Phytocannabinoids and schizophrenia: Focus on adolescence as a critical window of enhanced vulnerability and opportunity for treatment

ŠTARK, Tibor, S. DI MARTINO, F. DRAGO, C. T. WOTJAK and V. MICALE. Phytocannabinoids and schizophrenia: Focus on adolescence as a critical window of enhanced vulnerability and opportunity for treatment. Pharmacological Research. London: ACADEMIC PRESS LTD- ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD, 2021, vol. 174, December 2021, p. 1-15. ISSN 1043-6618. Available from: https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.phrs.2021.105938.

Basic information

• Original name: Phytocannabinoids and schizophrenia: Focus on adolescence as a critical window of enhanced vulnerability and opportunity for treatment
• Authors: ŠTARK, Tibor (703 Slovakia, belonging to the institution), S. DI MARTINO, F. DRAGO, C. T. WOTJAK and V. MICALE (guarantor).
• Edition: Pharmacological Research, London, ACADEMIC PRESS LTD- ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD, 2021, 1043-6618.

Other information

• Original language: English
• Type of outcome: Article in a journal
• Field of Study: 30104 Pharmacology and pharmacy
• Country of publisher: Germany
• Confidentiality degree: is not subject to a state or trade secret
• WWW: URL
• Impact factor: Impact factor: 10.334
• RIV identification code: RIV/00216224:14110/21:00124165
• Organization unit: Faculty of Medicine
• Doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.phrs.2021.105938
• UT WoS: 000724713300004
• Keywords in English: THC; Cannabidiol; Adolescence; Schizophrenia; Animal model; Neurodevelopment
• Tags: 14110516, rivok
• Tags: International impact, Reviewed

Abstract

The recent shift in socio-political debates and growing liberalization of Cannabis use across the globe has raised concern regarding its impact on vulnerable populations such as adolescents. Concurrent with declining perception of Cannabis harms, more adolescents are using it daily in several countries and consuming marijuana strains with high content of psychotropic delta (9)-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). These dual, related trends seem to facilitate the development of compromised social and cognitive performance at adulthood, which are described in preclinical and human studies. Cannabis exerts its effects via altering signalling within the endocannabinoid system (ECS), which modulates the stress circuitry during the neurodevelopment. In this context early interventions appear to circumvent the emergence of adult neurodevelopmental deficits. Accordingly, Cannabis sativa second-most abundant compound, cannabidiol (CBD), emerges as a potential therapeutic agent to treat neuropsychiatric disorders. We first focus on human and preclinical studies on the long-term effects induced by adolescent THC exposure as a "critical window" of enhanced neurophysiological vulnerability, which could be involved in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia and related primary psychotic disorders. Then, we focus on adolescence as a "window of opportunity" for early pharmacological treatment, as novel risk reduction strategy for neurodevelopmental disorders. Thus, we review current preclinical and clinical evidence regarding the efficacy of CBD in terms of positive, negative and cognitive symptoms treatment, safety profile, and molecular targets.

Links

• MUNI/A/1249/2020, interní kód MU: Name: Základní výzkum v oblasti farmakokinetiky, neurobiologie závislostí a aplikovaný výzkum v oblasti personalizované farmakoterapie v onkologii (Acronym: SV_Farmakologie2021)

Investor: Masaryk University

• 3SGA5789, interní kód MU: Name: PRECIPITATION OF SCHIZOPHRENIA-LIKE PHENOTYPE BY PRENATAL INFLUENCES: ASSESSING THE ROLE OF THE ENDOCANNABINOID SYSTEM (Acronym: ncRNAPain)

Investor: South-Moravian Region, Incoming grants