Increase of brain endocannabinoid anandamide levels by FAAH inhibition and alcohol abuse behaviours in the rat.

Rationale: A major clinical concern with the use of cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1) direct agonists is that these compounds increase alcohol drinking and drug abuse-related behaviours. As an alternative approach, CB1-receptor-mediated activity can be facilitated by increasing anandamide levels with the use of hydrolase fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) inhibitors.

Objective: Using the selective FAAH inhibitor URB597, we investigated whether activation of the endogenous cannabinoid tone increases alcohol abuse liability, as what happens with the CB1 receptor direct agonists.