The endocannabinoid system in glial cells and their profitable interactions to treat epilepsy: Evidence from animal models
Date
2021
Authors
Egaña-Huguet, Jon
Soria-Gómez, Edgar
Grandes, Pedro
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
International Journal of Molecular Sciences
Abstract
Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological conditions. Yearly, five million people
are diagnosed with epileptic-related disorders. The neuroprotective and therapeutic effect of
(endo)cannabinoid compounds has been extensively investigated in several models of epilepsy.
Therefore, the study of specific cell-type-dependent mechanisms underlying cannabinoid effects is
crucial to understanding epileptic disorders. It is estimated that about 100 billion neurons and a
roughly equal number of glial cells co-exist in the human brain. The glial population is in charge of
neuronal viability, and therefore, their participation in brain pathophysiology is crucial. Furthermore,
glial malfunctioning occurs in a wide range of neurological disorders. However, little is known about
the impact of the endocannabinoid system (ECS) regulation over glial cells, even less in pathological
conditions such as epilepsy. In this review, we aim to compile the existing knowledge on the role of
the ECS in different cell types, with a particular emphasis on glial cells and their impact on epilepsy.
Thus, we propose that glial cells could be a novel target for cannabinoid agents for treating the
etiology of epilepsy and managing seizure-like disorders.
Description
Keywords
endocannabinoid system, glial cells, epilepsy, neuroinflammation
Citation
Egaña-Huguet, J., Soria-Gómez, E., & Grandes, P. (2021). “The endocannabinoid system in glial cells and their profitable interactions to treat epilepsy: Evidence from animal models.” International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 22(24), 13231. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms222413231