Docosatetraenoylethanolamide (DEA) (Adrenoyl-ethanolamide) (Adrenoyl-EA) is an
endogenousethanolamide that has been shown to act on the
cannabinoid (CB1) receptor.[1] DEA is similar in structure to
anandamide (AEA, a recognized endogenous ligand for the CB1 receptor), containing
docosatetraenoic acid in place of
arachidonic acid. While DEA has been shown to bind to the CB1 receptor with similar potency and efficacy as AEA, its role as a
cannabinergic neurotransmitter is not well understood.
^Hanus, L.; Gopher, A.; Almog, S.; et al. (1993). "Two new unsaturated fatty acid ethanolamides in brain that bind to the cannabinoid receptor". J Med Chem. 36 (20): 3032–3034.
doi:
10.1021/jm00072a026.
PMID8411021.