Cannabis and synaptic reprogramming of the developing brain

Abstract

Recent years have been transformational in regard to the perception of the health risks and benefits of cannabis with increased acceptance of use. This has unintended neurodevelopmental implications given the increased use of cannabis and the potent levels of Δ 9 -tetrahydrocannabinol today being consumed by pregnant women, young mothers and teens. In this Review, we provide an overview of the neurobiological effects of cannabinoid exposure during prenatal/perinatal and adolescent periods, in which the endogenous cannabinoid system plays a fundamental role in neurodevelopmental processes. We highlight impaired synaptic plasticity as characteristic of developmental exposure and the important contribution of epigenetic reprogramming that maintains the long-term impact into adulthood and across generations. Such epigenetic influence by its very nature being highly responsive to the environment also provides the potential to diminish neural perturbations associated with developmental cannabis exposure.

Prenatal substance exposure and maternal hostility from pregnancy to toddlerhood: Associations with temperament profiles at 16 months of age

“…Both tobacco and cannabis interfere with neurotransmitter levels, brain biochemistry, and brain morphology for a developing child (Downer, Gowran, & Campbell, 2007;El Marroun et al, 2016;Scott-Goodwin et al, 2016). Results from both preclinical and human studies indicate that nicotine and tetrahydrocannabinolthe psychoactive compounds in tobacco and cannabisinterfere with dopaminergic, serotonergic, and GABAergic systems (DiNieri et al, 2011;England et al, 2017;Morena, Patel, Bains, & Hill, 2016), and alter neuronal development through their impact on nicotinic and cannabinoid receptors (see Bara, Ferland, Rompala, Szutorisz, &Hurd, 2021 andEngland et al, 2017; for detailed reviews). Both substances cross the placenta and enter the fetal bloodstream (Little & VanBeveren, 1996) and may have stronger additive or synergistic effects than either substance alone.…”

Pros and Cons of the Cannabinoid System in Cancer: Focus on Hematological Malignancies

“…Endocannabinoids may modify neurodevelopment by controlling neuronal migration; for instance, CB1R modulation may regulate cell growth and synaptogenesis [194]. Of particular importance could be the neurobiological effects of cannabinoid exposure during prenatal/perinatal and adolescent periods, in which the endogenous cannabinoid system plays a fundamental role in neurodevelopmental processes [195].…”

Quality of Life and a Surveillant Endocannabinoid System

“…However, the misuse of Cannabis might affect the function of the brain and/or induce psychosis at critical developmental stages as pregnancy or adolescence (Volkow et al, 2014;Alpár et al, 2016). Indeed, cannabinoid exposure during prenatal/perinatal and adolescent periods might alter synaptic plasticity in neurodevelopmental processes, in which the ECS plays an essential role (Bara et al, 2021). On the other hand, CBD is a potent anti-inflammatory, anxiolytic, antidepressant, antipsychotic, anticonvulsant, antinausea, antioxidant, antiarthritic, and antineoplastic agent (Ligresti et al, 2016).…”

“…It should be considered that higher brain functions present demanding energy budget and mitochondria are pivotal to the maintenance of brain bioenergetics and the metabolism of neurotransmitters (Dienel, 2019). The ECS system seem to be differentially affected depending on the stage of brain development (Volkow et al, 2014;Alpár et al, 2016;Bara et al, 2021), which represents a period of challenging metabolic demands (McKenna et al, 2015). Therefore, these observations indicate that alterations on mitochondrial CB1 receptors in the brain could represent a novel therapeutical tool, as well as a possible mechanism underlying the behavioral alterations elicited by cannabinoid consumption.…”