title: Anandamide elevation in cerebrospinal fluid in initial prodromal states of psychosis.
abstract: Anandamide is a bioactive lipid binding to cannabinoid receptors. A homeostatic role for anandamide has been suggested in schizophrenia. We investigated its role in initial prodromal states of psychosis. We measured the levels of anandamide and its structural analog oleoylethanolamide in cerebrospinal fluid and serum of patients in the initial prodromal state (n=27) alongside healthy volunteers (n=81) using high-performance liquid chromatograph/mass spectrometry. Cerebrospinal anandamide levels in patients were significantly elevated. Patients with lower levels showed a higher risk for transiting to psychosis earlier. This anandamidergic up-regulation in the initial prodromal course may suggest a protective role of the endocannabinoid system in early schizophrenia.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Central Institute of Mental Health, J5, 68159 Mannheim, Germany.
authors.forename: Dagmar
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Koethe
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Giuffrida
authors.forename: Daniela
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Schreiber
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hellmich
authors.forename: Frauke
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Schultze-Lutter
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ruhrmann
authors.forename: Joachim
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Klosterkötter
authors.forename: Daniele
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Piomelli
authors.forename: F Markus
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Leweke