Marsicano Giovanni

Biography

  He is a neurologist and research interest is to understand the cell type-specific role of the endocannabinoid system (ECS) in brain and neuronal functions. The ECS in the brain is formed by the type-1 cannabinoid receptors (CB1), by their endogenous lipid ligands the endocannabinoids (mainly arachidonoyl-ethanolamine, AEA, and 2-arachidonoyl-glycerol, 2-AG), and by the machinery for synthesis and degradation of endocannabinoids. The major effect of CB1 activation is the decrease of neuronal excitability and the presynaptic reduction of neurotransmitter release. As these receptors are expressed both on GABAergic and glutamatergic terminals, their ability to dampen both inhibitory and excitatory neurotransmission could underlie different and even opposite effects of the ECS on neuronal functions and behaviour. To understand the specific role(s) of CB1 signalling in these two neuronal populations, we developed advanced conditional genetic tools, allowing the deletion of CB1 receptors in specific neuronal populations in mice. Using these tools, we studied the effects of the conditional deletion of CB1 in GABAergic and cortical glutamatergic neurons.

Research Interest

Neurology