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Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry

Editor-in-Chief

ISSN (Print): 1568-0266
ISSN (Online): 1873-4294

Non-Invasive Imaging of the Type 2 Cannabinoid Receptor, Focus on Positron Emission Tomography

Author(s): Nele Evens and Guy M. Bormans

Volume 10, Issue 15, 2010

Page: [1527 - 1543] Pages: 17

DOI: 10.2174/156802610793176819

Price: $65

Abstract

The type 2 cannabinoid receptor (CB2R) is a relatively new target for drug development, as the receptor was only discovered in 1993. The CB2R is mainly expressed in tissues and organs related to the immune system. However, in pathological conditions, mostly inflammatory, a strong upregulation has been observed. Because of its expression in activated microglia, the type 2 cannabinoid receptor might play an important role in pathologies with a neuroinflammatory component. Positron emission tomography provides a sensitive non-invasive imaging technique to study and quantify receptor expression. In this review, the importance of CB2R imaging, the current status and the future possibilities for the development of CB2R PET radioligands are discussed.

Keywords: Type 2 cannabinoid receptor, PET, endocannabinoid, non-invasive imaging


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