Increased Hippocampal Blood Flow in People at Clinical High Risk for Psychosis and Effects of Cannabidiol

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Hippocampal hyperperfusion has been observed in people at Clinical High Risk for Psychosis (CHR), is associated with adverse longitudinal outcomes and represents a potential treatment target for novel pharmacotherapies. Whether cannabidiol (CBD) has ameliorative effects on hippocampal blood flow (rCBF) in CHR patients remains unknown. Using a double-blind, parallel-group design, 33 CHR patients were randomised to a single oral 600mg dose of CBD or placebo; 19 healthy controls did not receive any drug. Hippocampal rCBF was measured using Arterial Spin Labelling. We examined differences relating to CHR status (controls vs placebo), effects of CBD in CHR (placebo vs CBD) and linear between-group relationships, such that placebo>CBD>controls or controls>CBD>placebo, using a combination of hypothesis-driven and exploratory wholebrain analyses.

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Recreational cannabis use over time in individuals at clinical high risk for psychosis: Lack of associations with symptom, neurocognitive, functioning, and treatment patterns

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Recreational cannabis use has recently gained considerable interest as an environmental risk factor that triggers the onset of psychosis. To date, however, the evidence that cannabis is associated with negative outcomes in individuals at clinical high risk (CHR) for psychosis is inconsistent. The present study tracked cannabis usage over a 2-year period and examined its associations with clinical and neurocognitive outcomes, along with medication rates. CHR youth who continuously used cannabis had higher neurocognition and social functioning over time, and decreased medication usage, relative to non-users. Surprisingly, clinical symptoms improved over time despite the medication decreases.

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The Impact Of Cannabidiol In Patients With Early Psychosis: A Randomized Controlled Trial

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We aimed to study the effects of cannabidiol (CBD) in out-patients with early psychosis on clinical metrics of psychosis and cognition and on psychophysiological electroencephalogram (EEG) metrics of psychosis. Adult outpatient subjects with a primary psychotic disorder within approximately five years of psychosis onset were enrolled in a four-week, two-period, randomized, placebo-controlled crossover trial (clinicaltrials.gov NCT02504151). Subjects were randomized in a one-to-one ratio to receive either CBD (oral 800 mg/day) or placebo in the first of two treatment periods in a randomized, double-blind manner. Primary outcome measures assessed were psychosis symptoms measured using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS); and cognition measured using the MATRICS Consensus Cognitive Battery (MCCB). Secondary clinical outcomes included Clinical Global Impression of Severity or of Improvement (CGI-S, CGI-I) and Quality of Life Scale (QLS). Statistical analyses were conducted using linear mixed models and nonparametric tests.

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Association between cannabis use disorder and schizophrenia stronger in young males than in females

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Previous research suggests an increase in schizophrenia population attributable risk fraction (PARF) for cannabis use disorder (CUD). However, sex and age variations in CUD and schizophrenia suggest the importance of examining differences in PARFs in sex and age subgroups. We conducted a nationwide Danish register-based cohort study including all individuals aged 16–49 at some point during 1972–2021. CUD and schizophrenia status was obtained from the registers. Hazard ratios (HR), incidence risk ratios (IRR), and PARFs were estimated. Joinpoint analyses were applied to sex-specific PARFs.

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Cannabidiol goes nuclear: The role of PPARγ

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Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of the main phytocannabinoids found in Cannabis sativa. In contrast to Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol, it has a low affinity for cannabinoid receptors CB1 and CB2, thereby it does not induce significant psychoactive effects. However, CBD may interact with other receptors, including peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ). CBD is a PPARγ agonist and changes its expression. There is considerable evidence that CBD’s effects are mediated by its interaction with PPARγ. So, we reviewed studies related to the interaction of CBD and PPARγ.

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Cannabis use is associated with low plasma endocannabinoid Anandamide in individuals with psychosis

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Cannabis use suppresses the endocannabinoid system in healthy individuals. However, the association between cannabis use with the endocannabinoid system is understudied in individuals with psychosis despite the high rate of cannabis use in these individuals.

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The therapeutic role of Cannabidiol in mental health: a systematic review

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The therapeutic application of cannabidiol (CBD) is gaining interest due to expanding evidence for its use.
Objective: To summarize the clinical outcomes, study designs and limitations for the use of CBD and nabiximols (whole plant extract from Cannabis sativa L. that has been purified into 1:1 ratio of CBD and delta-9- tetrahydrocannabinol) in the treatment of psychiatric disorders.

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Cannabidiol Cigarettes as Adjunctive Treatment for Psychotic Disorders – A Randomized, Open-Label Pilot-Study

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The main aim of the study was to clarify the antipsychotic potential of CBD used as adjunctive therapy simulating a naturalistic setting. Our trial is the first study evaluating the effects of smoked CBD-cigarettes as adjunctive therapy for psychotic symptoms.

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FURTHER EVIDENCE OF ANXIETY- AND DEPRESSION-LIKE BEHAVIOR FOR TOTAL GENETIC ABLATION OF CANNABINOID RECEPTOR TYPE 1

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Authors: Delia Soriano, Alicia Brusco, Laura Caltana Published in Behavioural Brain Research November 2020 Abstract Cannabinoid receptor type 1 (CB1R) is the most abundant cannabinoid receptor in central nervous system….

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A single dose of cannabidiol modulates medial temporal and striatal function during fear processing in people at clinical high risk for psychosis

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Authors: Cathy Davies, Robin Wilson, Elizabeth Appiah-Kusi, Grace Blest-Hopley, Michael Brammer, Jesus Perez, Robin M Murray, Paul Allen, Matthijs G Bossong, Philip McGuire, Sagnik Bhattacharyya Published in Translational Psychiatry September…

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Cannabis and Psychosis: a Critical Overview of the Relationship

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Authors: Charles Ksir, Carl L Hart Published in Current Psychiatry Reports February 2016 Abstract Interest in the relationship between cannabis use and psychosis has increased dramatically in recent years, in part…

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Effects on Cannabidiol on Emotion in Psychosis Risk: An FMRI Investigation

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Authors: Cathay Davies, Robin Wilson, Elizabeth Appiah-Kusi, Michael Brammer, Jesus Perez, Robin Murray, Paul Allen, Matthijas Bossong, Philip McGuire and Sagnik Bhattacharyya Published in Schizophrenia Bulletin May 2020   Abstract…

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