Bioactive Lipids and Cannabinoids, Key Players in Neuropsychiatric Disorders and Beyond

Dear Colleagues,

Our body possesses different endogenous signaling systems based on bioactive lipids of which the most investigated class is composed of endocannabinoids (eCBs), known as the endocannabinoid system (ECS). Current knowledge about the pathophysiological role of the main classes of endogenous bioactive lipids, namely glycerophospholipids/sphingolipids, classical eicosanoids and pro-resolving lipid mediators (SPMs), is still limited and further research on this subject is needed. Nevertheless, it is now clear that dysregulated lipid homeostasis contributes greatly to the pathogenesis and even progression of different neurodegenerative diseases.

The elements of ECS have been studied for a long time because they are targeted by ∆-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and other plant-derived cannabinoids (phytocannabinoids) and compelling evidence shows that they play a critical role in various developmental processes and brain disorders. While cannabis has an extremely bright future for therapeutic applications, it is not a miracle drug. Phytocannabinoids have been used in medicine for centuries, and over the past decade, the focus has been on their broad therapeutic potential, particularly in seizure management.

The objective of this Special Issue collection is to bring together relevant international researchers from the lipidomics and cannabinoid field to put together an international collection of well-informed opinions, perspectives, and original research articles that evaluate bioactive lipids and cannabinoid compounds in health and disease state.

We invite you to submit contributions in the form of reviews or original research articles that provide new insights into this intriguing research area.

You may choose our Joint Special Issue in IJMS.

Prof. Dr. Giuseppe Di Giovanni
Prof. Dr. Mauro Maccarrone
Guest Editors

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