Endocanabinoides y su modulación en el sueño

During the 90s, transmembranal proteins were described as the principal compounds of mariguana, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ ⁹-THC). These receptors were classified as central or peripheral in base to neuroanatomical localization. They were named CB ₁ y CB ₂. Later, several endogenous compounds were described as natural agonist for those receptors. Up to now, the presence in the central specific lipids that bind naturally to the CB ₁/CB ₂ nervous system receptors as been documented. Injection of these compounds induce cannabimimetic effects. Anandamide (ANA), 2-araquidonylglicerol (2-AG), virodhamine (VIR), noladinether (NE) y N-arachidonyldopamine (NADA) are currently molecules that belong to the family of endocannabinoids. The system of the endogenous cannabinoids, or endocannabinoids, is present in the CNS of several species, including the humanone. The system of endocannabinoids includes receptors, endogenous ligands, and enzymes. Since ANA was the first endocannabinoid described, it has been the most studied so far. Pharmacological experiments have shown that this lipid induces several intracellular and behavioral changes. No solid evidence is available up to now about the physiological properties of 2-AG, VIR, NE y NADA. The endocannabinoids have an active role modulating diverse neurobiological functions, such as learning and memory, feeding, pain perception and sleep generation. In the present work, the principal elements of the system of the endocannabinoids as well as their physiological function in the modulation of the state of alertness will be reviewed.