Cannabis use changes blood biomarker patterns in people with schizophrenia
Schizophrenia patients who also had cannabis use disorder showed different blood biomarker patterns than those with schizophrenia alone, suggesting distinct underlying mechanisms in dual-diagnosis patients.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
Platelet serotonin 2A receptors, active Akt protein, anandamide, other lipid mediators, and pro-inflammatory IL-6 were all significantly increased in schizophrenia patients. However, patients with both schizophrenia and cannabis use disorder did not show these same elevations, suggesting cannabis use normalizes or alters these biomarkers.
Key Numbers
Platelet 5-HT2A and phospho-Akt significantly increased in schizophrenia but not in dual diagnosis. Anandamide, PEA, DEA, and IL-6 significantly increased in schizophrenia but not in dual diagnosis. All comparisons were against age- and sex-matched controls.
How They Did This
Observational study evaluating blood biomarkers (platelet 5-HT2A receptors, Akt protein, endocannabinoids, IL-6) in subjects with schizophrenia, cannabis use disorder, dual diagnosis, or neither condition, matched by age and sex.
Why This Research Matters
If schizophrenia patients who use cannabis have fundamentally different biomarker profiles, they may need different treatment approaches. These findings could also explain why dual-diagnosis patients often have different clinical trajectories.
The Bigger Picture
The idea that cannabis use might normalize some biomarkers that are elevated in schizophrenia is counterintuitive given that cannabis is considered a risk factor for psychosis. It suggests the biology of dual-diagnosis psychosis may differ from schizophrenia alone.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Observational design cannot determine causation. Sample sizes not specified in the abstract. Blood biomarkers may not reflect central nervous system processes. Medication use in schizophrenia patients could confound results.
Questions This Raises
- ?Does cannabis directly suppress these biomarkers, or do dual-diagnosis patients represent a biologically distinct subtype of schizophrenia?
- ?Could these blood biomarkers help distinguish different forms of psychosis?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- Biomarkers elevated in schizophrenia were absent in dual-diagnosis patients
- Evidence Grade:
- Observational study with novel biomarker findings and matched controls, but lacking clear sample sizes and potential medication confounds.
- Study Age:
- Published in 2022.
- Original Title:
- Cannabis use selectively modulates circulating biomarkers in the blood of schizophrenia patients.
- Published In:
- Addiction biology, 27(6), e13233 (2022)
- Authors:
- Ibarra-Lecue, Inés(2), Unzueta-Larrinaga, Paula(2), Barrena-Barbadillo, Rocío, Villate, Aitor, Horrillo, Igor, Mendivil, Begoña, Landabaso, Miguel A, Meana, J Javier, Etxebarria, Nestor, Callado, Luis F, Urigüen, Leyre
- Database ID:
- RTHC-03922
Evidence Hierarchy
Watches what happens naturally without intervening.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
Does cannabis change the biology of schizophrenia?
This study found that blood biomarkers elevated in schizophrenia alone (serotonin receptors, Akt, anandamide, IL-6) were not elevated in patients who had both schizophrenia and cannabis use disorder, suggesting different underlying biology.
Could blood tests distinguish types of psychosis?
The distinct biomarker patterns between schizophrenia with and without cannabis use disorder suggest blood-based markers could potentially help differentiate these groups, though this needs further validation.
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Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-03922APA
Ibarra-Lecue, Inés; Unzueta-Larrinaga, Paula; Barrena-Barbadillo, Rocío; Villate, Aitor; Horrillo, Igor; Mendivil, Begoña; Landabaso, Miguel A; Meana, J Javier; Etxebarria, Nestor; Callado, Luis F; Urigüen, Leyre. (2022). Cannabis use selectively modulates circulating biomarkers in the blood of schizophrenia patients.. Addiction biology, 27(6), e13233. https://doi.org/10.1111/adb.13233
MLA
Ibarra-Lecue, Inés, et al. "Cannabis use selectively modulates circulating biomarkers in the blood of schizophrenia patients.." Addiction biology, 2022. https://doi.org/10.1111/adb.13233
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Cannabis use selectively modulates circulating biomarkers in..." RTHC-03922. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/ibarra-lecue-2022-cannabis-use-selectively-modulates
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.