The cannabinoid receptor (CB1 receptor)

There are at least two subtypes of the cannabinoid receptor CB1 and CB2 receptors. The CB1 receptors are highly expressed throughout the peripheral and central nervous systems. Specifically, the CB1 receptors are highly expressed in the hippocampus, cortex, basal ganglia, cerebellum and spinal cord. This distribution accounts for the effects of cannabinoids on memory, cognition and movement. Both CB1 and CB2 cannabinoid receptors are coupled to inhibitory G-proteins. Activation of the cannabinoid receptors causes inhibition of adenylate cyclase and a subsequent decrease in the concentration of cAMP in the cell, resulting in the inhibition of neurotransmission.

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References

Anaesthesia 2001;56:1059–1068.

The pharmacology and biochemistry of cannabinoid receptors. The University of Nottingham. http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/~mqzwww/cannabinoid.html. Accessed on 18 January 2011.