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Cannabinoids and the endocannabinoid system in reward processing and addiction: from mechanisms to interventions


  • Journal : Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience
  • Publication Year : 2022
  • Authors : Rainer Spanagel

Abstract

The last decades have seen a major gain in understanding the action of cannabinoids and the endocannabinoid system in reward processing and the development of addictive behavior. Cannabis-derived psychoactive compounds such as Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol and synthetic cannabinoids directly interact with the reward system and thereby have addictive properties. Cannabinoids induce their reinforcing properties by an increase in tonic dopamine levels through a cannabinoid type 1 (CB1) receptor–dependent mechanism within the ventral tegmental area. Cues that are conditioned to cannabis smoking can induce drug-seeking responses (ie, craving) by eliciting phasic dopamine events. A dopamine-independent mechanism involved in drug-seeking responses involves an endocannabinoid/glutamate interaction within the corticostriatal part of the reward system. In conclusion, pharmacological blockade of endocannabinoid signaling should lead to a reduction in drug craving and subsequently should reduce relapse behavior in addicted individuals. Indeed, there is increasing preclinical evidence that targeting the endocannabinoid system reduces craving and relapse, and allosteric modulators at CB1 receptors and fatty acid amide hydrolase inhibitors are in clinical development for cannabis use disorder. Cannabidiol, which mainly acts on CB1 and CB2 receptors, is currently being tested in patients with alcohol use disorder and opioid use disorder.

En las últimas décadas se ha observado un gran progreso en el conocimiento acerca de la acción de los cannabinoides y del sistema endocannabinoide en el procesamiento de recompensas y el desarrollo de conductas adictivas. Los compuestos psicoactivos derivados del cannabis como el Δ9-tetrahidrocannabinol y los cannabinoides sintéticos interactúan directamente con el sistema de recompensa y, por lo tanto, tienen propiedades adictivas. Los cannabinoides inducen sus propiedades reforzadoras mediante un aumento en los niveles de dopamina tónica a través de un mecanismo dependiente del receptor cannabinoide 1 (CB1) dentro del área tegmental ventral. Las señales que están condicionadas con fumar cannabis pueden inducir respuestas de búsqueda de drogas (es decir, craving) al provocar liberación fásica de dopamina. Un mecanismo independiente de la dopamina implicado en las respuestas de búsqueda de droga incluye una interacción endocannabinoide / glutamato dentro de la parte cortico-estriatal del sistema de recompensa. En conclusión, el bloqueo farmacológico de la señalización endocannabinoide debería conducir a una reducción del craving por droga y, posteriormente, debería reducir las recaídas en las personas adictas. De hecho, existe una creciente evidencia preclínica de que el elegir como blanco el sistema endocannabinoide reduce el craving y la recaída. Los moduladores alostéricos de los receptores CB1 y los inhibidores de amida hidrolasa de ácidos grasos están en desarrollo clínico para el trastorno por consumo de cannabis. Actualmente se está probando el cannabidiol, que actúa principalmente sobre los receptores CB1 y CB2, en pacientes con trastorno por consumo de alcohol y de opioides.

Les avancĂ©es de ces 10 dernières annĂ©es nous ont permis de mieux comprendre l’action des cannabinoĂŻdes et du système endocannabinoĂŻde dans le processus de rĂ©compense et le dĂ©veloppement de l’addiction. Le Δ9-tĂ©trahydrocannabinol, comme les autres composĂ©s psychoactifs dĂ©rivĂ©s du cannabis, et les cannabinoĂŻdes synthĂ©tiques interagissent directement avec le système de rĂ©compense et ont donc des propriĂ©tĂ©s addictives. La capacitĂ© de renforcement des cannabinoĂŻdes s’exerce par un mĂ©canisme dĂ©pendant du rĂ©cepteur cannabinoĂŻde 1 (CB1R) dans la zone tegmentale ventrale qui augmente les taux de dopamine en mode d’activation tonique. La consommation de cannabis entraĂ®ne des signaux qui peuvent induire des rĂ©actions toxicomaniaques (sensation de manque) en provoquant le mode d’activation phasique dopaminergique. Dans les rĂ©ponses toxicomaniaques, le mĂ©canisme d’action est indĂ©pendant de la dopamine et implique une interaction endocannabinoĂŻde/glutamate dans la partie corticostriatale du système de rĂ©compense. En conclusion, bloquer pharmacologiquement la signalisation des endocannabinoĂŻdes devrait diminuer la sensation de manque et donc diminuer les rechutes chez les personnes dĂ©pendantes. En effet, de plus en plus de donnĂ©es prĂ©cliniques montrent qu’en ciblant le système endocannabinoĂŻde, la sensation de manque et les rechutes diminuent. Des modulateurs allostĂ©riques au niveau des rĂ©cepteurs CB1 et des inhibiteurs de l’hydrolase des amides d’acides gras sont en cours de dĂ©veloppement clinique pour les troubles liĂ©s Ă  la consommation de cannabis. Agissant principalement sur les rĂ©cepteurs CB1 et CB2, le cannabidiol est actuellement testĂ© chez des patients souffrant de troubles liĂ©s Ă  la consommation d’alcool et d’opiacĂ©s.

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