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Philip R. Szeszko, Delbert G. Robinson, Serge Sevy, Sanjiv Kumra, Claudia I. Rupp, Julia D. Betensky, Todd Lencz, Manzar Ashtari, John M. Kane, Anil K. Malhotra, Handan Gunduz-Bruce, Barbara Napolitano, and Robert M. Bilder
Anterior cingulate grey-matter deficits and cannabis use in first-episode schizophrenia
The British Journal of Psychiatry 2007; 190: 230-236 [Abstract] [Full text] [PDF]
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[Read eLetter] This may be due to cannabis interference with DHEA
James M. Howard   (9 March 2007)

This may be due to cannabis interference with DHEA 9 March 2007
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James M. Howard,
Biologist
independent

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Re: This may be due to cannabis interference with DHEA

jmhoward{at}anthropogeny.com James M. Howard

It is my hypothesis that schizophrenia results from reduced fetal brain growth and development due to low maternal DHEA. This is exposed later in life by hormones that interfere with DHEA availability, that is, cortisol and testosterone, along with the natural decline of DHEA that begins around age twenty. Therefore, schizophrenia often occurs following a stressful event (cortisol) in the late teens or early twenties (testosterone and loss of DHEA) or later in life as DHEA reaches very low levels. Schizophrenia is characterized by low DHEA. Individuals with normal DHEA along with reduced fetal DHEA may not develop schizophrenia.

I suggest that the psychoactive chemicals of cannabis exert their effects by binding to androgen receptors. It has been found that THC and CBN inhibit binding of dihydrotestosterone to the androgen receptor (Endocrinology 1980; 107: 848-50). This binding to receptors in the advanced forebrain would reduce executive function and increase lower brain function by redistributing DHEA. That is, blocking access to upper brain receptors would increase lower brain function and increase lower brain functions such as appetite, etc.

DHEA binds to the androgen receptor. Cannabis use would reduce DHEA binding to the androgen receptor. It is this blocking of DHEA at its upper level receptors and subsequent redistribution of availability for lower brain activity that I think produces the effects of cannabis.

It is known that DHEA directly affects the anterior cingulate cortex (Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2006; 188: 541-51). Interference of DHEA binding in the anterior cingulate cortex of individuals with reduced growth and development in this area may reduce both function and maintenance of this area with the result being the symptoms of schizophrenia.