Scopus news

Coccurello, R., Bisogno, T.
The bright side of psychoactive substances: cannabinoid-based drugs in motor diseases
(2016) Expert Review of Clinical Pharmacology, 9 (10), pp. 1351-1362. 
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84988531024&partnerID=40&md5=f2b954b1fb46fa7adc30f1273486f327

DOI: 10.1080/17512433.2016.1209111
AFFILIATIONS: Institute of Cell Biology and Neurobiology (IBCN), National Research Council (C.N.R.), Roma, Italy; 
Fondazione S. Lucia (FSL- IRCCS), Neurochemistry of Lipids Lab, Roma, Italy; 
Endocannabinoid Research Group, Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry, National Research Council (C.N.R.), Pozzuoli, Italy; 
Department of Medicine, Campus Bio-Medico University of Rome, Roma, Italy
ABSTRACT: Introduction: Psychoactive substances are associated with the idea of drugs with high addictive liability, affecting mental states, cognition, emotion and motor behavior. However these substances can modify synaptic transmission and help to disclose some mechanisms underlying alterations in brain processing and pathophysiology of motor disease. Hence, the ‘bright side’ of e cannabinoid-based drugs must be thoroughly examined to be identified within the latter framework. Areas covered: We will analyze the preclinical and clinical evidence of cannabinoid-based drugs, discussing their therapeutic value in basal ganglia motor disorders such as Parkinson’s disease and Huntington disease. Expert commentary: Despite the knowledge acquired in the last years, the therapeutic potential of cannabinoid-based drugs should be further tested by novel routes of investigation. This should be focused on the role of cannabinoid signaling system in mitochondrial function as well as on the physical and functional interaction with other key receptorial targets belonging to this network. © 2016 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.
AUTHOR KEYWORDS: cannabinoid-based drugs;  endocannabinoid system;  Huntington disease;  motor diseases;  neuroprotection;  Parkinson’s disease
CORRESPONDENCE ADDRESS: Coccurello, R.; Institute of Cell Biology and Neurobiology (IBCN), National Research Council (C.N.R.), IRCCS Fondazione S. Lucia (FSL), Via del Fosso di Fiorano 64, Italy; email: roberto.coccurello@cnr.it
DOCUMENT TYPE: Review

Scopus news

Bisogno, T., Oddi, S., Piccoli, A., Fazio, D., Maccarrone, M.
Type-2 cannabinoid receptors in neurodegeneration
(2016) Pharmacological Research, 111, pp. 721-730. 
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84979937169&partnerID=40&md5=dfc5717e41ba31feb9afe4df57b4006f
DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2016.07.021
AFFILIATIONS: Endocannabinoid Research Group, Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry, National Research Council, Pozzuoli, Italy; 
Department of Medicine, Campus Bio-Medico University of Rome, Via Alvaro del Portillo 21, Rome, Italy; 
Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, Via Balzarini 1, Teramo, Italy; 
European Center for Brain Research/IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Via del Fosso di Fiorano 64, Rome, Italy
ABSTRACT: Based on its wide expression in immune cells, type-2 cannabinoid (CB2) receptors were traditionally thought to act as “peripheral receptors” with an almost exclusively immunomodulatory function. However, their recent identification in mammalian brain areas, as well as in distinct neuronal cells, has opened the way to a re-consideration of CB2 signaling in the context of brain pathophysiology, synaptic plasticity and neuroprotection. To date, accumulated evidence from several independent preclinical studies has offered new perspectives on the possible involvement of CB2 signaling in brain and spinal cord traumatic injury, as well as in the most relevant neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and Huntington's chorea. Here, we will review available information on CB2 in these disease conditions, along with data that support also its therapeutic potential to treat them. © 2016 Elsevier Ltd
CORRESPONDENCE ADDRESS: Maccarrone, M.; Department of Medicine, Campus Bio-Medico University of Rome, Via Alvaro del Portillo 21, Italy; email: m.maccarrone@unicampus.it