Endocannabinoid signalling and the neurobehavioural development of forebrain circuits

许多行为特征的发展和出现是在发育过程中的不同窗口内发生的，在那里大脑具有高度的可塑性。内源性大麻素系统被发现是大麻中THC的生物靶标，已被发现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，我们缺乏了解。这笔赠款的目的是研究内源性大麻素系统在成长中的大脑发育和成熟中的作用，特别是它在社会行为(性活动、社交互动和游戏行为)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谱系的分析，以能够将大脑结构在发育过程中的变化与新出现的行为联系起来。总而言之，这项研究可能会帮助我们理解将我们的大脑塑造成复杂的器官的一些驱动力。

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.**