title: Endocannabinoid System in Neurological Disorders.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Several studies support the evidence that the endocannabinoid system and cannabimimetic drugs might have therapeutic potential in numerous pathologies. These pathologies range from neurological disorders, atherosclerosis, stroke, cancer to obesity/metabolic syndrome and others.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this paper we review the endocannabinoid system signaling and its alteration in neurodegenerative disorders like multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and Huntington's disease and discuss the main findings about the use of cannabinoids in the therapy of these pathologies.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Despite different etiologies, neurodegenerative disorders exhibit similar mechanisms like neuro-inflammation, excitotoxicity, deregulation of intercellular communication, mitochondrial dysfunction and disruption of brain tissue homeostasis. Current treatments ameliorate the symptoms but are not curative. Interfering with the endocannabinoid signaling might be a valid therapeutic option in neuro-degeneration. To this aim, pharmacological intervention to modulate the endocannabinoid system and the use of natural and synthetic cannabimimetic drugs have been assessed. CB1 and CB2 receptor signaling contributes to the control of Ca2+ homeostasis, trophic support, mitochondrial activity, and inflammatory conditions.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Several studies and patents suggest that the endocannabinoid system has neuro-protective properties and might be a target in neurodegenerative diseases.
authors.forename: Roberta
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ranieri
authors.forename: Chiara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Laezza
authors.forename: Maurizio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bifulco
authors.forename: Daniela
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Marasco
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Salerno, Via Salvatore Allende, Baronissi, 84081 Salerno, Italy and Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II 84084 Fisciano (Salerno)- Italy. annamaria.malfitano@unina.it.
authors.forename: Anna M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Malfitano
mesh_terms: D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D063385:Cannabinoid Receptor Modulators / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D063388:Endocannabinoids / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D006816:Huntington Disease / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: D063385:Cannabinoid Receptor Modulators; D063388:Endocannabinoids