Therapeutic potential of cannabinoids in neurodegenerative disorders: a selective review.

The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is now recognised as an important modulator of various central nervous system processes. More recently, an increasing body of evidence has accumulated to suggest antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective roles of ECS. In this review we discuss the role and therapeutic potential of ECS in neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, Huntington's disease, Tourette's syndrome, brain ischemia and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

Death-associated protein kinase (DAPK1) in cerebral cortex of late-onset Alzheimer's disease patients and aged controls.

Aims: Here our objective was to detect the pro-apoptotic serine/threonine kinase death-associated protein kinase (DAPK1) in aged human cerebral cortex and to test the hypothesis that DAPK1 abundance is associated with late-onset Alzheimer's disease (AD).

Methods: Using Western analysis and immunohistochemistry we evaluated post mortem frontal cerebral cortex from patients with severe AD (mean age 76 years, range 66-91, n = 11, all male), and from control cases without serious central nervous system illness (mean age 77 years, range 61-95, n = 12, all male). We also examined brains of Tg2576 transgenic mice (males, aged 16-21 months), a model for chronic amyloid-induced brain injury.

Attitudes of old age psychiatrists in England and Wales to the use of mood stabilizer drugs.

Objective: This study investigates attitudes to the prescription of mood stabilizer drugs for older patients by old age psychiatrists.

Methods: From a sample of 508 members of the Old Age Faculty of the Royal College of Psychiatrists practicing in England and Wales, 188 (37%) took part in a postal questionnaire survey. A proforma questionnaire investigating opinions about potential indications for, and current concerns about, mood stabilizer drugs was sent to all participants.