Springer Endocannabinoid Regulation of Monoamines in Psychiatric and Neurological Disorders

This book offers current information on advances in the field of endocannabinoid signaling and potential therapeutic applications with a particular emphasis on monoaminergic circuits. Review From the reviews: “This book reviews the expansion of our understanding of cannabinoid modulation of monoaminergic circuits and their interactions in a variety of psychiatric and neurological disorders. … intended for readers familiar with both clinical and preclinical research in this area, including individuals at all research, educational, and clinical levels interested in issues related to the use of cannabinoids for medical purposes. … a detailed and technical review of recent information on this receptor system and how it relates to a number of neurological and psychiatric disorders.” (Michael Easton, Doody’s Book Reviews, February, 2014) From the Back Cover The past two decades have seen a tremendous growth in knowledge related to cannabinoid receptor signaling in brain.  In addition, the impact and consequences of cannabinoid modulation of monoaminergic circuits is steadily emerging demonstrating a significant interaction between these two systems in a variety of psychiatric (affective disorders) and neurological disorders (multiple sclerosis, pain). Despite increasing evidence from preclinical data suggesting that therapeutic use of cannabinoid-based drugs may outweigh any potential risks in certain serious medical conditions, the debate surrounding its widespread utility continues as regulatory concerns preclude a smooth transition of promising preclinical studies into clinical trial testing. This may persist in the near future as state and federal governments debate over regulation of medicinal applications of cannabis. Applications for medicinal cannabinoids that are already under investigation include the treatment of nausea, anorexia, neurodegeneration, inflammation, excitotoxicity and pain. The appetitive and anti-emetic properties of cannabinoids have led to the approval of their use in chemotherapy and AIDS patients.  There is growing evidence for therapeutic cannabinoid effects on inflammatory and excitotoxic cellular processes that are linked to epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, spasticity, and central nervous system injury. The chapters, herein, review and discuss current insights into the brain endocannabinoid system, cannabinoid receptor signaling on synaptic plasticity, potential therapeutic applications with a particular focus on endocannabinoid modulation of dopaminergic, noradrenergic and serotonergic circuitry. The potential for establishing cannabinoid-monoaminergic interactions as a novel target in the development of improved treatment strategies for psychiatric and neurological disorders is promising and will require future clinical studies to determine whether promising pre-clinical findings translate into new therapies. About the Author Elisabeth Van Bockstaele is a Professor in the Department of Neuroscience and Farber Institute for Neurosciences at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, PA.  She obtained her PhD from New York University and conducted her postdoctoral work at Cornell University Medical College in New York City. She served as Vice-Chair of Research in the Department of Neurological Surgery and is the current founding Director of the Graduate Program in Neuroscience in the College of Biomedical and Graduate Studies at Thomas Jefferson University. She has served on multiple grant review panels including serving as Chair of the Neuroimmunology, Neuroendocrinology and Behavior Study Section at the National Institutes of Health and she served as Chair of the Membership and Chapters Committee of the Society for Neuroscience (SfN) and as a Member of the Committee on Neuroscience Departments and Programs and Professional Development Committee at SfN.  She was also a fellow in the Executive Leadership in