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

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

Volume: 10 Issue: 15

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

Affiliation:

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

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.

Cite this article as:

Evens Nele and M. Bormans Guy, Non-Invasive Imaging of the Type 2 Cannabinoid Receptor, Focus on Positron Emission Tomography, Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry 2010; 10 (15) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/156802610793176819