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.