Endocannabinoid concentrations in major depression: effects of childhood maltreatment and relation to hippocampal volume.

ABSTRACT: Evidence from preclinical animal models suggests that the stress-buffering function of the endocannabinoid (eCB) system may help protect against stress-related reductions in hippocampal volume, as is documented in major depressive disorder (MDD). However, stress exposure may also lead to dysregulation of this system. Thus, pathways from marked stress histories, such as childhood maltreatment (CM), to smaller hippocampal volumes and MDD in humans may depend on dysregulated versus intact eCB functioning. We examined whether the relation between MDD and peripheral eCB concentrations would vary as a function of CM history. Further, we examined whether eCBs moderate the relation of CM/MDD and hippocampal volume. Ninety-one adults with MDD and 62 healthy comparison participants (HCs) were recrui

SUBMITTER: Mazurka R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11470058 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature