TY - JOUR
T1 - Potential roles of (endo)cannabinoids in the treatment of glaucoma
T2 - from intraocular pressure control to neuroprotection
AU - Nucci, Carlo
AU - Bari, Monica
AU - Spanò, Arnoldo
AU - Corasaniti, MariaTiziana
AU - Bagetta, Giacinto
AU - Maccarrone, Mauro
AU - Morrone, Luigi Antonio
PY - 2008
Y1 - 2008
N2 - Recent evidence shows that the endocannabinoid system is involved in the pathogenesis of numerous neurodegenerative diseases of the central nervous system. Pharmacologic modulation of cannabinoid receptors or the enzymes involved in the synthesis, transport, or breakdown of endogenous cannabinoids has proved to be a valid alternative to conventional treatment of these diseases. In this review, we will examine recent findings that demonstrate the involvement of the endocannabinoid system in glaucoma, a major neurodegenerative disease of the eye that is a frequent cause of blindness. Experimental findings indicate that the endocannabinoid system contributes to the control of intraocular pressure (IOP), by modulating both production and drainage of aqueous humor. There is also a growing body of evidence of the involvement of this system in mechanisms leading to the death of retinal ganglion cells, which is the end result of glaucoma. Molecules capable of interfering with the ocular endocannabinoid system could offer valid alternatives to the treatment of this disease, based not only on the reduction of IOP but also on neuroprotection.
AB - Recent evidence shows that the endocannabinoid system is involved in the pathogenesis of numerous neurodegenerative diseases of the central nervous system. Pharmacologic modulation of cannabinoid receptors or the enzymes involved in the synthesis, transport, or breakdown of endogenous cannabinoids has proved to be a valid alternative to conventional treatment of these diseases. In this review, we will examine recent findings that demonstrate the involvement of the endocannabinoid system in glaucoma, a major neurodegenerative disease of the eye that is a frequent cause of blindness. Experimental findings indicate that the endocannabinoid system contributes to the control of intraocular pressure (IOP), by modulating both production and drainage of aqueous humor. There is also a growing body of evidence of the involvement of this system in mechanisms leading to the death of retinal ganglion cells, which is the end result of glaucoma. Molecules capable of interfering with the ocular endocannabinoid system could offer valid alternatives to the treatment of this disease, based not only on the reduction of IOP but also on neuroprotection.
KW - cannabinoids
KW - glaucoma
KW - intraocular pressure
KW - neuroprotection
KW - retinal ganglion cells
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=54749090433&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=54749090433&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/S0079-6123(08)01131-X
DO - 10.1016/S0079-6123(08)01131-X
M3 - Article
C2 - 18929127
AN - SCOPUS:54749090433
VL - 173
SP - 451
EP - 464
JO - Progress in Brain Research
JF - Progress in Brain Research
SN - 0079-6123
ER -