B Acad Nat Med Paris
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B Acad Nat Med Paris · Jun 2020
Review[Testing for cannabis and synthetic cannabinoids in human specimens].
Among the 60 or so various cannabinoids which are present in cannabis sativa indica, terpenophenols are mainly found, including delta-9-trans tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC) which is the major psychoactive ingredient. Over the last decade, due to the emergence of e-commerce and the continuous investigations by pharmaceutical groups to identify new active molecules, synthetic cannabinoids have been proposed. These compounds, under the generic name "spices" have chemical structures very different from that of Δ9-THC, but share the same CB1 and CB2 receptors. ⋯ All these drugs are controlled. This means that they have to be tested in human biological specimens to document abuse. The aim of this mini-review is to present what has been described in the scientific literature according to the available specimens (blood, urine, saliva, sweat, hair and exhaled breath), focussing on the current advantages and limitations of each test.
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Brain development is a complex phenomenon, stretching from fetal life to adolescence, during which brain maturation proceeds through a series of ordered events including critical periods of plasticity. The brain is particularly sensitive to the environment during these changes. The endocannabinoid system participates directly and indirectly in these plasticity and maturation processes. ⋯ Therefore, exposure to cannabis in utero, in perinatal phase, as well as during the adolescence disrupts the brain maturation and can cause disturbances on the cognitive, psychotic and addictive levels that persist far beyond the period of exposure. Several factors modulate the risk of such complications, but studies performed in animal models as well as in human cohorts have shown that exposure during both the critical perinatal and adolescence phases is a risk factor per se. Current knowledge encourages the dissemination of objective information to young people, to prevent and limit early exposure and its consequences.
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B Acad Nat Med Paris · Jun 2020
Editorial[Decorative tatoo complications: new informations justifiing pressing action].
Skin tattoos have been used for a long time but their toxicity remains little known to the general public who increasingly resort to these techniques without being informed of the risks involved, infectious, allergic, dermatological, systemic toxic and even ophthalmological. This situation is compounded by the fashion for "whole body" tattoos. This dedicated session is an update on the risks associated with tattoos.
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The almost pandemic spread of cannabis among adolescents and young adults, especially in France, justifies the attention given to the consequences, not only acute but also delayed, of this intoxication. In the latter case, epigenetic mechanisms occur. We will first recall various types of epigenetic modifications involving either chromatin histones, mainly methylations or acetylations, either DNA, by methylation of cytosines. ⋯ These epigenetic modifications are associated with an increase in vulnerability to drug addiction, involving dopamine D2 receptors in the nucleus accumbens, overexpression of enkephalin precursor synthesis, modifications of: CB1 receptors of endocannabinoids, glutamic acid receptors, GABA receptors, proteins involved in synaptic plasticity… These changes can also affect: immune system, cognitive activities, development of psychiatric diseases, related to disturbances of brain maturation. The knowledge that accumulates in this respect is the opposite of the ambient trivialization of this drug. They impose sending an alert to the public authorities and to the public, especially young people, warning on the risks associated with this drug use and abuse.