Division of Analytical Psychopharmacology, Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, Orangeburg, NY, USA.
New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, USA.
Br J Pharmacol. 2019 Sep;176(17):3085-3109. doi: 10.1111/bph.14780. Epub 2019 Jul 29.
Δ -tetrahydrocannabinol, the principal active component in Cannabis sativa extracts such as marijuana, participates in cell signalling by binding to cannabinoid CB and CB receptors on the cell surface. The CB receptors are present in both inhibitory and excitatory presynaptic terminals and the CB receptors are found in neuronal subpopulations in addition to microglial cells and astrocytes and are present in both presynaptic and postsynaptic terminals. Subsequent to the discovery of the endocannabinoid (eCB) system, studies have suggested that alcohol alters the eCB system and that this system plays a major role in the motivation to abuse alcohol. Preclinical studies have provided evidence that chronic alcohol consumption modulates eCBs and expression of CB receptors in brain addiction circuits. In addition, studies have further established the distinct function of the eCB system in the development of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. This review provides a recent and comprehensive assessment of the literature related to the function of the eCB system in alcohol abuse disorders.
Δ-四氢大麻酚是大麻等大麻植物提取物中的主要活性成分，通过与细胞表面的大麻素 CB 和 CB 受体结合参与细胞信号转导。CB 受体存在于抑制性和兴奋性突触前末梢中，CB 受体除了小胶质细胞和星形胶质细胞外，还存在于神经元亚群中，并且存在于突触前和突触后末梢中。在内源性大麻素 (eCB) 系统发现后，研究表明酒精改变了 eCB 系统，该系统在滥用酒精的动机中起着重要作用。临床前研究提供了证据表明，慢性酒精消耗调节 eCB 和 CB 受体在大脑成瘾回路中的表达。此外，研究进一步确定了 eCB 系统在胎儿酒精谱系障碍发展中的独特作用。这篇综述对与酒精滥用障碍中 eCB 系统功能相关的文献进行了最新和全面的评估。
