Retrograde signaling

In neuroscience, retrograde signaling is a phenomenon in which a signal travels from a postsynaptic neuron to a presynaptic one. Endocannabinoids are known to play a role in retrograde signaling, with the molecules being synthesized postsynaptically and acting presynaptically. Retrograde signaling may also play a role in long-term potentiation, a proposed mechanism of learning and memory, although this is controversial (see Retrograde signaling in LTP).

References

1. Nicoll, R. A. & Alger, B. E. (December, 2004). The brain's own marijuana. In Scientific American, 291, 70 – 75.