Major depressive disorders (MDDs) are often associated with a deficiency in long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (?-3 PUFAs), as well signs of low-grade inflammation. Epidemiological and dietary studies suggest that high intake fish, the major source ?-3 PUFAs, is lower rates MDDs. Meta-analyses randomized placebo-controlled PUFAs intervention-trials primarily eicosapentaenoic acid (E...

The endocannabinoids, a family of endogenous lipids that activate cannabinoid receptors, are released from cells in a stimulus-dependent manner by cleavage of membrane lipid precursors. After release, the endocannabinoids are rapidly deactivated by uptake into cells and enzymatic hydrolysis. Endocannabinoid reuptake occurs via a carrier-mediated mechanism, which has not yet been molecularly cha...

A long-loop pathway, involving the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus (ARC), ventrolateral periaqueductal gray (vlPAG), and the rostral ventrolateral medulla (rVLM), is essential in electroacupuncture (EA) attenuation of sympathoexcitatory cardiovascular reflex responses. The ARC provides excitatory input to the vlPAG, which, in turn, inhibits neuronal activity in the rVLM. Although previous studies ...

Cannabis stimulates appetite and food intake. This property has been exploited to benefit AIDS and cancer patients suffering from wasting disease, by administering the whole plant or its major active ingredient ∆9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Endogenous cannabinoids (“endocannabinoids”) are found in maternal milk. We have recently shown that endocannabinoids are critical for milk ingestion and s...

Previous work has suggested a role for retrograde synaptic signaling via endogenous cannabinoids in regulating the inhibitory control of neuronal activity. In this issue of Neuron, Chevaleyre and Castillo provide evidence for another form of endocannabinoid-mediated depression of hippocampal inhibition, which is activity dependent and long lasting.