Terminal cannabinoid CB1 receptor changes in schizophrenia and cannabis use
Official title: Terminal type-specific cannabinoid CB1 receptor alterations in schizophrenia and cannabis use
Funded at University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh · NIH-11520628 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This grant studies how cannabis use and schizophrenia together affect a brain receptor (CB1) and what that could mean for memory and symptoms.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $52,552 |
| NIH project number | 3K08MH136415-03S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11520628 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with schizophrenia or related psychiatric risk who use cannabis and have interest in understanding brain receptor changes related to memory and symptoms.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without schizophrenia, without cannabis use, or without interest in brain receptor research would be less likely to benefit.
What this research studies
Researchers will examine how schizophrenia and cannabis use independently and together alter CB1 receptor expression on different nerve terminals in the brain and how these changes relate to working memory. The work builds on prior human brain tissue findings and animal studies to map where CB1 receptors increase or decrease in excitatory versus inhibitory terminals. The study aims to link these receptor patterns to functional changes that could explain memory problems in schizophrenia patients who use cannabis. This project uses autopsy data, biometrics, and advanced statistics to understand terminal-specific CB1R signaling and its behavioral implications. The findings could guide future strategies to mitigate cannabis-related worsening of schizophrenia symptoms.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the research could lead to better understanding of how cannabis affects brain function in schizophrenia, informing safer cannabis use guidelines and potential targets for therapy.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work has shown terminal-specific CB1R changes in schizophrenia and THC-exposed models, supporting potential relevance of these approaches.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Chou, Shinn-Yi — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Chou, Shinn-Yi
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.