Genetic dissection of the psychotomimetic effects of cannabinoid exposure.
Cannabis use is an established risk factor for the development of schizophrenia and related psychotic disorders. Factors that may mediate susceptibility to the psychosis-inducing effects of cannabis include the age at onset of first cannabis use, genetic predisposition, as well as interaction with other environmental risk variables. Clinical and preclinical genetic studies provide increasing evidence that, in particular, genes encoding proteins implicated in dopamine signalling are implicated in the cannabis-psychosis association. In the present review, we focus on both human and animal studies which have focused on identifying the neuronal basis of these interactions. We conclude that further studies are required to provide greater mechanistic insight into the long-term and neurodevelopmental effects of cannabis use, with implications for improved understanding of the cannabis-psychosis relationship.
Molecular & Cellular Therapeutics, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin 2, Ireland; School of Medicine, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland. Electronic address: c.otuathaigh@ucc.ie.
Colm M P
CM
O'Tuathaigh
Laboratory of Biological Psychology, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium.
Ilse
I
Gantois
Molecular & Cellular Therapeutics, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin 2, Ireland.
John L
JL
Waddington
D000818:Animals; D002186:Cannabinoids / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004298:Dopamine / Q000378:metabolism; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000187:drug effects*; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006213:Hallucinogens / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D008385:Marijuana Smoking / Q000235:genetics*; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000235:genetics
D002186:Cannabinoids; D006213:Hallucinogens; D004298:Dopamine
Cannabis; Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol; Dopamine; Psychosis