Article

Download article
Title: Cannabinoids and glial cells: possible mechanism to understand schizophrenia
Author: De Almeida, Valéria; Martins-de-souza D; Martins-de-souza, Daniel
Year: 2018
Is part of: EUROPEAN ARCHIVES OF PSYCHIATRY AND CLINICAL NEUROSCIENCE, v. 268, p. 727 - 737
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00406-018-0874-6

Citation: De Almeida, Valéria; Martins-de-souza D; Martins-de-souza, Daniel; Cannabinoids and glial cells: possible mechanism to understand schizophrenia. EUROPEAN ARCHIVES OF PSYCHIATRY AND CLINICAL NEUROSCIENCE, v.268, p. 727-737, 2018

Abstract: Clinical and neurobiological findings have reported the involvement of endocannabinoid signaling in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. This system modulates dopaminergic and glutamatergic neurotransmission that is associated with positive, negative, and cognitive symptoms of schizophrenia. Despite neurotransmitter impairments, increasing evidence points to a role of glial cells in schizophrenia pathobiology. Glial cells encompass three main groups: oligodendrocytes, microglia, and astrocytes. These cells promote several neurobiological functions, such as myelination of axons, metabolic and structural support, and immune response in the central nervous system. Impairments in glial cells lead to disruptions in communication and in the homeostasis of neurons that play role in pathobiology of disorders such as schizophrenia. Therefore, data suggest that glial cells may be a potential pharmacological tool to treat schizophrenia and other brain disorders. In this regard, glial cells express cannabinoid receptors and synthesize endocannabinoids, and cannabinoid drugs affect some functions of these cells that can be implicated in schizophrenia pathobiology. Thus, the aim of this review is to provide data about the glial changes observed in schizophrenia, and how cannabinoids could modulate these alterations.



Funding: This work was supported by Grant from the 'Fundacao de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de Sao Paulo' (FAPESP Grant number 2013/08711-3 and 2014/10068-4), 'Coordenacao de Aperfeicoamento de Pessoal de Nivel Superior' (Capes Grant number 1656470), and Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cientifico e Tecnologico (CNPq Grant 460289/2014-4). DMS is also supported by Instituto Serrapilheira, Brazil (grant G-1709-16349).
Financed by: