Endocannabinoids

Matthew Hill is an Assistant Professor in the Departments of Cell Biology and Anatomy and Psychiatry at the Hotchkiss Brain Institute at the University of Calgary (Canada). He was trained in Behavioral Neuroscience and Psychoneuroendocrinology at the University of British Columbia and did postdoctoral training in the laboratory of Dr. Bruce McEwen at the Rockefeller University. Dr. Hill’s research has helped to reveal the critical role, and neural circuits through which, endocannabinoid signaling regulates acute responsiveness and adaptation of the stress response, both at the neuroendocrine and behavioral level. Further, his research has demonstrated how chronic stress can compromise endocannabinoid function, identifying this system as target for both the pathophysiology and treatment of stress-related mood and anxiety disorders. This research program is funded by CIHR, NSERC and Brain Canada. Dr. Hill has done consulting with Health Canada regarding their information document for health care professionals providing information on cannabis, as well as in industry where he has consulted with both Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson regarding their endocannabinoid research programs and potential applications to stress-related psychiatric illnesses.

• 1. The Endocannabinoid Signaling System in the CNS: A PrimerCecilia J. Hillard2. Evidence for a Role of Adolescent Endocannabinoid Signaling in Regulating HPA Axis Stress Responsivity and Emotional Behaviour DevelopmentTiffany T.-Y. Lee and Boris B. Gorzalkas3. The Endocannabinoid System and its Role in Regulating the Intrinsic Neural Circuitry of the Gastrointestinal TractSamantha M. Trautmann and Keith A. Sharkey4. Endocannabinoid Mechanisms Influencing NauseaMartin A. Sticht, Erin M. Rock, Cheryl L. Limebeer and Linda A. Parker5. Endocannabinoid Regulation of Neuroendocrine SystemsJeffrey G. Tasker, Chun Chen, Marc O. Fisher, Xin Fu, Jennifer R. Rainville, and Grant L. Weiss6. The Role of the Brain's Endocannabinoid System in Pain and its Modulation by StressLouise Corcoran, Michelle Roche and David P. Finn7. Endocannabinoid Signaling in Motivation, Reward and Addiction: Influences on Mesocorticolimbic Dopamine FunctionClaudia Sagheddu, Anna Lisa Muntoni, Marco Pistis and Miriam Melis