Release of endogenous cannabinoids from ventral tegmental area dopamine neurons and the modulation of synaptic processes.
Endogenous cannabinoids play important roles in a variety of functions in the mammalian brain, including the regulation reward-related information processing. The primary mechanism through which this is achieved is the presynaptic modulation of synaptic transmission. During reward- and reinforcement-related behavior dopamine levels increase in forebrain areas and this has recently been shown to be modulated by the endocannabinoid system. Therefore, understanding how endocannabinoids are mobilized to modulate synaptic inputs impinging on midbrain dopamine neurons is crucial to a complete understanding of the roles that these molecules play in reward behavior, drug abuse and addiction. Here we summarize the literature describing short-term and long-term regulation of afferent connections on dopamine neurons in the ventral tegmental area via endocannabinoid activation of cannabinoid CB1 receptors, and describe the mechanisms through which these molecules are released during reward-based behavior and exposure to abused drugs.
Electrophysiology Research Section, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, US Department of Health and Human Services, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA.
Huikun
H
Wang
Electrophysiology Research Section, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, US Department of Health and Human Services, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA. Electronic address: clupica@mail.nih.gov.
Carl R
CR
Lupica
D000818:Animals; D004298:Dopamine / Q000494:pharmacology; D059290:Dopaminergic Neurons / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D063388:Endocannabinoids / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D043884:Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1 / Q000378:metabolism; D012201:Reward; D017557:Ventral Tegmental Area / Q000166:cytology*
D063388:Endocannabinoids; D043884:Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1; D004298:Dopamine
CB1 receptor; Dopamine neuron; Endocannabinoid; Synaptic modulation; Ventral tegmental area