The roles of cannabinoid CB1 and CB2 receptors in cocaine-induced behavioral sensitization and conditioned place preference in mice.

Rationale: Cocaine is a psychostimulant drug that facilitates monoaminergic neurotransmission. The endocannabinoid system, comprising the cannabinoid receptors (CBR and CBR), the endocannabinoids, and their metabolizing-enzymes, modulates the mesolimbic dopaminergic pathway and represents a potential target for the treatment of addiction.

Objectives: Here, we tested the hypothesis that the cannabinoid receptors are implicated in cocaine-induced motor sensitization, conditioned place preference (CPP), and hippocampal activation.

Hypothalamic endocannabinoid signalling modulates aversive responses related to panic attacks.

Recurrent panic attacks, comprising emotional and cardiovascular aversive responses, are common features in panic disorder, a subtype of anxiety disorder. The underlying brain circuitry includes nuclei of the hypothalamus, such as the dorsomedial hypothalamus (DMH). The endocannabinoid system has been proposed to modulate several biological processes in the hypothalamus.

Opposing roles of CB and CB cannabinoid receptors in the stimulant and rewarding effects of cocaine.

Background And Purpose: The endocannabinoids anandamide and 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) bind to CB and CB cannabinoid receptors in the brain and modulate the mesolimbic dopaminergic pathway. This neurocircuitry is engaged by psychostimulant drugs, including cocaine. Although CB receptor antagonism and CB receptor activation are known to inhibit certain effects of cocaine, they have been investigated separately.

Inhibition of the dopamine transporter as an animal model of bipolar disorder mania: Locomotor response, neuroimmunological profile and pharmacological modulation.

Inhibition of dopamine transporter (DAT) by GBR12909 has been proposed as a pharmacological model of mania related to bipolar disorder (BD). Here we tested the hypothesis that GBR12909 injection impairs habituation and induces hyperlocomotion in mice, along with changes in cytokines and neurotrophic factors levels, as observed in BD patients. We also tested if lithium carbonate, sodium valproate and aripiprazole prevent GBR12909-induced locomotion.

Role of endocannabinoid signalling in the dorsolateral periaqueductal grey in the modulation of distinct panic-like responses.

Panic attacks, a major feature of panic disorder, can be modelled in rats by exposing animals to stimuli that induce escape reactions, such as the elevated T-maze or the activation of the dorsolateral periaqueductal grey. Since the cannabinoid CB1 receptor modulates various types of aversive responses, this study tested the hypothesis that enhancement of endocannabinoid signalling in the dorsolateral periaqueductal grey inhibits panic-like reactions in rats. Local injection of the CB1 agonist, arachidonoyl 2-Chloroethylamide (0.