Involvement of the endocannabinoid system in alprazola-induced antidepressant-like responses in mice

• Grant number: 17/23987-6
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: February 01, 2018
• End date: January 31, 2019
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Pharmacy
• Principal Investigator: Sâmia Regiane Lourenço Joca
• Grantee: Sarah Lunardi Baccetto
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto (FCFRP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Depression is a recurrent, long-lasting and disabling mental disorder that, despite efforts to comprehend its neurobiology, still lacks sufficiently effective treatments that quickly induces effect. Among the various neurobiological changes inherent to this disorder, a decrease in gabaergic neurotransmission seems to be involved in the etiology of depression. Indeed, treatment with alprazolan, a benzodiazepine-class drug that promotes this neurotransmission, appears to be an alternative to the treatment of depression, especially when there is comorbidity with an anxiety disorder. Recent studies suggest that the effects observed benzodiazepine treatment appear to be influenced by the endocannabinoid system. This system has been involved in regulating a variety of physiological and pathological processes including mood disorders, such as anxiety and depression. Although studies indicate that the anxiolytic-like effects of alprazolan are regulated by cannabinoid receptors, the role of the endocannabinoid system in regulating alprazolan-induced antidepressant-like responses has not been investigated. Thus, the present study was designed to evaluate the possible involvement of this system in the modulation of alprazolan-induced antidepressant-like responses in mice. (AU)