In conclusion, inhibition of the eCB catabolic enzymes FAAH and MAGL produced anxiolytic-like effects in the marble burying assay. This decrease in marble burying behavior was blocked by rimonabant pretreatment, indicating that the CB1 receptor plays a necessary role in mediating this observed decrease in marble burying. Together with previous reports of the anxiolytic-like effects of FAAH inhibition, these data indicate that elevation of AEA or 2-AG can reduce anxiety-like behavior in mice. Collectively, these results suggest that both FAAH and MAGL are potential therapeutic targets for the development of new classes of anxiolytic drugs.
