Endocannabinoid signalling and the neurobehavioural development of forebrain circuits

内源性大麻素信号传导和前脑回路的神经行为发育

• 批准号: 436225-2013
• 负责人: Hill, Matthew
• 金额: $ 3.28万
• 依托单位: University of Calgary
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Discovery Grants Program - Individual
• 财政年份: 2017
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2017-01-01 至 2018-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=631403
• 关键词: Endocannabinoid; signalling; neurobehavioural; development; forebrain

The development and emergence of many behavioural profiles occurs within distinct windows during development where there is a high degree of malleability within the brain. The endocannabinoid system, which was discovered as the biological target of THC from cannabis, has been found to be a critical player in both brain plasticity and development. Despite the fact that we know endocannabinoid signalling is important for cognitive and social behaviours, there is a dearth of knowledge regarding the distinct role of endocannabinoid activity in the brain with respect to specific developmental time frames of these behaviours. The aim of this grant is to examine the role of the endocannabinoid system in the development and maturation of the growing brain, with a particular focus on its role in the development of social behaviours (sexual activity, social interaction and play behaviours) and complex cognitive functions. This research will combine analysis of brain architecture and behavioural repertoires to be able to relate changes in brain structure during development with emerging behaviours. Collectively, this research may help us to understand some of the driving forces that shape our brain into the complex organ that it is.

许多行为特征的发展和出现发生在大脑具有高度可塑性的发育过程中不同的窗口期。内源性大麻素系统被发现是大麻中四氢大麻酚的生物靶点，在大脑可塑性和发育中都起着关键作用。尽管我们知道内源性大麻素信号对认知和社会行为很重要，但关于内源性大麻素活动在大脑中相对于这些行为的特定发育时间框架的独特作用，我们缺乏知识。这项资助的目的是研究内源性大麻素系统在大脑发育和成熟中的作用，特别关注其在社会行为（性活动、社会互动和游戏行为）和复杂认知功能发展中的作用。这项研究将结合对大脑结构和行为的分析，以便能够将发育过程中大脑结构的变化与新出现的行为联系起来。总的来说，这项研究可能有助于我们理解将我们的大脑塑造成复杂器官的一些驱动力。