Acute and Chronic Effects of Cannabinoids on Learning and Memory Functions

Abstract

Cannabinoids have been associated with a wide range of pharmacological effects, some of which have potential therapeutic benefit while others result in negative outcomes, such as dependence and impaired cognition. The most robust finding with respect to cognition is a deficit in working or short-term memory, which is a function requiring an intact hippocampus and prefrontal cortex, two brain regions richly expressing CB1 receptors. Starting with the discovery of an endogenous brain cannabinoid system with specific receptors, and their endogenous ligands and through the use of the tools such as specific CB1 receptor antagonist, and various transgenic models, considerable advances have been made in understanding the mechanisms underlying the effects of cannabinoids on memory. In studies that excluded the acute cannabis intoxication, chronic cannabis users’ poor performance on verbal learning and memory tasks reflect the potential chronic negatif effect of cannabinoids on learning and memory functions. Studies indicate the potential permanent side effects of cannabis use, especially during adolescence. The aim of this article is to review the current findings about the nature, size and reversibility of acute and chronic effects of cannabinoids on learning and memory functions and to discuss its relation with substance use characteristics.

Keywords

• dependence,elderly,alcohol use disorder,substance use disorder

Kannabinoidlerin Öğrenme ve Bellek İşlevleri Üzerindeki Akut ve Kronik Etkileri

Abstract

Kannabinoidler klinik amaçlı kullanımlarının yanı sıra bilişsel işlevler üzerinde bozucu etki yaratmakta ve bağımlılık yapıcı potansiyelleriyle bilinmektedir.  Kannabinoidlerin bilişsel işlevler üzerindeki en belirgin ve tutarlı negatif etkisi kısa süreli bellek veya çalışma belleği alanlarında görülmektedir. Bellek işlevlerinden sorumlu olan hipokampüs ve prefrontal korteks gibi alanların her ikisi de CB1 reseptörleri açısından zengin alanlardır. Özgül kannabinoid reseptörlerinin, bu reseptörlere bağlanan endojen ligandların ve seçici CB1 reseptör antagonisti ile transgenik modellerin sağladığı olanaklarla kannabinoidlerin öğrenme ve bellek işlevleri üzerindeki bozucu etkilerinin altında yatan nöral mekanizma konusunda önemli gelişmeler kaydedilmiştir. Akut madde intoksikasyonunun dışlandığı çalışmalarda ise kronik esrar kullanıcılarının sözel öğrenme ve bellek görevlerinde düşük performans göstermesi, kannabinoidlerin öğrenme ve bellek işlevleri üzerindeki potansiyel kronik negatif etkisini yansıtmaktadır. Çalışmalar özellikle ergenlik döneminde esrar kullanımının potansiyel kalıcı yan etkilerine işaret etmektedir. Bu makalenin amacı, kannabinoidlerin öğrenme ve bellek fonksiyonları üzerindeki hem akut hem de kronik etkisinin doğasını mevcut insan ve hayvan çalışmaları kapsamında olabildiğince kapsamlı bir şekilde incelemektir. Mevcut negatif etkinin boyutu, esrar kullanım özellikleriyle olan ilişkisi, esrar kullanımın sonlandırılmasıyla birlikte geriye döndürülebilir bir doğası olup olmadığı gibi sorular mevcut bulgular ışığında cevaplandırılmaya çalışılacaktır. Konunun özellikle ergenlik dönemindeki bireyler için eğitimsel doğurguları bulunmakla birlikte, dünyada esrar kullanımının yasallaştırılması yönündeki girişimler açısından da toplumsal önemi bulunmaktadır.

Keywords

• kannabinoid,sözel öğrenme,kısa süreli bellek,çalışma belleği,bağımlılık

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