Category Archives: Schizophrenia

Therapeutic Potential of Cannabinoids in Schizophrenia.

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“Increasing evidence suggests a close relationship between the endocannabinoid system and schizophrenia.

The endocannabinoid system comprises of two G protein-coupled receptors (the cannabinoid receptors 1 and 2 [CB1 and CB2] for marijuana’s psychoactive principle Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol), their endogenous small lipid ligands (namely anandamide [AEA] and 2-arachidonoylglycerol [2-AG], also known as endocannabinoids), and proteins for endocannabinoid biosynthesis and degradation.

…antipsychotic compounds which manipulate this system may provide a novel therapeutic target for the treatment of schizophrenia.

The present article reviews current available knowledge on herbal, synthetic and endogenous cannabinoids with respect to the modulation of schizophrenic symptomatology.

Furthermore, this review will be highlighting the therapeutic potential of cannabinoid-related compounds and presenting some promising patents targeting potential treatment options for schizophrenia.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24605939

Effects of cannabinoid drugs on the deficit of prepulse inhibition of startle in an animal model of schizophrenia: the SHR strain

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“Clinical and neurobiological findings suggest that the cannabinoids and the endocannabinoid system may be implicated in the pathophysiology and treatment of schizophrenia.

Our results reinforce the role of the endocannabinoid system in the sensorimotor gating impairment related to schizophrenia, and point to cannabinoid drugs as potential therapeutic strategies.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3915876/

Potential protective effects of cannabidiol on neuroanatomical alterations in cannabis users and psychosis: a critical review.

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“…different cannabis compounds may exert opposite effects on the neuroanatomical changes underlying psychosis. In particular, cannabidiol (CBD) was shown to prevent THC associated hippocampal volume loss… This finding is further supported by several animal experiments supporting neuroprotective properties of CBD mainly via anti-oxidative effects, CB2 receptors or adenosine receptors… mechanisms by which CBD may reduce brain volume loss, including antagonism of THC, interactions with endocannabinoids, and mechanisms that specifically underlie antipsychotic properties of CBD.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22716143

Antipsychotic profile of cannabidiol and rimonabant in an animal model of emotional context processing in schizophrenia.

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“Clinical and neurobiological findings suggest that cannabinoids and their receptors are implicated in schizophrenia. Cannabidiol (CBD), a non-psychotomimetic compound of the Cannabis sativa plant, has been reported to have central therapeutic actions, such as antipsychotic and anxiolytic effects…

Our results suggest a potential therapeutical effect of CBD and rimonabant to treat the emotional processing impairment presented in schizophrenia.

In addition, our results reinforce the anxiolytic profile of CBD.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22716146

Effects of cannabinoid and vanilloid drugs on positive and negative-like symptoms on an animal model of schizophrenia: The SHR strain.

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“Studies have suggested that the endocannabinoid system is implicated in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia…

Our results indicate that the schizophrenia-like behaviors displayed by SHR are differently altered by cannabinoid and vanilloid drugs when compared to control animals and suggest the endocannabinoid and the vanilloid systems as a potential target for the treatment of schizophrenia.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24556469

Effects of cannabinoid drugs on the deficit of prepulse inhibition of startle in an animal model of schizophrenia: the SHR strain.

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“Clinical and neurobiological findings suggest that the cannabinoids and the endocannabinoid system may be implicated in the pathophysiology and treatment of schizophrenia…

Our results reinforce the role of the endocannabinoid system in the sensorimotor gating impairment related to schizophrenia, and point to cannabinoid drugs as potential therapeutic strategies.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24567721

Role of the endocannabinoid system in brain functions relevant for schizophrenia: An overview of human challenge studies with cannabis or ∆9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).

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“Accumulating evidence suggests involvement of the endocannabinoid system in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia, which signifies a potential application for this system in the treatment of this disorder.

…similarities in brain function between intoxicated healthy volunteers and schizophrenia patients provide an argument for a role of the endocannabinoid system in symptoms of schizophrenia, and further emphasise this system as a potential novel target for treatment of these symptoms.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24380726

Harvard: Marijuana Doesn’t Cause Schizophrenia

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Harvard: Marijuana Doesn't Cause Schizophrenia

“Good news for people who’ve worried that smoking too much marijuana (cannabis) — especially as a teenager — might lead to some dramatic problems in the future, even  schizophrenia.

New research from Harvard Medical School, in a comparison between families with a history of schizophrenia and those without, finds little support for marijuana use as a cause of schizophrenia.

“The results of the current study suggest that having an increased familial morbid risk for schizophrenia may be the underlying basis for schizophrenia in cannabis users and not cannabis use by itself,” note the researchers.”

More: http://psychcentral.com/news/2013/12/10/harvard-marijuana-doesnt-cause-schizophrenia/63148.html

“A controlled family study of cannabis users with and without psychosis.” http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24309013

A controlled family study of cannabis users with and without psychosis.

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“Several studies suggest a link between adolescent cannabis use and schizophrenia. An understanding of this link would have significant implications for legalization of cannabis and its medicinal value. The present study aims to determine whether familial morbid risk for schizophrenia is the crucial factor that underlies the association of adolescent cannabis use with the development of schizophrenia…

There was no significant difference in morbid risk for schizophrenia between relatives of the patients who use or do not use cannabis.

 

CONCLUSIONS: The results of the current study suggest that having an increased familial morbid risk for schizophrenia may be the underlying basis for schizophrenia in cannabis users and not cannabis use by itself.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24309013

Cannabidiol as a potential treatment for psychosis.

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“…the cannabis constituent cannabidiol (CBD) may have antipsychotic properties.

This review concisely describes the role of the endocannabinoid system in the development of psychosis and provides an overview of currently available animal, human experimental, imaging, epidemiological and clinical studies that investigated the antipsychotic properties of CBD…

Evidence from several research domains suggests that CBD shows potential for antipsychotic treatment.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24309088