The congress’ scientific programme included an opening address by Indiana University’s Ken Mackie entitled “THC, cannabidiol and adolescent brain development”, as well as a number of oral presentations. In the first such presentation, Cristina Miralpeix discussed the paper entitled “ABHD6 and CPT1C interaction as a novel mechanism to regulate thermogenesis”, based on her doctoral thesis. In her work, the researcher shows how the neuronal protein CPT1C regulates energy expenditure though hypothalamic endocannabinoid levels. Cristina Miralpeix’s work was recognised with the award for Best Predoctoral Paper.

As part of the SEIC’s annual meeting, Dr Núria Casals, director of the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences’ NeuroLipid Research Group, also presented the poster “Analysis of hypothalamic endocannabinoids fluctuations in response to high fat diet in male and female mice”. During the presentation, Dr Casals discussed the results of Professor Miralpeix’s doctoral thesis, which point to gender-based differences in the regulation of hypothalamic endocannabinoids in response to a high fat diet.