Brain cannabinoid system: a new therapeutic frontier in brain repair
Theme: Molecular, Cellular and Synaptic Mechanisms
When: Sunday, 12th April, 2015 at 11:30 - 13:30
Where: Lowther
It has long been accepted that our brains are incapable of regeneration. From birth, neurodegeneration is a long, downward process towards senility. Yet recent studies have established that adult mammalian brains maintain some discrete regions of neurogenesis, with the capacity to generate functional neurons, but the mechanisms of actions are still poorly understood. Thus, the endocannabinoid system, which has neuroprotective and immunomodulatory actions mediated by different signalling cascades in the brain could assist the process of proliferation and differentiation of embryonic or adult neural stem cells. Embryonic/adult neurogenesis is at present one of the most exciting phenomena in neuroscience, but lack of understanding about how it works has made it difficult to understand why neurogenesis fails, and hence identify the missing factors that would form the basis for both induction and implantation of cell-based therapies. Such therapies could be beneficial towards reversing/treating all manner of neurodegenerative diseases as well as providing an important insight as to how the brain functions.
OBJECTIVE
To present and discuss the latest advances in the field of cannabinoid signalling and brain repair. In addition, this symposium will strengthen existing collaborations and develop new collaborative links between the participants to test novel pharmacological aspects of cannabinoids as modulators of brain repair.
The symposium will explore the potential of the brain endocannabinoid system as a valid pharmacological target for brain repair in neurodegeneration.
It is hoped that the contributions to this symposium of leading research scientists working on the endocannabinoid and brain repair fields will engage and inspire debate within the audience.
Speakers
- Chair: Dr Francisco Molina-Holgado, University of Roehampton, London, UK
- Crosstalk between endocannabinoid signalling and the immune system in brain repair - Dr Francisco Molina-Holgado, University of Roehampton, London, UK
- Cannabinoids and neuropathology - Professor Ken Mackie, Indiana University, Bloomington, USA
- The diacylglycerol lipases; roles in and beyond endocannabinoid signalling - Professor Patrick Doherty, King's College London, London, UK
- Endocannabinoid modulation of toll-like receptors (TLR)-induced neuroinflammation - Dr Michelle Roche, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland
This symposium is sponsored by the British Pharmacological Society - click here
