https://www.patellabnorthwestern.com/media daily 0.75 2022-06-15 https://www.patellabnorthwestern.com/media/7-scientific-effects-of-marijuana-that-experts-want-to-study monthly 0.5 2022-06-15 https://www.patellabnorthwestern.com/media/natural-chemical-helps-brain-adapt-to-stress monthly 0.5 2022-06-15 https://www.patellabnorthwestern.com/media/northwestern-medicine-welcomes-sachin-patel-md-phd-chair-of-psychiatry monthly 0.5 2022-05-27 https://www.patellabnorthwestern.com/media/8p3ei7s0amryef1tm16xi5iaoguwdw monthly 0.5 2022-05-27 https://www.patellabnorthwestern.com/media/eminent-physician-scientist-sachin-patel-named-chair-of-psychiatry monthly 0.5 2022-05-27 https://www.patellabnorthwestern.com/projects daily 0.75 2022-06-17 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/628ba542dbe7a07b538ce41e/005e520d-1d42-4d6e-bb81-dba3ee0bba00/1-s2.0-S0896627319310906-gr6_lrg.jpg Projects https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/628ba542dbe7a07b538ce41e/b21f10e3-1122-4acf-ab50-c3a9f719b459/1-s2.0-S2352289519300426-gr4_lrg.jpg Projects https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/628ba542dbe7a07b538ce41e/aa566289-1d96-4563-916f-e48e7194b25d/JCI131752.ga.jpg Projects https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/628ba542dbe7a07b538ce41e/64231c9b-ebb5-4435-ba40-7db3fdc9518b/JCI146861.f3.jpg Projects https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/628ba542dbe7a07b538ce41e/22b5346b-f9c8-4941-be20-5208d9751897/1-s2.0-S0896627319310906-gr1_lrg.jpg Projects https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/628ba542dbe7a07b538ce41e/1b53c44f-e5be-4db0-beb1-4368ce114762/1-s2.0-S2211124714009553-fx1_lrg.jpg Projects https://www.patellabnorthwestern.com/welcome daily 1.0 2023-02-22 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/628ba542dbe7a07b538ce41e/d5e8c592-b49d-4ba6-87bd-4f7062fa15af/Screen+Shot+2023-02-22+at+3.05.40+PM.png Welcome - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/628ba542dbe7a07b538ce41e/1655815161138-2X81C900W7G3487WJO6A/cannabinoid+101.PNG Welcome - Cannabinoids Cannabinoids, such as tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), are a class of psychoactive organic molecules produced by the plants cannabis sativa and cannabis indica (below). Within animal tissues, these compounds activate cannabinoid receptors to exert physiological and behavioral effects. Cannabinoid receptors (CB1 and CB1) are members of the GPCR superfamily and often couple to Gi/o signaling pathways. Cannabinoid receptors and their endogenous ligands are located throughout the limbic, or "emotional," brain, where they modulate synaptic neurotransmission. Converging preclinical and clinical data suggest a role for endogenous cannabinoid signaling in the modulation of anxiety and depression. CB1 is predominantly expressed in the mammalian CNS and exhibits a widespread distribution in brain regions that control movement, cognition, and motivation. Thus, the subjective effects of cannabis range from euphoria, reduced anxiety, sedation, impaired memory, judgment, and in some cases paranoia and hallucinations. Augmentation of endocannabinoid signaling (ECS) has anxiolytic effects, whereas blockade or genetic deletion of CB₁ receptors has anxiogenic properties. Recent epidemiological studies indicate that cannabis use, especially early in life, can predispose genetically susceptible individuals to develop mental illnesses such as schizophrenia. One aim of our research is to understand how cannabinoids interact with neurodevelopmental processes to increase vulnerability to mental illness. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/628ba542dbe7a07b538ce41e/1655815361316-DJ8LDIOHLF2FUXGT5YEW/gr1_lrg.jpg Welcome - Endocannabinoid-mediated Synaptic Suppression The primary role of endocannabinoids such as 2-AG is retrograde synaptic suppression. Upon neuronal depolarization or Gq-coupled receptor activation, 2-AG is synthesized and released. It diffuses to presynaptic axon terminals where it activates CB1 receptors. Activation of CB1 receptors causes a decrease in neurotransmitter release. CB1 receptors are located on both GABAergic and glutamatergic axon terminals synapsing onto principle neurons. CB1-mediated synaptic suppression can be transient or long-lasting depending on specific pre- and post- synaptic activity levels. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/628ba542dbe7a07b538ce41e/1656596464433-E4N0ONTUXWBQHNX9JVOZ/PlantTherapy-CBD-MeetEndocannabinoid-Blog-Feature-1-1038x576.jpg Welcome - Endocannabinoids Over the past decade a novel class of neuromodulatory lipids, including N-arachidonylethanolamine (anandamide) and 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG), that activates neuronal cannabinoid receptors has been the focus of intense research in neuroscience. These molecules are arachidonic acid derivatives produced by neurons and glia. These compounds act at the same site as the active constituent of cannabis sativa, Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), and are termed endogenous cannabinoids (endocannabinoids; eCBs). Production of eCBs is driven by calcium influx secondary to strong neuronal depolarization or burst firing, and activation of some Gq-coupled neurotransmitter receptors and glucocorticoid receptors. eCBs are important retrograde modulators of synaptic signaling at central synapses. Endocannabinoid (eCB) signaling has been well established to regulate the sensitivity and magnitude of the stress response. Under acute conditions, dynamic changes in eCB signaling contribute to both the activation and termination of the stress response, and impairments in eCB signaling can enhance or prolong the normative stress response. The ability of eCB signaling to regulate the stress response largely relates to its ability to modulate presynaptic glutamate release and modulate the activation of stress-responsive neural circuits in the brain. Under conditions of repeated stress, the eCB system appears to play a role in normative adaptive responses to stress. Given this role to contribute to stress adaptation, it is not surprising then that eCB signaling could influence an individual organism's ability to exhibit resilience or susceptibility to chronic stress. Although limited in nature, there is a growing body of literature that indeed does suggest that dynamic engagement of eCB signaling in response to stress contributes to stress resilience, while deficient recruitment of eCB signaling may favor the development of stress susceptibility. https://www.patellabnorthwestern.com/contact-us daily 0.75 2023-10-05 https://www.patellabnorthwestern.com/our-team daily 0.75 2025-11-19 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/628ba542dbe7a07b538ce41e/1655396519318-T9X3EBHXEQ9BJ633K7UH/Rita+Baldi.png Our Team https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/628ba542dbe7a07b538ce41e/1655396656259-YSDDLMUWVXGFXZH8ABVP/thumbnail_image.png Our Team https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/628ba542dbe7a07b538ce41e/1655396750545-DV4ML1CQSRWQZO0PDOOF/image.png Our Team https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/628ba542dbe7a07b538ce41e/1655484697393-95NWF2MV2CGS3VCRQ0IM/Patel%2B2.jpg Our Team https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/628ba542dbe7a07b538ce41e/19d6b5b4-1a35-427d-bd81-6a358160049f/Quadir_ID+picture__.jpg Our Team https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/628ba542dbe7a07b538ce41e/da1d7a3c-e9ed-4017-ad9c-6b88a6f5503c/Michelle+%282%29.JPG Our Team https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/628ba542dbe7a07b538ce41e/335f4564-b561-4052-abb7-06a162ad1de3/Danyal.jpeg Our Team https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/628ba542dbe7a07b538ce41e/1655396613420-XB9XTXAI0VMV1JP6DSE2/thumbnail_IMG_5569.jpg Our Team https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/628ba542dbe7a07b538ce41e/04e69226-5878-4596-ac45-b76bf05f1470/_BEW5393.jpg Our Team https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/628ba542dbe7a07b538ce41e/3b076a46-71d8-4a63-adad-109f2235b5e2/Senna+Charles+and+Caleb+Perez.jpg Our Team https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/628ba542dbe7a07b538ce41e/f2bb3963-50b1-4286-a702-1e03e3bb9eff/Phoebe.JPG Our Team https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/628ba542dbe7a07b538ce41e/8c873648-3908-4603-8825-81ae2aacc8a4/Yeonju+Sin.jpg Our Team https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/628ba542dbe7a07b538ce41e/593806e1-542e-4e12-b9f0-0ae58a319256/Keenan+Johnson+%282%29.jpg Our Team https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/628ba542dbe7a07b538ce41e/5aa0c35a-bf1e-4ed4-acd1-2bee59e9f89a/Isaac+Kandil.jpeg Our Team https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/628ba542dbe7a07b538ce41e/1655396408102-HKZZ3Q9104DG8SYU82WO/Liorimar+Ramos+Medina.png Our Team https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/628ba542dbe7a07b538ce41e/1655396464130-Z3GVGYGHA41LD0HDNADW/Niharika+Loomba.png Our Team https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/628ba542dbe7a07b538ce41e/1655396519318-T9X3EBHXEQ9BJ633K7UH/Rita+Baldi.png Our Team https://www.patellabnorthwestern.com/positions daily 0.75 2022-06-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/628ba542dbe7a07b538ce41e/1655301306571-COBDU4L0NSWQJ4OCFBRP/2.png Positions https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/628ba542dbe7a07b538ce41e/1655301331326-WPVWO441VJ04IWWRAHNJ/1.png Positions https://www.patellabnorthwestern.com/publications daily 0.75 2023-01-24 https://www.patellabnorthwestern.com/techniques daily 0.75 2022-06-22 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/628ba542dbe7a07b538ce41e/4aa11513-ae94-4f60-a643-fdfabdfd7713/Electro2.PNG Techniques Electrophysiology - We utilize whole-cell and field-potential electrophysiological recordings to study synaptic signaling and plasticity. We have state of the art electrophysiological equipment capable of fluorescent-guided patch-clamp, dual patch-clamp recordings, optogenetic and focal micro-stimulation. Voltage-clamp recordings from central amygdala CRF neurons. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/628ba542dbe7a07b538ce41e/9e370bf7-508e-4c68-964e-57ed4d541676/functional+anatomy.jpg Techniques Functional Anatomy - We use immunohistochemistry to describe the cellular and sub-cellular localization of proteins relevant to endocannabinoid signaling in different brain regions. We utilize measurements of neuronal activity including early-immediate gene expression, combined with double or triple-labeled immunohistochemistry. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/628ba542dbe7a07b538ce41e/af4feca9-8cb1-4432-bc37-fec5d3645ee6/mass+spect.jpg Techniques Mass Spectrometry - We utilize stable isotope-dilution tandem LC/MS/MS to quantify endocannabinoid levels in brain tissue. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/628ba542dbe7a07b538ce41e/c2ded92e-e0c8-4584-a6a2-e0d2a73fd92f/optogenetics.jpg Techniques Optogenetics - We use in vivo optogenetics to study neural circuit control of complex behavior. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/628ba542dbe7a07b538ce41e/f1f5126c-f12c-4ed3-a90a-76cd60dcc5a8/newcalcium.PNG Techniques In Vivo Calcium Imaging - We utilize in vivo calcium imaging to visualize neuronal ensemble activity in awake behaving mice. These approaches allow us to define precise neural correlates of behavior and drug action in identified neuronal populations. Both fiber photometry and microendoscopy-based approaches are used in the lab. https://www.patellabnorthwestern.com/giving daily 0.75 2022-06-21 https://www.patellabnorthwestern.com/gallery daily 0.75 2023-01-10 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/628ba542dbe7a07b538ce41e/6c0ccbcc-03f0-4afe-a6f5-ace6f530b78d/End+of+Summer+BBQ.jpg Gallery https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/628ba542dbe7a07b538ce41e/3f49d9bd-faeb-4cae-a5b1-e516498e7484/PXL_20221125_010413464.MP.jpg Gallery https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/628ba542dbe7a07b538ce41e/bd1afb3d-06c9-4339-8c33-a408afaeb72f/-8056548355203852330.jpg Gallery https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/628ba542dbe7a07b538ce41e/ae14c5f3-9245-40a6-8d32-71cca79bca5c/img_0756.jpg Gallery https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/628ba542dbe7a07b538ce41e/d533f383-ee2b-4659-99f3-26952cf1adb9/IMG_20230101_143435.jpg Gallery https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/628ba542dbe7a07b538ce41e/207a59e1-b7d4-47d3-9d20-9096e40c67a3/6046479099710482795.jpg Gallery https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/628ba542dbe7a07b538ce41e/3026b520-ecab-46c1-b999-69f4e954095c/6355144127761875876.jpg Gallery https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/628ba542dbe7a07b538ce41e/f8172f94-7c42-4ba4-b277-b442fa1d1b35/7256568663386955133.jpg Gallery Dr. Patel's birthday dinner https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/628ba542dbe7a07b538ce41e/af7484d3-8da1-4667-97cc-b44eba83d15a/-1653144574743783699.jpg Gallery Dr. Patel's birthday dinner https://www.patellabnorthwestern.com/donate daily 0.75 2025-05-09