Faculty Collaboration Database

Serum endocannabinoid content is altered in females with depressive disorders: a preliminary report. Pharmacopsychiatry 2008 Mar;41(2):48-53

Date

03/04/2008

Pubmed ID

18311684

Pubmed Central ID

PMC3422568

DOI

10.1055/s-2007-993211

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-41149130214 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   227 Citations

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Preclinical research has suggested that the endocannabinoid system may be involved in the etiology and/or treatment of depression; however, there are no published studies examining circulating endocannabinoid content in patients with clinical depression.

METHODS: This study examined the endocannabinoids (anandamide; AEA) and 2-arachidonylglycerol (2-AG) in serum from ambulatory, medication-free female patients diagnosed with minor or major depression, and in controls matched for demographic characteristics.

RESULTS: Serum 2-AG content was significantly decreased in patients diagnosed with major depression, and this decrease was correlated significantly and negatively with duration of the depressive episode, such that 2-AG content was progressively lower the longer the depressive episode. While AEA was not associated with major depression PER SE, a strong negative correlation was found between serum AEA content and Hamilton ratings for cognitive and somatic anxiety, suggesting that AEA content may relate to the anxiety dimension of affective disorders. In subjects with minor depression, serum AEA was significantly elevated, with 2-AG content demonstrating a similar, but statistically insignificant trend.

DISCUSSION: These are the first clinical data to indicate that the endocannabinoid system may be disturbed in affective disease, and suggest that future research is required to determine the relevance of these changes with respect to disease manifestation and pharmacotherapy.

Author List

Hill MN, Miller GE, Ho WS, Gorzalka BB, Hillard CJ

Author

Cecilia J. Hillard PhD Associate Dean, Center Director, Professor in the Pharmacology and Toxicology department at Medical College of Wisconsin

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Adult
Anxiety
Arachidonic Acids
Cannabinoid Receptor Modulators
Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid
Depressive Disorder
Depressive Disorder, Major
Endocannabinoids
Female
Glycerides
Humans
Mass Spectrometry
Polyunsaturated Alkamides
Psychiatric Status Rating Scales