Endocannabinoid Modulation in Neurodegenerative Diseases: In Pursuit of Certainty
Alexandru Vasincu,
Răzvan-Nicolae Rusu,
Daniela-Carmen Ababei,
Mădălina Larion,
Walther Bild,
Gabriela Dumitrița Stanciu,
Carmen Solcan,
Veronica Bild
Affiliations
Alexandru Vasincu
Department of Pharmacodynamics and Clinical Pharmacy, “Grigore T Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 16 Universitatii Street, 700115 Iasi, Romania
Răzvan-Nicolae Rusu
Department of Pharmacodynamics and Clinical Pharmacy, “Grigore T Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 16 Universitatii Street, 700115 Iasi, Romania
Daniela-Carmen Ababei
Department of Pharmacodynamics and Clinical Pharmacy, “Grigore T Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 16 Universitatii Street, 700115 Iasi, Romania
Mădălina Larion
Department of Anaesthesiology Intensive Therapy, Regional Institute of Gastroenterology and Hepatology “Prof. Dr. Octavian Fodor”, 19 Croitorilor Street, 400162 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Walther Bild
Department of Physiology, “Grigore T Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 16 Universitatii Street, 700115 Iasi, Romania
Gabriela Dumitrița Stanciu
Center for Advanced Research and Development in Experimental Medicine (CEMEX), “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 16 Universitatii Street, 700115 Iasi, Romania
Carmen Solcan
Preclinics Department, “Ion Ionescu de la Brad” University of Life Sciences, 8 M. Sadoveanu Alley, 700489 Iasi, Romania
Veronica Bild
Department of Pharmacodynamics and Clinical Pharmacy, “Grigore T Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 16 Universitatii Street, 700115 Iasi, Romania
Neurodegenerative diseases are an increasing cause of global morbidity and mortality. They occur in the central nervous system (CNS) and lead to functional and mental impairment due to loss of neurons. Recent evidence highlights the link between neurodegenerative and inflammatory diseases of the CNS. These are typically associated with several neurological disorders. These diseases have fundamental differences regarding their underlying physiology and clinical manifestations, although there are aspects that overlap. The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is comprised of receptors (type-1 (CB1R) and type-2 (CB2R) cannabinoid-receptors, as well as transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1)), endogenous ligands and enzymes that synthesize and degrade endocannabinoids (ECBs). Recent studies revealed the involvement of the ECS in different pathological aspects of these neurodegenerative disorders. The present review will explore the roles of cannabinoid receptors (CBRs) and pharmacological agents that modulate CBRs or ECS activity with reference to Alzheimer’s Disease (AD), Parkinson’s Disease (PD), Huntington’s Disease (HD) and multiple sclerosis (MS).
