Serum endocannabinoid content is altered in females with depressive disorders: a preliminary report

Abstract

Background: Preclinical research has suggested that the endocannabinoid system may be involved in the etiology and/or treatment of depression; however, there are no published studies examining circulating endocannabinoid content in patients with clinical depression.

Methods: This study examined the endocannabinoids (anandamide; AEA) and 2-arachidonylglycerol (2-AG) in serum from ambulatory, medication-free female patients diagnosed with minor or major depression, and in controls matched for demographic characteristics.

Results: Serum 2-AG content was significantly decreased in patients diagnosed with major depression, and this decrease was correlated significantly and negatively with duration of the depressive episode, such that 2-AG content was progressively lower the longer the depressive episode. While AEA was not associated with major depression PER SE, a strong negative correlation was found between serum AEA content and Hamilton ratings for cognitive and somatic anxiety, suggesting that AEA content may relate to the anxiety dimension of affective disorders. In subjects with minor depression, serum AEA was significantly elevated, with 2-AG content demonstrating a similar, but statistically insignificant trend.

Discussion: These are the first clinical data to indicate that the endocannabinoid system may be disturbed in affective disease, and suggest that future research is required to determine the relevance of these changes with respect to disease manifestation and pharmacotherapy.

Figures

Figure 1

Serum content of the endocannabinoids anandamide (AEA) and 2-arachidonylglycerol (2-AG) in women with: a) major depression and their matched controls (n=16/group); or b) women with minor depression and their matched controls (n=12 for minor depression; n=11 for controls). Values are denoted in pmol/ml of serum AEA or 2-AG content. * Significantly different from control (p

Figure 2

Serum content of the endocannabinoid 2-arachidonlyglycerol (2-AG) exhibited a significant negative correlation (r = −.492) with the duration of the current depressive episode (in weeks).

Figure 3

(a) Serum content of the endocannabinoid N-arachidonylethanolamine (anandamide; AEA) exhibited a significant negative correlation (r = −.647) with Hamilton ratings for cognitive anxiety. (b) Serum content of the endocannabinoid AEA exhibited a significant negative correlation (r = −.674) with Hamilton ratings for somatic anxiety.