| First Author | Wilson RI | Year | 2001 |
| Journal | Neuron | Volume | 31 |
| Issue | 3 | Pages | 453-62 |
| PubMed ID | 11516401 | Mgi Jnum | J:71119 |
| Mgi Id | MGI:2149200 | Doi | 10.1016/s0896-6273(01)00372-5 |
| Citation | Wilson RI, et al. (2001) Presynaptic specificity of endocannabinoid signaling in the hippocampus. Neuron 31(3):453-62 |
| abstractText | Endocannabinoids are retrograde messengers released by neurons to modulate the strength of their synaptic inputs. Endocannabinoids are thought to mediate the suppression of GABA release that follows depolarization of a hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neuron-termed 'depolarization-induced suppression of inhibition' (DSI). Here, we report that DSI is absent in mice which lack cannabinoid receptor-1 (CB1). Pharmacological and kinetic evidence suggests that CB1 activation inhibits presynaptic Ca2+ channels through direct G protein inhibition. Paired recordings show that endocannabinoids selectively inhibit a subclass of synapses distinguished by their fast kinetics and large unitary conductance. Furthermore, cannabinoid-sensitive inputs are unusual among central nervous system synapses in that they use N- but not P/Q-type Ca2+ channels for neurotransmitter release. These results indicate that endocannabinoids are highly selective, rapid modulators of hippocampal inhibition. |
