Researchers from Northwestern University have uncovered a key difference between male and female rat brains as they respond to a drug called URB-597 via changes in the action of endocannabinoids. This difference could dictate how the release of neurotransmitters in the brain is regulated, potentially influencing mood and behavior.
Endocannabinoids are chemicals in the brain that help regulate the release of neurotransmitters, ultimately influencing mood, memory, sensations, appetite, and epilepsy episodes. Endocannabinoids are known to act similar to the active ingredient in marijuana, activating the same pathways in the brain. URB-597 is known to lead specifically to an accumulation of an endocannabinoid called anandamide.
In this study, the researchers investigated the effect of the female sex hormone estrogen on the actions of URB-597 via anandamide. The experiments were performed in rats, and the results showed that:
Regarding the results, the senior author of the study, Dr. Catherine Woolley, says in the Northwestern University News, “We don’t know whether this finding will translate to humans or not, but right now people who are investigating endocannabinoids in humans probably are not aware that manipulating these molecules could have different effects in males and females. Our study starts to put some specifics on what types of molecular differences there are in male and female brains.”
If the results are reproducible in humans, they could change how brain disorders are treated in the future. Given that there are gender-based differences in many neurological diseases in humans, it is conceivable that men’s brain will react to drugs differently than women’s. This study gains significance in light of the number of planned and ongoing clinical trials with endocannabinoids.
As Dr. Woolley states, “We are not doing women -- and specifically women’s health -- any favors by pretending that things are the same if they are not,” Woolley said. “If the results of research would be different in female animals, tissues and cells, then we need to know. This is essential so that we can find appropriate diagnoses, treatments and, ultimately, cures for disease in both sexes.”
Written by Mangala Sarkar, Ph.D.
Primary References
Tabatadze, N., Huang, G., May, R., Jain, A., & Woolley, C. (2015). Sex Differences in Molecular Signaling at Inhibitory Synapses in the Hippocampus. Journal of Neuroscience, 35(32), 11252-11265.
News. (n.d.). Retrieved August 16, 2015, from http://www.northwestern.edu/newscenter/stories/2015/08/scientists-uncover-a-difference-between-the-sexes.html
Additional References
Czlonkowska, A., Ciesielska, A., Gromadzka, G., & Kurkowska-Jastrzebska, I. (2006). Gender Differences in Neurological Disease: Role of Estrogens and Cytokines. Endocrine, 29(2), 243-256.
Schizophrenia Daily News Blog. (n.d.). Retrieved August 17, 2015, from http://www.schizophrenia.com/sznews/archives/002562.html#
Endocannabinoids Search Results. (n.d.). Retrieved August 17, 2015, from https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/results?term=endocannabinoids&Search=Search
and connect with fellow professionals
At DoveMed, our utmost priority is your well-being. We are an online medical resource dedicated to providing you with accurate and up-to-date information on a wide range of medical topics. But we're more than just an information hub - we genuinely care about your health journey. That's why we offer a variety of products tailored for both healthcare consumers and professionals, because we believe in empowering everyone involved in the care process.
Our mission is to create a user-friendly healthcare technology portal that helps you make better decisions about your overall health and well-being. We understand that navigating the complexities of healthcare can be overwhelming, so we strive to be a reliable and compassionate companion on your path to wellness.
As an impartial and trusted online resource, we connect healthcare seekers, physicians, and hospitals in a marketplace that promotes a higher quality, easy-to-use healthcare experience. You can trust that our content is unbiased and impartial, as it is trusted by physicians, researchers, and university professors around the globe. Importantly, we are not influenced or owned by any pharmaceutical, medical, or media companies. At DoveMed, we are a group of passionate individuals who deeply care about improving health and wellness for people everywhere. Your well-being is at the heart of everything we do.
0 Comments
Please log in to post a comment.