Modulation of Endocannabinoid System Components in Depression: Pre-Clinical and Clinical Evidence
Depression is characterized by continuous low mood and loss of interest or pleasure in enjoyable activities. First-line medications for mood disorders mostly target the monoaminergic system; however, many patients do not find relief with these medications, and those who do suffer from negative side...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2022-05-01
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| Series: | International Journal of Molecular Sciences |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/23/10/5526 |
| _version_ | 1797499209901932544 |
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| author | Uri Bright Irit Akirav |
| author_facet | Uri Bright Irit Akirav |
| author_sort | Uri Bright |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Depression is characterized by continuous low mood and loss of interest or pleasure in enjoyable activities. First-line medications for mood disorders mostly target the monoaminergic system; however, many patients do not find relief with these medications, and those who do suffer from negative side effects and a discouragingly low rate of remission. Studies suggest that the endocannabinoid system (ECS) may be involved in the etiology of depression and that targeting the ECS has the potential to alleviate depression. ECS components (such as receptors, endocannabinoid ligands, and degrading enzymes) are key neuromodulators in motivation and cognition as well as in the regulation of stress and emotions. Studies in depressed patients and in animal models for depression have reported deficits in ECS components, which is motivating researchers to identify potential diagnostic and therapeutic biomarkers within the ECS. By understanding the effects of cannabinoids on ECS components in depression, we enhance our understanding of which brain targets they hit, what biological processes they alter, and eventually how to use this information to design better therapeutic options. In this article, we discuss the literature on the effects of cannabinoids on ECS components of specific depression-like behaviors and phenotypes in rodents and then describe the findings in depressed patients. A better understanding of the effects of cannabinoids on ECS components in depression may direct future research efforts to enhance diagnosis and treatment. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T03:44:11Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-2c346209748143e3965e3be8b43c0bfb |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1661-6596 1422-0067 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T03:44:11Z |
| publishDate | 2022-05-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | International Journal of Molecular Sciences |
| spelling | doaj.art-2c346209748143e3965e3be8b43c0bfb2023-11-23T11:24:09ZengMDPI AGInternational Journal of Molecular Sciences1661-65961422-00672022-05-012310552610.3390/ijms23105526Modulation of Endocannabinoid System Components in Depression: Pre-Clinical and Clinical EvidenceUri Bright0Irit Akirav1Department of Psychology, School of Psychological Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa 3498838, IsraelDepartment of Psychology, School of Psychological Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa 3498838, IsraelDepression is characterized by continuous low mood and loss of interest or pleasure in enjoyable activities. First-line medications for mood disorders mostly target the monoaminergic system; however, many patients do not find relief with these medications, and those who do suffer from negative side effects and a discouragingly low rate of remission. Studies suggest that the endocannabinoid system (ECS) may be involved in the etiology of depression and that targeting the ECS has the potential to alleviate depression. ECS components (such as receptors, endocannabinoid ligands, and degrading enzymes) are key neuromodulators in motivation and cognition as well as in the regulation of stress and emotions. Studies in depressed patients and in animal models for depression have reported deficits in ECS components, which is motivating researchers to identify potential diagnostic and therapeutic biomarkers within the ECS. By understanding the effects of cannabinoids on ECS components in depression, we enhance our understanding of which brain targets they hit, what biological processes they alter, and eventually how to use this information to design better therapeutic options. In this article, we discuss the literature on the effects of cannabinoids on ECS components of specific depression-like behaviors and phenotypes in rodents and then describe the findings in depressed patients. A better understanding of the effects of cannabinoids on ECS components in depression may direct future research efforts to enhance diagnosis and treatment.https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/23/10/5526cannabiscannabinoidsendocannabinoid systemdepressionrodent models |
| spellingShingle | Uri Bright Irit Akirav Modulation of Endocannabinoid System Components in Depression: Pre-Clinical and Clinical Evidence International Journal of Molecular Sciences cannabis cannabinoids endocannabinoid system depression rodent models |
| title | Modulation of Endocannabinoid System Components in Depression: Pre-Clinical and Clinical Evidence |
| title_full | Modulation of Endocannabinoid System Components in Depression: Pre-Clinical and Clinical Evidence |
| title_fullStr | Modulation of Endocannabinoid System Components in Depression: Pre-Clinical and Clinical Evidence |
| title_full_unstemmed | Modulation of Endocannabinoid System Components in Depression: Pre-Clinical and Clinical Evidence |
| title_short | Modulation of Endocannabinoid System Components in Depression: Pre-Clinical and Clinical Evidence |
| title_sort | modulation of endocannabinoid system components in depression pre clinical and clinical evidence |
| topic | cannabis cannabinoids endocannabinoid system depression rodent models |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/23/10/5526 |
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