RT Journal Article
T1 Mechanisms of Control of Neuron Survival by the Endocannabinoid System
A1 Galve Roperh, Ismael
A1 Aguado Sánchez, Tania
A1 Palazuelos Diego, Javier
A1 Guzmán Pastor, Manuel
AB Endocannabinoids act as retrograde messengers that, by inhibiting neurotransmitter release via presynaptic CB1 cannabinoid receptors, regulate the functionality of many synapses. In addition, the endocannabinoid system participates in the control of neuron survival. Thus, CB1 receptor activation has been shown to protect neurons from acute brain injury as well as in neuroinflammatory conditions and neurodegenerative diseases. Nonetheless, some studies have reported that cannabinoids can also exert neurotoxic actions. Cannabinoid neuroprotective activity relies on the inhibition of glutamatergic neurotransmission and on other various mechanisms, and is supported by the observation that the brain overproduces endocannabinoids upon damage. Coupling of neuronal CB1 receptors to cell survival routes such as the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt and extracellular signal-regulated kinase pathways may contribute to cannabinoid neuroprotective action. These pro-survival signals occur, at least in part, by the cross-talk between CB1 receptors and growth factor tyrosine kinase receptors. Besides promoting neuroprotection, a role for the endocannabinoid system in the control of neurogenesis from neural progenitors has been put forward. In addition, activation of CB2 cannabinoid receptors on glial cells may also participate in neuroprotection by limiting the extent of neuroinflammation. Altogether, these findings support that endocannabinoids constitute a new family of lipid mediators that act as instructive signals in the control of neuron survival.
PB Bentham Science Publishers
SN 1381-6128
YR 2008
FD 2008
LK https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/91693
UL https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/91693
LA eng
NO Galve-Roperh, Ismael, Aguado, Tania, Palazuelos, Javier and Guzman, Manuel. Mechanisms of Control of Neuron Survival by the Endocannabinoid System. Curr Pharm Des . 2008;14(23):2279-88
NO Ministerio de Educación y Ciencia (España)
NO Comunidad de Madrid
NO Picasso Program
NO Fundación Mutua Madrileña 
DS Docta Complutense
RD 17 abr 2025