Several studies highlight a key involvement of
endocannabinoid (EC) system in
autism pathophysiology. The EC system is a complex network of
lipid signaling pathways comprised of
arachidonic acid-derived compounds (
anandamide, AEA) and 2-arachidonoyl
glycerol (2-AG), their
G-protein-coupled receptors (
cannabinoid receptors CB1 and CB2) and the associated
enzymes. In addition to
autism, the EC system is also involved in several other
psychiatric disorders (i.e., anxiety, major
depression, bipolar disorder and
schizophrenia). This system is a key regulator of metabolic and cellular pathways involved in
autism, such as food intake, energy metabolism and immune system control. Early studies in
autism animal models have demonstrated alterations in the brain's EC system.
Autism is also characterized by immune system dysregulation. This alteration includes differential monocyte and macrophage responses, and abnormal
cytokine and T cell levels. EC system dysfunction in a monocyte and macrophagic cellular model of
autism has been demonstrated by showing that the
mRNA and
protein for
CB2 receptor and EC
enzymes were significantly dysregulated, further indicating the involvement of the EC system in
autism-associated immunological disruptions. Taken together, these new findings offer a novel perspective in
autism research and indicate that the EC system could represent a novel target option for
autism pharmacotherapy.