Advances in Cannabinoid Research

Dear Colleagues,

The isolation of Δ9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) followed by the discovery of cannabinoid receptors as well as of endogenous cannabinoids led to the identification of the “endocannabinoid system”. Since then, this system has been recognized as a key modulator of a huge variety of physiological processes and neuroadaptive responses, including learning and memory, nociception, endocrine function, sex and feeding, and brain development. Furthermore, the endocannabinoid system is an important constituent of neuronal substrates involved in reinforcement and brain reward processes, modulating the addiction-producing actions of cannabinoids, as well as of other drugs of abuse. On the other hand, abnormalities in endocannabinoid signaling may be implicated in several diseases, including neurologic and psychiatric diseases, cancer, obesity, and neuropathic and inflammatory pain. As a consequence, cannabinoids have received growing attention for their possible therapeutic applications. Pharmacological strategies include cannabis preparations (raw cannabis, magistral preparations, and standardized cannabis preparations), synthetic analogs of THC, and inhibitors of endocannabinoid uptake or metabolism. Despite numerous advances in the field of cannabinoid research, further investigations are still needed in order to clarify many pending issues, relative to molecular mechanisms and actions of natural as well as synthetic cannabinoids and the precise assessment of the benefits and risks of using them for both therapeutic and recreational purposes. In this context, this Topic welcomes original research, meta-analyses, and review articles, ranging from preclinical research to human studies. Additionally, we also welcome the submission of research focusing on the therapeutical potential of new pharmaceutical preparations.

Dr. Maria Scherma
Prof. Dr. Paola Fadda
Dr. Fabrizio Sanna
Dr. Anna Lisa Muntoni
Topic Editors