Endocannabinoids and Reactive Nitrogen and Oxygen Species in Neuropathologies

Neuropathologies that affect our population include ischemic stroke and neurodegenerative diseases of immune origin, including multiple sclerosis. The endocannabinoid system in the brain, including agonists anandamide (arachidonyl ethanolamide) and 2-arachidonoylglycerol, and the CB₁ and CB₂ cannabinoid receptors, has been implicated in the pathophysiology of these disease states, and can be a target for therapeutic interventions. This review concentrates on cellular signal transduction pathways believed to be involved in the cellular damage.Support: National Institute on Drug Abuse U24-DA12385 (S.M. and D.C.N.), R01-DA03690 and K05-00182 (A.C.H.), the American Heart Association Beginning Grant in Aid (S.M.), National Institute of General Medical Sciences S06 GM08049 (D.C.N.), and the National Center on Minority Health and Health Disparities P20-MD00175 (D.C.N. and A.C.H.).Meeting: Mechanisms of Toxicity, Toxicokinetics, and Medical Consequences of Drugs, Substances of Abuse and AIDS. Date: November 4–5, 2005. Place: Nashville, TN. A Satellite Meeting to the American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists (AAPS). Co-Sponsors: DDD Section, Drug Metabolism Focus Group (DFG). Sponsored by the AIDS Office, NIDA Chairs: Rao S. Rapaka, Ph.D., NIDA/NIH, and Ho-Leung Fung, Ph.D., SUNY, Buffalo, NY.