Anandamide and 2-arachidonoylglycerol baseline plasma concentrations and their clinical correlate in gambling disorder

• Published in: European Psychiatry
• Main Authors: Isabel Baenas, Neus Solé-Morata, Roser Granero, Fernando Fernández-Aranda, Mitona Pujadas, Bernat Mora-Maltas, Ignacio Lucas, Mónica Gómez-Peña, Laura Moragas, Amparo del Pino-Gutiérrez, Javier Tapia, Rafael de la Torre, Marc N. Potenza, Susana Jiménez-Murcia
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge University Press 2023-01-01
• Subjects: 2-arachidonoylglycerol; addictive behaviors; anandamide; gambling disorder; impulsive behaviors
• Online Access: https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S0924933823024604/type/journal_article
• ISSN: 0924-9338; 1778-3585

Abstract Introduction Different components of the endocannabinoid (eCB) system such as their most well-known endogenous ligands, anandamide (AEA) and 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG), have been implicated in brain reward pathways. While shared neurobiological substrates have been described among addiction-related disorders, information regarding the role of this system in behavioral addictions such as gambling disorder (GD) is scarce. Aims Fasting plasma concentrations of AEA and 2-AG were analyzed in individuals with GD at baseline, compared with healthy control subjects (HC). Through structural equation modeling, we evaluated associations between endocannabinoids and GD severity, exploring the potentially mediating role of clinical and neuropsychological variables. Methods The sample included 166 adult outpatients with GD (95.8% male, mean age 39 years old) and 41 HC. Peripheral blood samples were collected after overnight fasting to assess AEA and 2-AG concentrations (ng/ml). Clinical (i.e., general psychopathology, emotion regulation, impulsivity, personality) and neuropsychological variables were evaluated through a semi-structured clinical interview and psychometric assessments. Results Plasma AEA concentrations were higher in patients with GD compared with HC (p = .002), without differences in 2-AG. AEA and 2-AG concentrations were related to GD severity, with novelty-seeking mediating relationships. Conclusions This study points to differences in fasting plasma concentrations of endocannabinoids between individuals with GD and HC. In the clinical group, the pathway defined by the association between the concentrations of endocannabinoids and novelty-seeking predicted GD severity. Although exploratory, these results could contribute to the identification of potential endophenotypic features that help optimize personalized approaches to prevent and treat GD.