Emerging roles of cannabinoid receptor CB2 receptor in the central nervous system: therapeutic target for CNS disorders

The endocannabinoid system (ECS) belongs to the G protein-coupled receptor family of cell membranes and is associated with neuropsychiatric conditions, and neurodegenerative diseases. Cannabinoid 2 receptors (CB2) are expressed in the central nervous system (CNS) on microglia and subgroups of neurons and are involved in various behavioural processes via immunological and neural regulation.

The objective of this paper is to summarize and explore the impact of CB2 receptors on neuronal modulation, their involvement in various neurological disorders, and their influence on mood, behavior, and cognitive function.

The activation of CB2 appears to protect the brain and its functions from damage under neuroinflammatory actions, making it an attractive target in a variety of neurological conditions such as Parkinson’s disease (PD), multiple sclerosis (MS), Alzheimer’s disease (AD), and Huntington’s disease (HD). During inflammation, there is an overexpression of CB2 receptors, and CB2 agonists show a strong anti-inflammatory effect. These results have sparked interest in the CB2 receptors as a potential target for neurodegenerative and neuroinflammatory disease treatment.

In conclusion, CB2 receptors signalling shows promise for developing targeted interventions that could positively affect both immune and neuronal functions, ultimately influencing behavioral outcomes in both health and disease.