Modulation of the Cannabinoid System: A New Perspective for the Treatment of the Alzheimer's Disease.

Modulation of the Cannabinoid System: A New Perspective for the Treatment of the Alzheimer's Disease.
Curr Neuropharmacol. 2018 Jul 02;:
Authors: Giuseppina T, Alessandro T, Giuseppe B, de Lena C
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is somewhat complex and has yet to be fully understood. As the effectiveness of the therapy currently available for AD has proved to be limited, the need for new drugs has become increasingly urgent. The modulation of the endogenous cannabinoid system (ECBS) is one of the potential therapeutic approaches that is attracting a growing amount of interest. The ECBS consists of endogenous compounds and receptors. The receptors CB1 and CB2 have already been well characterized: CB1 receptors, which are abundant in the brain, particularly in the hippocampus, basal ganglia and cerebellum, regulate memory function and cognition. It has been suggested that the activation of CB1 receptors reduces intracellular Ca concentrations, inhibits glutamate release and enhances neurotrophin expression and neurogenesis. CB2 receptors are expressed, though to a lesser extent, in the central nervous system, particularly in microglia and in immune system cells involved in the release of cytokines. CB2 receptors have been shown to be upregulated in neuritic plaque-associated migroglia in the hippocampus and entorhinal cortex of patients, which suggests that these receptors play a role in the inflammator...

Source: Current Neuropharmacology - July 2, 2018 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: Giuseppina T, Alessandro T, Giuseppe B, de Lena C Tags: Curr Neuropharmacol Source Type: research