Naked Science Forum

Life Sciences => Physiology & Medicine => Topic started by: tkadm30 on 09/04/2017 11:19:23

Title: Can clinical endocannabinoid deficiency induce memory impairments?
Post by: tkadm30 on 09/04/2017 11:19:23
The correlation between endocannabinoid signaling and memory formation is fascinating. I was thrilled to learn that long-term medical marijuana use is now associated to improved cognitive flexibility and executive function:

http://journal.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fphar.2016.00355/full

However, the exact role of clinical endocannabinoid deficiency in memory-related cognitive disorders is unknown. I suspect that low levels of endocannabinoid activity is correlated with impaired hippocampal synaptic plasticity.
Title: Re: Can clinical endocannabinoid deficiency induce memory impairments?
Post by: chris on 12/04/2017 17:53:38
I am not aware of the literature on endogenous cannabinoids and memory, but real cannabis is definitely damaging to neurocircuitry:

https://www.thenakedscientists.com/articles/interviews/cannabis-rewires-brain-0
Title: Re: Can clinical endocannabinoid deficiency induce memory impairments?
Post by: tkadm30 on 13/04/2017 11:49:59
Quote from: chris on 12/04/2017 17:53:38
I am not aware of the literature on endogenous cannabinoids and memory, but real cannabis is definitely damaging to neurociruitry:
Wheres the evidences? If endocannabinoid signaling really improve cognitive flexibility and executive function, I suspect endocannabinoid deficiency may impair cognitive memory skills as well.
Title: Re: Can clinical endocannabinoid deficiency induce memory impairments?
Post by: chris on 13/04/2017 12:19:04
Quote from: tkadm30 on 13/04/2017 11:49:59
Wheres the evidences?

What do you think the link I attached below my post was for? Try reading it.
Title: Re: Can clinical endocannabinoid deficiency induce memory impairments?
Post by: tkadm30 on 13/04/2017 12:29:18
Quote from: chris on 13/04/2017 12:19:04
What do you think the link I attached below my post was for? Try reading it.

A interview is not necessarely a strong peer-reviewed research study. Sounds like we are trying to confuse dopamine sensitivity with the effects of exogenous cannabinoids on hippocampal plasticity.
Title: Re: Can clinical endocannabinoid deficiency induce memory impairments?
Post by: chris on 13/04/2017 15:48:21
Quote from: tkadm30 on 13/04/2017 12:29:18
An interview is not unnecessarily a strong peer-reviewed research study. Sounds like we are trying to confuse dopamine sensitivity with the effects of exogenous cannabinoids on hippocampal plasticity.

He's talking about the study he has done, which you could look up, if you were so-minded. Or perhaps exposure to cannabinoids has affected your motivation? ;)

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0006322313005027
Title: Re: Can clinical endocannabinoid deficiency induce memory impairments?
Post by: tkadm30 on 13/04/2017 16:08:43
Quote from: chris on 13/04/2017 15:48:21
He's talking about the study he has done, which you could look up, if you were so-minded. Or perhaps exposure to cannabinoids has affected your motivation? ;)

I think this study is fundamentally flawed since its methodology does not indicate the duration of the experiment. Long-term cannabis use may still improve cognitive memory in a dose-dependent manner. The reduced dopamine synthesis observed in cannabis users is not indicative of long-term dopamine levels and synaptic plasticity. The correlation between blunted dopamine release and psychotic symptoms is elusive.
Title: Re: Can clinical endocannabinoid deficiency induce memory impairments?
Post by: chris on 13/04/2017 16:40:45
For your part, I think you may have a conflict of interest to declare...
Title: Re: Can clinical endocannabinoid deficiency induce memory impairments?
Post by: tkadm30 on 13/04/2017 17:25:07
Quote from: chris on 13/04/2017 16:40:45
For your part, I think you may have a conflict of interest to declare...

True, but I don't fiddle in the affairs of scientific obfuscation. ;)