RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Identification and Functional Characterization of Brainstem Cannabinoid CB<sub>2</sub> Receptors
JF Science
JO Science
FD American Association for the Advancement of Science
SP 329
OP 332
DO 10.1126/science.1115740
VO 310
IS 5746
A1 Van Sickle, Marja D.
A1 Duncan, Marnie
A1 Kingsley, Philip J.
A1 Mouihate, Abdeslam
A1 Urbani, Paolo
A1 Mackie, Ken
A1 Stella, Nephi
A1 Makriyannis, Alexandros
A1 Piomelli, Daniele
A1 Davison, Joseph S.
A1 Marnett, Lawrence J.
A1 Di Marzo, Vincenzo
A1 Pittman, Quentin J.
A1 Patel, Kamala D.
A1 Sharkey, Keith A.
YR 2005
UL http://science.sciencemag.org/content/310/5746/329.abstract
AB The presence and function of CB2 receptors in central nervous system (CNS) neurons are controversial. We report the expression of CB2 receptor messenger RNA and protein localization on brainstem neurons. These functional CB2 receptors in the brainstem were activated by a CB2 receptor agonist, 2-arachidonoylglycerol, and by elevated endogenous levels of endocannabinoids, which also act at CB1 receptors. CB2 receptors represent an alternative site of action of endocannabinoids that opens the possibility of nonpsychotropic therapeutic interventions using enhanced endocannabinoid levels in localized brain areas.