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Antipsychotic Effects of Cannabidiol

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  16 April 2020

F.M. Leweke ,
D. Koethe ,
F. Pahlisch ,
D. Schreiber ,
C.W. Gerth ,
B.M. Nolden ,
J. Klosterkötter ,
M. Hellmich  and
D. Piomelli
F.M. Leweke
Affiliation:
Dept. of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
D. Koethe
Affiliation:
Dept. of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
F. Pahlisch
Affiliation:
Dept. of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany Depts. of Pharmacology and Biological Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, USA
D. Schreiber
Affiliation:
Dept. of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany Depts. of Pharmacology and Biological Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, USA
C.W. Gerth
Affiliation:
Dept. of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
B.M. Nolden
Affiliation:
Dept. of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
J. Klosterkötter
Affiliation:
Dept. of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
M. Hellmich
Affiliation:
Institute for Medical Statistics, Informatics, and Epidemiology, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
D. Piomelli
Affiliation:
Depts. of Pharmacology and Biological Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, USA

Abstract

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Background:

In contrast to delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, the phytocannabinoid cannabidiol does not exert psychotomimetic effects. Cannabidiol was suggested a re-uptake inhibitor of anandamide and potential antipsychotic properties have been hypothesized for it. We therefore performed a clinical trial to investigate thesis hypothesis and to clarify the underlying link to the neurobiology of schizophrenia.

Methods:

We performed an explorative, 4-week, double-blind, controlled clinical trial on the effects of purified cannabidiol in acute schizophrenia compared to the antipsychotic amisulpride. The antipsychotic properties of both drugs were the primary target of the study. Furthermore, side-effects and anxiolytic capabilities of both treatments were investigated.

Results:

42 patients fulfilling DSM-IV criteria of acute paranoid schizophrenia participated in the study. Both treatments were associated with a significant decrease of psychotic symptoms after 2 and 4 weeks as assessed by BPRS and PANSS. However, there was no statistical difference between both treatment groups. In contrast, cannabidiol induced significantly less side effects (EPS, increase in prolactin, weight gain) when compared to amisulpride.

Conclusions:

Cannabidiol revealed substantial antipsychotic properties in acute schizophrenia. This is in line with our suggestion of an adaptive role of the endocannabinoid system in paranoid schizophrenia, and raises further evidence that this adaptive mechanism may represent a valuable target for antipsychotic treatment strategies.

The Stanley Medical Research Institute (00-093 to FML) and the Koeln Fortune Program (107/2000 + 101/2001 to FML) funded this study.

Type
S39-02
Information
European Psychiatry , Volume 24 , Issue S1: 17th EPA Congress - Lisbon, Portugal, January 2009, Abstract book , January 2009 , 24-E207
Copyright
Copyright © European Psychiatric Association 2009
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