title: The endocannabinoid system: a putative role in neurodegenerative diseases.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Following the characterization of the chemical structure of D9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main psychoactive constituent of marijuana, researchers have moved on with scientific valuable explorations.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this review is to highlight the role of endocannabinoid system in neurodegenerative diseases.
  
  
  METHODS
  The article is a critical analysis of the most recent data currently present in scientific literature on the subject; a qualitative synthesis of only the most significant articles has been performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In central nervous system, endocannabinoids show a neuromodulatory function, often of retrograde type. This way, they play an important role in synaptic plasticity and in cognitive, motor, sensory and affective processes. In addition, in some acute or chronic pathologies of central nervous system, such as neurodegenerative and neuroinflammatory diseases, endocannabinoids can perform a pro-homeostatic and neuroprotective function, through the activation of CB1 and CB2 receptors. Scientific evidence shows that an hypofunction or a dysregulation of the endocannabinoid system may be responsible for some of the symptoms of diseases such as multiple sclerosis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Huntington's, Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The important role played by endocannabinoid system promises interesting developments, in particular to evaluate the effectiveness of new drugs in both psychiatry and neurology.
authors: Department of Neuroscience and Imaging, University G. d'Annunzio, Chieti, Italy.
authors: Giuseppe
authors: G
authors: Di Iorio
authors: Department of Neuroscience and Imaging, University G. d'Annunzio, Chieti, Italy.
authors: Matteo
authors: M
authors: Lupi
authors: Department of Neuroscience and Imaging, University G. d'Annunzio, Chieti, Italy.
authors: Fabiola
authors: F
authors: Sarchione
authors: Department of Neuroscience and Imaging, University G. d'Annunzio, Chieti, Italy.
authors: Ilaria
authors: I
authors: Matarazzo
authors: Department of Neuroscience and Imaging, University G. d'Annunzio, Chieti, Italy.
authors: Rita
authors: R
authors: Santacroce
authors: Department of Human, Social and Health Sciences, University of Cassino, Cassino, Italy.
authors: Filippo
authors: F
authors: Petruccelli
authors: Department of Neuroscience and Imaging, University G. d'Annunzio, Chieti, Italy.
authors: Giovanni
authors: G
authors: Martinotti
authors: Department of Neuroscience and Imaging, University G. d'Annunzio, Chieti, Italy.
authors: Massimo
authors: M
authors: Di Giannantonio
keywords: Cannabinoid Receptors; Endocannabinoids; Neurodegenerative Diseases