title: Palmitoylethanolamide: from endogenous cannabimimetic substance to innovative medicine for the treatment of cannabis dependence.
abstract: Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) is a fatty acid amide showing some pharmacodynamic similarities with Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol, the principal psychoactive compound present in the cannabis plant. Like Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol, PEA can produce a direct or indirect activation of cannabinoid receptors. Furthermore, it acts as an agonist at TRPV1 receptor. The hypothesis is that PEA has anti-craving effects in cannabis dependent patients, is efficacious in the treatment of withdrawal symptoms, produces a reduction of cannabis consumption and is effective in the prevention of cannabis induced neurotoxicity and neuro-psychiatric disorders.
authors.affiliation: Department of Addiction, ASL CN2, Viale Coppino 46, 12051 Alba (CN), Italy. Electronic address: coppolamail@alice.it.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Coppola
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mondola
mesh_terms: D000577:Amides; D001095:Arachidonic Acids / Q000737:chemistry; D013759:Dronabinol / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D063388:Endocannabinoids / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004983:Ethanolamines / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D002189:Marijuana Abuse / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008954:Models, Biological; D015394:Molecular Structure; D010169:Palmitic Acids / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D053284:Polyunsaturated Alkamides / Q000737:chemistry; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy; D050916:TRPV Cation Channels / Q000819:agonists*
chemical_list: D000577:Amides; D001095:Arachidonic Acids; D063388:Endocannabinoids; D004983:Ethanolamines; D010169:Palmitic Acids; D053284:Polyunsaturated Alkamides; D050916:TRPV Cation Channels; C494482:TRPV1 protein, human; C005958:palmidrol; D013759:Dronabinol; C078814:anandamide