Bimodal control of stimulated food intake by the endocannabinoid system

• DOI: 10.1038/nn.2494
• Publication Date: 2010-02-07T18:37:47Z
• Authors: Luigi Bellocchio; Pauline Lafenêtre; Astrid Cannich; Daniela Cota; Nagore Puente; Pedro Grandes; Francis Chaouloff; Pier Vincenzo Piazza; Giovanni Marsicano
• Keywords: Orexigenic

Activation of cannabinoid type-1 receptors (CB(1)) is universally recognized as a powerful endogenous orexigenic signal, but the detailed underlying neuronal mechanisms are not fully understood. Using combined genetic and pharmacological approaches in mice, we found that ventral striatal CB(1) receptors exerted a hypophagic action through inhibition of GABAergic transmission. Conversely, brain CB(1) receptors modulating excitatory transmission mediated the well-known orexigenic effects of cannabinoids.