Heterocyclic compounds which modulate cannabinoid receptors are presented. Pharmaceutical compositions containing these compounds, methods of using these compounds as modulators of cannabinoid receptors and processes for synthesizing these compounds are also described herein.
A method of treating or preventing a neuroinflammatory and/or neurodegenerative disease in a subject by administering a pharmaceutically effective amount of a CB2 receptor agonist is described. The CB2 receptor agonist can be a compound according to formula I (structurally represented) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, with R1 and R2 functional groups as defined herein. Administration of the CB2 receptor agonist activates CB2 receptors in the microglia, and can restore synaptic plasticity, cognition, and memory in subjects having elevated levels of amyloid-13 peptide in the brain.