Charting the Course to Novel Therapeutics From a Fundamental Understanding of Cannabinoid Neurobiology

Endocannabinoids are key regulators of neurotransmission in the brain. They participate in adaptive and maladaptive responses of diverse synapses via mechanisms involving multiple signaling cascades, in both presynaptic and postsynaptic compartments. Despite decades of devoted research and technological advances accelerating the understanding of its contribution to brain function, our knowledge is yet incomplete. Because of the expanding legalization and liberalization policies regarding cannabis use, it is paramount to deepen our appreciation of the neurobiological mechanisms modulated by the endocannabinoid system and how it is affected by cannabis constituents.

The goal of the 10th Gordon Research Conference on "Cannabinoid Functions in the CNS, Charting the Course to Novel Therapeutics” is to gather scientists from different backgrounds (including biology, chemistry, medicine, neuroscience and pharmacology) to showcase their most recent unpublished data. The most exciting discoveries in the field will be given an in-depth discussion to further the understanding of role of (endo/phyto)cannabinoids in the brain from single molecules to synapses and circuits, in health and disease. A welcoming and inclusive environment with abundant networking opportunities will ensure scientists from all levels to learn, to inspire and to be inspired.

Important open challenges will be explored, such as: why do we have multiple endocannabinoids? Is there any cell type or regional specificity of their contributions? Is there a bias for one of the two endocannabinoids to be mobilized: when, where and why?Is there an endocannabinoid transporter? Does the CB2 receptor modulate neuronal function? How does aberrant endocannabinoid signaling lead to disease? Does medicinal and recreational cannabis use lead to therapeutic benefit or to neuropsychiatric disorders? How does cannabidiol act? Which new tools and methods are the most promising to tackle these questions? Finally, arguably equally important, what are the emerging drugs targeting the endocannabinoid system?