“One of the most recently described neural signaling systems is that mediated by endogenous cannabinoids (endocannabinoids). Cannabinoids have recently been shown to attenuate neuronal injury induced by hypoxia and glucose deprivation in cell culture, as well as injury induced in rat brain following both global and focal cerebral ischemia in vivo.
Two endocannabinoids have been characterized in detail: N-arachidonylethanolamide and 2-arachidonylglycerol. Cannabinoid CB1 and CB2receptors have been cloned and an alternatively spliced CB1A isoform has been identified.
The development of metabolically stable, synthetic, enantiomeric cannabinoid receptor agonists and of CB1 and CB2 receptor antagonists has greatly aided the characterization of cannabinoid receptor-mediated processes, although certain aspects of cannabinoid signaling in some systems remain poorly understood.
Indirect evidence suggests that cannabinoids might serve as endogenous regulators of ischemic neuronal injury, but several recent reports provide more direct evidence bearing on such a role.
The author’s own findings provide evidence for CB1 receptor-mediated neuroprotection in vivo, but non-receptor-mediated protection in vitro.”