Integrating endocannabinoid signaling in the regulation of anxiety and depression

Abstract

Brain endogenous cannabinoid (eCB) signaling seems to harmonize appropriate behavioral responses, which are essential for the organism's long-term viability and homeostasis. Dysregulation of eCB signaling contributes to negative emotional states and increased stress responses. An understanding of the underlying neural cell populations and neural circuit regulation will enable the development of therapeutic strategies to mitigate behavioral maladaptation and provide insight into the influence of eCB on the neural circuits involved in anxiety and depression. This review focuses on recent evidence that has added a new layer of complexity to the idea of targeting the eCB system for therapeutic benefits in neuropsychiatric disease and on the future research direction of neural circuit modulation.

Potential application of endocannabinoid system agents in neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative diseases—focusing on FAAH/MAGL inhibitors

“…For example, the neuroendocrine hypothesis involving the dysfunction of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis (HPA) caused by stimuli such as stress is widely accepted [ 5 ]. Endocannabinoid pathways are widely believed to be involved in neurodegenerative diseases and neuropsychiatric diseases [ 6 – 8 ]. The development of FAAH and MAGL hydrolytic enzyme inhibitors and their extensive applications in neurological diseases have been a focus of research.…”

Cannabis, cannabinoid receptors, and endocannabinoid system: yesterday, today, and tomorrow

“…There are two review articles that discuss the endocannabinoid (eCB) system. The article "Integrating endocannabinoid signaling in the regulation of anxiety and depression" is focused on recent evidence that has added a new layer of complexity to the idea of targeting the eCB system for therapeutic benefits in neuropsychiatric diseases and on the future research direction of neural circuit modulations [11]. Another article "Endocannabinoid signaling in psychiatric disorders: a review of positron emission tomography studies" comprehensively reviewed PET studies examining differences in endocannabinoid signaling between individuals with psychiatric illness and healthy controls [12].…”

Cannabinoid Control of Olfactory Processes: The Where Matters

“…A better understanding of such interactions will result not only in a significant advance for neuroscience, but could also lead to novel human-based studies targeting specific populations. Interestingly, alterations of ECS functioning have been shown to contribute to the development of neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders in which loss of smell represents the early stages of the disease [65][66][67][68]. All of this information could provide the rationale to propose a combined use of olfactory manipulations with ECS-based pharmacotherapy to potentially treat pathological conditions.…”