Regulation of Glutamate Homeostasis in the Nucleus Accumbens by Astrocytic CB1 Receptors and Its Role in Cocaine-motivated Behaviors

Overview

Journal Addict Neurosci

Date 2022 Nov 24

PMID 36419922

Authors

Lan-Yuan Zhang

Andrew Y Kim

Joseph F Cheer

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Cannabinoid type 1 receptors (CB1Rs) orchestrate brain reward circuitry and are prevalent neurobiological targets for endocannabinoids and cannabis in the mammalian brain. Decades of histological and electrophysiological studies have established CB1R as presynaptic G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) that inhibit neurotransmitter release through retrograde signaling mechanisms. Recent seminal work demonstrates CB1R expression on astrocytes and the pivotal function of glial cells in endocannabinoid-mediated modulation of neuron-astrocyte signaling. Here, we review key facets of CB1R-mediated astroglia regulation of synaptic glutamate transmission in the nucleus accumbens with a specific emphasis on cocaine-directed behaviors.

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