Abstract
Maternal cannabinoid use during pregnancy is harmful to the central nervous system (CNS) of the developing infant12. Cannabinoids pass easily from the mother to the fetus, where they can access neuronal receptors in the developing CNS. Cannabinoid receptors are known to be expressed by CNS neurons, although their role in normal brain functions has yet to be defined. It is likely that these receptors mediate some form of intercellular signaling, since biochemicals endogenous to the CNS (e.g., anandamide)5 have been shown to act at CNS cannabinoid receptors.4 Cannabinoid receptors are expressed during the main period of morphological and physiological development of the CNS,11 a correlation that may reflect a role in the developmental process. Hyperactivation of these receptors by maternal cannabinoid use could lead to a disruption of the normal signaling pattern and, consequently, altered development and permanent changes in CNS function.
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© 1996 Plenum Press, New York
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Gruol, D.L., Netzeband, J.G., Qiu, Z., Campbell, I.L., Parsons, K.L. (1996). Cannabinoids and Interleukin-6 Enhance the Response to Nmda in Developing CNS Neurons. In: Friedman, H., Eisenstein, T.K., Madden, J., Sharp, B.M. (eds) AIDS, Drugs of Abuse, and the Neuroimmune Axis. Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology, vol 402. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-0407-4_16
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-0407-4_16
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