER Physiopathology of Obesity and Nutrition (CIBEROBN), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Barcelona Spain
- Integrative Pharmacology and Systems Neuroscience Research Group, Hospital del Mar Research Institute (IMIM), Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Experimental and Health Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra (CEXS-UPF), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marc N. Potenza
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- Child Study Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- Connecticut Mental Health Center, New Haven, CT, USA
- Connecticut Council on Problem Gambling, Wethersfield, CT, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Susana Jiménez-Murcia
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Bellvitge University Hospital, Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER Physiopathology of Obesity and Nutrition (CIBEROBN), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Barcelona Spain
- Psychoneurobiology of Eating and Addictive Behaviors Group, Neuroscience Program, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Clinical Sciences, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
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Miranda-Olivos R, Baenas I, Steward T, Granero R, Pastor A, Sánchez I, Juaneda-Seguí A, Del Pino-Gutiérrez A, Fernández-Formoso JA, Vilarrasa N, Guerrero-Pérez F, Virgili N, López-Urdiales R, Jiménez-Murcia S, de la Torre R, Soriano-Mas C, Fernández-Aranda F. Exploring the influence of circulating endocannabinoids and nucleus accumbens functional connectivity on anorexia nervosa severity. Mol Psychiatry 2023; 28:4793-4800. [PMID: 37759041 PMCID: PMC10914605 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-023-02253-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2023] [Revised: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023]
Abstract
Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a severe psychiatric disorder characterized by a harmful persistence of self-imposed starvation resulting in significant weight loss. Research suggests that alterations in the nucleus accumbens (NAcc) and circulating endocannabinoids (eCBs), such as anandamide (AEA) and 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG), may contribute to increased severity and maladaptive behaviors in AN, warranting an examination of the interplay between central reward circuitry and eCBs. For this purpose, we assessed NAcc functional connectivity and circulating AEA and 2-AG concentrations in 18 individuals with AN and 18 healthy controls (HC) to test associations between circulating eCBs, NAcc functional connectivity, and AN severity, as defined by body mass index (BMI). Decreased connectivity was observed between the NAcc and the right insula (NAcc-insula; pFWE < 0.001) and the left supplementary motor area (NAcc-SMA; pFWE < 0.001) in the AN group compared to HC. Reduced NAcc-insula functional connectivity mediated the association between AEA concentrations and BMI in the AN group. However, in HC, NAcc-SMA functional connectivity had a mediating role between AEA concentrations and BMI. Although no significant differences in eCBs concentrations were observed between the groups, our findings provide insights into how the interaction between eCBs and NAcc functional connectivity influences AN severity. Altered NAcc-insula and NAcc-SMA connectivity in AN may impair the integration of interoceptive, somatosensory, and motor planning information related to reward stimuli. Furthermore, the distinct associations between eCBs concentrations and NAcc functional connectivity in AN and HC could have clinical implications for weight maintenance, with eCBs being a potential target for AN treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Romina Miranda-Olivos
- Clinical Psychology Unit, Bellvitge University Hospital, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, 08907, Barcelona, Spain
- Ciber Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBERObn), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 08907, Barcelona, Spain
- Psychoneurobiology of Eating and Addictive Behaviors Research Group, Neurosciences Program, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), 08908, Barcelona, Spain
- Doctoral Program in Medicine and Translational Research, University of Barcelona, 08036, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Isabel Baenas
- Clinical Psychology Unit, Bellvitge University Hospital, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, 08907, Barcelona, Spain
- Ciber Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBERObn), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 08907, Barcelona, Spain
- Psychoneurobiology of Eating and Addictive Behaviors Research Group, Neurosciences Program, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), 08908, Barcelona, Spain
- Doctoral Program in Medicine and Translational Research, University of Barcelona, 08036, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Trevor Steward
- Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Roser Granero
- Ciber Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBERObn), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 08907, Barcelona, Spain
- Psychoneurobiology of Eating and Addictive Behaviors Research Group, Neurosciences Program, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), 08908, Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Psychobiology and Methodology, Autonomous University of Barcelona, 08193, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Antoni Pastor
- Ciber Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBERObn), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 08907, Barcelona, Spain
- Integrative Pharmacology and Systems Neuroscience research group, Hospital del Mar Research Institute (IMIM), 08003, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Isabel Sánchez
- Clinical Psychology Unit, Bellvitge University Hospital, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, 08907, Barcelona, Spain
- Ciber Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBERObn), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 08907, Barcelona, Spain
- Psychoneurobiology of Eating and Addictive Behaviors Research Group, Neurosciences Program, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), 08908, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Asier Juaneda-Seguí
- Doctoral Program in Medicine and Translational Research, University of Barcelona, 08036, Barcelona, Spain
- Ciber de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Instituto Salud Carlos III, 28029, Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Psychiatry, Bellvitge University Hospital-IDIBELL, C/Feixa Llarga s/n, 08907, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Amparo Del Pino-Gutiérrez
- Ciber Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBERObn), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 08907, Barcelona, Spain
- Psychoneurobiology of Eating and Addictive Behaviors Research Group, Neurosciences Program, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), 08908, Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Public Health, Mental Health and Perinatal Nursing, School of Nursing, University of Barcelona, 08907, Barcelona, Spain
| | - José A Fernández-Formoso
- Ciber Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBERObn), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 08907, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Nuria Vilarrasa
- Department of Endocrinology and Nutrition, Bellvitge University Hospital-IDIBELL, C/Feixa Llarga s/n, 08907, Barcelona, Spain
- CIBERDEM-CIBER de Diabetes y Enfermedades Metabólicas Asociadas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, C/Monforte de Lemos 3-5, 28029, Madrid, Spain
| | - Fernando Guerrero-Pérez
- Department of Endocrinology and Nutrition, Bellvitge University Hospital-IDIBELL, C/Feixa Llarga s/n, 08907, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Nuria Virgili
- Department of Endocrinology and Nutrition, Bellvitge University Hospital-IDIBELL, C/Feixa Llarga s/n, 08907, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Rafael López-Urdiales
- Department of Endocrinology and Nutrition, Bellvitge University Hospital-IDIBELL, C/Feixa Llarga s/n, 08907, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Susana Jiménez-Murcia
- Clinical Psychology Unit, Bellvitge University Hospital, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, 08907, Barcelona, Spain
- Ciber Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBERObn), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 08907, Barcelona, Spain
- Psychoneurobiology of Eating and Addictive Behaviors Research Group, Neurosciences Program, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), 08908, Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Clinical Sciences, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Barcelona, 08907, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Rafael de la Torre
- Ciber Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBERObn), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 08907, Barcelona, Spain
- Integrative Pharmacology and Systems Neuroscience research group, Hospital del Mar Research Institute (IMIM), 08003, Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Experimental and Health Sciences, Pompeu Fabra University (CEXS-UPF), 08002, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Carles Soriano-Mas
- Ciber de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Instituto Salud Carlos III, 28029, Barcelona, Spain.
- Department of Psychiatry, Bellvitge University Hospital-IDIBELL, C/Feixa Llarga s/n, 08907, Barcelona, Spain.
- Department of Social Psychology and Quantitative Psychology, School of Psychology, University of Barcelona, 08035, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Fernando Fernández-Aranda
- Clinical Psychology Unit, Bellvitge University Hospital, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, 08907, Barcelona, Spain.
- Ciber Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBERObn), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 08907, Barcelona, Spain.
- Psychoneurobiology of Eating and Addictive Behaviors Research Group, Neurosciences Program, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), 08908, Barcelona, Spain.
- Department of Clinical Sciences, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Barcelona, 08907, Barcelona, Spain.
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Rogers CI, Pacanowski CR. The relationship between cannabis and anorexia nervosa: a scoping review. J Eat Disord 2023; 11:186. [PMID: 37858278 PMCID: PMC10585887 DOI: 10.1186/s40337-023-00887-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Relapse rates in Anorexia Nervosa (AN) remain high, warranting exploration of further treatments. Cannabinoid agonists are of interest as they have shown successful outcomes in the treatment of associated conditions, such as post-traumatic stress disorder. This scoping review explores the endocannabinoid system (ECS), benefits/harms/null effects of cannabinoid treatment, and harms of cannabis use in AN. METHODS PubMed, PsycINFO, Cochrane, and Web of Science were searched for studies published between 2010 and August 2023, with human participants that explored the ECS, cannabinoid treatment, or cannabis use, and included 1 or more keywords for both cannabis and AN in the title and or abstract. Reports describing secondary anorexia, reports not available in English, grey literature, reports combining data from AN with other conditions, and reports only reporting the prevalence of cannabis abuse/dependence were excluded. Data were extracted from 17 reports (n = 15 studies). For the ECS, outcomes included genetics such as allele expression related to the ECS, cannabinoid receptor availability, and circulating levels of endocannabinoids. For benefits/harms/null effects of cannabinoid treatment, outcomes included changes in weight, eating disorder (ED) symptoms, physical activity (PA), and hormones. For harms of cannabis use, outcomes included genetics related to cannabis use disorder and associations between cannabis use and ED symptoms. RESULTS Eight studies (n = 8 reports) found abnormalities in the ECS in AN including expression of related alleles, genotypes, and haplotypes, availability of cannabinoid receptors, and levels of endocannabinoids. Three studies (n = 5 reports) found benefits/harms/null effects of cannabinoid treatment. Benefits included weight gain, improved ED symptoms and reduced PA, while null effects included no changes in weight or ED symptoms, and harms included increased PA and lowered adipose hormones. Four studies (n = 4 reports) expanded upon harms of cannabis use, including genetic predispositions to cannabis use disorder, and compensatory behaviors related to cannabis use. CONCLUSION Limited evidence suggests that abnormalities in the ECS in AN may render cannabis a potential treatment for weight restoration and associated symptoms. Future research may wish to investigate individualized dosing approaches to maximize beneficial effects while minimizing harms. Level II Evidence: Scoping Review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chloe I Rogers
- Department of Health Behavior and Nutrition Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware, USA.
| | - Carly R Pacanowski
- Department of Health Behavior and Nutrition Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware, USA
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