Cannabinoid News and Research

Latest Cannabinoid News and Research

Researchers identify cannabinoid-making pathway

U of S researchers have discovered the chemical pathway that Cannabis sativa uses to create bioactive compounds called cannabinoids, paving the way for the development of marijuana varieties to produce pharmaceuticals or cannabinoid-free industrial hemp.

17 Jul 2012

KannaLife enters exclusive license with NIH-OTT for patent regarding cannabinoids

KannaLife Sciences, Inc. Signs Exclusive License Agreement With National Institutes of Health – Office of Technology Transfer for the Commercialization of U.S. Patent 6,630,507, "Cannabinoids as Antioxidants and Neuroprotectants".

9 Jul 2012

e-Therapeutics commences enrollment in ETS2101 phase I trial for brain cancer

e-Therapeutics plc announces the start of the first clinical trial evaluating its compound ETS2101 as a treatment for cancer. The phase I trial is enrolling patients with primary brain cancer (glioma) or cancer that has spread to the brain from other sites.

19 Jun 2012

Study finds no evidence to support an effect of THC on MS progression

The first large non-commercial study to investigate whether the main active constituent of cannabis (tetrahydrocannabinol or THC) is effective in slowing the course of progressive multiple sclerosis (MS) shows that there is no evidence to suggest this; although benefits were noted for those at the lower end of the disability scale.

16 Jun 2012

Study determines transgenerational effects of cannabinoid exposure in adolescent female rats

Mothers who use marijuana as teens-long before having children-may put their future children at a higher risk of drug abuse, new research suggests.

6 Jun 2012

Cannabinoid therapy helps provide effective analgesia for cancer patients with pain

An investigational cannabinoid therapy helped provide effective analgesia when used as an adjuvant medication for cancer patients with pain that responded poorly to opioids, according to results of a multicenter trial reported in The Journal of Pain, published by the American Pain Society.

5 Jun 2012

Pharmos completes levotofisopam phase 2a trial on hyperuricemia, gout

Pharmos Corporation announced that it has successfully completed a proof-of-concept clinical trial using its compound levotofisopam (S-tofisopam) to treat patients with hyperuricemia and gout.

18 May 2012

Cannabinoid drugs can directly inhibit HIV in late-stage AIDS

Mount Sinai School of Medicine researchers have discovered that marijuana-like chemicals trigger receptors on human immune cells that can directly inhibit a type of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) found in late-stage AIDS, according to new findings published online in the journal PLoS ONE.

21 Mar 2012

CB2 receptor involved in regulating impulsive behaviour

A new study lead by the Neuroscience Institute of Alicante reveals how manipulating the endocannabinoid system can modulate high levels of impulsivity. This is the main problem in psychiatric illnesses such a schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and substance abuse.

8 Mar 2012

Researchers identify mechanism by which cannabis affects working memory

A deterioration of working memory is observed in people who consume drugs containing cannabinoid compounds found in cannabis leaves and buds. A team led by Giovanni Marsicano in collaboration with a team led by Xia Zhang, has recently identified the mechanism by which these substances affect working memory.

3 Mar 2012

Cannabinoids may be a target for new strategies in cancer treatment

Cannabis-like substances that are produced by the body have both therapeutic and harmful properties, besides their well-known intoxicating effects, and the body's cannabinoid system may be a target for new strategies in cancer treatment.

29 Feb 2012

Pharmos reports net loss of $0.4 million for fourth quarter 2011

Pharmos Corporation reported financial results for the fourth quarter and twelve-month period ended December 31, 2011. These results are included in the Company's Yearly Report on Form 10-K which has been filed with the SEC.

17 Feb 2012

Changes in endocannabinoid system may have important implications for psychiatric disorders

Changes in the endocannabinoid system may have important implications for psychiatric and addiction disorders. This brain system is responsible for making substances that have effects on brain function which resemble those of cannabis products, e.g., marijuana.

25 Jan 2012

Now cannabis mouth spray to help ‘pot’ addicts quit

To help smokers quit there are nicotine patches and heroin users have methadone. However till date cannabis users have little choice except stop abruptly to quit. Cannabis withdrawal symptoms include severe insomnia, pot cravings and mood swings. “Although these are not life-threatening, they are significant enough to cause marked distress and lead people to go back to using the drug,” said lead researcher Jan Copeland.

10 Jan 2012

Future of drug discovery and development to be highlighted at 2011 BPS Winter Meeting

The future of drug discovery and development at the bench and in the boardroom will be highlighted at a major international pharmacology conference in London, Tuesday 13 to Thursday 15 December.

7 Dec 2011

New computer chip models how neurons communicate with each other at synapses

For decades, scientists have dreamed of building computer systems that could replicate the human brain's talent for learning new tasks. MIT researchers have now taken a major step toward that goal by designing a computer chip that mimics how the brain's neurons adapt in response to new information. This phenomenon, known as plasticity, is believed to underlie many brain functions, including learning and memory.

16 Nov 2011

Deficits in endocannabinoid function may contribute to eating disorders

A new report in Biological Psychiatry suggests that deficits in endocannabinoid function may contribute to anorexia nervosa and bulimia.

1 Nov 2011

New metabolic pathway for controlling brain inflammation

A team led by scientists from The Scripps Research Institute has identified a new metabolic pathway for controlling brain inflammation, suggesting strategies for treating it.

21 Oct 2011

Hippocampus plays an active role in suppressing pain during times of stress

New findings about how the brain functions to suppress pain have been published in the leading journal Pain, by NUI Galway researchers. For the first time, it has been shown that the hippocampus of the brain, which is usually associated with memory, has an active role to play in suppressing pain during times of stress.

13 Oct 2011

Activating brown adipose tissue may help combat obesity, type 2 diabetes

Activating a specialized type of fat, known as brown adipose tissue, may help combat obesity as well as result in better glucose control for type 2 diabetes, according to new research conducted by scientists at the UC Metabolic Diseases Institute.

12 Oct 2011