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Increased cannabinoid receptor density in the posterior cingulate cortex in schizophrenia

Experimental Brain Research volume 172, pages 556–560 (2006)Cite this article

Abstract

The posterior cingulate cortex (PCC) has recently been implicated in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia, through both animal and human studies. We have recently shown abnormal glutamate, GABA, and muscarinic receptor binding in the PCC in schizophrenia. In addition, there is evidence for an abnormal endogenous cannabinoid system in schizophrenia. The endogenous cannabinoid system, including CB1 receptors, is proposed to play a role in modulating neurotransmission via affecting the release of a variety of neurotransmitters, (e.g. GABA). In the present study, we used quantitative autoradiography to investigate the binding of [3H]CP-55940 to CB1 receptors in the PCC in schizophrenia subjects compared to controls. A significant 25% increase in CB1 binding was found in the superficial layers (layer I, II) of the PCC of schizophrenia subjects compared to controls, none of whom had recently used cannabis. There was no statistical difference in CB1 binding in the deeper layers (layers III–VI) between the two groups. There were no significant correlations between CB1 binding density and age, PMI, pH, brain weight, freezer storage time, or final recorded antipsychotic drug dose. These results show an increase in CB1 receptor density in the PCC in schizophrenia, and therefore provide support for a role of the endogenous cannabinoid system in schizophrenia.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the St. George Foundation, and the Neuroscience Institute of Schizophrenia and Allied Disorders (NISAD) utilizing infrastructure funding from NSW Health. Post-mortem brain tissues were received from the NSW Tissue Resource Center, which is supported by the University of Sydney, NISAD, National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism and NSW Department of Health. The Beta Imager was provided with funds raised by the Wollongong Lord Mayor’s Schizophrenia Awareness Project.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Neurobiology Research Center for Metabolic and Psychiatric Disorders, School of Health Sciences, University of Wollongong, Northfields Avenue, Wollongong, NSW, 2522, Australia

    Kelly A. Newell, Chao Deng & Xu-Feng Huang

  2. Neuroscience Institute of Schizophrenia and Allied Disorders (NISAD), Sydney, NSW, 2010, Australia

    Kelly A. Newell, Chao Deng & Xu-Feng Huang

Authors
  1. Kelly A. Newell
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  2. Chao Deng
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  3. Xu-Feng Huang
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Correspondence to Kelly A. Newell.

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Newell, K.A., Deng, C. & Huang, XF. Increased cannabinoid receptor density in the posterior cingulate cortex in schizophrenia. Exp Brain Res 172, 556–560 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00221-006-0503-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00221-006-0503-x

Keywords

  • Posterior cingulate cortex
  • Schizophrenia
  • CB1
  • Autoradiography