The endocannabinoid system in social anxiety disorder: from pathophysiology to novel therapeutics

Ahmed, Mashal; Boileau, Isabelle; Foll, Bernard Le; Carvalho, André F.; Kloiber, Stefan

doi:10.1590/1516-4446-2021-1926

Cited by 3 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 202 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…And it is attracting attention as a new intervention for treating anxiety disorders. There is potential for novel compounds in the endocannabinoid system to enhance the therapeutic armamentarium for SAD [25]. One study suggested that ayahuasca may modulate anandamide (AEA; an endocannabinoid) levels in people with SAD [26].…”

Section: Pharmacotherapymentioning

confidence: 99%

Update on treatments for anxiety-related disorders

Lee

Stein

2022

Current Opinion in Psychiatry

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Purpose of reviewThis review examines recent evidence that informs the treatment of anxiety-related disorders.Recent findingsIn addition to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), and benzodiazepines, agomelatine has demonstrated efficacy in treating generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). Other novel products, such as ketamine, psilocybin and cannabidiol, are in the process of gathering evidence in support of the treatment of anxiety disorders. In psychological therapy, various psychological treatments for anxiety disorders, such as mindfulness-based intervention, acceptance and commitment therapy, psychodynamic therapy, emotion-focused therapy and dialectical behavioural therapy, have been tried. Still, most therapies have not proven superior to cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). In very preliminary findings: Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) was effective in GAD; transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) was effective for social anxiety disorder (SAD) and GAD and augmented exposure therapy for specific fears. Internet and mobile-based interventions have comparable efficacy to face-to-face therapy.SummaryPharmacotherapy of anxiety disorders is expanding to novel products. Despite trying other psychological therapies for anxiety disorders, most therapies were comparable to but not superior to CBT. rTMS and tDCS were also used and show early promise for GAD, but further studies are needed. Most internet or mobile app based psychological therapies were based on CBT, and some can be considered as alternatives to in-person face-to-face therapy.

show abstract

Section: Pharmacotherapymentioning

confidence: 99%

Update on treatments for anxiety-related disorders

Lee

Stein

2022

Current Opinion in Psychiatry

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

Different stressors uniquely affect the expression of endocannabinoid‐metabolizing enzymes in the central ring ganglia of Lymnaea stagnalis

Rivi,

Rigillo,

Batabyal

et al. 2024

Journal of Neurochemistry

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The endocannabinoid system (ECS) plays an important role in neuroprotection, neuroplasticity, energy balance, modulation of stress, and inflammatory responses, acting as a critical link between the brain and the body's peripheral regions, while also offering promising potential for novel therapeutic strategies. Unfortunately, in humans, pharmacological inhibitors of different ECS enzymes have led to mixed results in both preclinical and clinical studies. As the ECS has been highly conserved throughout the eukaryotic lineage, the use of invertebrate model organisms like the pond snail Lymnaea stagnalis may provide a flexible tool to unravel unexplored functions of the ECS at the cellular, synaptic, and behavioral levels. In this study, starting from the available genome and transcriptome of L. stagnalis, we first identified putative transcripts of all ECS enzymes containing an open reading frame. Each predicted protein possessed a high degree of sequence conservation to known orthologues of other invertebrate and vertebrate organisms. Sequences were confirmed by qualitative PCR and sequencing. Then, we investigated the transcriptional effects induced by different stress conditions (i.e., bacterial LPS injection, predator scent, food deprivation, and acute heat shock) on the expression levels of the enzymes of the ECS in Lymnaea's central ring ganglia. Our results suggest that in Lymnaea as in rodents, the ECS is involved in mediating inflammatory and anxiety‐like responses, promoting energy balance, and responding to acute stressors. To our knowledge, this study offers the most comprehensive analysis so far of the ECS in an invertebrate model organism.image

show abstract

Endocannabinoid System and Exogenous Cannabinoids in Depression and Anxiety: A Review

Hasbi

George

2023

Brain Sciences

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background: There is a growing liberalization of cannabis-based preparations for medical and recreational use. In multiple instances, anxiety and depression are cited as either a primary or a secondary reason for the use of cannabinoids. Aim: The purpose of this review is to explore the association between depression or anxiety and the dysregulation of the endogenous endocannabinoid system (ECS), as well as the use of phytocannabinoids and synthetic cannabinoids in the remediation of depression/anxiety symptoms. After a brief description of the constituents of cannabis, cannabinoid receptors and the endocannabinoid system, the most important evidence is presented for the involvement of cannabinoids in depression and anxiety both in human and from animal models of depression and anxiety. Finally, evidence is presented for the clinical use of cannabinoids to treat depression and anxiety. Conclusions: Although the common belief that cannabinoids, including cannabis, its main studied components—tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD)—or other synthetic derivatives have been suggested to have a therapeutic role for certain mental health conditions, all recent systematic reviews that we report have concluded that the evidence that cannabinoids improve depressive and anxiety disorders is weak, of very-low-quality, and offers no guidance on the use of cannabinoids for mental health conditions within a regulatory framework. There is an urgent need for high-quality studies examining the effects of cannabinoids on mental disorders in general and depression/anxiety in particular, as well as the consequences of long-term use of these preparations due to possible risks such as addiction and even reversal of improvement.

show abstract

The endocannabinoid system in social anxiety disorder: from pathophysiology to novel therapeutics

Cited by 3 publications

References 202 publications

Update on treatments for anxiety-related disorders

Update on treatments for anxiety-related disorders

Different stressors uniquely affect the expression of endocannabinoid‐metabolizing enzymes in the central ring ganglia of Lymnaea stagnalis

Endocannabinoid System and Exogenous Cannabinoids in Depression and Anxiety: A Review

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About