News briefs

Scientists find anti‐seizure compounds in cannabis

Researchers from the University of Sydney have reported that three acidic cannabinoids found in cannabis reduced seizures in a mouse model of Dravet syndrome, an intractable form of childhood epilepsy. Published in the British Journal of Pharmacology, the study used the Scn1a^+/− mouse model of Dravet syndrome to investigate the cannabis plant for phytocannabinoids with anticonvulsant effects against hyperthermia‐induced seizures. The most promising, cannabigerolic acid (CBGA), was further examined against spontaneous seizures and survival in Scn1a^+/− mice and in electroshock seizure models. Pharmacological effects of CBGA were surveyed across multiple drug targets. The initial screen identified three phytocannabinoids with novel anticonvulsant properties: CBGA, cannabidivarinic acid and cannabigerovarinic acid. CBGA was most potent and potentiated the anticonvulsant effects of clobazam against hyperthermia‐induced and spontaneous seizures, and was anticonvulsant in the maximal electroshock seizure threshold test. However, CBGA was proconvulsant in the 6 Hz threshold test, and a high dose increased spontaneous seizure frequency in Scn1a^+/− mice. CBGA was found to interact with numerous epilepsy‐relevant targets, including GPR55, TRPV1 channels and GABA_A receptors. “We have assessed the cannabinoids one by one and now we are exploring what happens when you put them all back together. There remains a real possibility that all these individual anticonvulsant cannabinoids might work better when combined,” the authors said.

https://bpspubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.15661

Researchers find first biomarker for anorexia nervosa

Researchers from the Swinburne Anorexia Nervosa (SWAN) Research Group have discovered what is believed to be the first biomarker for anorexia nervosa. Head of the SWAN Research Group, Dr Andrea Phillipou, found that a combination of a type of atypical, twitching eye movement, called “square wave jerks”, together with anxiety, is a promising two‐element biomarker for anorexia nervosa. Square wave jerks were observed in people currently with anorexia nervosa, people who had recovered, and sisters of people with anorexia nervosa. The finding in sisters is critical, because it reveals there is likely a genetic, inherited link. “Eye movements use very specific brain regions, so when we see these types of atypical eye movements, we have a pretty good idea about which brain areas are not working the way they should,” said Dr Phillipou. “These areas are also involved in other functions related to anorexia nervosa — such as body image — so it gives us an idea of which brain areas we could target with treatments such as non‐invasive brain stimulation. With more research, we’re hoping that we’ll be able to use this biomarker as a screening tool to identify people who may be at risk of developing anorexia nervosa. If we’re able to do this, we’ll be able to implement things to help prevent people developing the condition in the first place.” The research was published in the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry.

https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/00048674211047189