Molecular mechanisms underlying the effects of cannabinoids in the brain

Puighermanal Puigvert, Emma

Molecular mechanisms underlying the effects of cannabinoids in the brain

Document Type

Doctoral thesis
Published Version

Author

Puighermanal Puigvert, Emma

Director

Maldonado, Rafael
Ozaita, Andres

Publication Date

2011-09-27

Pages

227 p.

Citation

Puighermanal Puigvert, E. Molecular mechanisms underlying the effects of cannabinoids in the brain. Universitat Pompeu Fabra; 2011. handle: http://hdl.handle.net/10803/53574

This citation was generated automatically.

Doctoral program

Programa de doctorat en Biomedicina

Abstract

The endocannabinoid system is an endogenous neuromodulatory system that regulates a plethora of physiological functions, including the control of movement, memory, anxiety, and pain, among others. Cannabinoid compounds are mainly found in the Cannabis sativa plant and exert their effects by acting at the endocannabinoid system. Cannabinoids are potential therapeutic agents, mainly for multiple sclerosis, pain, and emesis, although an important caveat to their use is the possible adverse effects, such as memory impairment and anxiety. This thesis mainly addresses the molecular mechanisms underlying some of the physiological processes controlled by the endocannabinoid system as well as specific pharmacological effects triggered by 9-tetrahydrocannabinol, the main psychoactive compound of marijuana plant. The combination of biochemical, pharmacological, and behavioral approaches allowed the elucidation of certain signaling cascades responsible for particular effects induced by cannabinoids.
El sistema endocannabinoid és un sistema neuromodulador endogen que regula diverses funcions fisiològiques, incloent el control del moviment, la memòria, l’ansietat i el dolor, entre altres. Els compostos cannabinoids es troben principalment a la planta Cannabis sativa i exerceixen els seus efectes actuant al sistema endocannabinoid. Els cannabinoids tenen potencial terapèutic, principalment per l’esclerosi múltiple, el dolor i l’èmesi, tot i que una limitació important pel seu ús recau en els possibles efectes adversos, tal com l’alteració de la memòria i l’ansietat. Aquesta tesi exposa principalment els mecanismes moleculars responsables d’alguns processos fisiològics controlats pel sistema endocannabinoid així com efectes farmacològics desencadenats pel 9-tetrahidrocannabinol, el principal compost psicoactiu de la planta de marihuana. La combinació d’aproximacions bioquímiques, farmacològiques i comportamentals ha permès revelar algunes cascades de senyalització responsables de determinats efectes induïts pels cannabinoids.