Electrophysiology of Endocannabinoid Signaling

Abstract

Electrophysiological technique is an efficient tool for investigating the synaptic regulatory effects mediated by the endocannabinoid system. Stimulation of presynaptic type 1 cannabinoid receptor (CB1) is the principal mode by which endocannabinoids suppress transmitter release in the central nervous system, but a non-retrograde manner of functioning and other receptors have also been described. Endocannabinoids are key modulators of both short- and long-term plasticity. Here, we discuss ex vivo electrophysiological approaches to examine synaptic signaling induced by cannabinoid and endocannabinoid molecules in the mammalian brain.

Keywords: CB1 receptor; Cannabinoid; Depolarization-induced suppression of excitation/inhibition (DSE/DSI); Electrophysiology; Long-term plasticity; Mouse; Short-term plasticity.