Abstract A knowledge gap exists in infant tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) data to guide breastfeeding recommendations for mothers who use cannabis. In the present study, a paired lactation and infant physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) model was developed and verified. The verified model was used to simulate one hundred virtual lactating mothers (mean age: 28 years, body weight: 78 kg) who smoked 0.32 g of cannabis containing 14.14% THC, either once or multiple times. The simulated breastfeeding conditions included one-hour post smoking and subsequently every three hours. The mean peak concentration (Cmax) and area under the concentration–time curve (AUC(0–24 h)) for breastmilk were higher than in plasma...

Please use this link to access this publication: https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/full/10.1089/can.2023.0121 Abstract Introduction: Basic pharmacokinetic (PK) and pharmacodynamic models of the phytocannabinoids Δ-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) are critical for developing translational models of exposure and toxicity. The neonatal period is a particularly important time to study the effects of cannabinoids, yet there are few studies of cannabinoid PKs by different routes such as direct injection or breast milk ingestion. To study this question, we have developed a translationally relevant rodent model of perinatal cannabinoid administration by measuring plasma levels of THC and CBD after different routes and preparations of these drugs. Materials and Methods: Adult animals and pups...

Abstract Background: There is an urgent need for novel therapies to treat Alzheimer's disease. Among others, the use of cannabinoids such as delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) has been proposed as a putative approach based on their anti-inflammatory effects. Methods: The present work was designed to explore the effects of chronic (28 days) treatment with low doses of cannabinoids: CBD (0.273 mg/kg), THC (0.205 mg/kg) or a combination of both (CBD:THC; 0.273 mg/kg:0.205 mg/kg) in the 5xFAD mouse model of AD. Results: Our data revealed that THC-treated 5xFAD mice (but not other treatment groups) exhibited anxiogenic and depressant-like behavior. A significant improvement in spatial memory was observed only in the CBD:THC-treated...

Abstract Working memory is an executive function that orchestrates the use of limited amounts of information, referred to as working memory capacity, in cognitive functions. Cannabis exposure impairs working memory in humans; however, it is unclear if Cannabis facilitates or impairs rodent working memory and working memory capacity. The conflicting literature in rodent models may be at least partly due to the use of drug exposure paradigms that do not closely mirror patterns of human Cannabis use. Here, we used an incidental memory capacity paradigm where a novelty preference is assessed after a short delay in spontaneous recognition-based tests. Either object or odor-based stimuli were used in test variations with...

Abstract Metabolic Syndrome (MS) is one of the most commonly used names for a clinical entity that brings together or associates different disorders that increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. Cannabis sativa has been used as an herbal medicine for tens of centuries. This study aimed to analyze the effects of cannabis oil administration on cannabinoid-induced tetrad, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and metabolic parameters in normal female rats fed a sucrose-rich diet (SRD). Female Wistar rats were fed with the one of following diets for 21 days: Reference Diet (RD): standard commercial laboratory diet, SRD, and SRD+Cannabis oil (SRD+Ca): oral administration of 1...

Please use this link to access this publication: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0165178123005930 Abstract Prenatal infections and cannabis use during adolescence are well-recognized risk factors for schizophrenia. As inflammation and oxidative stress (OS) contribute to this disorder, anti-inflammatory drugs have been proposed as potential therapies. This study aimed to evaluate the association between delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and schizophrenia-like abnormalities in a maternal immune activation (MIA) model. Additionally, we assessed the preventive effect of cannabidiol (CBD), a non-psychotropic/anti-inflammatory cannabinoid. THC and/or CBD were administered to Saline- and MIA-offspring during periadolescence. At adulthood, THC-exposed MIA-offspring showed significant improvements in sensorimotor gating deficits. Structural and metabolic brain changes were evaluated by magnetic resonance...

Abstract With the recent legalization of inhaled cannabis for medicinal and recreational use, the elderly represents one of the newest, rapidly growing cohorts of cannabis users. To understand the neurobiological effects of cannabis on the aging brain, 19–20 months old mice were divided into three groups exposed to vaporized cannabis containing ~10% Δ9-THC, ~10% CBD, or placebo for 30 min each day. Voxel based morphometry, diffusion weighted imaging, and resting state functional connectivity data were gathered after 28 days of exposure and following a two-week washout period. Tail-flick, open field, and novel object preference tests were conducted to explore analgesic, anxiolytic, and cognitive effects of cannabis,...

ABSTRACT Introduction There is growing evidence on the efficacy of cannabis-based medicinal products (CBMPs) for chronic pain (CP). Due to the interaction between CP and anxiety, and the potential impact of CBMPs on both anxiety and CP, this article aimed to compare the outcomes of CP patients with and without co-morbid anxiety following CBMP treatment. Methods Participants were prospectively enrolled and categorized by baseline General Anxiety Disorder-7(GAD-7) scores, into ‘no anxiety’(GAD-7 < 5) and ‘anxiety’(GAD-7 ≥ 5) cohorts. Primary outcomes were changes in Brief Pain Inventory Short-Form, Short-form McGill Pain Questionnaire-2, Pain Visual Analogue Scale, Sleep Quality Scale (SQS), GAD-7 and EQ-5D-5L index values at 1, 3 and...

Please use this link to access this publication: https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/full/10.1089/can.2022.0091 Abstract Background: The number of effective evidence-based treatment options for patients with Tourette syndrome (TS) is limited. Emerging evidence shows cannabinoids as promising for the treatment of tics. Objectives: To compare the efficacy and tolerability of single doses of three vaporized medical cannabis products and placebo in reducing tics in adults with TS. Methods: In a randomized, double-blind, crossover design, each participant received a vaporized single 0.25 g dose of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) 10%, THC/cannabidiol (CBD) 9%/9%, CBD 13%, and placebo at 2-week intervals. Our primary outcome was the Modified Rush Video-Based Tic Rating Scale (MRVTRS), taken at baseline and at...

Abstract Cannabis use is consistently associated with both increased incidence of frank psychotic disorders and acute exacerbations of psychotic symptoms in healthy individuals and people with psychosis spectrum disorders. Although there is uncertainty around causality, cannabis use may be one of a few modifiable risk factors for conversion to psychotic disorders in individuals with Clinical High Risk for Psychosis (CHR-P) syndromes, characterized by functionally impairing and distressing subthreshold psychotic symptoms. To date, few recommendations beyond abstinence to reduce adverse psychiatric events associated with cannabis use have been made. This narrative review synthesizes existing scientific literature on cannabis' acute psychotomimetic effects and epidemiological associations with...