Cannabinoid Receptor 1, Brain (CNR1)

The cannabinoid receptor type 1 is a G protein-coupled cannabinoid receptor that is found in the brain and is activated by the psychoactive drug cannabis and its active compound THC and by a group of endocannabinoid neurotransmitters including anandamide.The CB1 receptor is encoded by the gene or CNR1. Two transcript variants encoding different isoforms have been described for this gene.CNR1 orthologs have been identified in most mammals.CB1 receptors are thought to be the most widely expressed G protein-coupled receptors in the brain. The inverse agonist MK-9470 makes it possible to produce in vivo images of the distribution of CB1 receptors in the human brain with positron emission tomography.