The endocannabinoid system of the body seems to be a new target for the development of drugs against OCD



[ad_1]

The endocannabinoid system of the body, because of its essential role in the regulation of neurotransmitter signaling, is an attractive target for the development of drugs against disorders badociated with anxiety, stress and behavior repetitive, such as obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). A comprehensive new review that provides insight into this complex system, endogenous and exogenous cannabinoids, animal test results and human trials, as well as recommendations for future directions, is published in Research on cannabis and cannabinoids, a peer-reviewed journal of Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., eds. Click here to read the full-text article free on Research on cannabis and cannabinoids website until June 30, 2019.

The article entitled "The endocannabinoid system: a new therapeutic target for obsessive-compulsive disorder?" was co-authored by Dr. Reilly Kayser, Dr. Ivar Snorrbadon, Dr. Margaret Haney and Dr. H. Blair Simpson, Ph.D., Columbia University of Vagelos, and Dr. Francis Lee, MD, Weill Cornell Medical College, (New York, NY). The researchers present evidence linking the endocannabinoid system to the underlying pathology of OCD. They are also exploring the possibility of targeting this system to relieve symptoms of OCD and related disorders such as anxiety disorders, tic disorder and impulse control. The review includes a broad overview of cannabinoids manufactured by the body, as well as exogenous cannabinoids, including phytocannabinoids found in the marijuana plant and purified and synthetic cannabinoids.

On the basis of both animal study data showing anxiolytic and anti-compulsive effects of cannabinoid agents and preliminary data from clinical trials on humans, the authors suggest that ## 147 ################################################################################## 39, a continuous pharmaceutical development is justified. The cannabinoid agents to be tested and how to measure their effects will be important issues to consider when designing future studies.

Is there a place for cannabinoid-based medicines in psychiatry? Evidence from animal and human studies indicates that the endocannabinoid system is an important regulator of emotionality, but how can we harness this knowledge for therapeutic purposes? This review article provides a critical badessment of evidence, focused on obsessive-compulsive disorder, as well as clues for future research. "

Daniele Piomelli, PhD, Editor-in-Chief, University of California, Irvine, Faculty of Medicine

Source:

Mary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News

Journal reference:

Kayser, R. R. et al. (2019) The endocannabinoid system: a new therapeutic target for obsessive-compulsive disorder ?. Research on cannabis and cannabinoids. doi.org/10.1089/can.2018.0049.

[ad_2]
Source link