Cannabis use linked to lower levels of a psychosis-associated brain enzyme
First-episode psychosis patients who had previously used cannabis showed lower CDK5 levels and fewer social functioning deficits compared to those without cannabis history, suggesting CDK5 may be an early biomarker of psychosis.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
First-episode psychosis patients with prior cannabis use (FEP/c) had lower CDK5 and higher PSD95 levels compared to those without cannabis use (FEP/nc), and showed fewer social functioning deficits. Blocking CDK5 activity in a mouse model of psychosis restored both sociability and PSD95 levels.
Key Numbers
Mice received WIN-55,212-2 (1 mg/kg) for 21 days and phencyclidine (10 mg/kg) for 10 days; CDK5 changes correlated with social skills but not cognitive deficits
How They Did This
Translational study combining human olfactory neuroepithelial cell analysis from first-episode psychosis patients (with and without cannabis history) with a dual-hit mouse model using a CB1R agonist and NMDAR blocker.
Why This Research Matters
This study provides translational evidence bridging human clinical observations with animal model data, suggesting that CDK5 could serve as an early biomarker for psychosis and that cannabinoids may modulate this pathway.
The Bigger Picture
The complex relationship between cannabis and psychosis may involve specific molecular pathways. Rather than cannabis simply increasing psychosis risk, certain cannabinoid interactions with enzymes like CDK5 could have modulatory effects on social functioning.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Human component was observational and cannot establish causation. Cannabis use history was self-reported. Mouse model uses synthetic cannabinoids, not cannabis itself. Small clinical sample.
Questions This Raises
- ?Could CDK5 inhibitors be developed as targeted treatments for social deficits in psychosis?
- ?Does the type or timing of cannabis use influence its effects on CDK5?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- Blocking CDK5 in mice restored both sociability and PSD95 levels
- Evidence Grade:
- Combines human observational data with animal experiments; provides mechanistic insight but clinical sample is small and cannabis use was self-reported.
- Study Age:
- Published 2023
- Original Title:
- Role of cyclin-dependent kinase 5 in psychosis and the modulatory effects of cannabinoids.
- Published In:
- Neurobiology of disease, 176, 105942 (2023)
- Authors:
- Barrera-Conde, Marta(2), Veza-Estévez, Emma, Gomis-Gonzalez, Maria, Garcia-Quintana, Jordi, Trabsa, Amira, Martínez-Sadurní, Laura, Pujades, Mitona, Perez, Víctor, de la Torre, Rafael, Bergé, Daniel, Robledo, Patricia
- Database ID:
- RTHC-04401
Evidence Hierarchy
Watches what happens naturally without intervening.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
What is CDK5 and why does it matter for psychosis?
CDK5 is a brain enzyme that regulates neurotransmission. This study found elevated CDK5 may be an early indicator of psychosis, particularly associated with social functioning deficits.
How did cannabis use relate to CDK5 levels in psychosis patients?
Psychosis patients with prior cannabis use had lower CDK5 levels and fewer social deficits compared to those without cannabis history. Lab experiments confirmed that cannabinoid exposure reduced CDK5 levels.
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Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-04401APA
Barrera-Conde, Marta; Veza-Estévez, Emma; Gomis-Gonzalez, Maria; Garcia-Quintana, Jordi; Trabsa, Amira; Martínez-Sadurní, Laura; Pujades, Mitona; Perez, Víctor; de la Torre, Rafael; Bergé, Daniel; Robledo, Patricia. (2023). Role of cyclin-dependent kinase 5 in psychosis and the modulatory effects of cannabinoids.. Neurobiology of disease, 176, 105942. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nbd.2022.105942
MLA
Barrera-Conde, Marta, et al. "Role of cyclin-dependent kinase 5 in psychosis and the modulatory effects of cannabinoids.." Neurobiology of disease, 2023. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nbd.2022.105942
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Role of cyclin-dependent kinase 5 in psychosis and the modul..." RTHC-04401. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/barrera-conde-2023-role-of-cyclindependent-kinase
Access the Original Study
Study data sourced from PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
This study breakdown was produced by the RethinkTHC research team. We analyze and report published research findings without making health recommendations. All interpretations are based solely on the published abstract and study data.