Work

Classics in Neuroimaging: Imaging the Endocannabinoid Pathway with PET

Year: 2020

Type: editorial

Abstract: This Viewpoint aims to highlight positron emission tomography (PET) research studies that have shaped our understanding of the endocannabinoid system (ECS) through radiopharmaceutical targeting of cannabinoid receptors 1 and 2 (CB 1 and CB 2 ), and the enzyme fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH), in several brain health illnesses including addiction, schizophrenia, eating disorders, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Advances in radiochemistry, including 11 C-carbonylation and radiofluorination of nonactivated aromatic rings, are accelerating the translation of radiotracers with optimal kinetics, bringing us closer to clinical PET research studies to image the enzyme monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL) and enabling the imaging of unexplored targets in the ECS.

Source: ACS Chemical Neuroscience

DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.0c00305

Authors: Cassis Varlow, Isabelle Boileau, Hsiao-Ying Wey, Steven H. Liang, Neil Vasdev

Institutions: Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, University of Toronto, Harvard University, Massachusetts General Hospital, Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging

Language: English

Topic: Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research

Subfield: Pharmacology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green

Funders: National Institute on Aging, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Center for Scientific Review