The Modulatory Effect of Cannabinoid Receptor 2 on Blood-Brain Barrier Permeability in Epilepsy

Epilepsy is a widespread neurological condition affecting about 5.5 in every 1,000 people in Canada. For many, the condition is manageable with medication, but about one-third of patients experience persistent seizures despite treatment, leading to serious physical and emotional challenges. This problem has remained largely unchanged for over a century. One patient, Charlotte Figi, gained significant relief from her severe epilepsy through a cannabis product, highlighting a potential new avenue for treatment. However, the results of using cannabinoids in epilepsy treatment have been mixed, with some patients experiencing worsened symptoms. My research seeks to address these issues by exploring the mechanisms behind seizures and developing more targeted treatments. It is known that the blood-brain barrier, which normally protects the brain, becomes compromised in epilepsy. My preliminary work has uncovered that a specific receptor in the brain, called CB2, becomes more active after seizures and in certain brain cells responsible for this barrier's integrity. This new discovery could lead to more precise treatments.