Translational studies in humans
The study of altered states of consciousness caused by hallucinogenic substances in healthy volunteers has a long history in psychiatric research and has been significant in our work in Germany. By targeting a neurotransmitter system in the brain, we can induce symptoms similar to those seen in patients with psychoses. This helps us examine the changes in brain biology as well as behavioral and cognitive functions.
We solely used exogenous cannabinoids to trigger these altered states of consciousness. These cannabinoids primarily interact with the body's endocannabinoid system, allowing us to understand its crucial role in the functions mentioned earlier. Our aim was to perform experiments on healthy individuals that mirror our animal studies. This ensures that the observed changes are as comparable as possible across different species. This translational approach has enhanced our understanding of the neurobiological mechanisms underlying endocannabinoid functions in psychiatric disorders.
Funding:
This research was supported by the European Commission (GxE Experimental EU FP7 HEALTH-F2-2010-241909).
Publications:
T. A. Couttas, C. Boost, F. Pahlisch, E. B. Sykorova, J. K. Mueller, B. Jieu, J. E. Leweke, I. Dammann, A. E. Hoffmann, M. Loeffler, O. Grimm, F. Enning, H. Flor, A. Meyer-Lindenberg, C. Rohleder, F. M. Leweke (2024) Dose-dependent effects of oral cannabidiol and delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol on serum anandamide and related N-acylethanolamides in healthy volunteers. BMJ Mental Health 27:e301027
T. Woelfl, C. Rohleder, J. K. Mueller, B. Lange, A. Reuter, A. M. Schmidt, D. Koethe, M. Hellmich, F. M. Leweke (2020) Effects of cannabidiol and delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol on emotion, cognition and attention: A double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized experimental trial in healthy volunteers. Front Psychiatry 11:576877
O. Grimm, M. Löffler, S. Camping, C. Rohleder, F. M. Leweke, H. Flor (2018) Probing the endocannabinoid system in healthy volunteers: cannabidiol alters fronto-striatal resting-state connectivity. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol 28:841-849
D. Koethe, C. Hoyer, F. M. Leweke (2009) The endocannabinoid system as a target for modelling psychosis. Psychopharmacology 206: 551-561.
D. Koethe, C. W. Gerth, M. A. Neatby, A. Haensel, C. Mauss, M. Thies, U. Schneider, H. M. Emrich, J. Klosterkötter, F. M. Leweke (2006) Disturbances of visual information processing in early states of psychosis and experimental delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol altered states of consciousness. Schizophr Res 88(1-3):142-150.
D. Koethe, C. W. Gerth, M. A. Neatby, A. Haensel, C. Mauss, M. Thies, U. Schneider, H. M. Emrich, J. Klosterkötter, F. M. Leweke (2006) Disturbances of visual information processing in early states of psychosis and experimental delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol altered states of consciousness. Schizophr Res 88(1-3):142-150.
F. M. Leweke, U. Schneider, M. Radwan, E. Schmidt, H. M. Emrich (2000) Different effects of nabilone and cannabidiol on binocular depth inversion in man. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 66(1):175-181.
F. M. Leweke, U. Schneider, M. Thies, T. F. Münte, H. M. Emrich (1999) Effects of synthetic ∆9-tetrahydrocannabinol on binocular depth inversion of natural and artificial objects in man. Psychopharmacology 142:230-235.