Therapeutic Potential of Cannabinoids in Schizophrenia

KUČEROVÁ, Jana, Katarína TABIOVÁ, Filippo DRAGO and Vincenzo MICALE. Therapeutic Potential of Cannabinoids in Schizophrenia. Recent Patents on CNS Drug Discovery. Nizozemsko: Bentham Science Publishers B.V., 2014, vol. 9, No 1, p. 13-25. ISSN 1574-8898. Available from: https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1574889809666140307115532.

Basic information

• Original name: Therapeutic Potential of Cannabinoids in Schizophrenia
• Authors: KUČEROVÁ, Jana (203 Czech Republic, guarantor, belonging to the institution), Katarína TABIOVÁ (703 Slovakia, belonging to the institution), Filippo DRAGO (380 Italy) and Vincenzo MICALE (380 Italy, belonging to the institution).
• Edition: Recent Patents on CNS Drug Discovery, Nizozemsko, Bentham Science Publishers B.V. 2014, 1574-8898.

Other information

• Original language: English
• Type of outcome: Article in a journal
• Field of Study: 30104 Pharmacology and pharmacy
• Country of publisher: Netherlands
• Confidentiality degree: is not subject to a state or trade secret
• WWW: URL
• RIV identification code: RIV/00216224:14740/14:00075476
• Organization unit: Central European Institute of Technology
• Doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1574889809666140307115532
• Keywords in English: delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol; animal models; antipsychotics; cannabidiol; cannabis; CB receptors; endocannabinoid system; schizophrenia
• Tags: kontrola MP, ok, rivok, SCOPUS, WOS
• Tags: International impact, Reviewed

Abstract

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 delta 9-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. It has been suggested to be a pro-homeostatic and pleiotropic signalling system activated in a time- and tissue-specific manner during pathophysiological conditions. In the brain, activation of this system impacts the release of numerous neurotransmitters in various systems and cytokines from glial cells. Hence, the endocannabinoid system is strongly involved in neuropsychiatric disorders, such as schizophrenia. Therefore, adolescence use of Cannabis may alter the endocannabinoid signalling and pose a potential environmental risk to develop psychosis. Consistently, preclinical and clinical studies have found a dysregulation in the endocannabinoid system such as changed expression of CB1 and CB2 receptors or altered levels of AEA and 2-AG . Thus, due to the partial efficacy of actual antipsychotics, compounds which modulate 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.

Links

• ED1.1.00/02.0068, research and development project: Name: CEITEC - central european institute of technology