Authors:
Roser P, Haussleiter IS.
Abstract:
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-arachidonoylglycerol appears to counteract psychosis-related
cognitive impairments. Thus, pharmacological manipulation of the
endogenous cannabinoid system might be associated with potential
antipsychotic properties. In the present systematic review, both
preclinical studies using different animal models of psychosis as well
as clinical trials investigating the antipsychotic effects of both
cannabidiol and rimonabant are presented together with the possible
underlying mechanisms of action. The results predominantly confirm the
hypothesis of an antipsychotic activity of both cannabinoids. In
comparison, cannabidiol appears to be superior to rimonabant with a
pharmacological profile similar to atypical antipsychotic drugs.