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. 2005 Oct 14;310(5746):329-32.
doi: 10.1126/science.1115740.

Identification and functional characterization of brainstem cannabinoid CB2 receptors

Marja D Van Sickle  1 , Marnie Duncan, Philip J Kingsley, Abdeslam Mouihate, Paolo Urbani, Ken Mackie, Nephi Stella, Alexandros Makriyannis, Daniele Piomelli, Joseph S Davison, Lawrence J Marnett, Vincenzo Di Marzo, Quentin J Pittman, Kamala D Patel, Keith A Sharkey
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Free article

Identification and functional characterization of brainstem cannabinoid CB2 receptors

Marja D Van Sickle et al. Science. .
Free article

Abstract

The presence and function of CB2 receptors in central nervous system (CNS) neurons are controversial. We report the expression of CB2 receptor messenger RNA and protein localization on brainstem neurons. These functional CB2 receptors in the brainstem were activated by a CB2 receptor agonist, 2-arachidonoylglycerol, and by elevated endogenous levels of endocannabinoids, which also act at CB1 receptors. CB2 receptors represent an alternative site of action of endocannabinoids that opens the possibility of nonpsychotropic therapeutic interventions using enhanced endocannabinoid levels in localized brain areas.

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