Exam 3: Cannabinoids Flashcards
for the cannabinoid system was the receptor iscovered first or the endogenous ligand for the receptor
receptor first in 1988 - recent
psychoactive cannabinoids exert their effects by interacting with the ____
endocannabinoid neurotransmitter system
what are the 2 natural endocannabinoids
anandamide
2-AG (2-arachidonylglycerol)
on-demand synthesis and release of cannabinoids requires
increased calcium ions in postsynaptic neuron!!!
endocannabinoids are generated from
inositol phospholipids in the membrane that have fatty acid arachidonic acid
what converts NAPE into anandamide
phospholipase D
what is the precursor to 2-AG
DAG
2-AG and anandamide are taken up by
endocannabinoid membrane transporters on glial cells
COX-2
breaks down both 2-AG and anandamide
FAAH
breaks down anandamide into arachidonic acid and ethanolamine
MAGL
breaks down 2-AG into arachidonic acid and glycerol
2 cannabinoid receptors
CB1 and CB2
general description of cannabinoid receptors
inhibitory
metabotropic
- inhibit cAMP formation, voltage sensitive Ca channels, and they open K channels
presynaptic heteroreceptors - retrograde signaling
CB1 receptors
located on axon terminals
presynaptic - typically on glutamate or GABA neurons
concentrated in brain and spinal cord!!
CB2 receptors
most abundant outside CNS (for in CNS it is hippocampus and cerebellum)
immune system, bone, fat, GI tract
expressed by microglia
what is a partial agonist at CB1 receptors ONLY
anandamide
what is a full agonist at CB1 and CB2 receptors
2-AG
3 endocannabinoid signaling mechanisms discovered
- retrograde signaling
- anandamide remains in postsynaptic cell and activates a canabinoid receptor or TRPV1 receptor
- endocannabinoids activate receptors on nearby astrocytes, resulting in release of glutamate
endocannabinoid always synthesized in…
POSTSYNAPTIC element!!!
inc in intracellular Ca in postsynaptic triggers it
endocannabinoid retrograde signaling
CB1 receptors are activated by 2-AG and inhibit Ca mediated neurotransmitter release
CB1 receptors found on synapses with MGlu5 receptors in hippocampus and cerebellum
negative feedback mechanism for regulating glutamate
- glutamate activates MGlu5 receptor
- this inc intracellular Ca and triggers 2-AG synthesis and release
- 2-AG diffuses across synapse and activates presynaptic CB1 receptors
- inhibits voltage gates Ca channels and reduces glutamate release
TRPV 1 receptors in brain
regulate pain processing, mood, motor function, learning and memory
- spicy foods
cannabis
marijuana and hemp produced from the cannabis plant
2 most abundant cannabinoids
THC and CBD
what is marijuana potency dependent on
THC content
it varies deending on growing conditions and the genetic strain of the plant
cannabis indica
female plant, 3-7 ft tall, less than 5% THC - growing towards 10%
stringer/smellier “skunk weed”
cannabis sativa
most common
grows up to 18ft tall
produces 1-5lb of buds/smokable leaves
low level of THC (less than 3%)
what differs between cannabis indica and sativa
indica is more potent has more THC
both have same pharmacodynamics
sinsemilla
without seeds
no pollination
highest level of THC (5-11%) very potent THC
resin (hashish) thc content
15-20%
hash oil THC content
exceeds 60%!! - moe potent than smoking a bud from the actual plant