Operant apparatus for behavioural pharmacology studies

目前的申请寻求资助设备，以支持nserc资助的大麻素行为药理学研究。大麻是加拿大和其他许多国家使用最广泛的非法毒品。随着决策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，关于使用大麻的不良后果的激烈辩论仍在继续。幸运的是，关于大麻的基础研究仍在继续发展。我们现在知道，大麻和类似大麻的药物（大麻素）通过与大麻素CB1受体结合并激活它们来产生改变思维的作用，大麻素CB1受体在大脑的许多区域中数量众多且广泛存在。最近另一个重要的发现是在大脑中发现了内源性大麻素。这些小脂质分子在信息储存、运动、食欲和疼痛感知中起着关键作用。内源性大麻素信号与精神分裂症的发展以及对非大麻素药物（如酒精和海洛因）成瘾的发展有关。本提案寻求资金购买操作行为测试设备，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发展的神经机制。从这项研究中获得的信息将有助于告知医学界和科学界、政府决策者以及更广泛的加拿大社区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.