Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
AP5 - 2-amino-5-phosphonobutyric acid
BDA - biotinylated dextran amine
BDNF - brain derived neurotrophic factor
CB1 - cannabinoid receptor 1
CREB - cyclic AMP response element binding protein
D1 - dopamine 1 class receptors
D2 - dopamine 2 class receptors
DA - dopamine
DARP-32 - dopamine and cAMP regulated phosphoprotein (Mr 32)
DHPG - dihydroxyphenylglycine
ERK1/2 - extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2
EPSP - excitatory postsynaptic potential
fMRI - functional magnetic resonance imaging
IL - infralimbic cortex
IP
3
- inositol triphosphate
IPSP - inhibitory postsynaptic potential
LTD - long-term depression
LTP - long-term potentiation
MAP kinase - mitogen activated protein kinase
MCPG - methyl-4-carboxyphenylglycine
MD - mediodorsal thalamic nucleus
mGluR - metabotropic glutamate receptor
MPEP - 2-methyl-6-phenylethynyl pyridine hydrochloride
mPFC - medial prefrontal cortex
NMDA - N-methyl-D-aspartate
PFC - prefrontal cortex
PKC - protein kinase C
PL - prelimbic cortex
PLC - phospholipase C
PLD - phospholipase D
PSA-NCAM - polysialylated form of nerve cell adhesion molecule
PTP - post-tetanic potentiation
STDP - spike timing-dependent plasticity
STP - short-term potentiation
∆
9
THC - ∆
9
tetrahydrocannabinol
VTA - ventral tegmental area
1.
I
NTRODUCTION
The prefrontal cortex (PFC) occupies 30% of the human brain, and is the most recently
evolved brain region. It is a neocortical structure involved in higher cognitive, mnemonic and
executive functions, such as planning and sequencing of actions, and attention (Goldman-
Rakic 1999). Fuster (Fuster 2001) has described the function of the PFC is as a “perception-
action interface”, as it receives detailed information pertaining to the environment and
