In our lab we are studying how this receptor alters neuronal function and how this might account for the psychoactive effects of the cannabinoids. The aspect of this work that is most appropriate for an undergraduate research project is our ongoing study of the factors that control cannabinoid receptor expression. In the early phases of this study we have found that the receptor rapidly enters the cell following cannabinoid binding. Now we are interested in the mechanisms and pathways involved in this process. We expect that these studies will help us better understand the chronic effects of cannabinoid use.
Current research includes several aspects described below.
The importance of this research to the field. This research will not only contribute to the understanding of the cellular and molecular mechanisms of anesthetic action on vascular smooth muscle contraction, but will also provide insight into the physiology of the differences in the contractile mechanisms among variably sized vessels. The research may be especially useful in situations of damaged endothelium such as post-angioplasty, or in endothelium injured by atherosclerosis. Unfortunately, the more opiates are used, the less they work, developing analgesic tolerance with repeated drug administration. Understanding and inhibiting the mechanisms underlying the development of opiate tolerance would go a long way towards providing adequate pain therapy in even the most long lasting pain syndromes.