Cannabinoid Receptor Modulation in Focal Ischemic Stroke: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Infarct Volume and Behavioral Deficits in Animal Models.

OBJECTIVE

This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the impact of cannabinoid (CB) receptor modulation on infarct volume and behavioral deficits in animal models of focal ischemic stroke, with a primary focus on infarct outcomes.

METHOD

A comprehensive literature search was conducted following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, yielding 29 eligible studies for inclusion.

RESULTS

The analysis revealed significant reductions in infarct volume with CB agonists, particularly CB1 and CB2 agonists, indicating their potential as neuroprotective agents. Subgroup analyses further highlighted specific agonists, such as ACEA and KN38-72717, as particularly effective in reducing infarct volume. Additionally, CB antagonists, particularly CB1 antagonists, such as SR141716, showed promising results in reducing infarct volume. Although improvements in neurological scores were observed with both agonists and antagonists, statistical significance was not reached, indicating the need for further investigation.

CONCLUSION

These results highlight the potential of CB receptor modulation as a neuroprotective strategy in ischemic strokes and underscore the need for further research to elucidate the underlying mechanisms and optimize therapeutic approaches.