scholarly journals Cannabidiol and Neurodevelopmental Disorders in Children

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Keith A. Kwan Cheung ◽  
Murray D. Mitchell ◽  
Helen S. Heussler
Keyword(s):  
Neural Development ◽  
Neurodevelopmental Disorders ◽  
Endocannabinoid System ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Mechanisms Of Action ◽  
Signalling Pathways ◽  
Therapeutic Effects ◽  
Improve Quality ◽  
Medicinal Cannabis

Neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric disorders (such as autism spectrum disorder) have broad health implications for children, with no definitive cure for the vast majority of them. However, recently medicinal cannabis has been successfully trialled as a treatment to manage many of the patients' symptoms and improve quality of life. The cannabinoid cannabidiol, in particular, has been reported to be safe and well-tolerated with a plethora of anticonvulsant, anxiolytic and anti-inflammatory properties. Lately, the current consensus is that the endocannabinoid system is a crucial factor in neural development and health; research has found evidence that there are a multitude of signalling pathways involving neurotransmitters and the endocannabinoid system by which cannabinoids could potentially exert their therapeutic effects. A better understanding of the cannabinoids' mechanisms of action should lead to improved treatments for neurodevelopmental disorders.

scholarly journals The Interplay between the Endocannabinoid System, Epilepsy and Cannabinoids

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (23) ◽  
pp. 6079 ◽  
Author(s):  
Keith A. Kwan Cheung ◽  
Hassendrini Peiris ◽  
Geoffrey Wallace ◽  
Olivia J. Holland ◽  
Murray D. Mitchell
Keyword(s):  
Literature Review ◽  
Effective Treatment ◽  
Signaling Pathways ◽  
Neurological Disorder ◽  
Endocannabinoid System ◽  
Mechanisms Of Action ◽  
Therapeutic Effects ◽  
Epilepsy Treatment ◽  
Medicinal Cannabis ◽  
Anti Inflammatory

Epilepsy is a neurological disorder that affects approximately 50 million people worldwide. There is currently no definitive epilepsy cure. However, in recent years, medicinal cannabis has been successfully trialed as an effective treatment for managing epileptic symptoms, but whose mechanisms of action are largely unknown. Lately, there has been a focus on neuroinflammation as an important factor in the pathology of many epileptic disorders. In this literature review, we consider the links that have been identified between epilepsy, neuroinflammation, the endocannabinoid system (ECS), and how cannabinoids may be potent alternatives to more conventional pharmacological therapies. We review the research that demonstrates how the ECS can contribute to neuroinflammation, and could therefore be modulated by cannabinoids to potentially reduce the incidence and severity of seizures. In particular, the cannabinoid cannabidiol has been reported to have anti-convulsant and anti-inflammatory properties, and it shows promise for epilepsy treatment. There are a multitude of signaling pathways that involve endocannabinoids, eicosanoids, and associated receptors by which cannabinoids could potentially exert their therapeutic effects. Further research is needed to better characterize these pathways, and consequently improve the application and regulation of medicinal cannabis.

scholarly journals Anormalidades da formação cerebral e os transtornos de desenvolvimento neural

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 2-23
Author(s):  
Júlio Fernandes Leite ◽  
Umberto Euzebio
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Neural Development ◽  
Neurodevelopmental Disorders ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Mental Disability ◽  
Diverse Group ◽  
School Work ◽  
Learning Capacity ◽  
Hyperactivity Disorder ◽  
Developmental Stuttering

Transtornos do desenvolvimento neural constituem um grupo bastante diverso de problemas identificáveis clinicamente, que decorrem de perturbações do desenvolvimento neurológico, manifestam-se desde a infância, mesmo que sejam reconhecidos somente mais tarde, são persistentes, geram algum grau de limitação seja na capacidade de aprendizagem, na comunicação, ou na interação social, o que produz reflexos na vida escolar, laboral ou outras áreas da vida. Os principais transtornos do desenvolvimento neural são o transtorno do espectro autista (autismo), a deficiência intelectual (retardo mental ou deficiência mental), o transtorno do déficit de atenção e hiperatividade (TDAH), a epilepsia dos transtornos do desenvolvimento, a dislexia do desenvolvimento, a discalculia do desenvolvimento, a gagueira do desenvolvimento e a paralisia cerebral. Os transtornos do desenvolvimento neural podem ter diversas causas, genéticas e não genéticas (ambientais), e muitas vezes ambas contribuem para a ocorrência do transtorno. O objetivo deste trabalho é compreender os mecanismos envolvidos na origem dos transtornos de desenvolvimento neural durante a formação cerebral a partir de trabalhos da base de dados do índice Medline.   Neurodevelopmental disorders are a very diverse group of clinically identifiable disorders that result from derangement of neural development, they are persistent and manifest from childhood, even if they are only recognized later, and generate some degree of limitation in the learning capacity, communication, or social interaction, which produces reflexes in school, work or other areas of life. The main neurodevelopmental disorders are autism spectrum disorder (autism), intellectual disability (mental retardation or mental disability), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), developmental epilepsy, developmental dyslexia, developmental dyscalculia, developmental stuttering and cerebral palsy. Neurodevelopmental disorders may have several causes, genetic and non-genetic (environmental), and often both act simultaneously. The aim of this work is to understand the mechanisms involved in the origin of neural development disorders during brain formation based on words from the Medline index database.   

Phenomenological Psychopathology of Neurodiversity

2019 ◽  
pp. 1077-1108
Author(s):  
Marco O. Bertelli ◽  
Johan De Groef ◽  
Elisa Rondini
Keyword(s):  
Neurodevelopmental Disorders ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Self Determination ◽  
Care Provision ◽  
Practical Skills ◽  
Self Development ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Overall Functioning ◽  
Phenomenological Psychopathology

The term “neurodiversity” is commonly used to refer to intellectual disability or autism spectrum disorder, which are the neurodevelopmental disorders with the most severe impact on a person”s overall functioning along the life-span. Although a wide interpersonal variability, these conditions are associated with peculiarities in the subjective existential experience and in the psychological insight, with a particular reference to areas of emotionality, spirituality, practical skills, socialization, and psychic suffering. These peculiarities lead to a complex psycho-physical continuous vulnerability, including neurovegetative dystonia, lack of environmental mastery, low coping, difficulties in self-determination, repeated losses, and societal exclusion. Care provision should aim at improving quality of life, by enabling the “neurodiverse” (or “psycho-characterized”) person to pursue a self-development aimed at optimizing the relationship between importance and satisfaction in the most emic areas of life, such as being, belonging, and becoming.

scholarly journals Mitochondrial retrograde signalling in neurological disease

2020 ◽  
Vol 375 (1801) ◽  
pp. 20190415 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lucy Granat ◽  
Rachel J. Hunt ◽  
Joseph M. Bateman
Keyword(s):  
Neurodegenerative Diseases ◽  
Mitochondrial Dysfunction ◽  
Neurodevelopmental Disorders ◽  
Neurological Disease ◽  
Neurological Diseases ◽  
Nuclear Gene ◽  
Mitochondrial Diseases ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Signalling Pathways ◽  
Retrograde Signalling

Neuronal mitochondrial dysfunction causes primary mitochondrial diseases and likely contributes to neurodegenerative diseases including Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease. Mitochondrial dysfunction has also been documented in neurodevelopmental disorders such as tuberous sclerosis complex and autism spectrum disorder. Only symptomatic treatments exist for neurodevelopmental disorders, while neurodegenerative diseases are largely untreatable. Altered mitochondrial function activates mitochondrial retrograde signalling pathways, which enable signalling to the nucleus to reprogramme nuclear gene expression. In this review, we discuss the role of mitochondrial retrograde signalling in neurological diseases. We summarize how mitochondrial dysfunction contributes to neurodegenerative disease and neurodevelopmental disorders. Mitochondrial signalling mechanisms that have relevance to neurological disease are discussed. We then describe studies documenting retrograde signalling pathways in neurons and glia, and in animal models of neuronal mitochondrial dysfunction and neurological disease. Finally, we suggest how specific retrograde signalling pathways can be targeted to develop novel treatments for neurological diseases. This article is part of the theme issue ‘Retrograde signalling from endosymbiotic organelles’.

Nutritional interventions improve quality of life of caregivers of children with neurodevelopmental disorders

2019 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Senem Ayça ◽  
Güzide Doğan ◽  
Şermin Yalın Sapmaz ◽  
Pınar Erbay Dündar ◽  
Erhun Kasırga ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Neurodevelopmental Disorders ◽  
Improve Quality ◽  
Nutritional Interventions

scholarly journals Understanding the Link Between Allergy and Neurodevelopmental Disorders: A Current Review of Factors and Mechanisms

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Regena Xin Yi Chua ◽  
Michelle Jia Yu Tay ◽  
Delicia Shu Qin Ooi ◽  
Kewin Tien Ho Siah ◽  
Elizabeth Huiwen Tham ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Neurodevelopmental Disorders ◽  
Sleep Disturbances ◽  
Environmental Pollutants ◽  
Allergic Diseases ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Convincing Evidence ◽  
Hyperactivity Disorder ◽  
Underlying Mechanisms

Both allergic diseases and neurodevelopmental disorders are non-communicable diseases (NCDs) that not only impact on the quality of life and but also result in substantial economic burden. Immune dysregulation and inflammation are typical hallmarks in both allergic and neurodevelopmental disorders, suggesting converging pathophysiology. Epidemiological studies provided convincing evidence for the link between allergy and neurodevelopmental diseases such as attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Possible factors influencing the development of these disorders include maternal depression and anxiety, gestational diabetes mellitus, maternal allergic status, diet, exposure to environmental pollutants, microbiome dysbiosis, and sleep disturbances that occur early in life. Moreover, apart from inflammation, epigenetics, gene expression, and mitochondrial dysfunction have emerged as possible underlying mechanisms in the pathogenesis of these conditions. The exploration and understanding of these shared factors and possible mechanisms may enable us to elucidate the link in the comorbidity.

scholarly journals Deficiency of the ywhaz gene, involved in neurodevelopmental disorders, alters brain activity and behaviour in zebrafish

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ester Anton-Galindo ◽  
Elisa Dalla Vecchia ◽  
Javier G Orlandi ◽  
Gustavo Castro ◽  
Emilio Gualda ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Neural Development ◽  
Neurodevelopmental Disorders ◽  
Genome Engineering ◽  
Developmental Stages ◽  
Brain Activity ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Zebrafish Model ◽  
Risk Variants

Genetic risk variants in YWHAZ, encoding 14-3-ζ, have been found to contribute to psychiatric disorders such as autism spectrum disorder and schizophrenia, and have been related to an impaired neurodevelopment in humans and mice. Here, we have used a zebrafish model to further understand the mechanisms by which YWHAZ contribute to neurodevelopmental disorders. We first observed pan-neuronal expression of ywhaz during developmental stages, suggesting an important role of this gene in neural development. During adulthood ywhaz expression was restricted to Purkinje cells in the cerebellum, a region that shows alterations in autistic patients. We then established a novel stable ywhaz knockout (KO) zebrafish line using CRISPR/Cas9 genome engineering. We performed whole-brain calcium imaging in wild-type (WT) and ywhaz KO larvae and found altered neural activity and functional connectivity in the hindbrain. Interestingly, adult ywhaz KO fish also display decreased levels of dopamine and serotonin in the hindbrain and freeze when exposed to novel stimuli, a phenotype that can be reversed with fluoxetine and quinpirole, drugs that target serotonin and dopamine neurotransmission. Together, these findings suggest an important role for ywhaz in establishing neuronal connectivity during developmental stages. ywhaz deficiency leads to impaired dopamine and serotonin neurotransmission that may underlie the altered behaviour observed during adulthood.

scholarly journals Cannabinoid Therapeutics in Chronic Neuropathic Pain: From Animal Research to Human Treatment

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raquel Maria P. Campos ◽  
Andrey F. L. Aguiar ◽  
Yolanda Paes-Colli ◽  
Priscila Martins Pinheiro Trindade ◽  
Bruna K. Ferreira ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Neuropathic Pain ◽  
Pain Management ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Scientific Evidence ◽  
Endocannabinoid System ◽  
Physiological System ◽  
Chronic Neuropathic Pain ◽  
Long Period ◽  
Medicinal Cannabis

Despite the importance of pain as a warning physiological system, chronic neuropathic pain is frequently caused by damage in the nervous system, followed by persistence over a long period, even in the absence of dangerous stimuli or after healing of injuries. Chronic neuropathic pain affects hundreds of millions of adults worldwide, creating a direct impact on quality of life. This pathology has been extensively characterized concerning its cellular and molecular mechanisms, and the endocannabinoid system (eCS) is widely recognized as pivotal in the development of chronic neuropathic pain. Scientific evidence has supported that phyto-, synthetic and endocannabinoids are efficient for pain management, while strong data arise from the therapeutic use of Cannabis-derived products. The use of medicinal Cannabis products is directed toward not only relieving symptoms of chronic pain, but also improving several aspects of patients’ welfare. Here, we review the involvement of eCS, along with other cellular and molecular elements, in chronic neuropathic pain pathology and how this system can be targeted for pain management.

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