Effects of acute, intra-cerebral or chronic cannabinoid treatment on the rats' behavioural performance

The products of the hemp plant Cannabis sativa, marijuana and hashish, belong to the most widely used drugs after alcohol and tobacco. The main psychoactive ingredient of cannabis, tetrahydrocannabinol, and other synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonists produce their neuronal effects via interaction with the cannabinoid CB1-receptor. The molecular characterization of the neuronal CB1- and the CB2-receptor, which is mainly expressed in the immune system, as well as the identification of the endogenous ligand anandamide around 20 years ago, was the beginning of modern cannabinoid research.Recent research yielded fascinating insight into the CB1-receptor distribution in the brain and the role of anandamide or other endocannabinoids as neuromodulators. The endocannabinoid system plays a major role in several cognitive, sensory, and motor functions. Accordingly, the therapeutic potential of compounds affecting this system is now in the focus of psychopharmacological research. Endocannabinoids might also play a role in the pre- and postpubertal development of the brain. Hence, pubertal cannabis use may be involved in the etiopathogenesis of neuropsychiatric disorders