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Heroin Addiction and Related Clinical Problems: 2005, 07, 2 (pages: 25 - 30)

The endogenous cannabinoid system: Physiological modulation of neuronal activity

Marsicano G.

Summary: The endogenous cannabinoid system in the brain consists of the seven transmembrane cannabinoid receptor type 1, its endogenous lipid ligands (endocannabinoids) and the enzymatic machinery for their synthesis and degradation. By genetic, pharmacological, biochemical and behavioural approaches, our group has recently described several physiological functions of the endogenous cannabinoid system, such as processing of aversive memories, neuroprotection against excitotoxicity and regulation of energy balance. These and other results indicate that the endogenous cannabinoid system is centrally involved in many physiological functions and that pathological alterations in defect or in excess of its activity might participate in the progress of several diseases