Offspring's sensitivity to the antidepressant fluoxetine is influenced by prenatal exposure to THC and CBD
Indiana University researchers have published a groundbreaking study in the journal Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research, shedding light on the potential negative effects of THC and CBD on the developing brain.
The study, led by Hui-Chen Lu, director of the Linda and Jack Gill Center and a professor in the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences at Indiana University, focused on the effects of THC and CBD on the endogenous cannabinoid system in the developing brain and body.
The research involved four groups of pregnant mice, with some receiving daily moderate doses of either THC, CBD, or a combination of equal parts THC and CBD, and a control group given placebo injections throughout pregnancy. The study found that CBD and THC both could reach the embryonic brain, determining that the drugs were making it past the placenta.
The study's findings suggest that when the developing brain is exposed to THC or CBD, normal interactions between endocannabinoid and serotonin signaling may be diminished as they become adults. This could potentially impact the adult's ability to respond to fluoxetine, a drug commonly used to treat anxiety and depression known by the brand name Prozac.
The study contributes to the understanding of the effects of THC and CBD on the developing brain and later behaviors. It marks the beginning of an effort to understand the long-term consequences of prenatal exposure to these substances.
The study was supported by $854 million from various partners, including the IU Responding to the Addictions Crisis Grand Challenge, startup funds from the IU Bloomington College of Arts and Sciences, the Gill Endowment fund, and the National Institute on Drug Abuse (part of the National Institutes of Health).
The study's DOI is 10.1089/can.2021.0015. It was authored by Hui-Chen Lu, Izaque de Sousa Maciel, Gabriel de Abreu, Clare Johnson, and Rida Bonday.
While there is some evidence for CBD's effectiveness in treating chronic pain and anxiety, the only FDA-approved indication for CBD to date is the treatment of severe seizure disorders. The new paper is one of the first studies to see the potential negative impact of CBD on the developing brain and later behaviors.
The study's findings highlight the potential impact of prenatal THC and CBD exposure on the adult's ability to respond to fluoxinine, underscoring the need for further research in this area. The study's publication in a reputable journal underscores the importance of this research and the potential implications for public health.
