Identification and Functional Characterization of Brainstem Cannabinoid CB2Receptors
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Open Access
- 14 October 2005
- journal article
- other
- Published by American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) in Science
- Vol. 310 (5746) , 329-332
- https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1115740
Abstract
The presence and function of CB2receptors in central nervous system (CNS) neurons are controversial. We report the expression of CB2receptor messenger RNA and protein localization on brainstem neurons. These functional CB2receptors in the brainstem were activated by a CB2receptor agonist, 2-arachidonoylglycerol, and by elevated endogenous levels of endocannabinoids, which also act at CB1receptors. CB2receptors represent an alternative site of action of endocannabinoids that opens the possibility of nonpsychotropic therapeutic interventions using enhanced endocannabinoid levels in localized brain areas.Keywords
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