Neuroprotective, non CBs-dependant activities of phytocannabinoids

The cannabinoids are found to have particular application as neuroprotectants because of their antioxidant properties. The antioxidative properties of cannabinoids suggest a therapeutic use as neuroprotective agents in limiting neurological damage. The antioxidative properties of cannabinoids suggest a therapeutic use as neuroprotective agents: these treatments should not only aim to alleviate specific symptoms but also attempt to delay/arrest disease progression and to repair the damaged structures. The studies reported in the present review support the view that the cannabinoid signalling system is a key modulatory element in the activity of the basal ganglia. This idea is supported by different anatomical, electrophysiological, pharmacological and biochemical data. Furthermore, these studies indicate that the cannabinoid system is impaired in different neurological disorders that directly or indirectly affect the basal ganglia, which supports the idea of developing novel pharmacotherapies with compounds that selectively target specific elements of the cannabinoid system