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Fast Breaking Comments

By Benjamin F. Cravatt, Ph.D.

ESI Special Topics, December 2002
Citing URL - http://www.esi-topics.com/fbp/comments/december02-BenjaminCravatt.html

Benjamin F. Cravatt, Ph.D. answers a few questions about this month's fast breaking paper in the field of Pharmacology & Toxicology.

From •>>December 2002

 Field: Pharmacology & Toxicology
Article Title: "Supersensitivity to anandamide and enhanced endogenous cannabinoid signaling in mice lacking fatty acid amide hydrolase"
 Authors: Cravatt, BF;Demarest, K;Patricelli, MP;Bracey, MH;Giang, DK;Martin, BR;Lichtman, AH
Journal: PROC NAT ACAD SCI USA
Volume: 98
Page: 9371-9376
Year: JUL 31 2001
* Scripps Clin & Res Inst, Skaggs Inst Chem Biol, 10550 N Torrey Pines Rd, La Jolla, CA 92037 USA.
* Scripps Clin & Res Inst, Skaggs Inst Chem Biol, La Jolla, CA 92037 USA.
* Scripps Clin & Res Inst, Dept Cell Biol & Chem, La Jolla, CA 92037 USA.
* Virginia Commonwealth Univ, Dept Pharmacol & Toxicol, Richmond, VA 23298 USA.

ST:  Why do you think your paper is highly cited?

I think the paper is highly cited because it clearly defines a primary role for an enzyme (FAAH) in a neural signaling pathway (the endogenous cannabinoid system).

ST:  Does it describe a new discovery or a new methodology that’s useful to others?

The paper describes a new discovery.

ST:  What were some of the circumstances that led you to do this research?

We have studied FAAH for some time from a biochemical perspective. However, this paper provides the first in vivo evidence that the enzyme is important for signaling in the nervous system.

ST:  Could you summarize the significance of your paper in laymen’s terms?

Because we show that FAAH is involved in regulating endogenous cannabinoid signaling in the nervous system, these findings suggest that FAAH may represent a new drug target for the treatment of pain and related neural disorders.End

Benjamin F. Cravatt, Ph.D.
The Skaggs Institute for Chemical Biology
The Scripps Research Institute
La Jolla, CA, USA

ESI Special Topics, December 2002
Citing URL - http://www.esi-topics.com/fbp/comments/december02-BenjaminCravatt.html

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