Work

Association of Cannabis Use during Adolescence, Prefrontal CB1 Receptor Signaling, and Schizophrenia

Year: 2012

Type: article

Abstract: The cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1R) is the G-protein coupled receptor responsible for the majority of the endocannabinoid signaling in the human brain. It is widely distributed in the limbic system, basal ganglia, and cerebellum, which are areas responsible for cognition, memory, and motor control. Because of this widespread distribution, it is not surprising that drugs that activate CB1R have expected behavioral outcomes consistent with dysregulated signaling from these areas (e.g., memory loss, cognitive deficits, etc). In the context of this review, we present evidence for the role of CB1R signaling in the prefrontal cortex (PFC), an area involved in executive functions, with emphasis on the developmental regulation of CB1R signaling in the acquisition of mature PFC function. We further hypothesize how alterations in CB1R signaling specifically during adolescent maturation might confer liability to psychiatric disorders.

Source: Frontiers in Pharmacology

DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2012.00101

Authors: Adriana Caballero, Kuei Y. Tseng

Institution: Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science

Language: English

Topic: Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research

Subfield: Pharmacology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,801