BDNF-Endocannabinoid Interactions in the Cerebral Cortex

描述（由申请人提供）：本项目的目标是探索脑源性神经营养因子（BDNF）和大脑皮层中的内源性大麻素系统之间以前未知的相互作用。BDNF和内源性大麻素都在感觉、运动和联合皮质中高度表达，并且trkB神经营养因子受体和1型大麻素（CB 1）受体在皮质层中的表达存在显著重叠，在皮质层2/3和5中表达水平最高。这些神经调节系统中的任一个的破坏已经涉及几种神经和精神疾病，包括焦虑症、抑郁症、精神分裂症和癫痫发作障碍，并且这两种系统目前都是开发新疗法的主要目标。我们发现BDNF在抑制性皮层突触的作用是由BDNF诱导的作用于突触前CB 1受体的内源性大麻素的动员介导的。拟议的研究将探讨潜在的BDNF诱发的内源性大麻素的合成和释放的抑制性突触，使用电生理学，分子生物学和药理学方法的信号机制。拟议的研究还将扩展这些发现，以检查BDNF-大麻素在兴奋性突触的相互作用，并探索这些相互作用在调节活动依赖性突触可塑性方面的功能相关性。从这些研究中获得的知识将为BDNF和内源性大麻素信号的调节和相互依赖提供见解。关于这些神经调质之间相互作用的新机制见解可以为神经和精神疾病的新治疗方法提供基础。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The goal of this project is to explore previously-unknown interactions between brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and the endocannabinoid system in the cerebral cortex. Both BDNF and endocannabinoids are highly expressed throughout the sensory, motor, and association cortices, and there is a striking overlap of expression of trkB neurotrophin receptors and type 1 cannabinoid (CB1) receptors across cortical layers, with highest levels of expression in cortical layers 2/3 and 5. Disruption f either of these neuromodulatory systems has been implicated in several neurologic and psychiatric diseases, including anxiety, depression, schizophrenia, and seizure disorders, and both systems are currently major targets for the development of novel therapeutics. We found that the effects of BDNF at inhibitory cortical synapses are mediated by the BDNF-induced mobilization of endocannabinoids acting at presynaptic CB1 receptors. The proposed studies will explore the signaling mechanisms underlying BDNF-evoked synthesis and release of endocannabinoids at inhibitory synapses using electrophysiological, molecular biological, and pharmacological approaches. The proposed studies will also extend these findings to examine BDNF-cannabinoid interactions at excitatory synapses, and explore the functional relevance of these interactions in regulating activity-dependent synaptic plasticity. Knowledge gained from these studies will provide insights into the regulation and interdependence of BDNF and endocannabinoid signaling. New mechanistic insights regarding the interaction between these neuromodulators could provide the basis for novel therapeutic approaches to neurologic and psychiatric disease.