Activity-Dependent Modulation of Tonic GABA Currents by Endocannabinoids in Hirudo verbana.

ABSTRACT: Endocannabinoids are lipid neuromodulators that are synthesized on demand and primarily signal in a retrograde manner to elicit depression of excitatory and inhibitory synapses. Despite the considerable interest in their potential analgesic effects, there is evidence that endocannabinoids can have both pro-nociceptive and anti-nociceptive effects. The mechanisms contributing to the opposing effects of endocannabinoids in nociception need to be better understood before cannabinoid-based therapies can be effectively utilized to treat pain. Using the medicinal leech, Hirudo verbana, this work investigates whether endocannabinoids modulate tonic inhibition onto non-nociceptive afferents. In voltage clamp recordings, we analyzed changes in the tonic inhibition in pressure-sensitive (P) c

SUBMITTER: Paulsen RT 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8964407 | biostudies-literature | 2022

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature