Brain CB2 Receptors: Implications for Neuropsychiatric Disorders

Pharmaceuticals

Michelle Roche¹ 

[1] Physiology, School of Medicine, NCBES Neuroscience Cluster and Centre for Pain Research, National University of Ireland, Galway, University Road, Galway, Ireland

关键词: endocannabinoid;    CB(2);    depression;    stress;    schizophrenia;    neurophysiology;   

DOI  :  10.3390/ph3082517

来源: mdpi

【 摘 要 】

Although previously thought of as the peripheral cannabinoid receptor, it is now accepted that the CB₂ receptor is expressed in the central nervous system on microglia, astrocytes and subpopulations of neurons. Expression of the CB₂ receptor in the brain is significantly lower than that of the CB₁ receptor. Conflicting findings have been reported on the neurological effects of pharmacological agents targeting the CB₂ receptor under normal conditions. Under inflammatory conditions, CB₂ receptor expression in the brain is enhanced and CB₂ receptor agonists exhibit potent anti-inflammatory effects. These findings have prompted research into the CB₂ receptor as a possible target for the treatment of neuroinflammatory and neurodegenerative disorders. Neuroinflammatory alterations are also associated with neuropsychiatric disorders and polymorphisms in the CB₂ gene have been reported in depression, eating disorders and schizophrenia. This review will examine the evidence to date for a role of brain CB₂ receptors in neuropsychiatric disorders.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© 2010 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.