MECHLOULAM LECTURER
The Endogenous Cannabinoid System: Budding Targets to Treat Pain
Presented by Dr. Aron H. Lichtman
A great need exists to identify nonopioid, nonaddictive, safe treatments for chronic pain resulting from disease and injury. Although Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol and other CB1 receptor agonists possess efficacy in treating pain, their cannabimimetic side effects and consequences following repeated administration (e.g., tolerance and dependence), dampen enthusiasm for its development of an analgesic. In contrast, drugs activating CB1 allosteric sites (i.e., CB1 positive allosteric modulators; PAMs) or inhibiting endocannabinoid regulating enzymes reliably reduce nociceptive behavior in preclinical models of pain, with negligible or reduced cannabimimetic side effects and dependence liability. In this presentation, Dr. Lichtman will present a constellation of research investigating CB1 PAMs as well as inhibitors of biosynthesis or degradation of the endocannabinoid 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) in mouse models of chronic pain, cannabimimetic sides effects, and dependence. In addition, he will discuss the translational implications of preclinical research (i.e., strengths and limitations). Collectively, these findings suggest that CB1 allosteric sites as well as endocannabinoid regulating enzymes offer potential targets to treat chronic pain with reduced side effects associated with direct CB1 receptor activation.
ABOUT THE PRESENTER:
Dr. Aron H. Lichtman earned his B.A. in Psychology at Rutgers College in 1984 and proceeded to earn his Ph.D. in Psychology with Drs. Michael Fanselow and Catherine Cramer at Dartmouth College in 1989. He received postdoctoral training from 1989-1993 in pharmacology under the mentorship of the late Dr. Billy R. Martin at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU). He then joined the faculty at VCU and rose up through the ranks to Professor. Dr. Lichtman presented at his first CPDD meeting in 1990 which played a pivot role in his scientific development. Since then he participated in many CPDD symposia and served on several committees, including the Travel Awards Committee, Animal Committee, and Liaison Committee for Drug Testing and Evaluation for the society. Throughout his career, Dr. Lichtman greatly benefited from the strong interdisciplinary science and mentorship CPDD offers. Accordingly, he seeks to join the Board of Directors to give back to society as well as contribute to the mentorship of the next generation of substance abuse scientists.