TY - JOUR
T1 - Neuroinflammation as a possible link between cannabinoids and addiction
AU - Rodrigues, Livia C.M.
AU - Gobira, Pedro H.
AU - De Oliveira, Antonio Carlos
AU - Pelição, Renan
AU - Teixeira, Antonio Lucio
AU - Moreira, Fabricio A.
AU - Campos, Alline Cristina
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© Scandinavian College of Neuropsychopharmacology 2014.
PY - 2014/6/19
Y1 - 2014/6/19
N2 - Objective: Substance dependence disorder is a chronically relapsing condition characterised by neurobiological changes leading to loss of control in restricting a substance intake, compulsion and withdrawal syndrome. In the past few years, (endo)cannabinoids have been raised as a possible target in the aetiology of drug addiction. On the other hand, although the exact mechanisms of the genesis of addiction remain poorly understood, it is possible that neuroinflammation might also play a role in the pathophysiology of this condition. Studies demonstrated that (endo)cannabinoids act as immunomodulators by inhibiting cytokines production and microglial cell activation. Thus, in the present review, we explore the possible role of neuroinflammation on the therapeutic effects of cannabinoids on drug addiction. Methods: We conducted an evidence-based review of the literature in order to assess the role of cannabinoids on the neuroinflammatory hypothesis of addiction (terms: addiction, cannabinoids and inflammation). We searched PubMed and BioMedCentral databases up to April 2014 with no date restrictions. Results In all, 165 eligible articles were included in the present review. Existing evidence suggests that disruption in cannabinoid signalling during the drug addiction process leads to microglial activation and neuroinflammation. Conclusion: The literature showed that inflammation and changes in endocannabinod signalling occur in drug abuse; however, it remains uncertain whether these changes are causally or coincidentally associated with addiction. Additional studies, therefore, are needed to elucidate the contribution of neuroinflammation on the behavioural and neuroprotective effects of cannabinoids on drug addiction.
AB - Objective: Substance dependence disorder is a chronically relapsing condition characterised by neurobiological changes leading to loss of control in restricting a substance intake, compulsion and withdrawal syndrome. In the past few years, (endo)cannabinoids have been raised as a possible target in the aetiology of drug addiction. On the other hand, although the exact mechanisms of the genesis of addiction remain poorly understood, it is possible that neuroinflammation might also play a role in the pathophysiology of this condition. Studies demonstrated that (endo)cannabinoids act as immunomodulators by inhibiting cytokines production and microglial cell activation. Thus, in the present review, we explore the possible role of neuroinflammation on the therapeutic effects of cannabinoids on drug addiction. Methods: We conducted an evidence-based review of the literature in order to assess the role of cannabinoids on the neuroinflammatory hypothesis of addiction (terms: addiction, cannabinoids and inflammation). We searched PubMed and BioMedCentral databases up to April 2014 with no date restrictions. Results In all, 165 eligible articles were included in the present review. Existing evidence suggests that disruption in cannabinoid signalling during the drug addiction process leads to microglial activation and neuroinflammation. Conclusion: The literature showed that inflammation and changes in endocannabinod signalling occur in drug abuse; however, it remains uncertain whether these changes are causally or coincidentally associated with addiction. Additional studies, therefore, are needed to elucidate the contribution of neuroinflammation on the behavioural and neuroprotective effects of cannabinoids on drug addiction.
KW - addiction
KW - alcohol
KW - cannabinoids
KW - cocaine
KW - neuroinflammation
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84927518323&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=84927518323&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1017/neu.2014.24
DO - 10.1017/neu.2014.24
M3 - Review article
C2 - 25455257
AN - SCOPUS:84927518323
SN - 0924-2708
VL - 26
SP - 334
EP - 346
JO - Acta Neuropsychiatrica
JF - Acta Neuropsychiatrica
IS - 6
ER -