Expression and Function of the Endocannabinoid System in the Retina and the Visual Brain

Endocannabinoids are important retrograde modulators of synaptic transmission throughout the nervous system. Cannabinoid receptors are seven transmembrane G-protein coupled receptors favoring Gi/o protein. They are known to play an important role in various processes, including metabolic regulation,...

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Main Authors: Jean-François Bouchard, Christian Casanova, Bruno Cécyre, William John Redmond
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2016-01-01
Series:Neural Plasticity
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2016/9247057
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author Jean-François Bouchard
Christian Casanova
Bruno Cécyre
William John Redmond
author_facet Jean-François Bouchard
Christian Casanova
Bruno Cécyre
William John Redmond
author_sort Jean-François Bouchard
collection DOAJ
description Endocannabinoids are important retrograde modulators of synaptic transmission throughout the nervous system. Cannabinoid receptors are seven transmembrane G-protein coupled receptors favoring Gi/o protein. They are known to play an important role in various processes, including metabolic regulation, craving, pain, anxiety, and immune function. In the last decade, there has been a growing interest for endocannabinoids in the retina and their role in visual processing. The purpose of this review is to characterize the expression and physiological functions of the endocannabinoid system in the visual system, from the retina to the primary visual cortex, with a main interest regarding the retina, which is the best-described area in this system so far. It will show that the endocannabinoid system is widely present in the retina, mostly in the through pathway where it can modulate neurotransmitter release and ion channel activity, although some evidence also indicates possible mechanisms via amacrine, horizontal, and Müller cells. The presence of multiple endocannabinoid ligands, synthesizing and catabolizing enzymes, and receptors highlights various pharmacological targets for novel therapeutic application to retinal diseases.
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spelling doaj-art-ab41cd2ac58b4f02ad207cadb3d9818d2025-08-20T03:39:40ZengWileyNeural Plasticity2090-59041687-54432016-01-01201610.1155/2016/92470579247057Expression and Function of the Endocannabinoid System in the Retina and the Visual BrainJean-François Bouchard0Christian Casanova1Bruno Cécyre2William John Redmond3Laboratoire de Neuropharmacologie, École d’optométrie, Université de Montréal, C.P. 6128 Succursale Centre-Ville, Montréal, QC, H3C 3J7, CanadaLaboratoire des Neurosciences de la Vision, École d’optométrie, Université de Montréal, C.P. 6128 Succursale Centre-Ville, Montréal, QC, H3C 3J7, CanadaLaboratoire de Neuropharmacologie, École d’optométrie, Université de Montréal, C.P. 6128 Succursale Centre-Ville, Montréal, QC, H3C 3J7, CanadaLaboratoire de Neuropharmacologie, École d’optométrie, Université de Montréal, C.P. 6128 Succursale Centre-Ville, Montréal, QC, H3C 3J7, CanadaEndocannabinoids are important retrograde modulators of synaptic transmission throughout the nervous system. Cannabinoid receptors are seven transmembrane G-protein coupled receptors favoring Gi/o protein. They are known to play an important role in various processes, including metabolic regulation, craving, pain, anxiety, and immune function. In the last decade, there has been a growing interest for endocannabinoids in the retina and their role in visual processing. The purpose of this review is to characterize the expression and physiological functions of the endocannabinoid system in the visual system, from the retina to the primary visual cortex, with a main interest regarding the retina, which is the best-described area in this system so far. It will show that the endocannabinoid system is widely present in the retina, mostly in the through pathway where it can modulate neurotransmitter release and ion channel activity, although some evidence also indicates possible mechanisms via amacrine, horizontal, and Müller cells. The presence of multiple endocannabinoid ligands, synthesizing and catabolizing enzymes, and receptors highlights various pharmacological targets for novel therapeutic application to retinal diseases.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2016/9247057
spellingShingle Jean-François Bouchard
Christian Casanova
Bruno Cécyre
William John Redmond
Expression and Function of the Endocannabinoid System in the Retina and the Visual Brain
Neural Plasticity
title Expression and Function of the Endocannabinoid System in the Retina and the Visual Brain
title_full Expression and Function of the Endocannabinoid System in the Retina and the Visual Brain
title_fullStr Expression and Function of the Endocannabinoid System in the Retina and the Visual Brain
title_full_unstemmed Expression and Function of the Endocannabinoid System in the Retina and the Visual Brain
title_short Expression and Function of the Endocannabinoid System in the Retina and the Visual Brain
title_sort expression and function of the endocannabinoid system in the retina and the visual brain
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2016/9247057
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AT christiancasanova expressionandfunctionoftheendocannabinoidsystemintheretinaandthevisualbrain
AT brunocecyre expressionandfunctionoftheendocannabinoidsystemintheretinaandthevisualbrain
AT williamjohnredmond expressionandfunctionoftheendocannabinoidsystemintheretinaandthevisualbrain