ABSTRACT: Cannabis is the most widely used illegitimate substance in the world, and the number of users has increased by 10% over the last decade worldwide. Therefore, it is important to review the evidence on psychoactive properties of cannabis and its possible association with schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSD). We searched MEDLINE with the key words cannabis ... Continue Reading
Schizophrenia
STUDY: Cannabis and psychosis /schizophrenia: human studies
ABSTRACT: The association between cannabis use and psychosis has long been recognized. Recent advances in knowledge about cannabinoid receptor function have renewed interest in this association. Converging lines of evidence suggest that cannabinoids can produce a full range of transient schizophrenia-like positive, negative, and cognitive symptoms in some healthy ... Continue Reading
STUDY: Chronic blockade of CB1 receptors reverses startle gating deficits and associated neurochemical alterations in rats reared in isolation
ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Pharmacological interventions aimed at restoring the endocannabinoid system functionality have been proposed as potential tools in the treatment of schizophrenia. Based on our previous results suggesting a potential antipsychotic-like profile of the CB1 receptor inverse agonist/antagonist, AM251, here we further investigated the effect of ... Continue Reading
STUDY: Plant cannabinoids: a neglected pharmacological treasure trove
ABSTRACT: Most of the cannabinoids in Cannabis sativa L. have not been fully evaluated for their pharmacological activity. A publication in this issue presents evidence that a plant cannabinoid, Δ9-tetrahydrocannabivarin is a potent antagonist of anandamide, a major endogenous cannabinoid. It seems possible that many of the non-psychoactive constituents of this plant will be ... Continue Reading
STUDY: Increasing Endocannabinoid Levels in the Ventral Pallidum Restores Aberrant Dopamine Neuron Activity in the Subchronic PCP Rodent Model of Schizophrenia
ABSTRACT: Schizophrenia is a debilitating disorder that affects 1% of the US population. While the exogenous administration of cannabinoids such as THC are reported to exacerbate psychosis in schizophrenia patients, augmenting the levels of endogenous cannabinoids has gained attention as a possible alternative therapy to schizophrenia due to clinical and preclinical ... Continue Reading