The central amygdala (CeA) is a key structure at the limbic-motor interface regulating
stress responses and emotional learning. Endocannabinoid (eCB) signaling is heavily
implicated in the regulation of stress-response physiology and emotional learning
processes; however, the role of eCBs in the modulation of synaptic efficacy in the
CeA is not well understood. Here we describe the subcellular localization of CB1 cannabinoid
receptors and eCB synthetic machinery at glutamatergic synapses in the CeA and find
that CeA neurons exhibit multiple mechanistically and temporally distinct modes of
postsynaptic eCB mobilization. These data identify a prominent role for eCBs in the
modulation of excitatory drive to CeA neurons and provide insight into the mechanisms
by which eCB signaling and exogenous cannabinoids could regulate stress responses
and emotional learning.
