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Prof. Krishtal O.A. group: ENDOGENOUS OPIODS AND CANNABINOIDS SYSTEMS
Endogenous opioids and cannabinoids are profoundly active in regulating corresponding receptor systems that are almost ubiquitous in mammalian nervous system, both central and peripheral. They are involved in the functions as important as learning, memory, pain processing etc. Pharmacological use of opioids and cannabinoids lasts for millennia. Even in modern times the use of opioids remains ultima ratio in the treatment of severe pain. However, their use demands extreme caution and is subjected to severe limitations due to well known side effects such as drug abuse which is a global social threat. Impairments of learning and memory represent the most commonly reported behavioral effects of opiates and cannabinoids. Numerous data from different labs, including ours, indicate that these effects, when examined in vitro, have their correlate in synaptic .plasticity. The general aim of current research of our group is to test the hypothesis, that opiates and cannabinoids affect synaptic plasticity in hippocampus through modulating P2X receptors and P-type calcium channels. |
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