The endocannabinoid system in the processing of anxiety and fear and how CB1 receptors may modulate fear extinction.
Pharmacological Research. 2007-11-01; 56(5): 367-381
DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2007.09.006
Read on PubMed
1. Pharmacol Res. 2007 Nov;56(5):367-81. Epub 2007 Sep 8.
The endocannabinoid system in the processing of anxiety and fear and how CB1
receptors may modulate fear extinction.
Lafenêtre P(1), Chaouloff F, Marsicano G.
Author information:
(1)Research Centre INSERM U862, AVENIR Team Molecular Mechanisms of Behavioural
Adaptation, 146 rue Léo Saignat, 33700 Bordeaux, France.
The endocannabinoid system recently emerged as an important modulator of many
neuronal functions. Among them, the control of anxiety and acquired fear
represents nowadays one of the most interesting fields of research. Despite
contrasting results obtained by the use of cannabinoid receptor agonists in
experimental animals, there is growing evidence that the physiological activation
of the endocannabinoid system plays a central role in the control of basal
anxiety levels and in the modulation of fear responses. This review will
summarise recent data on the role of the endocannabinoid system in most commonly
used tests of anxiety and in the processing of acquired fear, with particular
attention to its involvement in fear extinction. Finally, a neurobiological model
possibly able to implement the role of the endocannabinoid system in these
processes will be proposed.
DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2007.09.006
PMID: 17951068 [Indexed for MEDLINE]