Review
Nature Reviews Neuroscience 4, 873-884 (November 2003) | doi:10.1038/nrn1247
The molecular logic of endocannabinoid signalling
Daniele Piomelli1 About the author
Abstract
The endocannabinoids are a family of lipid messengers that engage the cell surface receptors that are targeted by 
9-tetrahydrocannabinol, the active principle in marijuana (Cannabis). They are made on demand through cleavage of membrane precursors and are involved in various short-range signalling processes. In the brain, they combine with CB1 cannabinoid receptors on axon terminals to regulate ion channel activity and neurotransmitter release. Their ability to modulate synaptic efficacy has a wide range of functional consequences and provides unique therapeutic possibilities.
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Author affiliations
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Department of Pharmacology, University of California, Irvine 92697-4625, USA.
Email: piomelli@uci.edu
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