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Chapter 18 - Post-mortem Studies of the Brain Cannabinoid System in Schizophrenia

from Part VI - Cannabinoids and Schizophrenia: Aetiopathology and Treatment Implications

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  12 May 2023

By
Suresh Sundram ,
Brian Dean  and
David Copolov
Edited by
Deepak Cyril D'Souza ,
David Castle  and
Sir Robin Murray
Deepak Cyril D'Souza
Affiliation:
Staff Psychiatrist, VA Connecticut Healthcare System; Professor of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine
David Castle
Affiliation:
University of Tasmania, Australia
Sir Robin Murray
Affiliation:
Honorary Consultant Psychiatrist, Psychosis Service at the South London and Maudsley NHS Trust; Professor of Psychiatric Research at the Institute of Psychiatry
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Summary

Post-mortem human brain tissue provides a valuable resource to probe the mechanisms underlying associations between cannabis and schizophrenia and how the endocannabinoid system may be dysregulated in the disorder. Although the endocannabinoid system has been variously examined, the majority of studies have focused on its stable components, in particular, the cannabinoid CB1 receptor in brain regions relevant to schizophrenia. Its widespread distribution throughout the human CNS and localization to GABA containing inhibitory interneurons and excitatory glutamate pyramidal neurons add relevance to its potential role in schizophrenia. The weight of evidence supports an increase in cannabinoid CB1 receptor density in prefrontal cortical and striatal regions without a commensurate increase in mRNA expression and a possible increase in the endogenous ligand, 2-arachidonoylglycerol. These changes in tissue from people without a history of cannabis use suggests the endocannabinoid system may be implicated in schizophrenia, although potential confounds of treatment and other factors need to be considered.

Keywords

endocannabinoid systemcannabinoid CB1 receptorpost-mortem human brain tissueschizophreniaprefrontal cortex
Type
Chapter
Information
Marijuana and Madness , pp. 178 - 188
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2023

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