The endocannabinoid system consists of cannabinoid receptors, their endogenous lipid ligands (endocannabinoids) and the enzymatic machinery for their synthesis and degradation. In the brain, endocannabinoids regulate ion channel activity and neurotransmitter release and thereby contribute to various aspects of brain function, including memory, reward and emotions. Their ability to modulate synaptic efficacy has a wide range of functional consequences and provides unique therapeutic possibilities. Unprecedented advances have been made in the understanding of the role of endocannabinoids in the regulation of the emotional brain over the past few years. However, a comprehensive book encompassing all these aspects is still lacking. The book will provide an overview of the role played by the endocannabinoid system in the regulation of emotional processes with particular emphasis on the modulation of memory and reward for emotionally arousing events and for the regulation of motivational aspects in cannabis use.

Explores the effects of the endocannabinoid system on the emotional brain

Part 1Cannabinoid Modulation of Memory and EmotionsChapter 1Endocannabinoid Modulation of Memory for Emotionally Arousing ExperiencesMaria Morena and Patrizia CampolongoChapter 2Cannabinoids Modulation of Emotional and Non-Emotional Memory Processes After StressIrit AkiravChapter 3The Hippocampal Endocannabinoid System in Different Memory Phases: Unveiling the CA1 CircuitryJorge Alberto Quillfeldt and Lucas de Oliveira AlvaresChapter 4Interactions Between Cannabinoid Signaling and Anxiety: a Comparative Analysis of Intervention Tools and Behavioral EffectsMano Aliczki and Jozsef HallerChapter 5Role of the Endocannabinoid System in Depression: from Preclinical to Clinical EvidenceVincenzo Micale, Katarina Tabiova, Jana Kucerova, and Filippo DragoChapter 6Cannabinoid Control of Fear ResponsesMathilde Metna-Laurent, Giovanni Marsicano and Edgar Soria-GómezPart 2Cannabinoid Modulation of Reward and MotivationChapter 7Subjective and Cognitive Effects of Cannabinoids in Marijuana SmokersMarie R. Ehrler, Erin C. McGlade, and Deborah A. Yurgelun-ToddChapter 8Endocannabinoid-Dopamine Interactions Shape Ethologically Relevant Behavior through Computation of Conditioned StimuliErik B. Oleson and Joseph F. CheerChapter 9Synthetic Cannabinoid Effects on Behavior and MotivationWilliam D. Wessinger, Jeffery H. Moran, and Kathryn A. SeelyChapter 10Cannabinoid Modulation of Rodent Ultrasonic Vocalizations in a Social Context: Communicative and Rewarding PropertiesAntonia Manduca, Louk J.M.J. Vanderschuren, and Viviana TrezzaChapter 11Age-Dependent Effects of Cannabinoids on Neurophysiological, Emotional, and Motivational StatesMaría-Paz Viveros and Eva María MarcoChapter 12Gender Differences in Cannabis Addiction and DependenceCaroline Davis and Liana FattorePart 3Cannabinoid Interactions in Modulating Emotions and RewardChapter 13Cannabinoid-Nicotine InteractionsAlessia Auber, Zuzana Justinova, Maria Scherma, Steven R. Goldberg, and Leigh V. PanlilioChapter 14Cannabinoid-Alcohol InteractionsLuis A. Natividad, Paola Maccioni, Loren H. Parsons, and Giancarlo ColomboChapter 15Cannabinoid-Opioid InteractionsMichael L. Miller, Benjamin Chadwick, Claudia V. Morris, Michael Michaelides, and Yasmin L. HurdChapter 16Interactions of Cannabis and Amphetamine-Type StimulantsSimone Tambaro and Marco BortolatoChapter 17Cannabinoid-Dopamine Interactions: Modulation of Midbrain DA Neurons by EndocannabinoidsFrançois Georges and Miriam Melis