Date of Award
Spring 5-10-2025
Document Type
Honors Thesis
Department/Major
Neuroscience
Additional Department
Biology
First Advisor
Dr. Brian Burrell
Second Advisor
Dr. Cliff Summers
Third Advisor
Dr. Yohaan Fernandes
Keywords
Nociception, Pain, Endocannabinoids, Endocannabinoid System, Stimuli, Therapeutic Potentials
Subject Categories
Behavioral Neurobiology | Behavior and Behavior Mechanisms | Experimental Analysis of Behavior | Medical Neurobiology | Nervous System | Neurosciences | Pain Management | Pharmaceutics and Drug Design
Abstract
The anatomy and physiology of pain is a well-defined pathway where noxious stimuli is processed by different systems in the brain. The central research question of this review is how can we better understand the neurobiological effects pain has, and assess if there is therapeutic potential in using endocannabinoids to modulate these effects. Endocannabinoids are signaling molecules that play a key role at both the cellular and molecular level in modulating both acute and chronic pain by influencing different processes within each level that affect how the body responds to both internal and external stimuli. The endocannabinoid system is a complicated combination of signaling molecules and their receptors, as well as the specific enzymes that break down the endocannabinoids after they have completed their purpose. They are currently being studied and manipulated in research experiments to not only gain a better understanding of how the endocannabinoid system works, but to also explore the therapeutic potential it has in treating conditions like chronic pain in particular cases like neuropathy, multiple sclerosis, and arthritis and other conditions like inflammation which are sometimes unresponsive to conventional treatments. It is important to understand the fundamentals of how pain works and the neurobiological effects it has on the human body. By understanding these basics, we can create new experiments that tailor to finding solutions that modulate these effects and assess for therapeutic potentials, like endocannabinoids.
Recommended Citation
Flannery, Doreen M., "The Endocannabinoid System's Influence and Modulation of Nociception" (2025). Honors Thesis. 392.
https://red.library.usd.edu/honors-thesis/392
Included in
Behavioral Neurobiology Commons, Behavior and Behavior Mechanisms Commons, Experimental Analysis of Behavior Commons, Medical Neurobiology Commons, Nervous System Commons, Neurosciences Commons, Pain Management Commons, Pharmaceutics and Drug Design Commons