Skip to main content

Expression of cannabinoid CB1 receptor mRNA in basal ganglia of normal and parkinsonian human brain

Journal of Neural Transmission volume 110, pages 1279–1288 (2003)Cite this article

Summary.

Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to examine the expression of the cannabinoid CB1 receptor mRNA in post-mortem brain tissue obtained from normal subjects and patients dying with Parkinson’s disease. CB1 receptor mRNA was detected in striatal (nucleus accumbens, caudate nucleus and putamen) and extrastriatal (globus pallidus, substantia nigra) brain regions. In parkinsonian tissue the level of CB1 receptor mRNA was decreased in the caudate nucleus, anterior dorsal putamen and external segment of the globus pallidus, but remained unchanged in the other brain areas examined. These results show that CB1 receptor mRNA expression was altered in Parkinson’s disease (though the effects of drug treatment can not be ruled out) and indicate that cannabinoid CB1 receptor mRNA expression was affected by alterations in dopaminergic systems.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution.

Access options

Buy single article

Instant access to the full article PDF.

USD 39.95

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Neurology Department, University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, FL, U.S.A., , , , , , US

    M. J. Hurley & D. C. Mash

  2. Neurodegenerative Disease Research Centre, Guy’s, King’s and St. Thomas’ School of Biomedical Sciences, King’s College, London, United Kingdom, , , , , , GB

    P. Jenner

Authors
  1. M. J. Hurley
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. D. C. Mash
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. P. Jenner
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

Received July 12, 2001; accepted June 23, 2003 Published online August 13, 2003

Rights and permissions

Reprints and Permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Hurley, M., Mash, D. & Jenner, P. Expression of cannabinoid CB1 receptor mRNA in basal ganglia of normal and parkinsonian human brain. J Neural Transm 110, 1279–1288 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00702-003-0033-7

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00702-003-0033-7

  • Keywords: Parkinson’s disease, cannabinoid CB1 receptor mRNA, basal ganglia, RT-PCR.