Multiple Mechanistically Distinct Modes of Endocannabinoid Mobilization at Central Amygdala Glutamatergic Synapses

• DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2014.01.012
• Publication Date: 2014-03-06T09:16:15Z
• Authors: Teniel S. Ramikie; Rita Nyilas; Rebecca J. Bluett; Joyonna C. Gamble...; Nolan D. Hartley; Ken Mackie; Masahiko Watanabe; István Katona; Sachin Patel
• Keywords: Male; Neurons; Mice, Inbred ICR; G-Protein-Coupled Receptor Kinase 2; Neuroscience(all); Excitatory Postsynaptic Potentials; Glutamic Acid; Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases; Amygdala; Receptors, Muscarinic; Synaptic Transmission; Mice; 03 medical and health sciences; 0302 clinical medicine; Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1; Synapses; Animals; GTP-Binding Protein alpha Subunits, Gq-G11; Calcium; Endocannabinoids; Signal Transduction

The central amygdala (CeA) is a key structure at the limbic-motor interface regulating stress responses and emotional learning. Endocannabinoid (eCB) signaling is heavily implicated in the regulation of stress-response physiology and emotional learning processes; however, the role of eCBs in the modulation of synaptic efficacy in the CeA is not well understood. Here we describe the subcellular localization of CB1 cannabinoid receptors and eCB synthetic machinery at glutamatergic synapses in the CeA and find that CeA neurons exhibit multiple mechanistically and temporally distinct modes of postsynaptic eCB mobilization. These data identify a prominent role for eCBs in the modulation of excitatory drive to CeA neurons and provide insight into the mechanisms by which eCB signaling and exogenous cannabinoids could regulate stress responses and emotional learning.