Exogenous cannabinoids, such as delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), as well as the modulation of endogenous cannabinoids, affect cognitive function through the activation of cannabinoid receptors. Indeed, these compounds modulate a number of signalling pathways critically implicated in the deleterious effect of cannabinoids on learning and memory. Thus, the involvement of the mammalian target of rapamycin pathway and extracellular signal-regulated kinases, together with their consequent regulation of cellular processes such as protein translation, play a critical role in the amnesic-like effects of cannabinoids. In this study, we summarize the cellular and molecular mechanisms reported in the modulation of cognitive function by the endocannabinoid system.

EP is a recipient of an EMBO Fellowship with the support of European Commission (EMBOCOFUND2010, GA-2010-267146) and Marie Curie Actions. AB-G is a recipient of a predoctoral fellowship, Spanish Ministry of Education and Culture. This study was supported by grants from La Marató de TV3 (#090910 to AO), Grants from the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (#SAF2009-07309 to AO and/n#SAF2011-29864 to RM); Instituto de Salud Carlos III (RD06/0001/0001 to RM); PLAN E (Plan Español para el Estímulo de la Economía y el Empleo); Generalitat de Catalunya (SGR-2009-00731 to RM and SGR-2009-00718 to RdlT); ICREA (Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats) Academia to RM