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The endocannabinoid system and the regulation of neural development: potential implications in psychiatric disorders

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Abstract

During brain development, functional neurogenesis is achieved by the concerted action of various steps that include the expansion of progenitor cells, neuronal specification, and establishment of appropriate synapses. Brain patterning and regionalization is regulated by a variety of extracellular signals and morphogens that, together with neuronal activity, orchestrate and regulate progenitor proliferation, differentiation, and neuronal maturation. In the adult brain, CB1 cannabinoid receptors are expressed at very high levels in selective areas and are engaged by endocannabinoids, which act as retrograde messengers controlling neuronal function and preventing excessive synaptic activity. In addition, the endocannabinoid system is present at early developmental stages of nervous system formation. Recent studies have provided novel information on the role of this endogenous neuromodulatory system in the control of neuronal specification and maturation. Thus, cannabinoid receptors and locally produced endocannabinoids regulate neural progenitor proliferation and pyramidal specification of projecting neurons. CB1 receptors also control axonal navigation, migration, and positioning of interneurons and excitatory neurons. Loss of function studies by genetic ablation or pharmacological blockade of CB1 receptors interferes with long-range subcortical projections and, likewise, prenatal cannabinoid exposure induces different functional alterations in the adult brain. Potential implications of these new findings, such as the participation of the endocannabinoid system in the pathogenesis of neurodevelopmental disorders (e.g., schizophrenia) and the regulation of neurogenesis in brain depression, are discussed herein.

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Abbreviations

AEA:

N-arachidonoylethanolamine (anandamide)

2-AG:

2-Arachidonoylglycerol

BDNF:

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor

eCB:

Endocannabinoid

DAGL:

Diacylglycerol lipase

FAAH:

Fatty acid amide hydrolase

GABA:

Gamma-aminobutyric acid

Glu:

Glutamic acid

MAGL:

Monoacylglycerol lipase

NAPE-PLD:

N-acyl-phosphatidylethanolamine phospholipase D

NP:

Neural progenitor

PSA-NCAM:

Polysialic acid neural cell adhesion molecule

THC:

Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol

SVZ/VZ:

Subventricular/ventricular zone

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Acknowledgments

Research in the authors’ laboratory is supported by Comunidad de Madrid (S-SAL-2006/261 and 950344), Fundación de Investigación Médica Mutua Madrileña Automovilística and Ministerio de Educación y Ciencia (SAF2006-00918). J.P. and T.A. are supported by Ministerio de Educación y Ciencia (FPI Program, Spain) and CIBERNED (Spain), respectively.

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  1. Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology I, School of Biology and Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Complutense University, 28040, Madrid, Spain

    Ismael Galve-Roperh, Javier Palazuelos, Tania Aguado & Manuel Guzmán

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  1. Ismael Galve-Roperh
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  2. Javier Palazuelos
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  3. Tania Aguado
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  4. Manuel Guzmán
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Correspondence to Ismael Galve-Roperh or Manuel Guzmán.

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Galve-Roperh, I., Palazuelos, J., Aguado, T. et al. The endocannabinoid system and the regulation of neural development: potential implications in psychiatric disorders. Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci 259, 371–382 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00406-009-0028-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00406-009-0028-y

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