title: Schizophrenia.
abstract: Since the discovery of the endocannabinoid system, a growing body of psychiatric research has emerged focusing on the potential role of this system in schizophrenia. On the basis of earlier epidemiological studies and results from animal models, endocannabinoids and their relation to symptoms are considered in clinical studies as well as in post-mortem analyses of cannabinoid CB₁ receptor densities. A possible neurobiological mechanism for the deleterious influence of cannabis use in schizophrenia is discussed, involving the disruption of endogenous cannabinoid signalling and function.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Central Institute of Mental Health, Mannheim, Germany, Lewekeleweke@ecnp.net
authors.forename: F Markus
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Leweke
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D063385:Cannabinoid Receptor Modulators / Q000378:metabolism*; D002186:Cannabinoids / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004298:Dopamine / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008954:Models, Biological; D043884:Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1 / Q000378:metabolism*; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D063385:Cannabinoid Receptor Modulators; D002186:Cannabinoids; D043884:Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1; D004298:Dopamine