Involvement of N-Acyl amino acids and N-acyl neurotransmitter conjugates in the anti-stress effects of the combination of escitalopram and cannabidiol

• Grant number: 22/13764-8
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research
• Start date: May 02, 2023
• End date: July 01, 2023
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Pharmacology - Neuropsychopharmacology
• Principal Investigator: Alline Cristina de Campos
• Grantee: Alline Cristina de Campos
• Host Investigator: Ken Mackie
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto (FMRP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: Indiana University, United States

Abstract

Cannabidiol (CBD) is currently one of the most studied drug in the field of neuropsychopharmacology, due to its enormous potential for therapeutic uses. We have recently demonstrated, using preclinical approaches and 4 case-reports, that CBD can be used as add-on drug to potentiate and reduce latency for the late-onset of therapeutic effects of the antidepressant and escitalopram. Our results suggest a new mechanism of action for CBD: the facilitation of the production of n-acyl-neurotransmitters through an endocannabinoid synthesis enzyme, NAPE-PLD. This mechanism can, for example, explain why some effects of CBD are mediated by both cannabinoid and serotonergic receptors. Therefore, in order to test this hypothesis, the present proposal aimed at to perform additional experiments on K.O. mice for NAPE-PLD (not commercially available) and lipidomics of brain areas related to stress response at Prof Ken Mackis laboratory (Indiana University Bloommington-United States). This partnership i paramount to finish and publish our article in a journal ranked in the upper quadrant of Q1 in addition to the beggining of collaboration with one of the most proeminent research groups in the field of cannabinoids. (AU)