Project 10

Cannabinoid and stress interactions in Schizophrenia

There is much current controversy concerning the relationship between cannabis use and schizophrenia. We are examining this relationship in both people and animal models, using the endophenotype of schizophrenia known as reductions in prepulse inhibition of the startle reflex (PPI). Conflicting reports of the effects of cannabinoid agonists on prepulse inhibition exist, some claiming that cannabinoids increase PPI and some claiming that they decrease PPI (Kedzior and Martin-Iverson 2005; Schneider and Koch 2002; Stanley-Cary et al. 2002). We have evidence that the effects of cannabinoids on PPI depends on the level of activation of glucocorticoid hormone receptors in rats. That is, the effects of cannabis on schizophrenia may alter with stress levels. This honours project will explore this relationship between stress hormone receptors and cannabinoid receptors further.

References

Kedzior KK, Martin-Iverson M (2005) Chronic cannabis use is associated with attention-modulated reduction in prepulse inhibition of the startle reflex in healthy humans. Journal of Psychopharmacology 0269881105057516

Schneider M, Koch M (2002) The cannabinoid agonist WIN 55,212-2 reduces sensorimotor gating and recognition memory in rats. Behavioural Pharmacology 13: 29-37

Stanley-Cary CC, Harris C, Martin-Iverson MT (2002) Differing effects of the cannabinoid agonist, CP 55,940, in an alcohol or Tween 80 solvent, on prepulse inhibition of the acoustic startle reflex in the rat. Behavioural Pharmacology 13: 15-28