The endocannabinoid system and neurogenesis in health and disease.
The endocannabinoid system exerts an important neuromodulatory function in different brain areas and is also known to be involved in the regulation of neural cell fate. Thus, CB(1) cannabinoid receptors are neuroprotective in different models of brain injury, and their expression is altered in various neurodegenerative diseases. Recent findings have demonstrated the presence of a functional endocannabinoid system in neural progenitor cells that participates in the regulation of cell proliferation and differentiation. In this Research Update, the authors address the experimental evidence regarding the regulatory role of cannabinoids in neurogenesis and analyze them in the context of those pathological disorders in which cannabinoid function and altered neuronal or glial generation is most relevant, for example, stroke and multiple sclerosis.
Galve-Roperh
Ismael
I
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology I, School of Biology, José Antonio Novais sn, Complutense University, 28040 Madrid, Spain. igr@quim.ucm.es
Aguado
Tania
T
Palazuelos
Javier
J
Guzmán
Manuel
M
D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology; D001927:Brain Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology; D063385:Cannabinoid Receptor Modulators / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects*; D063388:Endocannabinoids; D006801:Humans; D009416:Nerve Regeneration / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D043884:Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism
D063385:Cannabinoid Receptor Modulators; D063388:Endocannabinoids; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D043884:Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1