Central side-effects of therapies based on CB1 cannabinoid receptor agonists and antagonists: focus on anxiety and depression.
Both agonists (e.g. Delta(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol, nabilone) and antagonists (e.g. rimonabant, taranabant) of the cannabinoid type-1 (CB(1)) receptor have been explored as therapeutic agents in diverse fields of medicine such as pain management and obesity with associated metabolic dysregulation, respectively. CB(1) receptors are widely distributed in the central nervous system and are involved in the modulation of emotion, stress and habituation responses, behaviours that are thought to be dysregulated in human psychiatric disorders. Accordingly, CB(1) receptor activation may, in some cases, precipitate episodes of psychosis and panic, while its inhibition may lead to behaviours reminiscent of depression and anxiety-related disorders. The present review discusses these side-effects, which have to be taken into account in the therapeutic exploitation of the endocannabinoid system.
Moreira
Fabrício A
FA
Department of Physiological Chemistry, Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Duesbergweg 6, 55099 Mainz, Germany.
Grieb
Maximilian
M
Lutz
Beat
B
D000339:Affect / Q000187:drug effects; D000818:Animals; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy*; D063385:Cannabinoid Receptor Modulators / Q000502:physiology; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013759:Dronabinol / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D006801:Humans; D010880:Piperidines / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011720:Pyrazoles / Q000009:adverse effects*; D043884:Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1 / Q000819:agonists* / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D000077285:Rimonabant
D063385:Cannabinoid Receptor Modulators; D010880:Piperidines; D011720:Pyrazoles; D043884:Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1; C011941:nabilone; D013759:Dronabinol; D000077285:Rimonabant