Imaging and Genetic Tools for the Investigation of the Endocannabinoid System in the CNS
As central nervous system (CNS)-related disorders present an increasing cause of global morbidity, mortality, and high pressure on our healthcare system, there is an urgent need for new insights and treatment options. The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is a critical network of endogenous compounds, re...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2023-10-01
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| Series: | International Journal of Molecular Sciences |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/24/21/15829 |
| _version_ | 1797631791335473152 |
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| author | Armin Kouchaeknejad Gunter Van Der Walt Maria Helena De Donato Emma Puighermanal |
| author_facet | Armin Kouchaeknejad Gunter Van Der Walt Maria Helena De Donato Emma Puighermanal |
| author_sort | Armin Kouchaeknejad |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | As central nervous system (CNS)-related disorders present an increasing cause of global morbidity, mortality, and high pressure on our healthcare system, there is an urgent need for new insights and treatment options. The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is a critical network of endogenous compounds, receptors, and enzymes that contribute to CNS development and regulation. Given its multifaceted involvement in neurobiology and its significance in various CNS disorders, the ECS as a whole is considered a promising therapeutic target. Despite significant advances in our understanding of the ECS’s role in the CNS, its complex architecture and extensive crosstalk with other biological systems present challenges for research and clinical advancements. To bridge these knowledge gaps and unlock the full therapeutic potential of ECS interventions in CNS-related disorders, a plethora of molecular–genetic tools have been developed in recent years. Here, we review some of the most impactful tools for investigating the neurological aspects of the ECS. We first provide a brief introduction to the ECS components, including cannabinoid receptors, endocannabinoids, and metabolic enzymes, emphasizing their complexity. This is followed by an exploration of cutting-edge imaging tools and genetic models aimed at elucidating the roles of these principal ECS components. Special emphasis is placed on their relevance in the context of CNS and its associated disorders. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T11:28:42Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-71c5912368994fa9a2f5707887fa9669 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1661-6596 1422-0067 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T11:28:42Z |
| publishDate | 2023-10-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | International Journal of Molecular Sciences |
| spelling | doaj.art-71c5912368994fa9a2f5707887fa96692023-11-10T15:05:31ZengMDPI AGInternational Journal of Molecular Sciences1661-65961422-00672023-10-0124211582910.3390/ijms242115829Imaging and Genetic Tools for the Investigation of the Endocannabinoid System in the CNSArmin Kouchaeknejad0Gunter Van Der Walt1Maria Helena De Donato2Emma Puighermanal3Neuroscience Institute, Autonomous University of Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, SpainNeuroscience Institute, Autonomous University of Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, SpainNeuroscience Institute, Autonomous University of Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, SpainNeuroscience Institute, Autonomous University of Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, SpainAs central nervous system (CNS)-related disorders present an increasing cause of global morbidity, mortality, and high pressure on our healthcare system, there is an urgent need for new insights and treatment options. The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is a critical network of endogenous compounds, receptors, and enzymes that contribute to CNS development and regulation. Given its multifaceted involvement in neurobiology and its significance in various CNS disorders, the ECS as a whole is considered a promising therapeutic target. Despite significant advances in our understanding of the ECS’s role in the CNS, its complex architecture and extensive crosstalk with other biological systems present challenges for research and clinical advancements. To bridge these knowledge gaps and unlock the full therapeutic potential of ECS interventions in CNS-related disorders, a plethora of molecular–genetic tools have been developed in recent years. Here, we review some of the most impactful tools for investigating the neurological aspects of the ECS. We first provide a brief introduction to the ECS components, including cannabinoid receptors, endocannabinoids, and metabolic enzymes, emphasizing their complexity. This is followed by an exploration of cutting-edge imaging tools and genetic models aimed at elucidating the roles of these principal ECS components. Special emphasis is placed on their relevance in the context of CNS and its associated disorders.https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/24/21/15829endocannabinoidsCB1Rgenetic mouse modelsimaging toolsCNS |
| spellingShingle | Armin Kouchaeknejad Gunter Van Der Walt Maria Helena De Donato Emma Puighermanal Imaging and Genetic Tools for the Investigation of the Endocannabinoid System in the CNS International Journal of Molecular Sciences endocannabinoids CB1R genetic mouse models imaging tools CNS |
| title | Imaging and Genetic Tools for the Investigation of the Endocannabinoid System in the CNS |
| title_full | Imaging and Genetic Tools for the Investigation of the Endocannabinoid System in the CNS |
| title_fullStr | Imaging and Genetic Tools for the Investigation of the Endocannabinoid System in the CNS |
| title_full_unstemmed | Imaging and Genetic Tools for the Investigation of the Endocannabinoid System in the CNS |
| title_short | Imaging and Genetic Tools for the Investigation of the Endocannabinoid System in the CNS |
| title_sort | imaging and genetic tools for the investigation of the endocannabinoid system in the cns |
| topic | endocannabinoids CB1R genetic mouse models imaging tools CNS |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/24/21/15829 |
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