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Abstract
Despite substance use disorders (SUD) being one of the leading causes of disability and mortality globally, available therapeutic approaches remain ineffective. The difficulty in accurately characterizing the neurobiological mechanisms involved with a purely qualitative diagnosis is an obstacle to improving the classification and treatment of SUD. In this regard, identifying central and peripheral biomarkers is essential to diagnosing the severity of drug dependence, monitoring therapeutic efficacy, predicting treatment response, and enhancing the development of safer and more effective pharmacological tools. In recent years, the crucial role that the endocannabinoid system (ECS) plays in regulating the reinforcing and motivational properties of drugs of abuse has been described. This has led to studies characterizing ECS alterations after exposure to various substances to identify biomarkers with potential diagnostic, prognostic, or therapeutic utility. This review aims to compile the primary evidence available from rodent and clinical studies on how the ECS components are modified in the context of different substance-related disorders, gathering data from genetic, molecular, functional, and neuroimaging experimental approaches. Finally, this report concludes that additional translational research is needed to further characterize the modifications of the ECS in the context of SUD, and their potential usefulness in the necessary search for biomarkers.
Highlights
Introduction published maps and institutional affilAccording to the latest epidemiological data, the estimated number of past-year users of any drug globally stands at 275 million people, increasing by 22 percent between 2010 and 2019
This review summarizes the most promising results, revealing significant alterations that may serve as potential biomarkers for cannabis use disorders (CUD) (Table 2)
The evidence from rodent and human studies gathered in this narrative review highlights the alterations that occur in the main components of the endocannabinoid system (ECS) upon exposure to drugs of abuse, especially at early life stages or associated with distinct addictive phases
Summary
According to the latest epidemiological data, the estimated number of past-year users of any drug globally stands at 275 million people, increasing by 22 percent between 2010 and 2019. From this population, almost 36.3 million (13%) suffer from diagnosed substance use disorders (SUD) [1]. SUD is a chronic, relapsing clinical condition characterized by compulsive drug-seeking and use despite harmful consequences, constituting one of the leading causes of disability and mortality. Opioids produce the highest morbidity and mortality among the drugs consumed, alcohol constitutes the most consumed legal drug globally, and cannabis is the illegal drug with the highest number of users [1,2].
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