HEP (2005) 168:299–325
©cSpringer-Verlag 2005
Distribution of Cannabinoid Receptors in the Central
and Peripheral Nervous System
K. Mackie
University of Washington, Box 356540, Seattle WA, 98195-6540, USA
[email protected]
1Introduction.................................... 300
1.1 Background .................................... 300
1.2 Autoradiography.................................. 301
1.3 InSituHybridization ............................... 301
1.4 Immunocytochemistry .............................. 303
1.5 FunctionalStudies................................. 305
2CB 1 Expression in Specific CNS Regions..................... 305
2.1 OlfactoryAreas .................................. 305
2.2 Neocortex ..................................... 306
2.3 HippocampalFormation ............................. 308
2.3.1Hippocampus ................................... 308
2.3.2DentateGyrus ................................... 310
2.4 Amygdala ..................................... 310
2.5 Subcortical CB 1 Receptors ............................ 310
2.5.1 Basal Forebrain .................................. 310
2.5.2 Basal Ganglia .................................... 311
2.5.3NucleusAccumbens................................ 313
2.5.4Thalamus...................................... 313
2.5.5Hypothalamus................................... 313
2.6 Midbrain...................................... 313
2.6.1SubstantiaNigra.................................. 313
2.6.2VentralTegmentum ................................ 314
2.6.3PeriaqueductalGray................................ 315
2.7 Brainstem ..................................... 315
2.8 Cerebellum..................................... 316
2.9 SpinalCord..................................... 317
3 Peripheral Nervous System............................ 318
3.1 PeripheralNerves ................................. 318
3.2 EntericNervousSystem.............................. 318
3.3 PelvicViscera ................................... 319
4 Summary...................................... 319
References ........................................ 320
AbstractCB 1 cannabinoid receptors appear to mediate most, if not all of the psy-
choactive effects of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol and related compounds. This G