The endocannabinoid system modulates neuronal excitability, protects neurons against hyperexcitability and is involved in epileptogenesis in animal models of mesial temporal lobe epilepsy with hippocampal sclerosis. We performed in vivo positron emission tomography imaging of the type 1 cannabinoid receptor in patients with mesial temporal lobe epilepsy with hippocampal sclerosis. Twelve patien...

The endocannabinoid system modulates neuronal excitability, protects neurons against hyperexcitability and is involved in epileptogenesis in animal models of mesial temporal lobe epilepsy with hippocampal sclerosis. We performed in vivo positron emission tomography imaging of the type 1 cannabinoid receptor in patients with mesial temporal lobe epilepsy with hippocampal sclerosis. Twelve patien...

BACKGROUND Whole-blood concentrations of Delta(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), 11-hydroxy-THC (11-OH-THC), and 11-nor-9-carboxy-THC (THCCOOH) are approximately half of those in plasma due to high plasma protein binding and poor cannabinoid distribution into erythrocytes. Whole blood is frequently the only specimen available in forensic investigations; controlled cannabinoid administration studie...

The effects induced by exogenous manipulation of endocannabinoid neurotransmission on emotion and memory are often contradictory. Among the different factors involved, of particular interest is the binding affinity of endocannabinoids, and their analogs, for other receptor families beyond cannabinoid receptors, such as the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs), and the transient r...

Cannabinoid receptors couple to both Gs and Gi proteins and can consequently stimulate or inhibit the formation of cAMP. To test whether there is specificity among cannabinoid receptor agonists in activating Gs- or Gi-coupled pathways, the potency and intrinsic activity of various cannabinoid receptor ligands in stimulating or inhibiting cAMP accumulation were quantified. The rank order of pote...

BACKGROUND The abuse of synthetic cannabinoids has emerged as a public health concern over the past few years, yet little data exist characterizing the use of synthetic cannabinoids, particularly among patients seeking substance use disorder (SUD) treatment. In a sample of patients entering residential SUD treatment, we examined the prevalence of and motivations for synthetic cannabinoid use, a...

Chronic D-tetrahydrocannabinol (D-THC) administration produces tolerance to cannabinoid effects, but alterations in signal transduction that mediate these changes are not yet known. The present study uses in vitro autoradiography of agoniststimulated [S]GTPgS binding to localize cannabinoid receptor-activated G-proteins after chronic D-THC treatment. Cannabinoid (WIN 55212-2)-stimulated [S]GTPg...

Natural cannabinoids have been used for centuries for their psychotropic properties, but their possible therapeutic implications in analgesia have been recently documented. The present review intended to make an analysis of the neuroanatomy and physiology of the cannabinoid system (receptors, functions, agents acting on these receptors) and of its implications in neuropathic pain. There were al...