Universität zu Köln

Ferger, Marc D. ORCID: 0000-0003-3686-0814, Sigrist, Christine, Brodesser, Susanne ORCID: 0000-0001-5631-0663, Kaess, Michael ORCID: 0000-0003-0031-7764 and Koenig, Julian ORCID: 0000-0003-1009-9625 (2024). Alterations of the endocannabinoid system in adolescents with non-suicidal self-injury as a function of childhood maltreatment. Translational Psychiatry, 14 (1). pp. 1-10. Springer Nature. ISSN 2158-3188

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Abstract

[Artikel-Nr.: 491] Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) is a highly prevalent phenomenon in adolescence, often associated with prior traumatic experiences. The development and maintenance of NSSI is associated with dysregulation of the stress response, and evidence suggests that the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis plays an important role. The endocannabinoid system is a neuromodulatory system in close functional interaction with the HPA axis. Several studies have reported alterations of the endocannabinoid system in adult patients with post-traumatic stress disorder. However, the role of the endocannabinoid system in children and adolescents with NSSI is less clear, and previously no study examined endocannabinoids in youth with experiences of maltreatment. N-arachidonyl ethanolamide (AEA) and 2-arachidonyl glycerol (2-AG) were quantified alongside sociodemographic and clinical characteristics in n = 148 adolescents (12–17 years of age). Analyses addressed group differences comparing healthy controls (HC, n = 38), patients with NSSI without (NSSI − CMT, n = 42) and with a history of childhood maltreatment (NSSI + CMT, n = 68). We show that AEA is reduced in adolescents with NSSI independent of childhood maltreatment. Further, we present first evidence for a negative association between AEA and NSSI frequency as well as AEA and the severity of childhood maltreatment. This is the first study providing evidence for alterations in the endocannabinoid system in children and adolescents engaging in repetitive NSSI. Findings from the study support current endocannabinoid-hypotheses on the neurobiology of trauma and adversity, extending existing findings of altered endocannabinoid signaling following exposure to traumatic events to a well-powered sample of children and adolescents.

Item Type:	Article
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID ORCID Put Code Ferger, Marc D. UNSPECIFIED https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3686-0814 UNSPECIFIED Sigrist, Christine UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED Brodesser, Susanne UNSPECIFIED https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5631-0663 UNSPECIFIED Kaess, Michael UNSPECIFIED https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0031-7764 UNSPECIFIED Koenig, Julian UNSPECIFIED https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1009-9625 UNSPECIFIED
URN:	urn:nbn:de:hbz:38-816131
Identification Number:	10.1038/s41398-024-03205-2
Journal or Publication Title:	Translational Psychiatry
Volume:	14
Number:	1
Page Range:	pp. 1-10
Number of Pages:	10
Date:	18 December 2024
Publisher:	Springer Nature
ISSN:	2158-3188
Language:	English
Faculty:	Faculty of Medicine
Divisions:	CECAD - Cluster of Excellence Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases Faculty of Medicine > Kinder- und Jugendmedizin > Klinik und Poliklinik für Kinder- und Jugendmedizin Faculty of Medicine > Psychosomatik und Psychotherapie > Klinik und Poliklinik für Psychosomatik und Psychotherapie
Subjects:	Psychology Medical sciences Medicine
['eprint_fieldname_oa_funders' not defined]:	Publikationsfonds UzK
Refereed:	Yes
URI:	http://kups.ub.uni-koeln.de/id/eprint/81613