A non-psychoactive compound derived from marijuana could potentially be developed into new anti-nausea treatments for cancer patients receiving chemotherapy, suggests research in rats published in eNeuro. The study represents an advance in understanding the neurobiology of this distressing symptom that accompanies vomiting but is not effectively treated by current drugs.
Researchers observed a surge in levels of the neurotransmitter serotonin in the rat interoceptive insular cortex (IIC) -- a brain region responsible for nausea in humans -- following injection with the nauseating chemical compound lithium chloride.
This increase in serotonin and subsequent gaping behavior (a behavior displayed by rodents to flavors paired with a nauseating treatments) was prevented by treatment with cannabidiol -- a form of cannabis that does not contain the component found in recreational marijuana responsible for the drug's psychotropic effects. Treatment with a drug that elevates the endogenous cannabinoid, 2-AG, also prevented the elevation of serotonin in the IIC by activating the cannabinoid type 1 receptor.
These findings implicate the endocannabinoid system and IIC serotonin release in the sensation of nausea, opening up new therapeutic opportunities to explore in future research.
http://www.eneuro.org/content/early/2018/07/30/ENEURO.0256-18.2018
Nausea in cancer patients receiving chemotherapy could be treated with cannabidol
- 1,905 views
- Added
Edited
Latest News
Men with gene mutations are…
By newseditor
Posted 17 May
B cell oxidative phosphoryl…
By newseditor
Posted 17 May
Human brain gene therapy us…
By newseditor
Posted 16 May
Small-molecular mimic of a…
By newseditor
Posted 16 May
Centromere structure and ch…
By newseditor
Posted 16 May
Other Top Stories
Drug used to treat cancer appears to sharpen memory
Read more
Preventing Parkinson's neuronal death by controlling mitochondrial…
Read more
Transcriptional silencing in Fragile X syndrome
Read more
Unexpected link between choroid plexus and chronic pain
Read more
Novel signature in the brains of children with cerebral malaria
Read more
Protocols
Breast cancer-on-chip for p…
By newseditor
Posted 16 May
Methods for making and obse…
By newseditor
Posted 15 May
Mime-seq 2.0: a method to s…
By newseditor
Posted 13 May
Improved detection of DNA r…
By newseditor
Posted 09 May
Single-cell adhesive profil…
By newseditor
Posted 07 May
Publications
Obesity-induced blood-brain…
By newseditor
Posted 18 May
CRISPR/Cas9 model of prosta…
By newseditor
Posted 17 May
Modulation of host immunity…
By newseditor
Posted 17 May
Variability in cell divisio…
By newseditor
Posted 17 May
Biallelic BORCS8 variants c…
By newseditor
Posted 17 May
Presentations
Hydrogels in Drug Delivery
By newseditor
Posted 12 Apr
Lipids
By newseditor
Posted 31 Dec
Cell biology of carbohydrat…
By newseditor
Posted 29 Nov
RNA interference (RNAi)
By newseditor
Posted 23 Oct
RNA structure and functions
By newseditor
Posted 19 Oct
Posters
A chemical biology/modular…
By newseditor
Posted 22 Aug
Single-molecule covalent ma…
By newseditor
Posted 04 Jul
ASCO-2020-HEALTH SERVICES R…
By newseditor
Posted 23 Mar
ASCO-2020-HEAD AND NECK CANCER
By newseditor
Posted 23 Mar
ASCO-2020-GENITOURINARY CAN…
By newseditor
Posted 23 Mar