Operant apparatus for behavioural pharmacology studies

本申请寻求为设备提供资金，以支持NSERC资助的大麻类药物行为药理学研究。大麻是加拿大和其他许多国家使用最广泛的非法药物。随着政策制定者和公众努力解决大麻非刑事化和将大麻用于医疗目的的问题，关于大麻使用的不良后果的激烈辩论仍在继续。对于这场辩论来说，幸运的是，关于大麻的基础研究继续发展。我们现在知道，大麻和大麻类药物(大麻素)通过与大麻素CB1受体结合并激活大麻素CB1受体来产生改变精神的效果，大麻素CB1受体广泛存在于大脑的许多区域。最近的另一个重要发现是在大脑中发现了内源性大麻素。这些小的脂质分子在信息存储、运动、食欲和痛觉中起着关键作用。内源性大麻素信号与精神分裂症的发展以及对非大麻类药物(如酒精和海洛因)成瘾的发展有关。目前的提案寻求资金，用于购买可操作的行为测试设备，用于实验，旨在阐明内源性大麻素通过调节神经元逆行信号影响药物成瘾的神经机制。从这项研究中获得的信息将有助于向医学界和科学界、政府政策制定者以及更广泛的加拿大社区通报有关吸毒成瘾的各种关键问题，以及最近发现的内源性大麻素系统的关键作用。

The present application seeks funding for equipment to support NSERC-funded research on the behavioural pharmacology of cannabinoids. Cannabis is the most widely used illicit drug in Canada and many other nations. Robust, often fiery, debate continues concerning the adverse consequences of cannabis use, as policy makers and the public grapple with issues of cannabis decriminalization and the use of cannabis for medicinal purposes. Fortunately for this debate, basic research on cannabis continues to evolve. We now know that cannabis and cannabis-like drugs (cannabinoids) produce their mind-altering effects by binding to and activating cannabinoid CB1 receptors, which are numerous and widespread in many brain regions. Another important recent finding was the discovery of endocannabinoids in the brain. These small lipid molecules play a critical role in information storage, movement, appetite, and the perception of pain. Endocannabinoid signaling has been linked to the development of schizophrenia, and in the development of addiction to non-cannabinoid drugs, such as alcohol and heroin. The present proposal seeks funds to purchase operant behaviour test equipment for experiments designed to elucidate the neural mechanisms by which endocannabinoids influence the development of drug addiction via the regulation of neuronal retrograde signaling. Information gained from this research will serve to inform medical and scientific communities, government policy makers, as well as the broader Canadian community about various key issues surrounding drug addiction, and on the critical role of the recently discovered endocannabinoid system.