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Fractionation for Resolution of Soluble and Insoluble Huntingtin Species

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The endocannabinoid system in Huntington's disease.

M R Pazos¹, O Sagredo, J Fernández-Ruiz

¹Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular III and Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Complutense, 28040-Madrid, Spain.

Current Pharmaceutical Design

|September 11, 2008

Summary

Cannabinoids show promise for Huntington's disease (HD) by reducing hyperkinesia through TRPV(1) activation and protecting neurons. The endocannabinoid system, particularly CB(2) receptors, offers neuroprotection via anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects.

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Published on: March 11, 2020

Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Pharmacology
Genetics

Background:

Huntington's disease (HD) is characterized by hyperkinesia, a major neurological abnormality.
CB(1) receptors are reduced in the basal ganglia during HD progression, explaining motor deficits.
Cannabinoid agonists are being investigated for their therapeutic potential in HD.

Purpose of the Study:

To review the neurochemical and pharmacological basis of the endocannabinoid system in HD pathophysiology.
To explore the therapeutic potential of cannabinoids in treating HD symptoms and progression.
To identify future research directions for cannabinoid-based therapies in HD.

Main Methods:

Review of existing literature on cannabinoid agonists and their effects in HD models.
Analysis of the role of CB(1) and TRPV(1) receptors in modulating hyperkinesia.
Examination of neuroprotective mechanisms, including anti-inflammatory, glutamate homeostasis, and antioxidant effects.

Main Results:

Certain cannabinoid agonists attenuate HD-related hyperkinesia by activating TRPV(1) receptors.
Cannabinoids offer neuroprotection to striatal projection neurons through multiple mechanisms.
CB(2) receptor activation in glial cells reduces inflammation, CB(1) normalizes glutamate, and receptor-independent pathways provide antioxidant effects.

Conclusions:

The endocannabinoid system plays a crucial role in HD pathophysiology.
Cannabinoids demonstrate significant therapeutic potential for both symptomatic treatment and disease modification in HD.
Targeting the endocannabinoid system, especially CB(2) receptors, presents a promising avenue for future HD research and treatment.