The endocannabinoid system is pivotal in prenatal brain development, influencing various critical processes essential for brain maturation. Understanding the physiological roles of endocannabinoid system components, such as cannabinoid receptors, endogenous ligands, and enzymatic regulators of their amount, is crucial for comprehending how the endocannabinoid network regulates neural and glial development, as well as cerebral vasculature function during pregnancy. However, despite the endocannabinoid system’s essential role, cannabis use during pregnancy raises significant concerns due to its potential to disrupt endocannabinoid signaling, which is tightly regulated during fetal brain development. Due to the high level of endocannabinoid activity during early development, the disruptions can adversely affect processes like neural progenitor cell proliferation, migration, differentiation, synaptogenesis, and cell survival, all vital for proper brain development. This chapter summarizes current knowledge on the role of endocannabinoid-mediated processes in prenatal brain development. Available data point to the paramount role of the endocannabinoid system in governing neuronal, glial, and cerebrovascular development. Thus, it underscores the importance of mitigating potential risks associated with cannabinoid exposure during pregnancy.

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The Endocannabinoid System and the Early Development of the Brain

  • Shiwani Thapa,
  • Anna Bukiya

摘要

The endocannabinoid system is pivotal in prenatal brain development, influencing various critical processes essential for brain maturation. Understanding the physiological roles of endocannabinoid system components, such as cannabinoid receptors, endogenous ligands, and enzymatic regulators of their amount, is crucial for comprehending how the endocannabinoid network regulates neural and glial development, as well as cerebral vasculature function during pregnancy. However, despite the endocannabinoid system’s essential role, cannabis use during pregnancy raises significant concerns due to its potential to disrupt endocannabinoid signaling, which is tightly regulated during fetal brain development. Due to the high level of endocannabinoid activity during early development, the disruptions can adversely affect processes like neural progenitor cell proliferation, migration, differentiation, synaptogenesis, and cell survival, all vital for proper brain development. This chapter summarizes current knowledge on the role of endocannabinoid-mediated processes in prenatal brain development. Available data point to the paramount role of the endocannabinoid system in governing neuronal, glial, and cerebrovascular development. Thus, it underscores the importance of mitigating potential risks associated with cannabinoid exposure during pregnancy.