Stella, Nephi

My laboratory focuses on identifying novel therapeutic targets to treat CNS diseases, with an emphasis on targets belonging to the cannabinoid signaling system, which is typicaly activated by THC, the bioactive ingredient of Cannabis. One approach is to target cannabinoid receptors expressed by immune cells in the CNS to regulate neuroinflammation without producing the psychotropic effects. Another approach is to identify novel molecular components belonging to the cannabinoid signaling system, but are not targeted by THC. These approaches hold promises to treat CNS diseases such as multiple sclerosis, Huntington’s disease and brain tumors.