Ebook: Endocannabinoid Regulation of Monoamines in Psychiatric and Neurological Disorders

The past decade has seen tremendous growth in the study of cannabinoid receptor signaling in brain. The impact and consequences of cannabinoid modulation of monoaminergic (dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin) circuits is becoming more clear. Scientists have shown significant interaction between these two systems in a variety of psychiatric and neurological disorders such as affective disorders, multiple sclerosis, and pain or pain disorders. The overarching goal of Endocannabinoid Regulation of Monoamines in Psychiatric and Neurological Disorders is to provide current information on advances in the field of endocannabinoid signaling and potential therapeutic applications with a particular emphasis on monoaminergic circuits. ​

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The past two decades have seen a tremendous growth in knowledge related to cannabinoid receptor signaling in brain. In addition, the impact and consequences of cannabinoid modulation of monoaminergic circuits is steadily emerging demonstrating a significant interaction between these two systems in a variety of psychiatric (affective disorders) and neurological disorders (multiple sclerosis, pain). Despite increasing evidence from preclinical data suggesting that therapeutic use of cannabinoid-based drugs may outweigh any potential risks in certain serious medical conditions, the debate surrounding its widespread utility continues as regulatory concerns preclude a smooth transition of promising preclinical studies into clinical trial testing. This may persist in the near future as state and federal governments debate over regulation of medicinal applications of cannabis. Applications for medicinal cannabinoids that are already under investigation include the treatment of nausea, anorexia, neurodegeneration, inflammation, excitotoxicity and pain. The appetitive and anti-emetic properties of cannabinoids have led to the approval of their use in chemotherapy and AIDS patients. There is growing evidence for therapeutic cannabinoid effects on inflammatory and excitotoxic cellular processes that are linked to epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, spasticity, and central nervous system injury. The chapters, herein, review and discuss current insights into the brain endocannabinoid system, cannabinoid receptor signaling on synaptic plasticity, potential therapeutic applications with a particular focus on endocannabinoid modulation of dopaminergic, noradrenergic and serotonergic circuitry. The potential for establishing cannabinoid-monoaminergic interactions as a novel target in the development of improved treatment strategies for psychiatric and neurological disorders is promising and will require future clinical studies to determine whether promising pre-clinical findings translate into new therapies.

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The past two decades have seen a tremendous growth in knowledge related to cannabinoid receptor signaling in brain. In addition, the impact and consequences of cannabinoid modulation of monoaminergic circuits is steadily emerging demonstrating a significant interaction between these two systems in a variety of psychiatric (affective disorders) and neurological disorders (multiple sclerosis, pain). Despite increasing evidence from preclinical data suggesting that therapeutic use of cannabinoid-based drugs may outweigh any potential risks in certain serious medical conditions, the debate surrounding its widespread utility continues as regulatory concerns preclude a smooth transition of promising preclinical studies into clinical trial testing. This may persist in the near future as state and federal governments debate over regulation of medicinal applications of cannabis. Applications for medicinal cannabinoids that are already under investigation include the treatment of nausea, anorexia, neurodegeneration, inflammation, excitotoxicity and pain. The appetitive and anti-emetic properties of cannabinoids have led to the approval of their use in chemotherapy and AIDS patients. There is growing evidence for therapeutic cannabinoid effects on inflammatory and excitotoxic cellular processes that are linked to epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, spasticity, and central nervous system injury. The chapters, herein, review and discuss current insights into the brain endocannabinoid system, cannabinoid receptor signaling on synaptic plasticity, potential therapeutic applications with a particular focus on endocannabinoid modulation of dopaminergic, noradrenergic and serotonergic circuitry. The potential for establishing cannabinoid-monoaminergic interactions as a novel target in the development of improved treatment strategies for psychiatric and neurological disorders is promising and will require future clinical studies to determine whether promising pre-clinical findings translate into new therapies.
Content:
Front Matter....Pages i-ix
Endocannabinoids and Monoamines: Modulating the Modulators....Pages 1-9
Endocannabinoid-Mediated Synaptic Plasticity....Pages 11-24
Current Cannabinoid Receptor Nomenclature and Pharmacological Principles....Pages 25-54
Cue-Elicited Craving for Cannabis Activates the Reward Neurocircuitry Associated with the Neuropathology of Addiction....Pages 55-71
Cannabinoid Modulation of Dopaminergic Circuits in Neurodegenerative and Neuropsychiatric Disorders....Pages 73-101
Pathophysiology of Mood Disorders and Mechanisms of Action of Antidepressants and Mood Stabilizers....Pages 103-134
Anatomical, Biochemical, and Behavioral Evidence for Cannabinoid Modulation of Noradrenergic Circuits: Role of Norepinephrine in Cannabinoid-Induced Aversion....Pages 135-156
Gender Disparity of Depression: The Role of Endocannabinoids and Noradrenergic Function....Pages 157-172
Endocannabinoids, Monoamines and Stress....Pages 173-212
Chronic Effects of Cannabinoid Drugs on Monoaminergic Systems and the Role of Endocannabinoids and Cannabinoid Receptors in Human Brain Disorders....Pages 213-238
Endocannabinoid Signaling and the Regulation of the Serotonin System....Pages 239-254
Modulation of Serotonin Firing Activity Through CB1 Agonists and FAAH Inhibitors....Pages 255-275
Involvement of Serotonergic System in Cannabinoid Analgesia....Pages 277-295
Cannabinoids, Monoamines, COMT and Schizophrenia: Pathobiological Mechanisms in Psychosis....Pages 297-323
Back Matter....Pages 325-337

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The past two decades have seen a tremendous growth in knowledge related to cannabinoid receptor signaling in brain. In addition, the impact and consequences of cannabinoid modulation of monoaminergic circuits is steadily emerging demonstrating a significant interaction between these two systems in a variety of psychiatric (affective disorders) and neurological disorders (multiple sclerosis, pain). Despite increasing evidence from preclinical data suggesting that therapeutic use of cannabinoid-based drugs may outweigh any potential risks in certain serious medical conditions, the debate surrounding its widespread utility continues as regulatory concerns preclude a smooth transition of promising preclinical studies into clinical trial testing. This may persist in the near future as state and federal governments debate over regulation of medicinal applications of cannabis. Applications for medicinal cannabinoids that are already under investigation include the treatment of nausea, anorexia, neurodegeneration, inflammation, excitotoxicity and pain. The appetitive and anti-emetic properties of cannabinoids have led to the approval of their use in chemotherapy and AIDS patients. There is growing evidence for therapeutic cannabinoid effects on inflammatory and excitotoxic cellular processes that are linked to epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, spasticity, and central nervous system injury. The chapters, herein, review and discuss current insights into the brain endocannabinoid system, cannabinoid receptor signaling on synaptic plasticity, potential therapeutic applications with a particular focus on endocannabinoid modulation of dopaminergic, noradrenergic and serotonergic circuitry. The potential for establishing cannabinoid-monoaminergic interactions as a novel target in the development of improved treatment strategies for psychiatric and neurological disorders is promising and will require future clinical studies to determine whether promising pre-clinical findings translate into new therapies.
Content:
Front Matter....Pages i-ix
Endocannabinoids and Monoamines: Modulating the Modulators....Pages 1-9
Endocannabinoid-Mediated Synaptic Plasticity....Pages 11-24
Current Cannabinoid Receptor Nomenclature and Pharmacological Principles....Pages 25-54
Cue-Elicited Craving for Cannabis Activates the Reward Neurocircuitry Associated with the Neuropathology of Addiction....Pages 55-71
Cannabinoid Modulation of Dopaminergic Circuits in Neurodegenerative and Neuropsychiatric Disorders....Pages 73-101
Pathophysiology of Mood Disorders and Mechanisms of Action of Antidepressants and Mood Stabilizers....Pages 103-134
Anatomical, Biochemical, and Behavioral Evidence for Cannabinoid Modulation of Noradrenergic Circuits: Role of Norepinephrine in Cannabinoid-Induced Aversion....Pages 135-156
Gender Disparity of Depression: The Role of Endocannabinoids and Noradrenergic Function....Pages 157-172
Endocannabinoids, Monoamines and Stress....Pages 173-212
Chronic Effects of Cannabinoid Drugs on Monoaminergic Systems and the Role of Endocannabinoids and Cannabinoid Receptors in Human Brain Disorders....Pages 213-238
Endocannabinoid Signaling and the Regulation of the Serotonin System....Pages 239-254
Modulation of Serotonin Firing Activity Through CB1 Agonists and FAAH Inhibitors....Pages 255-275
Involvement of Serotonergic System in Cannabinoid Analgesia....Pages 277-295
Cannabinoids, Monoamines, COMT and Schizophrenia: Pathobiological Mechanisms in Psychosis....Pages 297-323
Back Matter....Pages 325-337
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