Reversing the Psychiatric Effects of Neurodevelopmental Cannabinoid Exposure: Exploring Pharmacotherapeutic Interventions for Symptom Improvement

• Published in: International journal of molecular sciences Vol. 22; no. 15; p. 7861
• Main Authors: De Felice, Marta, Laviolette, Steven R.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Basel MDPI AG 01-08-2021; MDPI
• Subjects: Adaptation; adolescence; Age; Anxiety disorders; Brain; Brain-derived neurotrophic factor; Cannabinoids; Cannabis; Child development; Complications; Consumption; Drug therapy; endocannabinoid system; Exposure; Marijuana; Mental disorders; Mood; neurodevelopment; Pathology; Pharmacology; Polymorphism; Psychosis; Review; Risk analysis; Risk factors; Schizophrenia; Tetrahydrocannabinol; THC
• ISSN: 1422-0067; 1661-6596; 1422-0067
• DOI: 10.3390/ijms22157861

Neurodevelopmental exposure to psychoactive compounds in cannabis, specifically THC, is associated with a variety of long-term psychopathological outcomes. This increased risk includes a higher prevalence of schizophrenia, mood and anxiety disorders, and cognitive impairments. Clinical and pre-clinical research continues to identify a wide array of underlying neuropathophysiological sequelae and mechanisms that may underlie THC-related psychiatric risk vulnerability, particularly following adolescent cannabis exposure. A common theme among these studies is the ability of developmental THC exposure to induce long-term adaptations in the mesocorticolimbic system which resemble pathological endophenotypes associated with these disorders. This narrative review will summarize recent clinical and pre-clinical evidence that has elucidated these THC-induced developmental risk factors and examine how specific pharmacotherapeutic interventions may serve to reverse or perhaps prevent these cannabis-related risk outcomes.