Proteomics and Lipidomics in the Elucidation of Endocannabinoid Signaling in Healthy and Schizophrenia Brains.

Interest in the modulation of endocannabinoid signaling has increased since the discovery of receptors for compounds of Cannabis sativa. Endocannabinoids are crucial neuromodulators of many brain functions and changes in the ligands and their receptors have been associated with psychiatric disorders, such as schizophrenia. Genetic, neuroimaging, and behavioral studies have reinforced the role of endocannabinoids in the pathobiology of schizophrenia. However, molecular pathways and biological processes involved in cannabinoid effects are not totally understood. Additionally, the endocannabinoid signaling network with other non-cannabinoid targets, and the effects of phytocannabinoids increase the complexity to understand their role in schizophrenia and homeostasis conditions. Thus, proteomic studies can provide evidence about the involvement of cannabinoid receptors, as well as the metabolic and synthetic enzymes of the endocannabinoids in these disorders. Additionally, quantification of endocannabinoids in the blood serum or cerebrospinal fluid can be a useful approach to identify new biomarkers in schizophrenia, and lipidomic techniques can be used to quantify these compounds. Herein, the authors review proteomic and lipidomic studies that have been used for analysis of the endocannabinoid system in healthy and schizophrenia function. The findings may contribute to understand the involvement of endocannabinoids in the brain and in the neurobiological basis of schizophrenia.