Brain cannabinoid systems as targets for the therapy of neurological disorders

Neurobiol Dis. 1998 Dec;5(6 Pt B):534-51. doi: 10.1006/nbdi.1998.0220.

Abstract

Unprecedented developments in cannabinoid research within the past decade include discovery of a brain (CB1) and peripheral (CB2) receptor; endogenous ligands, anandamide, and 2-arachidonylglycerol; cannabinoid drug-induced partial and inverse agonism at CB1 receptors, antagonism of NMDA receptors and glutamate, and antioxidant activity; and preferential CB1 receptor localization in areas subserving spasticity, pain, abnormal involuntary movements, seizures, and amnesia. These endogenous structures and chemicals and mechanisms are potentially new pathophysiologic substrates, and targets for novel cannabinoid treatments, of several neurological disorders.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Brain / drug effects
  • Brain / metabolism
  • Brain / physiology*
  • Cannabinoids / metabolism
  • Cannabinoids / pharmacology
  • Cannabinoids / therapeutic use*
  • Humans
  • Nervous System Diseases / drug therapy*
  • Nervous System Diseases / physiopathology
  • Receptors, Cannabinoid
  • Receptors, Drug / drug effects
  • Receptors, Drug / physiology*

Substances

  • Cannabinoids
  • Receptors, Cannabinoid
  • Receptors, Drug