Abstract
The endocannabinoids are lipid signaling molecules that bind to cannabinoid CB1 and CB2 receptors and other metabotropic and ionotropic receptors. Anandamide and 2-arachidonoyl glycerol, the two best-characterized examples, are released on demand in a stimulus-dependent manner by cleavage of membrane phospholipid precursors. Together with their receptors and metabolic enzymes, the endocannabinoids play a key role in modulating neurotransmission and synaptic plasticity in the basal ganglia and other brain areas involved in the control of motor functions and motivational aspects of behavior.This mini-review provides an update on the contribution of the endocannabinoid system to the regulation of psychomotor behaviors and its possible involvement in the pathophysiology of Parkinson's disease and schizophrenia.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 51-58 |
Number of pages | 8 |
Journal | Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry |
Volume | 38 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jul 2 2012 |
Keywords
- Basal ganglia
- Cannabinoid
- Dyskinesia
- Endocannabinoid
- Parkinson
- Schizophrenia
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Pharmacology
- Biological Psychiatry