Baker David, Pryce Gareth, Giovannoni Gavin, Thompson Alan J
Institute of Neurology, University College London, Queen Square, WC1N 3BG, London, UK.
Lancet Neurol. 2003 May;2(5):291-8. doi: 10.1016/s1474-4422(03)00381-8.
Research of the cannabinoid system has many similarities with that of the opioid system. In both instances, studies into drug-producing plants led to the discovery of an endogenous control system with a central role in neurobiology. Few compounds have had as much positive press from patients as those of the cannabinoid system. While these claims are investigated in disorders such as multiple sclerosis spasticity and pain, basic research is discovering interesting members of this family of compounds that have previously unknown qualities, the most notable of which is the capacity for neuroprotection. Large randomised clinical trials of the better known compounds are in progress. Even if the results of these studies are not as positive as many expect them to be, that we are only just beginning to appreciate the huge therapeutic potential of this family of compounds is clear.
大麻素系统的研究与阿片类系统的研究有许多相似之处。在这两种情况下，对产药植物的研究都促成了一个在内神经生物学中起核心作用的内源性控制系统的发现。很少有化合物能像大麻素系统的化合物那样获得患者如此多的好评。虽然这些说法正在诸如多发性硬化症痉挛和疼痛等病症中接受调查，但基础研究正在发现这类化合物家族中具有先前未知特性的有趣成员，其中最显著的特性是神经保护能力。针对更为知名的化合物的大型随机临床试验正在进行中。即便这些研究的结果不像许多人期望的那样乐观，但很明显，我们才刚刚开始认识到这类化合物巨大的治疗潜力。
