title: Cerebrospinal fluid anandamide levels, cannabis use and psychotic-like symptoms.
abstract: Anandamide is a ligand of the endocannabinoid system. Animals show a depletion following repeated Δ(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) administration but the effect of cannabis use on central nervous system levels of endocannabinoids has not been previously examined in humans. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels of the endocannabinoids anandamide, 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) and related lipids were tested in 33 volunteers (20 cannabis users). Lower levels of CSF anandamide and higher levels of 2-AG in serum were observed in frequent compared with infrequent cannabis users. Levels of CSF anandamide were negatively correlated with persisting psychotic symptoms when drug-free. Higher levels of anandamide are associated with a lower risk of psychotic symptoms following cannabis use.
authors.affiliation: Clinical Psychopharmacology Unit, UCL, London, UK. c.morgan@ucl.ac.uk
authors.forename: Celia J A
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Morgan
authors.forename: Emma
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Page
authors.forename: Carola
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Schaefer
authors.forename: Katharine
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Chatten
authors.forename: Amod
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Manocha
authors.forename: Sumit
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gulati
authors.forename: H Valerie
authors.initials: HV
authors.lastname: Curran
authors.forename: Brigitta
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Brandner
authors.forename: F Markus
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Leweke
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001095:Arachidonic Acids / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid*; D063388:Endocannabinoids / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid*; D005260:Female; D005989:Glycerides / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D002189:Marijuana Abuse / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid* / Q000523:psychology; D053284:Polyunsaturated Alkamides / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid*; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid* / Q000209:etiology; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D001095:Arachidonic Acids; D063388:Endocannabinoids; D005989:Glycerides; D053284:Polyunsaturated Alkamides; C094503:glyceryl 2-arachidonate; C078814:anandamide