Encyclopedia of Neuroscience

Encyclopedia of Neuroscience

2009, Pages 963-975
Encyclopedia of Neuroscience

Endocannabinoid Role in Synaptic Plasticity and Learning

https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-008045046-9.00816-0Get rights and content

Endocannabinoids have recently emerged as versatile modulators of synaptic transmission and can act as retrograde neurotransmitters. As they cannot be stored in synaptic vesicles, endocannabinoid signaling is believed to start ‘on-demand,’ via a stimulus-dependent synthesis from membranous precursors at the postsynaptic site. After synthesis, endocannabinoids bind presynaptically to cannabinoid type 1 (CB1) receptors, leading to a short- or long-term suppression of neurotransmitter release. CB1 receptors are present in a plethora of different synaptic connections in the brain. Electrophysiological and behavioral analyses of mutant mice lacking CB1 receptors and of pharmacologically treated rodents with CB1 receptor antagonists have established multiple functions of endocannabinoids as modulators of memory processing.

References (0)

Cited by (2)

  • The first evidence of an association between a polymorphism in the endocannabinoid-degrading enzyme FAAH (FAAH rs2295633) with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

    2020, Genomics
    Citation Excerpt :

    FAAH gene product is one of the key components in the endocannabinoid system. This system plays an important role in regulating a variety of physiological and cognitive processes including fertility [30,31], pregnancy [32], appetite [17], pain-sensation [33], neural plasticity [34], stress response [35], learning and memory [36], and in mediating the pharmacological effects of cannabis [33]. Cannabis is the most commonly used illicit substance among individuals with ADHD [37,38].

View full text