Role of endocannabinoid signaling in anxiety and depression. Curr Top Behav Neurosci 2009;1:347-71
Date
01/01/2009Pubmed ID
21104391Pubmed Central ID
PMC3808114DOI
10.1007/978-3-540-88955-7_14Scopus ID
2-s2.0-79952118933 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 47 CitationsAbstract
Cannabinoid receptors and their endogenous ligands are located throughout the limbic, or "emotional," brain, where they modulate synaptic neurotransmission. Converging preclinical and clinical data suggest a role for endogenous cannabinoid signaling in the modulation of anxiety and depression. Augmentation of endocannabinoid signaling (ECS) has anxiolytic effects, whereas blockade or genetic deletion of CB₁ receptors has anxiogenic properties. Augmentation of ECS also appears to have anti-depressant actions, and in some assays blockade and genetic deletion of CB₁ receptors produces depressive phenotypes. These data provide evidence that ECS serves in an anxiolytic, and possibly anti-depressant, role. These data suggest novel approaches to treatment of affective disorders which could include enhancement of endogenous cannabinoid signaling, and warrant cautious use of CB₁ receptor antagonists in patients with pre-existing affective disorders.
Author List
Patel S, Hillard CJAuthor
Cecilia J. Hillard PhD Associate Dean, Center Director, Professor in the Pharmacology and Toxicology department at Medical College of WisconsinMESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
AnimalsAnti-Anxiety Agents
Antidepressive Agents
Anxiety
Cannabinoid Receptor Modulators
Depression
Endocannabinoids
Humans
Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1
Signal Transduction
