Recent Advances in Cannabinoid Physiology and Pathology

The cannabinoid system plays a central role in a wide variety of physiological functions that touch upon cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, immune, and nervous systems. Cannabinoids also play a central role in developmental physiology, management of pain, and shaping of human behaviour. Recent movements towards legalization of marijuana use have bolstered scientific interest in the cannabinoid field and led to research efforts that would unveil multi-faceted effects and mechanisms of cannabinoid presence in different organs and at various stages of development. This book summarizes the recent advances in the field of cannabinoid research at multiple levels of resolution. It spans from systemic effects of cannabinoids on development, physiological function, and prevalent pathophysiological conditions to mechanisms that govern cannabinoid interaction with their relevant protein targets at atomic resolution. This book will be of interest to a specialized audience in the fields of biochemistry, pharmacology and developmental biology but alsoto a wider readership with interest in general physiology and cannabinoid signalling in biological systems.

Emerging science, novel findings in medical benefits of cannabis Comprehensive coverage of most talked about topics Many faces of modern cannabinoid use, from recreation to cutting-edge drug development

Autorentext

Dr. Anna N. Bukiya, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor at the Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center. Her scientific interests lie in the field of lipid modulation of ionic currents and cerebral artery sensitivity to drugs of abuse starting from in utero development and spanning into the adulthood. These studies employ an array of computational, biochemical, electrophysiological, and integrative approaches. Dr. Anna Bukiya is a member of Biophysical Society, American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Research Society on Alcoholism, and International Drug Abuse Research Society.

Klappentext

This book comprehensively covers modern topics in cannabinoid research and medicinal use. The chapters span topics from the role of endocannabinoid system in embryonic and fetal development to cardiovascular disease, cancer, drug abuse and cutting-edge therapeutic applications.

The content is presented at different levels of resolution. First, following an introduction into cannabinoid system components, readers are immersed into cannabinoid chemistry with a systematic overview of structural data that describe cannabinoid complexes with proteins at the atomic resolution. The remaining chapters capitalize on these interactions. They describe the cannabinoid role during embryonic, fetal, and adolescent development, in the cardiovascular system, cancer progression, and development of alcohol use disorders. Next, the topic of illicit marijuana use and abuse is discussed with an emphasis on possible genetic factors that may play a role in dependence. The book concludes with the most integrative level. It covers promising pharmacological leads in medicinal use of cannabimimetics to treat pain, epilepsy, and neurodegenerative disorders.

The book brings together contributions from researchers and clinical scientists at different career stages. While some chapters are presented by well-recognized names, others are written by young investigators emerging in the field of cannabinoid research and medicinal use.

The book will be of interest to audiences from biological/chemical disciplines with keen interest in the physiological effects of cannabis. The text quickly introduces the reader to the multi-faceted roles played by endogenous, phyto- and synthetic cannabinoids in health, disease, and modern drug development. Reader will gain insight into the current state of popular but still controversial topic of cannabinoids.

Inhalt
Prelims.- Introduction.- Endocannabinoid System Components: Overview and Tissue Distribution.- Physiology of the Endocannabinoid System During Development.- Cannabinoid Interactions With Proteins: Insights From Structural Studies.- Cannabinoid Signaling in Cancer.- Cannabinoids and Cardiovascular System.- Endocannabinoid System and Alcohol Abuse Disorders.- Genetic factors in Cannabinoid Use and Dependence.- Pharmacology of Medical Cannabis.- Index.