The role of the endocannabinoid system in attention and nicotine addiction

Abstract

The endocannabinoid system is a retrograde synaptic messenger system in many areas of the brain. Among other areas endocannabinoids have been shown to be important in the regulation of transmission in the VTA and dopaminergic reward pathways of the brain. These areas have also been shown to be implicated in mechanisms of addiction and addiction related behaviours. Nicotine is a highly addictive substance which works on the dopaminergic reward pathways of the brain. In this thesis we will explore the interaction and link between nicotine action in the VTA and endocannabinoid modulation of this action, and how this relates to addition. There is also some evidence that suggests that nicotine may facilitate certain aspects of cognition such as attention, while evidence suggests that cannabinoids impede it. We will therefore further explore if there is a relation between these two with respect to attention, and whether nicotine’s action on attention is related to its addictive potential.