Skip to content

Cannabinoid Modulation of the Stressed Hippocampus.

Franciele F Scarante, Carla Vila-Verde, Vinícius L Detoni, Nilson C Ferreira-Junior, Francisco S Guimarães, Alline C. Campos

Frontiers in Molecular Neuroscience December 19, 2017 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2017.00411 (opens in new tab)

Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Review Peer reviewed
Topics Neuroplasticity
Keywords Stress Hippocampus Hpa axis Cb2 Cb1 Endocannabinoid system
Key findings The authors argue that hippocampal endocannabinoid signaling helps regulate excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmission and neuroplasticity, and that facilitating cannabinoid signaling in this region may prevent stress-induced behavioral changes. They also note that chronic stress modulates hippocampal CB1 receptor expression and endocannabinoid levels, and that cannabinoids participate in synaptic plasticity and adult neurogenesis.

Abstract

Exposure to stressful situations is one of the risk factors for the precipitation of several psychiatric disorders, including Major Depressive Disorder, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Schizophrenia. The hippocampal formation is a forebrain structure highly associated with emotional, learning and memory processes; being particularly vulnerable to stress. Exposure to stressful stimuli leads to neuroplastic changes and imbalance between inhibitory/excitatory networks. These changes have been associated with an impaired hippocampal function. Endocannabinoids (eCB) are one of the main systems controlling both excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmission, as well as neuroplasticity within the hippocampus. Cannabinoids receptors are highly expressed in the hippocampus, and several lines of evidence suggest that facilitation of cannabinoid signaling within this brain region prevents stress-induced behavioral changes. Also, chronic stress modulates hippocampal CB1 receptors expression and endocannabinoid levels. Moreover, cannabinoids participate in mechanisms related to synaptic plasticity and adult neurogenesis. Here, we discussed the main findings supporting the involvement of hippocampal cannabinoid neurotransmission in stress-induced behavioral and neuroplastic changes.

Comparable studies

Other narrative reviews on neuroplasticity, most cited first.

Citations in the library

Explore topics