Neuroanatomical basis for therapeutic applications of cannabinoid receptor 1 antagonists

Abstract

AbstractThe CB1 receptor is a Class A G‐protein coupled receptor that has a high density and widespread distribution within the central nervous system. Because of its neuroanatomical distribution, the endocannabinoid system can modulate a wide variety of psychological and physiological functions. For example, CB1 receptors are found in brain regions regulating motor activity, cognitive processes, pain, satiety, appetitive behaviors and reward. In correspondence with this distribution, modulation of the endocannabinoid system has been shown to produce changes in coordination, executive function, memory, mood, perception, wakefulness, nociception and appetite. Administration of cannabinoid agonists has also been therapeutically used to reduce nausea, and is also known to decrease body temperature and neuronal excitability, pointing to additional roles for endocannabinoids in these and other physiological/neurological processes. The ongoing elucidation and characterization of the neuroanatomical circuitry within which the CB1 cannabinoid receptor and endocannabinoids are localized to modulate these psychological and physiological processes continues to suggest therapeutic applications for cannabinoid antagonists and inverse agonists. Drug Dev Res 70:527–554, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.