Exploring the potential of cannabinoids for epilepsy
Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological disorders and affects around two percent of the world's population. Research on the effects of cannabinoids (CBs) on neuronal activity has been well publicised as it broaches the topic of legality and limitation of use for needy patients. The scope of laboratory investigation has so far focused on the so-called G-protein coupled cannabinoid receptor (CB1R) in the brain. This is activated by endocannabinoid neurotransmitters including anandamide (AEA) and the compound THC, found in the psychoactive drug cannabis. The 'Regulation of normal and pathological activity of cortical networks by cannabinoids: focus on direct modulation of inhibitory GABAA and glycine receptors' (Cannabistarg) project investigated the possibility of other CB interactions – this time, CB1R-independent. The researchers investigated the involvement of two inhibitory receptors, GABAA and glycine. The overarching goal was to link the role of these possible interactions in the antiepileptic activity of endocannabinoids. in studies involving mice deficient in the gene responsible for CB1, AEA still induced catalepsy, analgesia and decreasing spontaneous network activity. This phenomenon of neural network activity supports the existence of other functionally important target(s) for brain CB signalling in addition to CB1R. project scientists unearthed some groundbreaking findings regarding the action of CBs. Probably the most important finding was that CBs can regulate the excitability of neurons after the synapse (connection) and can therefore exercise a degree of control over the overall neural network activity. researchers also successfully showed the potent antiepileptic activity of endocannabinoids, specifically anandamide. Results in this area of the study are relevant to epilepsy in early life and therefore research on childhood epilepsy. understanding processes related to cannabinoid signalling pathways in various regions of the brain will no doubt lead to important new insights into neuronal function. This knowledge can then be translated into the development of new therapeutic strategies for the treatment of a number of key central nervous system disorders, including epilepsy.
