Project Leader: Tiziano Bandiera, PhD The natural cannabis-like
substance, anandamide, is produced in injured tissues and
activates specialized receptors on pain-sensing terminals,
called cannabinoid receptors, which prevent the access of pain-
carrying signals to the brain. Working with research groups in
the USA and Italy, we identified compounds that selectively stop
the degradation of anandamide, caused by the enzyme fatty acid
amide hydrolase (FAAH), outside the brain. By doing so these
compounds produce profound analgesic effects in animal models of
pain. Indeed, even though fact these molecules do not enter the
brain and spinal cord, their pain-killing actions are equal or
superior to those of centrally active analgesics such as
morphine. Because of their remarkable efficacy and favorable
safety profile, these compounds have been advanced to
preclinical development for post-operative and nociceptive pain.