Endocannabinoid signaling in autism

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex behavioral condition with onset during early childhood and a lifelong course in the vast majority of cases. To date, no behavioral, genetic, brain imaging, or electrophysiological test can specifically validate a clinical diagnosis of ASD. However, these medical procedures are often implemented in order to screen for syndromic forms of the disorder (i.e., autism comorbid with known medical conditions). In the last 25 years a good deal of information has been accumulated on the main components of the “endocannabinoid (eCB) system”, a rather complex ensemble of lipid signals (“endocannabinoids”), their target receptors, purported transporters, and metabolic enzymes. It has been clearly documented that eCB signaling plays a key role in many human health and disease conditions of the central nervous system, thus opening the avenue to the therapeutic exploitation of eCB-oriented drugs for the treatment of psychiatric, neurodegenerative, and neuroinflammatory disorders. Here we present a modern view of the eCB system, and alterations of its main components in human patients and animal models relevant to ASD. This review will thus provide a critical perspective necessary to explore the potential exploitation of distinct elements of eCB system as targets of innovative therapeutics against ASD

Allium genetic resources

An overview of the developments in Allium genetic resources during the past 25 years is presented in this chapter. A first important development has been the introduction and further development of web-based genebanking information systems (e.g. GENESYS, PLANTSEARCH), which facilitated the exchange of data to a large extent between Allium collection holders worldwide. These information systems made it possible to obtain an overview of the Allium genetic resources managed worldwide and identify the gaps in collections which still need to be filled, especially in the face of the ongoing genetic erosion. A second important area of progress has been the development of new methods for the maintenance of Allium germplasm, especially cryopreservation. This method has made it possible to maintain Allium accessions in a cheap and effective way. The method is especially important for the conservation of vegetatively maintained germplasm. Other developments in Allium genebanking are the improvement of the health status of the germplasm kept in the collections and the continuing characterization and evaluation of germplasm, which stimulates the utilization of the Allium genetic resources held in genebanks. Significant changes could also be observed with respect to acquisition and exchange of plant genetic resources due to many and complex new regulations on the legal and organizational levels due to the adoption of the CBD and IT-PGRFA by many countries. It makes the handling of the plant accessions safer and more consistent but also more circumstantial. Finally, we need to underline that in an increasingly changing world with all the threats of genetic erosion and extinction due to disappearance of traditional cultivation methods, devastation of our environment and climatic change, the conservation of genetic resources is of prime importance for agriculture. Especially for breeders, a highly diverse genepool of a crop plant is an invaluable treasure. The importance to keep this treasure will no doubt become even more important in the future