ABSTRACT: The endocannabinoid system was revealed following the understanding of the mechanism of action of marijuana's major psychotropic principle, Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol, and includes two G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs; the cannabinoid CB1 and CB2 receptors), their endogenous ligands (the endocannabinoids, the best studied of which are anandamide and ... Continue Reading
endovanilloid
STUDY: Fine-tuning of defensive behaviors in the dorsal periaqueductal gray by atypical neurotransmitters
ABSTRACT: This paper presents an up-to-date review of the evidence indicating that atypical neurotransmitters such as nitric oxide (NO) and endocannabinoids (eCBs) play an important role in the regulation of aversive responses in the periaqueductal gray (PAG). Among the results supporting this role, several studies have shown that inhibitors of neuronal NO synthase or ... Continue Reading
STUDY: Inhibition of human recombinant T-type calcium channels by the endocannabinoid N-arachidonoyl dopamine
ABSTRACT: Background and purpose: N-arachidonoyl dopamine (NADA) has complex effects on nociception mediated via cannabinoid CB1 receptors and the transient receptor potential vanilloid receptor 1 (TRPV1). Anandamide, the prototypic CB1/TRPV1 agonist, also inhibits T-type voltage-gated calcium channel currents (ICa). These channels are expressed by many excitable cells, ... Continue Reading