Kheireddine H.1,2, Kasti M.3, Nabha S.4
1Global University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Physical Therapy, Beirut, Lebanon, 2Lebanese University, Faculty of Public Health, Physical Therapy, Beirut, Lebanon, 3Global University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Beirut, Lebanon, 4Lebanese University, Faculty of Medical Sciences - Neuroscience Research Center, Beirut, Lebanon
Background: Cannabinoids have been shown to inhibit the growth of many tumors by inducing apoptosis and by modulating the tumor microenvironment. Cannabinoids mediate their activities mainly by the two G protein-coupled receptors, CB1 and CB2.
Purpose: In the present study, we aimed to analyze CB1 expression in different brain tumors, in order to determine whether expression pattern differs between normal and malignant cells, and whether the expression is related to malignancy grade.
Methods: Sixteen brain tumor tissue samples were obtained from autopsies of cancer patients. Of them, five were secondary brain tumor biopsies and eleven were primary (meningiomas, astrocytomas, glioblastoma multiformes, glioma low grade and medulloblastoma). CB1 receptors and p-ERK expressions were determined using immunohistochemistry. Immunoreactivity was scored by a pathologist blind to the pathological status of the biopsies. Immunoreactive areas were scored according to normal brain tissue.
Results: CB1 expression was higher in astrocytoma, glioblastoma, oligodendroglioma, meningioma, medulloblastoma and secondary brain tumors as compared to normal brain tissues. However, it was downregulated in glioma low grade. p-ERK expression was positively associated with CB1 expression.
Conclusion(s): The high expression level of CB1 receptors found in the majority of brain tumors suggests that endocannabinoids play a role in the brain pathogenesis, thus precluding the use of cannabinoids as therapeutic agents in brain cancer.
Implications: Neuroscience encompasses a broad range of questions about how nervous system is organized, and how it functions to generate behavior.
These questions can be explored using the analytical tools of genetics, molecular and cellular biology, systems anatomy and physiology, behavioral biology, and psychology.
Neuroscience in physical rehabilitation has developed along parallel tracks. As physicians started to study the neural bases of motor control, they also began to reconsider the sequelae of "hopeless" diagnoses as conditions they could have been able to regulate. This change in some physicians´ understanding of the neural mechanisms of motor control influenced other clinicians´ perceptions of patient care.
From the 1950s to the present, therapists have refined their treatment techniques as knowledge in neuroscience has become available. A few therapists have turned to the laboratory to study basic neuroscience problems that affect clinical treatment.
This presentation highlights:
· The importance of neuroscience in the development of several domains involved in physical therapy.
· The latest findings in epigenetics related to some neurological disorders.
A brief presentation of an experiment done in Neuroscience Research (i.e. Cannabinoid Receptor Type 1 (CB1) Expression in Different Types of Brain Tumors).
Funding acknowledgements: Lebanese University, Faculty of Medecine, Neuroscience Center Research
Topic: Neurology
Ethics approval: Dr. Walid Alameh (Director of the Sahel General Hospital) and Dr. Youssef Fares (Head of the Neuroscience Research Center)
All authors, affiliations and abstracts have been published as submitted.
