Lipid signaling by anandamide and the bliss of resilience: genetic models at cellular and neural-network levels (B04)

• Subject Area: Molecular Biology and Physiology of Neurons and Glial Cells
• Term: from 2016 to 2020
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 264810226

B04 will investigate the role of anandamide signaling in resilience. Anandamide is an endocannabinoid and ligand of the cannabinoid CR1 receptor, implicated in fear extinction, relief from anxiety and HPA axis down-regulation. It is expected that anandamide signaling at the time of stressor exposure facilitates stress response regulation by its effects on neuronal excitability as well as large-scale network function. B04 will genetically enhance anandamide signaling at precise time points during stressor exposure in selected neurons of the network and investigate its effect on excitability, network function, and resilience.

• DFG Programme: Collaborative Research Centres
• Subproject of: SFB 1193: Neurobiology of Resilience to stress-related mental dysfunction: from understanding mechanisms to promoting prevention
• Applicant Institution: Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz
• Project Heads: Professor Dr. Heiko J. Luhmann; Professor Dr. Beat Lutz