Current Pharmaceutical Design - Volume 18, Issue 32, 2012

We conducted a systematic review on resting state cerebral blood flow activities found in first-episode psychosis (FEP) and during acute effects of cannabinoids and opioids, mental states that can be profoundly different from normal functioning. The main goal was to identify connections of cerebral blood flow measure and regional brain activity patterns associated with subjective experiences and to find out whether there ar Read More

Background:Duration of untreated psychosis (DUP) is an important predictor of outcome in first-episode psychosis (FEP). Cannabis use is highly prevalent in FEP patients and it is important to evaluate the potential impact of cannabis use on DUP. Methods: A systematic review of the literature was conducted to identify articles reporting DUP in FEP cannabis users (CU+) and nonusers (CU-) respectively. Studies meeting inclusion Read More

Over the past years a growing research effort has investigated the relation between cannabis use and schizophrenia at a neurobiological, epidemiological and clinical level. A number of systematic reviews and meta analyses have summarized the available evidence in the field. Conversely the patient's perception of the link between cannabis use and psychosis has been under investigation. Since patient's beliefs Read More

The link between cannabis and psychosis has often been debated with polarized views on the topic. There is substantial epidemiological evidence showing that cannabis increases the risk of psychosis, whereas other research suggests that schizophrenia patients self-medicate with the substance. These conflicting accounts may at least be partially explained by the two phytocannabinoids cannabidiol (CBD) and Δ 9-tetra Read More

Δ 9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ 9-THC) is the main compound of the Cannabis Sativa responsible for most of the effects of the plant. Another major constituent is cannabidiol (CBD), formerly regarded to be devoid of pharmacological activity. However, laboratory rodents and human studies have shown that this cannabinoid is able to prevent psychotic-like symptoms induced by high doses of Δ 9- THC. Subsequent studies have de Read More

Several lines of experimental and clinical evidence point to a close relationship between cannabis, the endogenous cannabinoid system, and schizophrenia. A variety of animal and human studies found a dysregulation of endocannabinoid signalling in psychosis. Elevated anandamide levels in schizophrenia patients that are negatively correlated with psychotic symptomatology indicate a protective role, whereas 2-arachidono Read More

Background: Although neurological soft signs (NSSs) have been consistently associated with schizophrenia and a variety of risk factors, few studies have focused on the association between NSSs and environmental factors such as cannabis use, particularly in patients with first episode psychosis (FEP). Aims: To review studies that have specifically investigated the association between NSSs and cannabis use in subjects who suffer f Read More

Objectives: This paper aimed to critically review the current literature concerning the possible association between cannabis use and suicidal behavior in patients with psychosis and in non-psychotic samples. Methods: We performed a detailed Pubmed/Medline, Scopus, PsycLit, and PsycInfo search to identify all papers and book chapters focusing on the association between cannabis use, and suicidal behavior during Read More

There is epidemiological evidence that frequent cannabis use in general and during puberty in particular increases the risk to suffer psychosis and psychotic symptoms. Based on these observations, there is growing interest in the role of the endogenous cannabinoid system (eCB system) - the point of action for psychoactive cannabinoids - in psychiatric disorders and schizophrenia in particular. It has been hypothesized nearly t Read More