Endocannabinoids and Mental Disorders

Handb Exp Pharmacol. 2015:231:261-83. doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-20825-1_9.

Abstract

Preclinical and clinical data fully support the involvement of the endocannabinoid system in the etiopathogenesis of several mental diseases. In this review we will briefly summarize the most common alterations in the endocannabinoid system, in terms of cannabinoid receptors and endocannabinoid levels, present in mood disorders (anxiety, posttraumatic stress disorder, depression, bipolar disorder, and suicidality) as well as psychosis (schizophrenia) and autism. The arising picture for each pathology is not always straightforward; however, both animal and human studies seem to suggest that pharmacological modulation of this system might represent a novel approach for treatment.

Keywords: Autism; Bipolar disorder and suicidality; Depression; Endocannabinoid system anxiety; Posttraumatic stress disorder; Schizophrenia.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Autistic Disorder / drug therapy
  • Autistic Disorder / metabolism*
  • Autistic Disorder / physiopathology
  • Autistic Disorder / psychology
  • Brain / drug effects
  • Brain / metabolism*
  • Brain / physiopathology
  • Cannabinoid Receptor Agonists / therapeutic use
  • Cannabinoid Receptor Antagonists / therapeutic use
  • Endocannabinoids / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Mood Disorders / drug therapy
  • Mood Disorders / metabolism*
  • Mood Disorders / physiopathology
  • Mood Disorders / psychology
  • Psychotic Disorders / drug therapy
  • Psychotic Disorders / metabolism*
  • Psychotic Disorders / physiopathology
  • Psychotic Disorders / psychology
  • Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1 / metabolism
  • Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB2 / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction

Substances

  • Cannabinoid Receptor Agonists
  • Cannabinoid Receptor Antagonists
  • Endocannabinoids
  • Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1
  • Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB2