Cannabinoid receptor gene polymorphisms and cognitive performance in patients with schizophrenia and controls

Objective: To test the hypothesis that genetic variations of cannabinoid receptors contribute to the pathophysiology of cognitive deficits in schizophrenia. Methods: In this genetic association case-control study, cannabinoid receptor polymorphisms CNR1 rs12720071 and CNR2 rs2229579 were tested for association with neurocognitive performance in 69 patients with schizophrenia and 45 healthy controls. Neurocognition was assessed by the Brief Assessment of Cognition in Schizophrenia (BACS). Results: We found a consistent association between CNR1 rs12720071 polymorphism and the cognitive performance of patients in several cognitive domains. Patients with C/C polymorphism presented significantly worse performance in motor speed, verbal fluency, attention/processing speed and reasoning/problem solving. Conclusion: Although limited, our data support the hypothesis that CNR1 variations may be associated with the pathogenesis of cognitive deficits of schizophrenia.

Comparação dos níveis séricos da Cocaine and Amphetamine Regulated Transcript (CART) entre sangue de cordão umbilical e sangue periférico em gestantes usuárias de crack / Comparison between serum levels of Cocaine and Amphetamine Regulated Transcript (CART) between umbilical cord blood and peripheral blood of pregnant crack users

INTRODUÇÃO: No Brasil, o uso de crack permanece um desafio à saúde pública devido à facilidade de aquisição da droga e sua elevada capacidade de induzir dependência. A exposição intrauterina (EIU) à cocaína está associada a alterações neurocomportamentais durante a infância e adolescência. Em estudo prévio do nosso grupo, achou-se menor nível de estresse oxidativo (EO) em recém-nascidos (RN) com EIU. Uma possível explicação pode ser a Cocaine and Amphetamine Regulated Transcript (CART), um antioxidante endógeno presente desde o período embrionário e ativado por maiores níveis de dopamina. OBJETIVO: Verificar a correlação entre os níveis de CART no sangue de cordão umbilical (SCU) e sangue periférico de 57 gestantes com exposição ao crack. MÉTODOS: Trata-se de um estudo transversal, com amostragem consecutiva, em que o desfecho primário foi a correlação entre os níveis de CART no SCU e sangue periférico materno no pós-parto imediato. Dados gestacionais e perinatais foram sistematicamente coletados. RESULTADOS: Houve correlação significativa entre os níveis de CART no sangue de cordão umbilical e sangue periférico materno (rs= 0,350 e p<0,05). CONCLUSÕES: Estes achados demonstram que os níveis de CART no sangue materno e no SCU se correlacionam. Todavia, não se pode afirmar de quem é a produção, ou se é produzida por ambos. O presente trabalho pode ajudar a elucidar os caminhos neurobiológicos responsáveis pelas alterações de neurodesenvolvimento, contribuindo para a ampliação das possibilidades de intervenções precoces.

INTRODUCTION: The use of crack cocaine remains a public health challenge in Brazil, due to easy drug acquisition and its high ability to induce dependence. Intrauterine exposure (IUE) to crack cocaine is associated with neurobehavioral changes during childhood and adolescence. In a previous study of our group, lower levels of oxidative stress (OS) were found in newborns with IUE. One possible explanation may be the Cocaine and Amphetamine Regulator Transcript (CART), an endogenous antioxidant present since the embryonic period activated by higher levels of dopamine. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to investigate the correlation of CART levels between umbilical cord blood (UCB) and peripheral blood samples of 57 pregnant women exposed to crack. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study with a consecutive sampling, in which the primary outcome was the correlation between CART levels in UCB and peripheral blood of their mothers in immediate postpartum. Gestational and perinatal data were systematically collected. Spearman correlation test was performed after checking the pattern of distribution, being considered a 0.05 significance level. RESULTS: There was a significant correlation between CART levels in umbilical cord blood and peripheral blood (rs = 0.350 and p <0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest a correlation between CART levels at UCB and mother's blood. However, it remains unclear whether it is produced by the mother, the fetus, or both. This study may help to elucidate the neurobiological pathways responsible for neurodevelopmental changes, providing a rationale for early interventions.