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Endocannabinoid signalling in reward and addiction
Loren H Parsons1, Yasmin L Hurd2
1Committee on the Neurobiology of Addictive Disorders, The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, California 92037, USA.
Nature Reviews. Neuroscience
|September 17, 2015
Summary
Brain endocannabinoid (eCB) signaling impacts motivation for natural rewards and drug effects. Disruptions in eCB signaling contribute to addiction vulnerability by affecting mood, stress, and cravings.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Brain endocannabinoid (eCB) signaling modulates motivation for natural rewards and drug-induced reward.
- Dysregulated eCB signaling is linked to pathological reward behaviors, potentially due to genetics or drug exposure.
- Impaired eCB signaling contributes to synaptic dysfunction, stress, negative emotions, and cravings.
Purpose of the Study:
- To understand how endocannabinoid system disruptions influence addiction vulnerability.
- To explore the role of eCB signaling in behavioral and physiological traits associated with addiction.
Main Methods:
- This study reviews existing research on the endocannabinoid system and addiction.
- Analysis of literature linking eCB signaling to reward pathways and addiction.
Main Results:
- eCB signaling is crucial for natural reward motivation and drug reward modulation.
- Dysfunctional eCB signaling is associated with addiction and its underlying traits.
- eCB disruptions contribute to synaptic plasticity, stress, negative affect, and craving.
Conclusions:
- Understanding eCB system's role in reward and addiction is vital for addressing addiction vulnerability.
- Targeting the eCB system may offer therapeutic strategies for addiction.
- eCB signaling disruptions provide insights into the neurobiological basis of addiction.
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