台大心理系

Cannabidiol (CBD) exhibits anxiolytic and antidepressant properties without causing addiction, hence demonstrates its therapeutic potential for mood and neurodegenerative diseases. Being the second most abundant ingredient of cannabis, CBD binds weakly to the cannabinoid CB1 receptor but tightly to several other receptors. Furthermore, CBD enhances the levels of acetylcholine in the basal forebrain. To elucidate the mechanistic underpinnings of CBD antidepressant effect, we first examined the acute and chronic effect of CBD in a repeated restraint mouse model of depression. Unfortunately, this repeated restraint model did not reliably induce depression-like behaviors; thus, the antidepressant effect of CBD remains inconclusive. Next, we examined whether CBD affects the socially transmitted food preference (STFP) task, which engages the basal forebrain. We found that CBD facilitated the acquisition of STFP when tested immediately after social interaction. Nevertheless, CBD's facilitating effect on STFP diminished when tested at 24 hr after social interaction. Since olfaction serves as a biomarker for psychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders, our findings will shed light on the therapeutic potential of CBD on psychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders associated with olfactory pathology.