Abstract
This chapter will detail how endocannabinoid system manipulation affects recognition memory in rodents, using research published in the last 5 years. We will examine how cannabinoids impact object recognition both at baseline and in animal models of cognitive impairment (e.g., Alzheimer's disease (AD), schizophrenia). Some recent findings are that cannabinoids can have opposing effects on recognition memory based on the presence or absence of impairment and that cannabinoids can exert beneficial effects on learning and memory function when impairment is present but can have neutral or detrimental effects when impairment is absent. Beneficial effects of cannabinoids on recognition memory appear related to the reversal of synaptic plasticity impairment or inflammation and the normalization of forebrain receptor expression changes. In conclusion, modulation of the endocannabinoid system to target recognition memory depends greatly on the animal model and cannabinoid drug used. Targeting the endocannabinoid system to improve cognitive impairment (e.g., in AD) has great potential, and future research should focus on mechanisms underlying cannabinoid-induced memory improvement.
Original language | English |
---|---|
Title of host publication | Handbook of Object Novelty Recognition. Volume 27 |
Editors | Abdel Ennaceur, Maria Angelica de Souza Silva |
Place of Publication | U.S. |
Publisher | Elsevier |
Pages | 461-488 |
Number of pages | 28 |
ISBN (Print) | 9780128120125 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2018 |
Keywords
- anxiety
- cannabinoids
- epilepsy
- memory
- nervous system
- treatment