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Martinez MX, Alizo Vera V, Ruiz CM, Floresco SB, Mahler SV. Adolescent THC impacts on mPFC dopamine-mediated cognitive processes in male and female rats. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2024:10.1007/s00213-024-06676-9. [PMID: 39190156 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-024-06676-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2024] [Accepted: 08/17/2024] [Indexed: 08/28/2024]
Abstract
RATIONALE Adolescent cannabis use is linked to later-life changes in cognition, learning, and memory. Rodent experimental studies suggest Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) influences development of circuits underlying these processes, especially in the prefrontal cortex, which matures during adolescence. OBJECTIVE We determined how 14 daily THC injections (5 mg/kg) during adolescence persistently impacts medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) dopamine-dependent cognition. METHODS In adult Long Evans rats treated as adolescents with THC (AdoTHC), we quantify performance on two mPFC dopamine-dependent reward-based tasks-strategy set shifting and probabilistic discounting. We also determined how acute dopamine augmentation with amphetamine (0, 0.25, 0.5 mg/kg), or specific chemogenetic stimulation of ventral tegmental area (VTA) dopamine neurons and their projections to mPFC impact probabilistic discounting. RESULTS AdoTHC sex-dependently impacts acquisition of cue-guided instrumental reward seeking, but has minimal effects on set-shifting or probabilistic discounting in either sex. When we challenged dopamine circuits acutely with amphetamine during probabilistic discounting, we found reduced discounting of improbable reward options, with AdoTHC rats being more sensitive to these effects than controls. In contrast, neither acute chemogenetic stimulation of VTA dopamine neurons nor pathway-specific chemogenetic stimulation of their projection to mPFC impacted probabilistic discounting in control rats, although stimulation of this cortical dopamine projection slightly disrupted choices in AdoTHC rats. CONCLUSIONS These studies confirm a marked specificity in the cognitive processes impacted by AdoTHC exposure. They also suggest that some persistent AdoTHC effects may alter amphetamine-induced cognitive changes in a manner independent of VTA dopamine neurons or their projections to mPFC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maricela X Martinez
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, University of California, 1132 McGaugh Hall, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA.
| | - Vanessa Alizo Vera
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, University of California, 1132 McGaugh Hall, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Christina M Ruiz
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, University of California, 1132 McGaugh Hall, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Stan B Floresco
- Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Stephen V Mahler
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, University of California, 1132 McGaugh Hall, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA.
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2
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Joushi S, Taherizadeh Z, Eghbalian M, Esmaeilpour K, Sheibani V. Boosting decision-making in rat models of early-life adversity with environmental enrichment and intranasal oxytocin. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2024; 165:107050. [PMID: 38677097 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2024.107050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2023] [Revised: 04/09/2024] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 04/29/2024]
Abstract
Impaired decision-making constitutes a fundamental issue in numerous psychiatric disorders. Extensive research has established that early life adversity (ELA) increases vulnerability to psychiatric disorders later in life. ELA in human neonates is associated with changes in cognitive, emotional, as well as reward-related processing. Maternal separation (MS) is an established animal model of ELA and has been shown to be associated with decision-making deficits. On the other hand, enriched environment (EE) and intranasal oxytocin (OT) administration have been demonstrated to have beneficial effects on decision-making in humans or animals. Given these considerations, our investigation sought to explore the impact of brief exposure to EE and intranasal OT administration on the decision-making abilities of adolescent rats that had experienced MS during infancy. The experimental protocol involved subjecting rat pups to the MS regimen for 180 min per day from postnatal day (PND) 1 to PND 21. Then, from PND 22 to PND 34, the rats were exposed to EE and/or received intranasal OT (2 μg/μl) for seven days. The assessment of decision-making abilities, using a rat gambling task (RGT), commenced during adolescence. Our findings revealed that MS led to impaired decision-making and a decreased percentage of advantageous choices. However, exposure to brief EE or intranasal OT administration mitigated the deficits induced by MS and improved the decision-making skills of maternally-separated rats. Furthermore, combination of these treatments did not yield additional benefits. These results suggest that EE and OT may hold promise as therapeutic interventions to enhance certain aspects of cognitive performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Joushi
- Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Zahra Taherizadeh
- Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Mostafa Eghbalian
- Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Khadijeh Esmaeilpour
- Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran; School of Public Health Sciences, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada.
| | - Vahid Sheibani
- Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.
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Martinez MX, Alizo Vera V, Ruiz CM, Floresco SB, Mahler SV. Adolescent THC impacts on mPFC dopamine-mediated cognitive processes in male and female rats. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.04.12.588937. [PMID: 38826339 PMCID: PMC11142049 DOI: 10.1101/2024.04.12.588937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2024]
Abstract
Rationale Adolescent cannabis use is linked to later-life changes in cognition, learning, and memory. Rodent experimental studies suggest Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) influences development of circuits underlying these processes, especially in the prefrontal cortex, which matures during adolescence. Objective We determined how 14 daily THC injections (5mg/kg) during adolescence persistently impacts medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) dopamine-dependent cognition. Methods In adult Long Evans rats treated as adolescents with THC (AdoTHC), we quantify performance on two mPFC dopamine-dependent reward-based tasks-strategy set shifting and probabilistic discounting. We also determined how acute dopamine augmentation with amphetamine (0, 0.25, 0.5 mg/kg), or specific chemogenetic stimulation of ventral tegmental area (VTA) dopamine neurons and their projections to mPFC impacts probabilistic discounting. Results AdoTHC sex-dependently impacts acquisition of cue-guided instrumental reward seeking, but has minimal effects on set-shifting or probabilistic discounting in either sex. When we challenged dopamine circuits acutely with amphetamine during probabilistic discounting, we found reduced discounting of improbable reward options, with AdoTHC rats being more sensitive to these effects than controls. In contrast, neither acute chemogenetic stimulation of VTA dopamine neurons nor pathway-specific chemogenetic stimulation of their projection to mPFC impacted probabilistic discounting in control rats, although stimulation of this cortical dopamine projection slightly disrupted choices in AdoTHC rats. Conclusions These studies confirm a marked specificity in the cognitive processes impacted by AdoTHC exposure. They also suggest that some persistent AdoTHC effects may alter amphetamine-induced cognitive changes in a manner independent of VTA dopamine projections to mPFC, or via alterations of non-VTA dopamine neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maricela X. Martinez
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, University of California, Irvine. 1203 McGaugh Hall. Irvine, CA 92697
| | - Vanessa Alizo Vera
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, University of California, Irvine. 1203 McGaugh Hall. Irvine, CA 92697
| | - Christina M Ruiz
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, University of California, Irvine. 1203 McGaugh Hall. Irvine, CA 92697
| | - Stan B Floresco
- Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Stephen V Mahler
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, University of California, Irvine. 1203 McGaugh Hall. Irvine, CA 92697
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Corli G, Tirri M, Bassi M, Bernardi T, Boccuto F, Borsari M, Zauli G, Bilel S, Marti M. 5-HT 2A receptors are involved in the pharmaco-toxicological effects of the synthetic cannabinoids JWH-018 and 5F-PB22: In vivo studies in mice. Eur J Pharmacol 2024; 971:176486. [PMID: 38458413 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2024.176486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2023] [Revised: 03/05/2024] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/10/2024]
Abstract
Over the last years, Synthetic Cannabinoids (SCs) have been among the largest and most frequently seized groups of Novel Psychoactive Substances (NPS). These substances have been frequently detected in biological samples from patients involved in several intoxication and death cases. Their serious adverse effects have been related to their action as potent agonist of cannabinoid CB1 receptors. However, evidence concerning the potential interaction between SCs and serotoninergic mechanisms has emerged. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the involvement of 5-HT2A receptors in the effects induced by acute systemic administration of 1-pentyl-3-(1-naphthoyl)indole (JWH-018; 1 mg/kg) and quinolin-8-yl 1-pentyfluoro-1H-indole-3-8-carboxylate (5F-PB22; 1 mg/kg). Sensorimotor (visual, acoustic, and tactile) responses, pain threshold (acute mechanical and thermal nociception), core temperature, breath rate and motor performance (stepping activity) have been assessed in CD-1 male mice. The present results pointed out that both substances deeply alter sensorimotor responses, nociceptive threshold, core temperature, breath rate and motor activity in mice. Noteworthy, pretreatment with the selective 5-HT2A receptors antagonist MDL100907 (0.1 mg/kg) at least partially prevented sensorimotor disruption, antinociception and hypothermic effects. Conversely, the respiratory and motor impairment was not prevented. Thus, it states the relevance of serotoninergic 5-HT2A mechanisms on pharmaco-toxicological effects induced by SCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giorgia Corli
- Department of Excellence of Translational Medicine, Section of Legal Medicine, LTTA Center and University Center of Gender Medicine, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Micaela Tirri
- Department of Excellence of Translational Medicine, Section of Legal Medicine, LTTA Center and University Center of Gender Medicine, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Marta Bassi
- Department of Excellence of Translational Medicine, Section of Legal Medicine, LTTA Center and University Center of Gender Medicine, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Tatiana Bernardi
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Prevention, University of Ferrara, 44121, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Federica Boccuto
- Department of Excellence of Translational Medicine, Section of Legal Medicine, LTTA Center and University Center of Gender Medicine, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Martina Borsari
- Department of Excellence of Translational Medicine, Section of Legal Medicine, LTTA Center and University Center of Gender Medicine, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Giorgio Zauli
- Research Department, King Khaled Eye Specialistic Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Sabrine Bilel
- Department of Excellence of Translational Medicine, Section of Legal Medicine, LTTA Center and University Center of Gender Medicine, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Matteo Marti
- Department of Excellence of Translational Medicine, Section of Legal Medicine, LTTA Center and University Center of Gender Medicine, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy; Collaborative Center for the Italian National Early Warning System, Department of Anti-Drug Policies, Presidency of the Council of Ministers, Italy.
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Jana A, Nath A, Sen P, Kundu S, Alghamdi BS, Abujamel TS, Saboor M, Woon-Khiong C, Alexiou A, Papadakis M, Alam MZ, Ashraf GM. Unraveling the Endocannabinoid System: Exploring Its Therapeutic Potential in Autism Spectrum Disorder. Neuromolecular Med 2024; 26:20. [PMID: 38744725 PMCID: PMC11093854 DOI: 10.1007/s12017-024-08781-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2023] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
The salient features of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) encompass persistent difficulties in social communication, as well as the presence of restricted and repetitive facets of behavior, hobbies, or pursuits, which are often accompanied with cognitive limitations. Over the past few decades, a sizable number of studies have been conducted to enhance our understanding of the pathophysiology of ASD. Preclinical rat models have proven to be extremely valuable in simulating and analyzing the roles of a wide range of established environmental and genetic factors. Recent research has also demonstrated the significant involvement of the endocannabinoid system (ECS) in the pathogenesis of several neuropsychiatric diseases, including ASD. In fact, the ECS has the potential to regulate a multitude of metabolic and cellular pathways associated with autism, including the immune system. Moreover, the ECS has emerged as a promising target for intervention with high predictive validity. Particularly noteworthy are resent preclinical studies in rodents, which describe the onset of ASD-like symptoms after various genetic or pharmacological interventions targeting the ECS, providing encouraging evidence for further exploration in this area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ankit Jana
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117558, Singapore
| | - Arnab Nath
- Department of Developmental Biology and Genetics, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, Karnataka, 560012, India
| | - Palash Sen
- School of Biosciences, Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur, West Bengal, 721302, India
| | - Swikriti Kundu
- Siksha Bhavana, Visva-Bharati University, Bolpur, West Bengal, 731235, India
| | - Badrah S Alghamdi
- Pre-Clinical Research Unit, King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Physiology, Neuroscience Unit, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Turki S Abujamel
- Vaccines and Immunotherapy Unit, King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Muhammad Saboor
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Health Sciences, and Research Institute for Medical and Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, P.O. Box 27272, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Chan Woon-Khiong
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117558, Singapore
| | - Athanasios Alexiou
- University Centre for Research & Development, Chandigarh University, Chandigarh-Ludhiana Highway, Mohali, Punjab, India
- Department of Research & Development, Funogen, Athens, Greece
- Department of Research & Development, AFNP Med, 1030, Vienna, Austria
- Department of Science and Engineering, Novel Global Community Educational Foundation, Hebersham, NSW, 2770, Australia
| | - Marios Papadakis
- Department of Surgery II, University Hospital Witten-Herdecke, University of Witten-Herdecke, Heusnerstrasse 40, 42283, Wuppertal, Germany.
| | - Mohammad Zubair Alam
- Pre-Clinical Research Unit, King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ghulam Md Ashraf
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Health Sciences, and Research Institute for Medical and Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, P.O. Box 27272, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates.
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Fattore L, Pisanu A, Concas L, Casula C, Siddi C, Pisu MG, Serra M, Concas A, Porcu P. Behavioral characterization of co-exposure to cannabinoids and hormonal contraceptives in female rats. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2024; 129:110890. [PMID: 37926338 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2023.110890] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2023] [Revised: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023]
Abstract
Hormonal contraceptives are among the most widely used drugs by young healthy women to block ovulation and avoid pregnancy. They reduce the ovarian secretion of estradiol and progesterone, hormones that also modulate neuronal plasticity, cognitive functions, emotions and mood. Cannabis is the most commonly used illicit drug worldwide and its use is increasing among young women, many of which regularly take the "pill". Despite evidence of a bidirectional interaction between the endocannabinoid system and gonadal hormones, only very few studies have examined the consequences of cannabis consumption in young females under hormonal contraceptives treatment. To fill this gap, this study evaluated the behavioral effects of co-exposure to chronic 1) hormonal contraceptives, i.e., ethinyl estradiol (EE) plus levonorgestrel (LNG), one of the synthetic estrogen-progestin combinations of hormonal contraceptives, and 2) cannabinoid receptor agonist, i.e., WIN 55,212-2 (WIN), on motor activity, emotional state and cognitive functions in young adult female rats (8-11/experimental group). Hormonal and cannabinoid treatment started at post-natal day (PND) 52 and 56, respectively, while behavioral testing occurred between PND 84-95. The results show that chronic EE-LNG treatment, at doses (0.020 and 0.060 mg/rat, respectively) known to drastically reduce plasma progesterone levels, and the contextual exposure to WIN, at a dose (12.5 μg/kg/infusion) known to be rewarding in the rat, alters the hormonal milieu but does not cause further changes in locomotor activity compared to EE-LNG or WIN alone, and does not modify anxiety-like state (as measured by the elevated plus maze and the marble burying tests) and cognitive abilities (as measured by the novel object recognition and the prepulse inhibition tests) in young adult female rats. Although exposure to EE-LNG and WIN tends to increase the duration of immobility and to reduce the time spent swimming in the forced swimming test, there was not a significant additive effect suggestive of a depressive-like state. These findings allow deepening the current knowledge on the interaction between cannabinoid agonists and hormonal contraceptives and suggest that low, rewarding doses of cannabinoids do not significantly alter the motor and cognitive skills and do not induce anxiety or depressive-like states in females that use hormonal contraceptives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liana Fattore
- Neuroscience Institute, National Research Council of Italy (CNR), Cagliari, Italy
| | - Augusta Pisanu
- Neuroscience Institute, National Research Council of Italy (CNR), Cagliari, Italy
| | - Luca Concas
- Neuroscience Institute, National Research Council of Italy (CNR), Cagliari, Italy
| | - Claudia Casula
- Neuroscience Institute, National Research Council of Italy (CNR), Cagliari, Italy
| | - Carlotta Siddi
- Neuroscience Institute, National Research Council of Italy (CNR), Cagliari, Italy
| | | | - Mariangela Serra
- Department of Life and Environment Sciences, Section of Neuroscience and Anthropology, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Alessandra Concas
- Department of Life and Environment Sciences, Section of Neuroscience and Anthropology, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Patrizia Porcu
- Neuroscience Institute, National Research Council of Italy (CNR), Cagliari, Italy.
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Taheri F, Joushi S, Esmaeilpour K, Ebrahimi MN, Taherizadeh Z, Taheri P, Sheibani V. Transmission of behavioral and cognitive impairments across generations in rats subjected to prenatal valproic acid exposure. Birth Defects Res 2024; 116:e2309. [PMID: 38343145 DOI: 10.1002/bdr2.2309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2023] [Revised: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 02/15/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) represents an inheritable neurodevelopmental condition characterized by social communication deficits and repetitive behaviors. Numerous studies have underscored the significant roles played by genetic and environmental factors in the etiology of ASD, and these factors are known to perpetuate behavioral impairments across generations. OBJECTIVES The primary objective of this study was to assess the behavioral and cognitive attributes in the second filial (F2) generation of male and female rats, with a particular focus on those whose parents had been exposed to valproic acid (VPA) during embryonic development. METHODS In this study, a cohort of 32 male and 32 female rats from the second filial (F2) generation, referred to as Mother.ASD, Father.ASD, or Both.ASD, was examined. These designations indicate whether the mother, father, or both parents had experienced embryonic exposure to valproic acid (600 mg/kg, i.p.). During adolescence, the F2 pups underwent behavioral and cognitive assessments, including open field testing, marble burying, social interaction evaluations, and Morris water maze tasks. RESULTS Our data revealed that while both the Mother.ASD and Father.ASD groups, regardless of sex, exhibited elevated anxiety-like behavior in the open field test. Only the Mother.ASD group displayed repetitive behaviors and deficits in social memory. Additionally, spatial memory impairments were observed in both sexes. These findings highlight the transmission of autistic-like behaviors in the offspring of Mother.ASD rats from both sexes. Nevertheless, future research endeavors should be more targeted in identifying the specific genes responsible for this transmission. CONCLUSION In summary, our findings underscore the transmission of autistic-like behaviors, including anxiety-like behavior, repetitive actions, impairments in social interactions, and deficits in memory, to the offspring of the Mother.ASD group, irrespective of their sex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farahnaz Taheri
- Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Sara Joushi
- Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Khadijeh Esmaeilpour
- Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
- Public health school, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
| | - Mohammad Navid Ebrahimi
- Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Zahra Taherizadeh
- Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Parichehr Taheri
- Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Vahid Sheibani
- Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
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Gonçalves PFR, Nunes LED, Andrade BDS, Silva MOLD, Souza INDO, Assunção-Miranda I, Castro NG, Neves GA. Age-dependent memory impairment induced by co-exposure to nicotine and a synthetic cannabinoid in mice. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2023; 127:110821. [PMID: 37442332 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2023.110821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2023] [Revised: 06/24/2023] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023]
Abstract
Co-use of marijuana and tobacco products is the second most common drug combination among adolescents. Nicotine (NIC) and cannabinoid use during adolescence induce similar detrimental changes, raising the hypothesis that simultaneous exposure could result in even more severe outcomes. Thus, we investigated whether the co-exposure to NIC and the synthetic cannabinoid WIN 55,212-2 (WIN) in adolescent mice causes behavioral outcomes different from those observed after exposure to a single drug. Male Swiss mice were exposed twice daily to NIC, WIN, or NIC + WIN during adolescence (PND28-47) or adulthood (PND70-89). Drug combination led to a greater reduction in weight gain in adolescent mice, while NIC-induced weight loss was observed in adults. During administration, NIC provoked hypothermia, and WIN produced hyperlocomotion in adolescent and adult mice. Animals exposed to NIC + WIN presented a profile of changes similar to those exposed to NIC. After drug exposure, changes in locomotion, thigmotaxis, social preference, prepulse inhibition, and working and recognition memory were evaluated. Adolescent but not adult mice exposed to NIC showed withdrawal-related hyperlocomotion unaffected by WIN co-administration. An age-specific impairment in object recognition memory was induced only by drug co-exposure during adolescence, which resolved spontaneously before reaching early adulthood. A transient decrease in hippocampal α7 nAChR subunit and CB1 receptor mRNA levels was induced by NIC exposure, which may be involved but is not enough to explain the memory impairment. Our work confirms the potential of NIC and cannabinoids association to aggravate some of the individual drug effects during critical neurodevelopmental periods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia Felix Rolo Gonçalves
- Laboratório de Farmacologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Luis Eduardo Duarte Nunes
- Laboratório de Farmacologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Brenda da Silva Andrade
- Laboratório de Farmacologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | - Isis Nem de Oliveira Souza
- Laboratório de Farmacologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Iranaia Assunção-Miranda
- Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Goes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Newton Gonçalves Castro
- Laboratório de Farmacologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Gilda Angela Neves
- Laboratório de Farmacologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
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Gräfe EL, Reid HMO, Shkolnikov I, Conway K, Kit A, Acosta C, Christie BR. Women are Taking the Hit: Examining the Unique Consequences of Cannabis Use Across the Female Lifespan. Front Neuroendocrinol 2023; 70:101076. [PMID: 37217080 DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2023.101076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2023] [Revised: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Cannabis use has risen dramatically in recent years due to global decriminalization and a resurgence in the interest of potential therapeutic benefits. While emerging research is shaping our understanding of the benefits and harms of cannabis, there remains a paucity of data specifically focused on how cannabis affects the female population. The female experience of cannabis use is unique, both in the societal context and because of the biological ramifications. This is increasingly important given the rise in cannabis potency, as well as the implications this has for the prevalence of Cannabis Use Disorder (CUD). Therefore, this scoping review aims to discuss the prevalence of cannabis use and CUD in women throughout their lifespan and provide a balanced prospective on the positive and negative consequences of cannabis use. In doing so, this review will highlight the necessity for continued research that goes beyond sex differences.
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Affiliation(s)
- E L Gräfe
- Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
| | - H M O Reid
- Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
| | - I Shkolnikov
- Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
| | - K Conway
- Island Medical Program, University of British Columbia, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
| | - A Kit
- Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
| | - C Acosta
- Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
| | - B R Christie
- Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada; Island Medical Program, University of British Columbia, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.
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Halbout B, Hutson C, Hua L, Inshishian V, Mahler SV, Ostlund SB. Long-term effects of THC exposure on reward learning and motivated behavior in adolescent and adult male rats. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2023; 240:1151-1167. [PMID: 36933028 PMCID: PMC10102061 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-023-06352-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2022] [Accepted: 03/03/2023] [Indexed: 03/19/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE The endocannabinoid system makes critical contributions to reward processing, motivation, and behavioral control. Repeated exposure to THC or other cannabinoid drugs can cause persistent adaptions in the endocannabinoid system and associated neural circuitry. It remains unclear how such treatments affect the way rewards are processed and pursued. OBJECTIVE AND METHODS We examined if repeated THC exposure (5 mg/kg/day for 14 days) during adolescence or adulthood led to long-term changes in rats' capacity to flexibly encode and use action-outcome associations for goal-directed decision making. Effects on hedonic feeding and progressive ratio responding were also assessed. RESULTS THC exposure had no effect on rats' ability to flexibly select actions following reward devaluation. However, instrumental contingency degradation learning, which involves avoiding an action that is unnecessary for reward delivery, was augmented in rats with a history of adult but not adolescent THC exposure. THC-exposed rats also displayed more vigorous instrumental behavior in this study, suggesting a motivational enhancement. A separate experiment found that while THC exposure had no effect on hedonic feeding behavior, it increased rats' willingness to work for food on a progressive ratio schedule, an effect that was more pronounced when THC was administered to adults. Adolescent and adult THC exposure had opposing effects on the CB1 receptor dependence of progressive ratio performance, decreasing and increasing sensitivity to rimonabant-induced behavioral suppression, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Our findings reveal that exposure to a translationally relevant THC exposure regimen induces long-lasting, age-dependent alterations in cognitive and motivational processes that regulate the pursuit of rewards.
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Affiliation(s)
- Briac Halbout
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Care, School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA.
| | - Collin Hutson
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Care, School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Leann Hua
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Care, School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Victoria Inshishian
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, School of Biological Sciences, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Stephen V Mahler
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, School of Biological Sciences, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Sean B Ostlund
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Care, School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA.
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, School of Biological Sciences, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA.
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11
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Chronic exposure to a synthetic cannabinoid alters cerebral brain metabolism and causes long-lasting behavioral deficits in adult mice. J Neural Transm (Vienna) 2023:10.1007/s00702-023-02607-8. [PMID: 36853560 PMCID: PMC10374737 DOI: 10.1007/s00702-023-02607-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2022] [Accepted: 02/17/2023] [Indexed: 03/01/2023]
Abstract
In recent years, there has been growing evidence that cannabinoids have promising medicinal and pharmacological effects. However, the growing interest in medical cannabis highlights the need to better understand brain alterations linking phytocannabinoids or synthetic cannabinoids to clinical and behavioral phenotypes. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of long-term WIN 55,212-2 treatment-with and without prolonged abstinence-on cerebral metabolism and memory function in healthy wildtype mice. Adult C57BI/6J mice were divided into two treatment groups to study the acute effects of WIN 55,212-2 treatment as well the effects of WIN 55,212-2 treatment after an extended washout phase. We could demonstrate that 3 mg/kg WIN 55,212-2 treatment in early adulthood leads to a hypometabolism in several brain regions including the hippocampus, cerebellum, amygdala and midbrain, even after prolonged abstinence. Furthermore, prolonged acute WIN 55,212-2 treatment in 6-months-old mice reduced the glucose metabolism in the hippocampus and midbrain. In addition, Win 55,212-2 treatment during adulthood lead to spatial memory and recognition memory deficits without affecting anxiety behavior. Overall we could demonstrate that treatment with the synthetic CB1/CB2 receptor aganist Win 55,212-2 during adulthood causes persistent memory deficits, especially when mice were treated in early adulthood. Our findings highlight the risks of prolonged WIN 55,212-2 use and provide new insights into the mechanisms underlying the effects of chronic cannabinoid exposure on the brain and behavior.
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12
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Abela N, Haywood K, Di Giovanni G. Alcohol and cannabinoid binges and daily exposure to nicotine in adolescent/young adult rats induce sex-dependent long-term appetitive instrumental learning impairment. Front Behav Neurosci 2023; 17:1129866. [PMID: 36815183 PMCID: PMC9939753 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2023.1129866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Adolescence is a critical developmental period, concerning anatomical, neurochemical and behavioral changes. Moreover, adolescents are more sensitive to the long-term deleterious effects of drug abuse. Binge-like consumption of alcohol and marijuana, along with tobacco smoking, is a dangerous pattern often observed in adolescents during weekends. Nevertheless, the long-term effect of their adolescent co-exposure has not been yet experimentally investigated. Long-Evans adolescent male (n = 20) and female (n = 20) rats from postnatal day 30 (P30) until P60 were daily treated with nicotine (0.3 mg/kg, i.p.), and, on two consecutive 'binging days' per week (for a total of eight times), received an intragastric ethanol solution (3 g/kg) and an intraperitoneal (i.p.) dose of cannabinoid 1/2 receptor agonist WIN55,212-2 (1.2 mg/kg). These rats were tested after treatment discontinuation at > P90 for associative food-rewarded operant learning in the two-lever conditioning chambers for six consecutive days on a fixed ratio 1 (FR1) schedule followed by another six days of daily FR2 schedule testing, after 42 days rest. We found the main effects of sex x treatment interactions in FR1 but not in FR2 experiments. Treated females show attenuated operant responses for food pellets during all FR1 and the FR2 schedule, whilst the treated males show an impairment in FR2 but not in the FR1 schedule. Moreover, the treated females' percentage of learners was significantly lower than female controls in FR1 while treated males were lower than controls in FR2. Our findings suggest that intermittent adolescent abuse of common drugs, such as alcohol and marijuana, and chronic tobacco exposure can cause significant long-term effects on motivation for natural reinforcers later in adulthood in both sexes. Females appear to be sensitive earlier to the deleterious effects of adolescent polydrug abuse, with both sexes having an increased likelihood of developing lifelong brain alterations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Norbert Abela
- Laboratory of Neurophysiology, Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta, Msida, Malta
| | - Katie Haywood
- Laboratory of Neurophysiology, Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta, Msida, Malta,Division of Neuroscience, School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom
| | - Giuseppe Di Giovanni
- Laboratory of Neurophysiology, Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta, Msida, Malta,Division of Neuroscience, School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom,*Correspondence: Giuseppe Di Giovanni, ;
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13
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Ostlund I, Von Gunten M, Smith C, Edwards JG. Chronic Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol impact on plasticity, and differential activation requirement for CB1-dependent long-term depression in ventral tegmental area GABA neurons in adult versus young mice. Front Neurosci 2023; 16:1067493. [PMID: 36699526 PMCID: PMC9869137 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.1067493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
The ventral tegmental area (VTA) mediates incentive salience and reward prediction error through dopamine (DA) neurons that are regulated by local VTA GABA neurons. In young mice, VTA GABA cells exhibit a form of synaptic plasticity known as long-term depression (LTD) that is dependent on cannabinoid 1 (CB1) receptors preceded by metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 (mGluR5) signaling to induce endocannabinoid production. This LTD was eliminated following chronic (7-10 consecutive days) exposure to the marijuana derived cannabinoid Δ9 -tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). We now examine the mechanism behind THC-induced elimination of LTD in adolescents as well as plasticity induction ability in adult versus young male and female mice using whole-cell electrophysiology experiments of VTA GABA cells. Chronic THC injections in adolescents resulted in a loss of CB1 agonist-mediated depression, illustrating chronic THC likely desensitizes or removes synaptic CB1. We noted that seven days withdrawal from chronic THC restored LTD and CB1 agonist-induced depression, suggesting reversibility of THC-induced changes. Adult mice continue to express functional mGluR5 and CB1, but require a doubling of the synaptic stimulation compared to young mice to induce LTD, suggesting a quantitative difference in CB1-dependent plasticity between young and adult mice. One potential rationale for this difference is changes in AMPA and NMDA glutamate receptors. Indeed, AMPA/NMDA ratios were increased in in adults compared to young mice. Lastly, we performed quantitative reverse-transcription PCR and identified that CB1, DAGLα, and GluA1 levels increased following chronic THC exposure. Collectively, our data demonstrate the first age-dependent GABA neuron plasticity in the VTA, which could have implications for decreased THC dependence capacity in adults, as well as the mechanism behind chronic THC-induced synaptic alterations in young mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isaac Ostlund
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, United States
| | | | - Calvin Smith
- Neuroscience Center, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, United States
| | - Jeffrey G. Edwards
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, United States
- Neuroscience Center, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, United States
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14
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Peters KZ, Naneix F. The role of dopamine and endocannabinoid systems in prefrontal cortex development: Adolescence as a critical period. Front Neural Circuits 2022; 16:939235. [PMID: 36389180 PMCID: PMC9663658 DOI: 10.3389/fncir.2022.939235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2022] [Accepted: 10/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The prefrontal cortex plays a central role in the control of complex cognitive processes including action control and decision making. It also shows a specific pattern of delayed maturation related to unique behavioral changes during adolescence and allows the development of adult cognitive processes. The adolescent brain is extremely plastic and critically vulnerable to external insults. Related to this vulnerability, adolescence is also associated with the emergence of numerous neuropsychiatric disorders involving alterations of prefrontal functions. Within prefrontal microcircuits, the dopamine and the endocannabinoid systems have widespread effects on adolescent-specific ontogenetic processes. In this review, we highlight recent advances in our understanding of the maturation of the dopamine system and the endocannabinoid system in the prefrontal cortex during adolescence. We discuss how they interact with GABA and glutamate neurons to modulate prefrontal circuits and how they can be altered by different environmental events leading to long-term neurobiological and behavioral changes at adulthood. Finally, we aim to identify several future research directions to help highlight gaps in our current knowledge on the maturation of these microcircuits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kate Zara Peters
- Sussex Neuroscience, School of Psychology, University of Sussex, Falmer, United Kingdom
| | - Fabien Naneix
- The Rowett Institute, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom,*Correspondence: Fabien Naneix
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15
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Lawn W, Fernandez-Vinson N, Mokrysz C, Hogg G, Lees R, Trinci K, Petrilli K, Borissova A, Ofori S, Waters S, Michór P, Wall MB, Freeman TP, Curran HV. The CannTeen study: verbal episodic memory, spatial working memory, and response inhibition in adolescent and adult cannabis users and age-matched controls. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2022; 239:1629-1641. [PMID: 35486121 PMCID: PMC9110435 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-022-06143-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Accepted: 04/07/2022] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Preclinical and human studies suggest that adolescent cannabis use may be associated with worse cognitive outcomes than adult cannabis use. We investigated the associations between chronic cannabis use and cognitive function in adolescent and adult cannabis users and controls. We hypothesised user-status would be negatively associated with cognitive function and this relationship would be stronger in adolescents than adults. METHODS As part of the 'CannTeen' project, this cross-sectional study assessed cognitive performance in adolescent cannabis users (n = 76; 16-17-year-olds), adolescent controls (n = 63), adult cannabis users (n = 71; 26-29-year-olds) and adult controls (n = 64). Users used cannabis 1-7 days/week. Adolescent and adult cannabis users were matched on cannabis use frequency (4 days/week) and time since last use (2.5 days). Verbal episodic memory (VEM) was assessed using the prose recall task, spatial working memory (SWM) was assessed using the spatial n-back task, and response inhibition was assessed with the stop-signal task. Primary outcome variables were: delayed recall, 3-back discriminability, and stop signal reaction time, respectively. RESULTS Users had worse VEM than controls (F(1,268) = 7.423, p = 0.007). There were no significant differences between user-groups on SWM or response inhibition. Null differences were supported by Bayesian analyses. No significant interactions between age-group and user-group were found for VEM, SWM, or response inhibition. CONCLUSIONS Consistent with previous research, there was an association between chronic cannabis use and poorer VEM, but chronic cannabis use was not associated with SWM or response inhibition. We did not find evidence for heightened adolescent vulnerability to cannabis-related cognitive impairment.
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Affiliation(s)
- W Lawn
- Clinical Psychopharmacology Unit, University College London, London, UK.
- Department of Addictions, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK.
- Department of Psychology, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK.
| | - N Fernandez-Vinson
- Clinical Psychopharmacology Unit, University College London, London, UK
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - C Mokrysz
- Clinical Psychopharmacology Unit, University College London, London, UK
| | - G Hogg
- Clinical Psychopharmacology Unit, University College London, London, UK
| | - R Lees
- Addiction and Mental Health Group (AIM), Department of Psychology, University of Bath, Bath, UK
| | - K Trinci
- Clinical Psychopharmacology Unit, University College London, London, UK
| | - K Petrilli
- Addiction and Mental Health Group (AIM), Department of Psychology, University of Bath, Bath, UK
| | - A Borissova
- Department of Neuroimaging, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
- NIHR University College London Hospitals Biomedical Research Centre, University College Hospital, London, UK
| | - S Ofori
- Clinical Psychopharmacology Unit, University College London, London, UK
| | - S Waters
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Warneford Hospital, Oxford, UK
| | - P Michór
- School of Life Sciences, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK
| | - M B Wall
- Clinical Psychopharmacology Unit, University College London, London, UK
- Invicro London, Hammersmith Hospital, Burlington Danes Building, Du Cane Road, London, UK
| | - T P Freeman
- Clinical Psychopharmacology Unit, University College London, London, UK
- Addiction and Mental Health Group (AIM), Department of Psychology, University of Bath, Bath, UK
| | - H V Curran
- Clinical Psychopharmacology Unit, University College London, London, UK
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16
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Simone JJ, Green MR, McCormick CM. Endocannabinoid system contributions to sex-specific adolescent neurodevelopment. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2022; 113:110438. [PMID: 34534603 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2021.110438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2021] [Revised: 08/13/2021] [Accepted: 09/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
With an increasing number of countries and states adopting legislation permitting the use of cannabis for medical purposes, there is a growing interest among health and research professionals into the system through which cannabinoids principally act, the endocannabinoid system (ECS). Much of the seminal research into the ECS dates back only 30 years and, although there has been tremendous development within the field during this time, many questions remain. More recently, investigations have emerged examining the contributions of the ECS to normative development and the effect of altering this system during important critical periods. One such period is adolescence, a unique period during which brain and behaviours are maturing and reorganizing in preparation for adulthood, including shifts in endocannabinoid biology. The purpose of this review is to discuss findings to date regarding the maturation of the ECS during adolescence and the consequences of manipulations of the ECS during this period to normative neurodevelopmental processes, as well as highlight sex differences in ECS function, important technical considerations, and future directions. Because most of what we know is derived from preclinical studies on rodents, we provide relevant background of this model and some commentary on the translational relevance of the research in this area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan J Simone
- Department of Biological Sciences, 1812 Sir Isaac Brock Way, Brock University, St. Catharines, ON L2S 3A1, Canada; Centre for Neuroscience, 1812 Sir Isaac Brock Way, Brock University, St. Catharines, ON L2S 3A1, Canada; Huxley Health Inc., 8820 Jane St., Concord, ON, L4K 2M9, Canada; eCB Consulting Inc., PO Box 652, 3 Cameron St. W., Cannington, ON L0E 1E0, Canada; Medical Cannabis Canada, 601-3500 Lakeshore Rd. W., Oakville, ON L6L 0B4, Canada.
| | - Matthew R Green
- eCB Consulting Inc., PO Box 652, 3 Cameron St. W., Cannington, ON L0E 1E0, Canada; Medical Cannabis Canada, 601-3500 Lakeshore Rd. W., Oakville, ON L6L 0B4, Canada.
| | - Cheryl M McCormick
- Department of Biological Sciences, 1812 Sir Isaac Brock Way, Brock University, St. Catharines, ON L2S 3A1, Canada; Centre for Neuroscience, 1812 Sir Isaac Brock Way, Brock University, St. Catharines, ON L2S 3A1, Canada; Department of Psychology, 1812 Sir Isaac Brock Way, Brock University, St. Catharines, ON L2S 3A1, Canada.
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17
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Chronic ∆-9-tetrahydrocannabinol administration delays acquisition of schedule-induced drinking in rats and retains long-lasting effects. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2022; 239:1359-1372. [PMID: 34436650 PMCID: PMC9110535 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-021-05952-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2021] [Accepted: 08/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE Schedule-induced drinking (SID) is a behavioural phenomenon characterized by an excessive and repetitive drinking pattern with a distinctive temporal distribution that has been proposed as a robust and replicable animal model of compulsivity. Despite cannabis currently being the most widely consumed illicit drug, with growing interest in its clinical applications, little is known about the effects of ∆-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) on SID. OBJECTIVES The effects of chronic and acute THC administration on SID acquisition, maintenance and extinction were studied, as were the effects of such administrations on the distinctive temporal distribution pattern of SID. METHODS THC (5 mg/kg i.p.), or the corresponding vehicle, was administered to adult Wistar rats for 14 days in a row. Subsequently, THC effects on SID acquisition were tested during 21 sessions using a 1-h fixed-time 60-s food delivery schedule. Acute effects of THC were also evaluated after SID development. Finally, two extinction sessions were conducted to assess behavioural persistence. RESULTS The results showed that previous chronic THC treatment delayed SID acquisition and altered the distinctive behavioural temporal distribution pattern during sessions. Moreover, acute THC administration after SID development decreased SID performance in animals chronically pre-treated with the drug. No great persistence effects were observed during extinction in animals pre-treated with THC. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that chronic THC affects SID development, confirming that it can disrupt learning, possibly causing alterations in time estimation, and also leads to animals being sensitized when they are re-exposed to the drug after long periods without drug exposure.
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18
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Joushi S, Esmaeilpour K, Masoumi-Ardakani Y, Esmaeili-Mahani S, Sheibani V. Effects of short environmental enrichment on early-life adversity induced cognitive alternations in adolescent rats. J Neurosci Res 2021; 99:3373-3391. [PMID: 34676587 DOI: 10.1002/jnr.24974] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2021] [Revised: 08/14/2021] [Accepted: 09/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Early-life experiences, including parental care, affect cognitive performance later in life. Being exposed to early-life maternal separation (MS) increases susceptibility to stress-related psychopathology. Previous studies suggest that MS could induce learning and memory impairments. Since enriched environment (EE) provides more opportunities for exploration and social interaction, in the present study we evaluated the effects of a short EE paradigm with a duration of 13 days on cognitive abilities of maternally separated rats (MS; 180 min/day, postnatal day (PND) 1-21) during adolescence in four experimental groups: Control, Control+EE, MS, and MS+EE. Plasma corticosterone (CORT) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels were also measured in experimental animals. We also studied the induction of long-term potentiation (LTP) in the slices of hippocampal CA1 area. The behavioral and electrophysiological assessments were started at PND 35. MS caused higher basal CORT levels in plasma and impaired spatial learning, memory, and social interaction. LTP induction was also impaired in MS rats and plasma BDNF levels were reduced in these animals. MS also induced more anxiety-like behavior. Short EE reduced plasma CORT levels had the potential to improve locomotor activity and anxiety-like behavior in MS+EE rats and reversed MS-induced impairments of spatial learning, memory, and social behavior. LTP induction and plasma BDNF levels were also enhanced in MS+EE rats. We concluded that short EE might be considered as a therapeutic strategy for promoting cognition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Joushi
- Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Khadijeh Esmaeilpour
- Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Yaser Masoumi-Ardakani
- Physiology Research Center, Institute of Basic and Clinical Physiology Sciences, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Saeed Esmaeili-Mahani
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, Iran
| | - Vahid Sheibani
- Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
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19
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Sabran-Cohen T, Bright U, Mizrachi Zer-Aviv T, Akirav I. Rapamycin prevents the long-term impairing effects of adolescence Δ-9-tetrahydrocannabinol on memory and plasticity in male rats. Eur J Neurosci 2021; 54:6104-6122. [PMID: 34405459 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.15425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2021] [Revised: 07/01/2021] [Accepted: 08/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Long-lasting cognitive impairment is one of the most central negative consequences related to the exposure to cannabis during adolescence and particularly of Δ-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). The aim of this study was to compare the protracted effects of adolescent versus late-adolescent chronic exposure to THC on short-term memory and plasticity and to examine whether rapamycin, a blocker of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway, can restore THC-induced deficits in memory and plasticity. Male rats were injected with ascending doses of THC [2.5, 5, 10 mg/kg; intraperitoneally (i.p.)] during adolescence and late-adolescence (post-natal days 30-41 and 45-56, respectively), followed by daily injections of rapamycin (1 mg/kg, i.p.) during the first 10 days of cessation from THC. Thirty days after the last injection, rats were tested for short-term and working memory, anxiety-like behaviour, and plasticity in the pathways projecting from the ventral subiculum (vSub) of the hippocampus to the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and nucleus accumbens (NAc). THC exposure in adolescence, but not late-adolescence, was found to induce long-term deficits in object recognition short-term memory and synaptic plasticity in the hippocampal-accumbens pathway. Importantly, rapamycin rescued these persistent effects of THC administered during adolescence. Our findings show that some forms of memory and plasticity are sensitive to chronic THC administration during adolescence and that rapamycin administered during THC cessation may restore cognitive function and plasticity, thus potentially protecting against the possible long-term harmful effects of THC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Talia Sabran-Cohen
- Department of Psychology, School of Psychological Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel.,The Integrated Brain and Behavior Research Center, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
| | - Uri Bright
- Department of Psychology, School of Psychological Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel.,The Integrated Brain and Behavior Research Center, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
| | - Tomer Mizrachi Zer-Aviv
- Department of Psychology, School of Psychological Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel.,The Integrated Brain and Behavior Research Center, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
| | - Irit Akirav
- Department of Psychology, School of Psychological Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel.,The Integrated Brain and Behavior Research Center, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
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20
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Ginder DE, Wright HR, McLaughlin RJ. The stoned age: Sex differences in the effects of adolescent cannabinoid exposure on prefrontal cortex structure and function in animal models. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF NEUROBIOLOGY 2021; 161:121-145. [PMID: 34801167 PMCID: PMC11290470 DOI: 10.1016/bs.irn.2021.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Cannabis is the most used drug during adolescence, which is a period of enhanced cortical plasticity and synaptic remodeling that supports behavioral, cognitive, and emotional maturity. In this chapter, we review preclinical studies indicating that adolescent exposure to cannabinoids has lasting effects on the morphology and synaptic organization of the prefrontal cortex and associated circuitry, which may lead to cognitive dysfunction later in life. Additionally, we reviewed sex differences in the effects of adolescent cannabinoid exposure with a focus on brain systems that support cognitive functioning. The body of evidence indicates enduring sex-specific effects in behavior and organization of corticolimbic circuitry, which appears to be influenced by species, strain, drug, route of administration, and window/pattern of drug exposure. Caution should be exercised when extrapolating these results to humans. Adopting models that more closely resemble human cannabis use will provide more translationally relevant data concerning the long-term effects of cannabis use on the adolescent brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- D E Ginder
- Department of Psychology, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, United States
| | - H R Wright
- Department of Integrative Physiology and Neuroscience, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, United States
| | - R J McLaughlin
- Department of Psychology, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, United States; Department of Integrative Physiology and Neuroscience, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, United States.
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21
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Peters KZ, Zlebnik NE, Cheer JF. Cannabis exposure during adolescence: A uniquely sensitive period for neurobiological effects. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF NEUROBIOLOGY 2021; 161:95-120. [PMID: 34801175 DOI: 10.1016/bs.irn.2021.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Adolescence is a crucial developmental period where neural circuits are refined and the brain is especially vulnerable to external insults. The endocannabinoid (eCB) system undergoes changes during adolescence which affect the way in which it modulates the development of other systems, in particular dopamine circuits, which show protracted development into adolescence. Given the rise of cannabis use by adolescents and young people, as well as variants containing increasingly higher concentrations of THC, it is now crucial to understand the unique effects of adolescent exposure to cannabis on the developing brain and it might shape future adult vulnerabilities to conditions such as psychosis, schizophrenia, addiction and more. Here we discuss the development of the eCB system across the lifespan, how CB1 receptors modulate dopamine release and potential neurobiological and behavioral effects of adolescent THC exposure on the developing brain such as alterations in excitatory/inhibitory balance during this developmental period.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Z Peters
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States; Sussex Neuroscience, School of Psychology, University of Sussex, Falmer, United Kingdom.
| | - N E Zlebnik
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - J F Cheer
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States; Department of Psychiatry, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States; Program in Neuroscience, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States.
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22
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Hernandez CM, Orsini CA, Blaes SL, Bizon JL, Febo M, Bruijnzeel AW, Setlow B. Effects of repeated adolescent exposure to cannabis smoke on cognitive outcomes in adulthood. J Psychopharmacol 2021; 35:848-863. [PMID: 33295231 PMCID: PMC8187454 DOI: 10.1177/0269881120965931] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cannabis (marijuana) is the most widely used illicit drug in the USA, and consumption among adolescents is rising. Some animal studies show that adolescent exposure to delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol or synthetic cannabinoid receptor 1 agonists causes alterations in affect and cognition that can persist into adulthood. It is less clear, however, whether similar alterations result from exposure to cannabis via smoke inhalation, which remains the most frequent route of administration in humans. AIMS To begin to address these questions, a rat model was used to determine how cannabis smoke exposure during adolescence affects behavioral and cognitive outcomes in adulthood. METHODS Adolescent male Long-Evans rats were assigned to clean air, placebo smoke, or cannabis smoke groups. Clean air or smoke exposure sessions were conducted daily during adolescence (from P29-P49 days of age ) for a total of 21 days, and behavioral testing began on P70. RESULTS Compared to clean air and placebo smoke conditions, cannabis smoke significantly attenuated the normal developmental increase in body weight, but had no effects on several measures of either affect/motivation (open field activity, elevated plus maze, instrumental responding under a progressive ratio schedule of reinforcement) or cognition (set shifting, reversal learning, intertemporal choice). Surprisingly, however, in comparison to clean air controls rats exposed to either cannabis or placebo smoke in adolescence exhibited enhanced performance on a delayed response working memory task. CONCLUSIONS These findings are consistent with a growing body of evidence for limited long-term adverse cognitive and affective consequences of adolescent exposure to relatively low levels of cannabinoids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caesar M Hernandez
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Florida, Gainesville, USA,Department of Psychiatry, University of Florida, Gainesville, USA,Department of Cellular, Development, and Integrative Biology, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, USA
| | - Caitlin A Orsini
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Florida, Gainesville, USA,Center for Addiction Research and Education, University of Florida, Gainesville, USA,Department of Psychology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, USA
| | - Shelby L Blaes
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Florida, Gainesville, USA,Center for Addiction Research and Education, University of Florida, Gainesville, USA
| | - Jennifer L Bizon
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Florida, Gainesville, USA,Center for Addiction Research and Education, University of Florida, Gainesville, USA
| | - Marcelo Febo
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Florida, Gainesville, USA,Center for Addiction Research and Education, University of Florida, Gainesville, USA
| | - Adriaan W Bruijnzeel
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Florida, Gainesville, USA,Center for Addiction Research and Education, University of Florida, Gainesville, USA
| | - Barry Setlow
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Florida, Gainesville, USA,Center for Addiction Research and Education, University of Florida, Gainesville, USA
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23
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Potential and Limits of Cannabinoids in Alzheimer's Disease Therapy. BIOLOGY 2021; 10:biology10060542. [PMID: 34204237 PMCID: PMC8234911 DOI: 10.3390/biology10060542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2021] [Revised: 06/13/2021] [Accepted: 06/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Simple Summary This review was aimed at exploring the potentiality of drugging the endocannabinoid system as a therapeutic option for Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Recent discoveries have demonstrated how the modulation of cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1) and receptor 2 (CB2) can exert neuroprotective effects without the recreational and pharmacological properties of Cannabis sativa. Thus, this review explores the potential of cannabinoids in AD, also highlighting their limitations in perspective to point out the need for further research on cannabinoids in AD therapy. Abstract Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a detrimental brain disorder characterized by a gradual cognitive decline and neuronal deterioration. To date, the treatments available are effective only in the early stage of the disease. The AD etiology has not been completely revealed, and investigating new pathological mechanisms is essential for developing effective and safe drugs. The recreational and pharmacological properties of marijuana are known for centuries, but only recently the scientific community started to investigate the potential use of cannabinoids in AD therapy—sometimes with contradictory outcomes. Since the endocannabinoid system (ECS) is highly expressed in the hippocampus and cortex, cannabis use/abuse has often been associated with memory and learning dysfunction in vulnerable individuals. However, the latest findings in AD rodent models have shown promising effects of cannabinoids in reducing amyloid plaque deposition and stimulating hippocampal neurogenesis. Beneficial effects on several dementia-related symptoms have also been reported in clinical trials after cannabinoid treatments. Accordingly, future studies should address identifying the correct therapeutic dosage and timing of treatment from the perspective of using cannabinoids in AD therapy. The present paper aims to summarize the potential and limitations of cannabinoids as therapeutics for AD, focusing on recent pre-clinical and clinical evidence.
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Blest-Hopley G, O'Neill A, Wilson R, Giampietro V, Bhattacharyya S. Disrupted parahippocampal and midbrain function underlie slower verbal learning in adolescent-onset regular cannabis use. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2021; 238:1315-1331. [PMID: 31814047 PMCID: PMC8062355 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-019-05407-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2019] [Accepted: 11/18/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE Prolonged use of cannabis, the most widely used illicit drug worldwide, has been consistently associated with impairment in memory and verbal learning. Although the neurophysiological underpinnings of these impairments have been investigated previously using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), while performing memory tasks, the results of these studies have been inconsistent and no clear picture has emerged yet. Furthermore, no previous studies have investigated trial-by-trial learning. OBJECTIVES We aimed to investigate the neural underpinnings of impaired verbal learning in cannabis users as estimated over repeated learning trials. METHODS We studied 21 adolescent-onset regular cannabis users and 21 non-users using fMRI performed at least 12 h after last cannabis use, while they performed a paired associate verbal learning task that allowed us to examine trial-by-trial learning. Brain activation during repeated verbal encoding and recall conditions of the task was indexed using the blood oxygen level-dependent haemodynamic response fMRI signal. RESULTS There was a significant improvement in recall score over repeated trials indicating learning occurring across the two groups of participants. However, learning was significantly slower in cannabis users compared to non-users (p = 0.032, partial eta-squared = 0.108). While learning verbal stimuli over repeated encoding blocks, non-users displayed progressive increase in recruitment of the midbrain, parahippocampal gyrus and thalamus (p = 0.00939, partial eta-squared = 0.180). In contrast, cannabis users displayed a greater but disrupted activation pattern in these regions, which showed a stronger correlation with new word-pairs learnt over the same blocks in cannabis users than in non-users. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that disrupted medial temporal and midbrain function underlie slower learning in adolescent-onset cannabis users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grace Blest-Hopley
- Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, De Crespigny Park, London, SE5 8AF, UK
| | - Aisling O'Neill
- Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, De Crespigny Park, London, SE5 8AF, UK
| | - Robin Wilson
- Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, De Crespigny Park, London, SE5 8AF, UK
| | - Vincent Giampietro
- Department of Neuroimaging, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Sagnik Bhattacharyya
- Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, De Crespigny Park, London, SE5 8AF, UK.
- South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, Denmark Hill, Camberwell, London, UK.
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25
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An D, Peigneur S, Tytgat J. WIN55,212-2, a Dual Modulator of Cannabinoid Receptors and G Protein-Coupled Inward Rectifier Potassium Channels. Biomedicines 2021; 9:484. [PMID: 33924979 PMCID: PMC8146939 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9050484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2021] [Revised: 04/22/2021] [Accepted: 04/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The coupling of cannabinoid receptors, CB1 and CB2, to G protein-coupled inward rectifier potassium channels, GIRK1 and GIRK2, modulates neuronal excitability in the human brain. The present study established and validated the functional expression in a Xenopus laevis oocyte expression system of CB1 and CB2 receptors, interacting with heteromeric GIRK1/2 channels and a regulator of G protein signaling, RGS4. This ex vivo system enables the discovery of a wide range of ligands interacting orthosterically or allosterically with CB1 and/or CB2 receptors. WIN55,212-2, a non-selective agonist of CB1 and CB2, was used to explore the CB1- or CB2-GIRK1/2-RGS4 signaling cascade. We show that WIN55,212-2 activates CB1 and CB2 at low concentrations whereas at higher concentrations it exerts a direct block of GIRK1/2. This illustrates a dual modulatory function, a feature not described before, which helps to explain the adverse effects induced by WIN55,212-2 in vivo. When comparing the effects with other typical cannabinoids such as Δ9-THC, CBD, CP55,940, and rimonabant, only WIN55,212-2 can significantly block GIRK1/2. Interestingly, the inward rectifier potassium channel, IRK1, a non-G protein-coupled potassium channel important for setting the resting membrane voltage and highly similar to GIRK1 and GIRK2, is not sensitive to WIN55,212-2, Δ9-THC, CBD, CP55,940, or rimonabant. From this, it is concluded that WIN55,212-2 selectively blocks GIRK1/2.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Steve Peigneur
- Toxicology and Pharmacology, KU Leuven, Campus Gasthuisberg, O & N2, Herestraat 49, P.O. Box 922, 3000 Leuven, Belgium;
| | - Jan Tytgat
- Toxicology and Pharmacology, KU Leuven, Campus Gasthuisberg, O & N2, Herestraat 49, P.O. Box 922, 3000 Leuven, Belgium;
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Song CG, Kang X, Yang F, Du WQ, Zhang JJ, Liu L, Kang JJ, Jia N, Yue H, Fan LY, Wu SX, Jiang W, Gao F. Endocannabinoid system in the neurodevelopment of GABAergic interneurons: implications for neurological and psychiatric disorders. Rev Neurosci 2021; 32:803-831. [PMID: 33781002 DOI: 10.1515/revneuro-2020-0134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2020] [Accepted: 02/20/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
In mature mammalian brains, the endocannabinoid system (ECS) plays an important role in the regulation of synaptic plasticity and the functioning of neural networks. Besides, the ECS also contributes to the neurodevelopment of the central nervous system. Due to the increase in the medical and recreational use of cannabis, it is inevitable and essential to elaborate the roles of the ECS on neurodevelopment. GABAergic interneurons represent a group of inhibitory neurons that are vital in controlling neural network activity. However, the role of the ECS in the neurodevelopment of GABAergic interneurons remains to be fully elucidated. In this review, we provide a brief introduction of the ECS and interneuron diversity. We focus on the process of interneuron development and the role of ECS in the modulation of interneuron development, from the expansion of the neural stem/progenitor cells to the migration, specification and maturation of interneurons. We further discuss the potential implications of the ECS and interneurons in the pathogenesis of neurological and psychiatric disorders, including epilepsy, schizophrenia, major depressive disorder and autism spectrum disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chang-Geng Song
- Department of Neurobiology and Institute of Neurosciences, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, 169 Chang Le Xi Road, Xi'an710032, Shaanxi, China.,Department of Neurology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, 127 Chang Le Xi Road, Xi'an710032, Shaanxi, China
| | - Xin Kang
- Department of Neurobiology and Institute of Neurosciences, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, 169 Chang Le Xi Road, Xi'an710032, Shaanxi, China
| | - Fang Yang
- Department of Neurology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, 127 Chang Le Xi Road, Xi'an710032, Shaanxi, China
| | - Wan-Qing Du
- Department of Neurobiology and Institute of Neurosciences, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, 169 Chang Le Xi Road, Xi'an710032, Shaanxi, China
| | - Jia-Jia Zhang
- National Translational Science Center for Molecular Medicine & Department of Cell Biology, Fourth Military Medical University, 169 Chang Le Xi Road, Xi'an710032, Shaanxi, China
| | - Long Liu
- Department of Neurobiology and Institute of Neurosciences, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, 169 Chang Le Xi Road, Xi'an710032, Shaanxi, China
| | - Jun-Jun Kang
- Department of Neurobiology and Institute of Neurosciences, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, 169 Chang Le Xi Road, Xi'an710032, Shaanxi, China
| | - Ning Jia
- Department of Neurobiology and Institute of Neurosciences, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, 169 Chang Le Xi Road, Xi'an710032, Shaanxi, China
| | - Hui Yue
- Department of Neurobiology and Institute of Neurosciences, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, 169 Chang Le Xi Road, Xi'an710032, Shaanxi, China
| | - Lu-Yu Fan
- Department of Neurobiology and Institute of Neurosciences, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, 169 Chang Le Xi Road, Xi'an710032, Shaanxi, China
| | - Sheng-Xi Wu
- Department of Neurobiology and Institute of Neurosciences, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, 169 Chang Le Xi Road, Xi'an710032, Shaanxi, China
| | - Wen Jiang
- Department of Neurology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, 127 Chang Le Xi Road, Xi'an710032, Shaanxi, China
| | - Fang Gao
- Department of Neurobiology and Institute of Neurosciences, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, 169 Chang Le Xi Road, Xi'an710032, Shaanxi, China
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Hahlbeck SM, Vito AG. Adolescent Marijuana Dependence: The Role of Social Bonds and Social Learning Theory. J Psychoactive Drugs 2021; 54:43-53. [PMID: 33775242 DOI: 10.1080/02791072.2021.1903122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Using the 2017 National Survey of Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) data, this research examines the extent to which social bonds and social learning theory predict adolescent marijuana dependence. Full information maximum likelihood (FIML) for logistic regression analyses were conducted in four models to test the competing theories. The results revealed partial support for both theories, such that adolescents with stronger parental bonds and negative definitions of substance use were less likely to be dependent on marijuana, while adolescents who associated with substance using peers were more likely to be dependent on marijuana. The multi-theoretical model suggested that only the social learning theory concepts of differential association and negative definitions were significant theoretical predictors of adolescent marijuana dependence. Additional analyses revealed that first using marijuana at 14 or 15 years old was also significantly related to adolescent marijuana dependence. Implications for future research and risk prevention programs are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sydney M Hahlbeck
- Department of Psychological Science, Ball State University, Muncie, IN, USA
| | - Anthony G Vito
- Department of Criminal Justice & Criminology, Ball State University, Muncie, IN, USA
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28
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Effects of vapourized THC and voluntary alcohol drinking during adolescence on cognition, reward, and anxiety-like behaviours in rats. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2021; 106:110141. [PMID: 33069816 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2020.110141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2020] [Revised: 09/22/2020] [Accepted: 10/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Cannabis and alcohol co-use is prevalent in adolescence, but the long-term behavioural effects of this co-use remain largely unexplored. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of adolescent alcohol and Δ9-tetrahydracannabinol (THC) vapour co-exposure on cognitive- and reward-related behaviours. Male Sprague-Dawley rats received vapourized THC (10 mg vapourized THC/four adolescent rats) or vehicle every other day (from post-natal day (PND) 28-42) and had continuous voluntary access to ethanol (10% volume/volume) in adolescence. Alcohol intake was measured during the exposure period to assess the acute effects of THC on alcohol consumption. In adulthood (PND 56+), rats underwent behavioural testing. Adolescent rats showed higher alcohol preference, assessed using the two-bottle choice test, on days on which they were not exposed to THC vapour. In adulthood, rats that drank alcohol as adolescents exhibited short-term memory deficits and showed decreased alcohol preference; on the other hand, rats exposed to THC vapour showed learning impairments in the delay-discounting task. Vapourized THC, alcohol or their combination had no effect on anxiety-like behaviours in adulthood. Our results show that although adolescent THC exposure acutely affects alcohol drinking, adolescent alcohol and cannabis co-use may not produce long-term additive effects.
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29
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Alteba S, Portugalov A, Hillard CJ, Akirav I. Inhibition of Fatty Acid Amide Hydrolase (FAAH) During Adolescence and Exposure to Early Life Stress may Exacerbate Depression-like Behaviors in Male and Female Rats. Neuroscience 2021; 455:89-106. [PMID: 33359656 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2020.12.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2020] [Revised: 12/13/2020] [Accepted: 12/14/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Early-life stress (ELS) is associated with later onset of depression. Early cannabis use may be a risk factor that interacts with environmental factors to increase the risk of psychopathologies. We aimed to examine the long-term effects of ELS on depression- and anxiety-like behavior, and examine whether chronic fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) inhibition during mid-adolescence could ameliorate or exacerbate ELS effects on behavior. Male and female rats were exposed to ELS during post-natal days (P) 7-14, injected with the FAAH inhibitor URB597 (0.4 mg/kg, i.p.) or vehicle for 2 weeks during mid-adolescence (P30-45) or late-adolescence (P45-60). Rats were tested in adulthood for behavior and alterations in CB1 receptors (CB1r) and glucocorticoid receptors (GRs) in the brains' stress circuit. ELS produced decreased social preference, impaired social recognition, increased learned helplessness and anxiety-like behavior. Administering URB597 during mid-adolescence did not prevent the deleterious long-term effects of ELS on behavior in males and females. When URB597 was administered during late-adolescence, it ameliorated ELS-induced depression- and anxiety-like behavior. Moreover, in males, ELS and URB597 decreased CB1r levels in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and CA1 and GRs in the PFC and basolateral amygdala (BLA). In females, ELS and URB decreased CB1r in the BLA and GRs in the CA1 and BLA. The findings suggest that mid-adolescence, as opposed to late-adolescence, may not be a potential developmental period for chronic treatment with FAAH inhibitors and that sex-dependent alterations in CB1r and GRs expression in the BLA-PFC-CA1 circuit may contribute to the depressive behavioral phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shirley Alteba
- School of Psychological Sciences, Department of Psychology, University of Haifa, Haifa 3498838, Israel; The Integrated Brain and Behavior Research Center (IBBR), University of Haifa, Haifa 3498838, Israel
| | - Anna Portugalov
- School of Psychological Sciences, Department of Psychology, University of Haifa, Haifa 3498838, Israel; The Integrated Brain and Behavior Research Center (IBBR), University of Haifa, Haifa 3498838, Israel
| | - Cecilia J Hillard
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Neuroscience Research Center, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee 53226, USA
| | - Irit Akirav
- School of Psychological Sciences, Department of Psychology, University of Haifa, Haifa 3498838, Israel; The Integrated Brain and Behavior Research Center (IBBR), University of Haifa, Haifa 3498838, Israel.
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30
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Bouet V, Percelay S, Leroux E, Diarra B, Léger M, Delcroix N, Andrieux A, Dollfus S, Freret T, Boulouard M. A new 3-hit mouse model of schizophrenia built on genetic, early and late factors. Schizophr Res 2021; 228:519-528. [PMID: 33298334 DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2020.11.043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2020] [Revised: 11/12/2020] [Accepted: 11/23/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Whether the etiology of schizophrenia remains unknown, its multifactorial aspect is conversely now well admitted. However, most preclinical models of the disease still rely on a mono-factorial construction and do not allow discover unequivocal treatments, particularly for negative and cognitive symptoms. The main interaction factors that have been implicated in schizophrenia are a genetic predisposition and unfavorable environmental factors. Here we propose a new animal model combining a genetic predisposition (1st hit: partial deletion of MAP-6 (microtubule-associated protein)) with an early postnatal stress (2nd hit: 24 h maternal separation at post-natal day 9), and a late cannabinoid exposure during adolescence (3rd hit: tetrahydrocannabinol THC from post-natal day 32 to 52; 8 mg/kg/day). The 2-hit mice displayed spatial memory deficits, decreased cortical thickness and fractional anisotropy of callosal fibers. The 3-hit mice were more severely affected as attested by supplementary deficits such a decrease in spontaneous activity, sociability-related behavior, working memory performances, an increase in anxiety-like behavior, a decrease in hippocampus volume together with impaired integrity of corpus callosum fibers (less axons, less myelin). Taken together, these results show that the new 3-hit model displays several landmarks mimicking negative and cognitive symptoms of schizophrenia, conferring a high relevance for research of new treatments. Moreover, this 3-hit model possesses a strong construct validity, which fits with gene x environment interactions hypothesis of schizophrenia. The 2-hit model, which associates maternal separation with THC exposure in wild-type mice gives a less severe phenotype, and could be useful for research on other forms of psychiatric diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentine Bouet
- Normandie Université, UNICAEN, INSERM, COMETE, CYCERON, CHYU CAEN, 14000 Caen, France.
| | - Solenn Percelay
- Normandie Université, UNICAEN, INSERM, COMETE, CYCERON, CHYU CAEN, 14000 Caen, France
| | - Elise Leroux
- Normandie Université, UNICAEN, EA 7466 ISTS, GIP Cyceron, 14000 Caen, France
| | - Boubacar Diarra
- Normandie Université, UNICAEN, INSERM, COMETE, CYCERON, CHYU CAEN, 14000 Caen, France
| | - Marianne Léger
- Normandie Université, UNICAEN, INSERM, COMETE, CYCERON, CHYU CAEN, 14000 Caen, France
| | - Nicolas Delcroix
- CNRS, UMS 3408, GIP CYCERON, Bd Henri Becquerel, BP5229, 14074 Caen cedex, France
| | - Annie Andrieux
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, Inserm U1216, CEA, Grenoble Institut Neurosciences, 38000 Grenoble, France
| | - Sonia Dollfus
- Normandie Université, UNICAEN, EA 7466 ISTS, GIP Cyceron, 14000 Caen, France; CHU de Caen, Service de Psychiatrie Adulte, 14000 Caen, France
| | - Thomas Freret
- Normandie Université, UNICAEN, INSERM, COMETE, CYCERON, CHYU CAEN, 14000 Caen, France
| | - Michel Boulouard
- Normandie Université, UNICAEN, INSERM, COMETE, CYCERON, CHYU CAEN, 14000 Caen, France
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De Felice M, Renard J, Hudson R, Szkudlarek HJ, Pereira BJ, Schmid S, Rushlow WJ, Laviolette SR. l-Theanine Prevents Long-Term Affective and Cognitive Side Effects of Adolescent Δ-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol Exposure and Blocks Associated Molecular and Neuronal Abnormalities in the Mesocorticolimbic Circuitry. J Neurosci 2021; 41:739-750. [PMID: 33268546 PMCID: PMC7842745 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1050-20.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2020] [Revised: 09/15/2020] [Accepted: 09/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic adolescent exposure to Δ-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is linked to elevated neuropsychiatric risk and induces neuronal, molecular and behavioral abnormalities resembling neuropsychiatric endophenotypes. Previous evidence has revealed that the mesocorticolimbic circuitry, including the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and mesolimbic dopamine (DA) pathway are particularly susceptible to THC-induced pathologic alterations, including dysregulation of DAergic activity states, loss of PFC GABAergic inhibitory control and affective and cognitive abnormalities. There are currently limited pharmacological intervention strategies capable of preventing THC-induced neuropathological adaptations. l-Theanine is an amino acid analog of l-glutamate and l-glutamine derived from various plant sources, including green tea leaves. l-Theanine has previously been shown to modulate levels of GABA, DA, and glutamate in various neural regions and to possess neuroprotective properties. Using a preclinical model of adolescent THC exposure in male rats, we report that l-theanine pretreatment before adolescent THC exposure is capable of preventing long-term, THC-induced dysregulation of both PFC and VTA DAergic activity states, a neuroprotective effect that persists into adulthood. In addition, pretreatment with l-theanine blocked THC-induced downregulation of local GSK-3 (glycogen synthase kinase 3) and Akt signaling pathways directly in the PFC, two biomarkers previously associated with cannabis-related psychiatric risk and subcortical DAergic dysregulation. Finally, l-theanine powerfully blocked the development of both affective and cognitive abnormalities commonly associated with adolescent THC exposure, further demonstrating functional and long-term neuroprotective effects of l-theanine in the mesocorticolimbic system.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT With the increasing trend of cannabis legalization and consumption during adolescence, it is essential to expand knowledge on the potential effects of adolescent cannabis exposure on brain development and identify potential pharmacological strategies to minimize Δ-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)-induced neuropathology. Previous evidence demonstrates that adolescent THC exposure induces long-lasting affective and cognitive abnormalities, mesocorticolimbic dysregulation, and schizophrenia-like molecular biomarkers that persist into adulthood. We demonstrate for the first time that l-theanine, an amino acid analog of l-glutamate and l-glutamine, is capable of preventing long-term THC side effects. l-Theanine prevented the development of THC-induced behavioral aberrations, blocked cortical downregulation of local GSK-3 (glycogen synthase kinase 3) and Akt signaling pathways, and normalized dysregulation of both PFC and VTA DAergic activity, demonstrating powerful and functional neuroprotective effects against THC-induced developmental neuropathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta De Felice
- Addiction Research Group, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario N6A 5C1, Canada
- Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario N6A 3K7, Canada
| | - Justine Renard
- Addiction Research Group, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario N6A 5C1, Canada
- Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario N6A 3K7, Canada
| | - Roger Hudson
- Addiction Research Group, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario N6A 5C1, Canada
- Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario N6A 3K7, Canada
| | - Hanna J Szkudlarek
- Addiction Research Group, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario N6A 5C1, Canada
- Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario N6A 3K7, Canada
| | - Brian J Pereira
- Addiction Research Group, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario N6A 5C1, Canada
- Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario N6A 3K7, Canada
| | - Susanne Schmid
- Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario N6A 3K7, Canada
| | - Walter J Rushlow
- Addiction Research Group, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario N6A 5C1, Canada
- Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario N6A 3K7, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario N6A 3K7, Canada
| | - Steven R Laviolette
- Addiction Research Group, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario N6A 5C1, Canada
- Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario N6A 3K7, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario N6A 3K7, Canada
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Colangeli R, Teskey GC, Di Giovanni G. Endocannabinoid-serotonin systems interaction in health and disease. PROGRESS IN BRAIN RESEARCH 2021; 259:83-134. [PMID: 33541682 DOI: 10.1016/bs.pbr.2021.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Endocannabinoid (eCB) and serotonin (5-HT) neuromodulatory systems work both independently and together to finely orchestrate neuronal activity throughout the brain to strongly sculpt behavioral functions. Surprising parallelism between the behavioral effects of 5-HT and eCB activity has been widely reported, including the regulation of emotional states, stress homeostasis, cognitive functions, food intake and sleep. The distribution pattern of the 5-HT system and the eCB molecular elements in the brain display a strong overlap and several studies report a functional interplay and even a tight interdependence between eCB/5-HT signaling. In this review, we examine the available evidence of the interaction between the eCB and 5-HT systems. We first introduce the eCB system, then we describe the eCB/5-HT crosstalk at the neuronal and synaptic levels. Finally, we explore the potential eCB/5-HT interaction at the behavioral level with the implication for psychiatric and neurological disorders. The precise elucidation of how this neuromodulatory interaction dynamically regulates biological functions may lead to the development of more targeted therapeutic strategies for the treatment of depressive and anxiety disorders, psychosis and epilepsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Colangeli
- Section of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy; Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.
| | - G Campbell Teskey
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Giuseppe Di Giovanni
- Laboratory of Neurophysiology, Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta, Msida, Malta; Neuroscience Division, School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom
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Ibarra-Lecue I, Diez-Alarcia R, Urigüen L. Serotonin 2A receptors and cannabinoids. PROGRESS IN BRAIN RESEARCH 2021; 259:135-175. [PMID: 33541675 DOI: 10.1016/bs.pbr.2021.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Accumulating evidence has proven that both exogenous cannabinoids as well as imbalances in the endocannabinoid system are involved in the onset and development of mental disorders such as anxiety, depression, or schizophrenia. Extensive recent research in this topic has mainly focused on the molecular mechanisms by which cannabinoid agonists may contribute to the pathophysiology of these disorders. Initially, serotonin neurotransmitter garnered most attention due to its relationship to mood disorders and mental diseases, with little attention to specific receptors. To date, the focus has redirected toward the understanding of different serotonin receptors, through a demonstration of its versatile pharmacology and synergy with different modulators. Serotonin 2A receptors are a good example of this phenomenon, and the complex signaling that they trigger appears of high relevance in the context of mental disorders, especially in schizophrenia. This chapter will analyze most relevant attributes of serotonin 2A receptors and the endocannabinoid system, and will highlight the evidence toward the functional bidirectional interaction between these elements in the brain as well as the impact of the endocannabinoid system dysregulation on serotonin 2A receptors functionality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inés Ibarra-Lecue
- Department of Pharmacology, University of the Basque Country, UPV/EHU, Leioa, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental CIBERSAM, Madrid, Spain
| | - Rebeca Diez-Alarcia
- Department of Pharmacology, University of the Basque Country, UPV/EHU, Leioa, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental CIBERSAM, Madrid, Spain; Biocruces Bizkaia Health Research Institute, Bizkaia, Spain
| | - Leyre Urigüen
- Department of Pharmacology, University of the Basque Country, UPV/EHU, Leioa, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental CIBERSAM, Madrid, Spain; Biocruces Bizkaia Health Research Institute, Bizkaia, Spain.
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Stringfield SJ, Torregrossa MM. Disentangling the lasting effects of adolescent cannabinoid exposure. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2021; 104:110067. [PMID: 32791165 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2020.110067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2020] [Revised: 07/12/2020] [Accepted: 08/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Cannabis is the most widely used illicit substance among adolescents, and adolescent cannabis use is associated with various neurocognitive deficits that can extend into adulthood. A growing body of evidence supports the hypothesis that adolescence encompasses a vulnerable period of development where exposure to exogenous cannabinoids can alter the normative trajectory of brain maturation. In this review, we present an overview of studies of human and rodent models that examine lasting effects of adolescent exposure. We include evidence from meta-analyses, longitudinal, or cross-sectional studies in humans that consider age of onset as a factor that contributes to the behavioral dysregulation and altered structural or functional development in cannabis users. We also discuss evidence from preclinical rodent models utilizing well-characterized or innovative routes of exposure, investigating the effects of dose and timing to produce behavioral deficits or alterations on a neuronal and behavioral level. Multiple studies from both humans and animals provide contrasting results regarding the magnitude of residual effects. Combined evidence suggests that exposure to psychoactive cannabinoids during adolescence has the potential to produce subtle, but lasting, alterations in neurobiology and behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sierra J Stringfield
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, 450 Technology Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA; Center for Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh, 4200 Fifth Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Mary M Torregrossa
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, 450 Technology Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA; Center for Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh, 4200 Fifth Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA.
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Gomez DM, Everett TJ, Hamilton LR, Ranganath A, Cheer JF, Oleson EB. Chronic cannabinoid exposure produces tolerance to the dopamine releasing effects of WIN 55,212-2 and heroin in adult male rats. Neuropharmacology 2021; 182:108374. [PMID: 33115642 PMCID: PMC7836093 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2020.108374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2020] [Revised: 10/16/2020] [Accepted: 10/24/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Synthetic cannabinoids were introduced into recreational drug culture in 2008 and quickly became one of the most commonly abused drugs in the United States. The neurobiological consequences resulting from synthetic cannabinoid repeated exposure remain poorly understood. It is possible that a blunted dopamine (DA) response may lead drug users to consume larger quantities to compensate for this form of neurochemical tolerance. Because the endogenous cannabinoid and opioid systems exhibit considerable cross-talk and cross-tolerance frequently develops following repeated exposure to either opioids or cannabinoids, there is interest in investigating whether a history of synthetic cannabinoid exposure influences the ability of heroin to increase DA release. To test the effects of chronic cannabinoid exposure on cannabinoid- and heroin-evoked DA release, male adult rats were treated with either vehicle or a synthetic cannabinoid (WIN55-212-2; WIN) using an intravenous (IV) dose escalation regimen (0.2-0.8 mg/kg IV over 9 treatments). As predicted, WIN-treated rats showed a rightward shift in the dose-response relationship across all behavioral/physiological measures when compared to vehicle-treated controls. Then, using fast-scan cyclic voltammetry to measure changes in the frequency of transient DA events in the nucleus accumbens shell of awake and freely-moving rats, it was observed that the DA releasing effects of both WIN and heroin were significantly reduced in male rats with a pharmacological history of cannabinoid exposure. These results demonstrate that repeated exposure to the synthetic cannabinoid WIN can produce tolerance to its DA releasing effects and cross-tolerance to the DA releasing effects of heroin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Devan M Gomez
- Psychology Department, University of Colorado Denver, USA; Current: Department of Biomedical Sciences, Marquette University, USA
| | | | | | - Ajit Ranganath
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, University of Maryland Baltimore, USA
| | - Joseph F Cheer
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, University of Maryland Baltimore, USA
| | - Erik B Oleson
- Psychology Department, University of Colorado Denver, USA; Biology Department, University of Colorado Denver, USA.
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Alteba S, Mizrachi Zer-Aviv T, Tenenhaus A, Ben David G, Adelman J, Hillard CJ, Doron R, Akirav I. Antidepressant-like effects of URB597 and JZL184 in male and female rats exposed to early life stress. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol 2020; 39:70-86. [PMID: 32891517 DOI: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2020.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2020] [Revised: 07/21/2020] [Accepted: 08/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Early life stress (ELS) may increase predisposition to depression. Despite extensive research, there is still a lack of knowledge of how to optimally treat depression. We aimed to establish a role for the endocannabinoid (ECB) system within the hippocampal-nucleus accumbens (NAc) network as a possible effective target in combating the pathophysiological development of depression-like behavior and neuronal alterations that are precipitated by ELS. Male and female rats were exposed to ELS during post-natal days (P) 7-14, injected with the fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) inhibitor URB597 or the monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL) inhibitor JZL184 for 2 weeks during late-adolescence (P45-60). Rats were tested starting at P90 for depressive- and anxiety-like behaviors as well as social preference and recognition; alterations in FAAH and MAGL activity; the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF); and plasticity in the hippocampal-NAc pathway. FAAH and MAGL inhibitors during late-adolescence prevented: (i) the long-term effects of ELS on depression- and anxiety-like behavior and the impairment in social behavior and neuronal plasticity in males and females; (ii) ELS-induced alterations in MAGL activity in males' hippocampus and females' hippocampus and NAc; and (iii) ELS-induced alterations in BDNF in males' hippocampus and NAc and females' hippocampus. Significant correlations were observed between alterations in MAGL and BDNF levels and the behavioral phenotype. The findings suggest that alterations in MAGL activity and BDNF expression in the hippocampal-NAc network contribute to the depressive-like behavioral phenotype in ELS males and females. Moreover, the study suggests FAAH and MAGL inhibitors as potential intervention drugs for depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shirley Alteba
- School of Psychological Sciences, Department of Psychology, University of Haifa, Haifa 3498838, Israel; The Integrated Brain and Behavior Research Center (IBBR), University of Haifa, Haifa, 3498838, Israel
| | - Tomer Mizrachi Zer-Aviv
- School of Psychological Sciences, Department of Psychology, University of Haifa, Haifa 3498838, Israel; The Integrated Brain and Behavior Research Center (IBBR), University of Haifa, Haifa, 3498838, Israel
| | - Adi Tenenhaus
- Department of Education and Psychology, The Open University of Israel, Israel
| | - Gilad Ben David
- Department of Education and Psychology, The Open University of Israel, Israel
| | - Jacob Adelman
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Neuroscience Research Center, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee 53226, USA
| | - Cecilia J Hillard
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Neuroscience Research Center, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee 53226, USA
| | - Ravid Doron
- Department of Education and Psychology, The Open University of Israel, Israel
| | - Irit Akirav
- School of Psychological Sciences, Department of Psychology, University of Haifa, Haifa 3498838, Israel; The Integrated Brain and Behavior Research Center (IBBR), University of Haifa, Haifa, 3498838, Israel.
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Morrison PD, Murray RM. Cannabis points to the synaptic pathology of mental disorders: how aberrant synaptic components disrupt the highest psychological functions
. DIALOGUES IN CLINICAL NEUROSCIENCE 2020; 22:251-258. [PMID: 33162768 PMCID: PMC7605021 DOI: 10.31887/dcns.2020.22.3/pmorrison] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Cannabis can elicit an acute psychotic reaction, and its long-term use is a risk
factor for schizophrenia. The main active psychoactive ingredient
∆9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC) activates cannabinoid 1 (CB1) receptors, which are
localized to the terminals of glutamate and GABA neurons in the brain. The endogenous
cannabinoids are involved in information processing and plasticity at synapses in the
hippocampus, basal ganglia, and cerebral cortex. Exogenously applied CB1 receptor
agonists disrupt neuronal dynamics and synaptic plasticity, resulting in cognitive
deficits and impairment of the highest psychological functions. Various other
pro-psychotic drugs, such as ketamine and methamphetamine, exert their effects in the
same microdomain of synaptic spines as Δ9-THC. Additionally, many of the most robust
findings in psychiatric genetics include components that localize to dendritic spines
and have important roles in information processing and plasticity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul D Morrison
- The Argyll Bute Hospital, Lochgilphead, NHS Highland, Scotland, UK; The Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, UK
| | - Robin M Murray
- The Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, UK
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Abboussi O, Andaloussi ZIL, Chris AD, Taghzouti K. Chronic Exposure to WIN55,212-2 During Adolescence Alters Prefrontal Dopamine Turnover and Induces Sensorimotor Deficits in Adult Rats. Neurotox Res 2020; 38:682-690. [PMID: 32757167 DOI: 10.1007/s12640-020-00266-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2020] [Revised: 07/28/2020] [Accepted: 07/30/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Several lines of evidence suggest that chronic exposure to cannabinoids during adolescence may increase the risk of schizophrenia. Studies of the disorder have identified altered cortical dopaminergic neurotransmission. In this study, we hypothesised that heightened endocannabinoid system activation via chronic exposure to a highly potent cannabinoid receptors agonist in adolescent rats would cause long-lasting neurobiological changes that may dramatically alter expression and functions of dopamine metabolising enzymes, comethyl-o-transferase (COMT) and monoamine oxidases MAO-A and MAO-B. To test this hypothesis, adult male rats (70 PND) undergoing chronic treatment of the highly potent and non-selective CB agonist WIN55,212-2 (1.2 mg/kg) during adolescence (PND 30-50) were subjected after 20 days washout period to prepulse inhibition of acoustic startle test (PPI) to confirm cannabinoid-induced sensorimotor-gating impairments and afterwards examined for COMT, MAO-A and MAO-B expression and activity in the prefrontal cortex. Chronic WIN55,212-2 exposure during adolescence caused disruption of PPI, increased cortical dopamine level, decreased COMT mRNA expression and decreased MAO-A and MAO-B enzymatic activities. These results indicate that chronic exposure to cannabinoids during adolescence induces sensorimotor-gating alterations which likely result from changes in the prefrontal cortex dopaminergic signalling. This has important implications for developing methods of targeting dopamine metabolising enzymes and/or sequelae of its dysregulation in cannabinoid-induced schizoaffective-like behaviour.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oualid Abboussi
- Division of Neuroscience, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, Institute of Academic Anaesthesia, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK.
| | - Zineb Ibn Lahmar Andaloussi
- Physiology and Physiopathology Team, Faculty of Sciences, Genomic of Human Pathologies Research Centre, Mohammed V University in Rabat, Rabat, Morocco
| | - Ajonijebu Duyilemi Chris
- Department of Physiology, School of Biomolecular and Chemical Sciences, Faculty of Science, Nelson Mandela University, Port Elizabeth, South Africa
| | - Khalid Taghzouti
- Physiology and Physiopathology Team, Faculty of Sciences, Genomic of Human Pathologies Research Centre, Mohammed V University in Rabat, Rabat, Morocco
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Pérez-Valenzuela EJ, Andrés Coke ME, Grace AA, Fuentealba Evans JA. Adolescent Exposure to WIN 55212-2 Render the Nigrostriatal Dopaminergic Pathway Activated During Adulthood. Int J Neuropsychopharmacol 2020; 23:626-637. [PMID: 32710782 PMCID: PMC7710918 DOI: 10.1093/ijnp/pyaa053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2020] [Revised: 07/08/2020] [Accepted: 07/22/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND During adolescence, neuronal circuits exhibit plasticity in response to physiological changes and to adapt to environmental events. Nigrostriatal dopaminergic pathways are in constant flux during development. Evidence suggests a relationship between early use of cannabinoids and psychiatric disorders characterized by altered dopaminergic systems, such as schizophrenia and addiction. However, the impact of adolescent exposure to cannabinoids on nigrostriatal dopaminergic pathways in adulthood remains unclear. The aim of this research was to determine the effects of repeated activation of cannabinoid receptors during adolescence on dopaminergic activity of nigrostriatal pathways and the mechanisms underlying this impact during adulthood. METHODS Male Sprague-Dawley rats were treated with 1.2 mg/kg WIN 55212-2 daily from postnatal day 40 to 65. Then no-net flux microdialysis of dopamine in the dorsolateral striatum, electrophysiological recording of dopaminergic neuronal activity, and microdialysis measures of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and glutamate in substantia nigra par compacta were carried out during adulthood (postnatal days 72-78). RESULTS Repeated activation of cannabinoid receptors during adolescence increased the release of dopamine in dorsolateral striatum accompanied by increased population activity of dopamine neurons and decreased extracellular GABA levels in substantia nigra par compacta in adulthood. Furthermore, perfusion of bicuculline, a GABAa antagonist, into the ventral pallidum reversed the increased dopamine neuron population activity in substantia nigra par compacta induced by adolescent cannabinoid exposure. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that adolescent exposure to cannabinoid agonists produces disinhibition of nigrostriatal dopamine transmission during adulthood mediated by decreased GABAergic input from the ventral pallidum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enzo Javier Pérez-Valenzuela
- Department of Pharmacy and Interdisciplinary Center of Neuroscience, Faculty of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile,Departments of Neuroscience, Psychiatry, and Psychology, Center for Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - María Estela Andrés Coke
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biological Science, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Anthony A Grace
- Departments of Neuroscience, Psychiatry, and Psychology, Center for Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - José Antonio Fuentealba Evans
- Department of Pharmacy and Interdisciplinary Center of Neuroscience, Faculty of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile,Correspondence: José Antonio Fuentealba, PhD, Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile ()
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Gibula-Tarlowska E, Wydra K, Kotlinska JH. Deleterious Effects of Ethanol, Δ(9)-Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), and Their Combination on the Spatial Memory and Cognitive Flexibility in Adolescent and Adult Male Rats in the Barnes Maze Task. Pharmaceutics 2020; 12:pharmaceutics12070654. [PMID: 32660138 PMCID: PMC7407502 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics12070654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2020] [Revised: 07/03/2020] [Accepted: 07/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Research demonstrates that adolescents differ from adults in their response to drugs of abuse. The aim of the present study was to examine the influence of ethanol, Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol hydrochloride (THC), and a combination of these drugs given during adolescence on spatial memory in adolescent and adult rats. Thus, adolescent rats (postnatal day (PND) 30) were subjected to the following groups: 0.9% NaCl; 1.5 g/kg ethanol; 1.0 mg/kg THC; 1.5 g/kg ethanol + 1.0 mg/kg THC. Rats received drug injection four times at three-day intervals. One day after the last injection, half of the treated animals were tested in the Barnes maze task, whereas the remaining animals were tested on PND 70. Results show that there was a significant age effect on spatial memory in the Barnes maze task after these drug administrations. Adolescent animals demonstrated more potent deficits in the spatial learning and memory (probe trial) and in cognitive flexibility (reversal learning) than did adults. However, in adult rats that received these drugs in adolescence, memory decline was observed only after ethanol and ethanol + THC administration. Thus, our results are important in understanding the deleterious impact of THC and/or ethanol abuse during adolescence on memory function across the lifespan (adolescent versus adult).
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Affiliation(s)
- Ewa Gibula-Tarlowska
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacodynamics, Medical University, 20-093 Lublin, Poland;
- Correspondence:
| | - Karolina Wydra
- Department of Drug Addiction Pharmacology, Maj Institute of Pharmacology Polish Academy of Sciences, 31-343 Krakow, Poland;
| | - Jolanta H. Kotlinska
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacodynamics, Medical University, 20-093 Lublin, Poland;
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Dhein S. Different Effects of Cannabis Abuse on Adolescent and Adult Brain. Pharmacology 2020; 105:609-617. [PMID: 32629444 DOI: 10.1159/000509377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2020] [Accepted: 06/11/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Cannabis abuse is a common phenomenon among adolescents. The dominant psychoactive substance in Cannabis sativa is tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). However, in the past 40 years the content of the psychoactive ingredient THC in most of the preparations is not constant but has increased due to other breeding and culturing conditions. THC acts as the endocannabinoids at CB1 and CB2 receptors but pharmacologically can be described as a partial (not a pure) agonist. Recent evidence shows that activation of the CB1 receptor by THC can diminish the production of neuronal growth factor in neurons and affect other signalling cascades involved in synapsis formation. Since these factors play an important role in the brain development and in the neuronal conversion processes during puberty, it seems reasonable that THC can affect the adolescent brain in another manner than the adult brain. Accordingly, in adolescent cannabis users structural changes were observed with loss of grey matter in certain brain areas. Moreover, recent studies show different effects of THC on adolescent and adult brains and on behaviour. These studies indicate that early THC abuse can result in neuropsychological deficits. This review gives an overview over the present knowledge in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Dhein
- Institute f. Pharmacology, University Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany, .,Fachdienst Gesundheit, Altenburg, Germany,
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42
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Dunn AL, Michie PT, Hodgson DM, Harms L. Adolescent cannabinoid exposure interacts with other risk factors in schizophrenia: A review of the evidence from animal models. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2020; 116:202-220. [PMID: 32610181 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2020.06.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2019] [Revised: 06/23/2020] [Accepted: 06/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Many factors and their interaction are linked to the aetiology of schizophrenia, leading to the development of animal models of multiple risk factors and adverse exposures. Differentiating between separate and combined effects for each factor could better elucidate schizophrenia pathology, and drive development of preventative strategies for high-load risk factors. An epidemiologically valid risk factor commonly associated with schizophrenia is adolescent cannabis use. The aim of this review is to evaluate how early-life adversity from various origins, in combination with adolescent cannabinoid exposure interact, and whether these interactions confer main, synergistic or protective effects in animal models of schizophrenia-like behavioural, cognitive and morphological alterations. Patterns emerge regarding which models show consistent synergistic or protective effects, particularly those models incorporating early-life exposure to maternal deprivation and maternal immune activation, and sex-specific effects are observed. It is evident that more research needs to be conducted to better understand the risks and alterations of interacting factors, with particular interest in sex differences, to better understand the translatability of these preclinical models to humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ariel L Dunn
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Science, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia; Priority Centre for Brain and Mental Health Research, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia.
| | - Patricia T Michie
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Science, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia; Priority Centre for Brain and Mental Health Research, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia; Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW 2305, Australia.
| | - Deborah M Hodgson
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Science, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia; Priority Centre for Brain and Mental Health Research, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia; Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW 2305, Australia.
| | - Lauren Harms
- Priority Centre for Brain and Mental Health Research, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia; School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia; Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW 2305, Australia.
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43
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Molla HM, Tseng KY. Neural substrates underlying the negative impact of cannabinoid exposure during adolescence. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2020; 195:172965. [PMID: 32526217 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2020.172965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2020] [Revised: 05/24/2020] [Accepted: 06/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
As cannabinoid use among the adolescent population becomes widespread with recent legalizations, understanding more about its effects on the developing brain becomes increasingly important. Adolescent cannabinoid use has been shown to elicit both short and long lasting effects on cortical function, in part due to its impact on maturing brain regions including the prefrontal cortex and associated inputs. This paper provides an overview of current state of knowledge on the lasting impact of repeated cannabinoid exposure on behavior and associated neural circuits in adolescents compared to other age groups. Data obtained from human and rodent literature are integrated to discuss potential neural mechanisms underpinning the enduring negative impact of cannabinoid exposure during this sensitive period of brain development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanna M Molla
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Illinois at Chicago - College of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA; Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, Rosalind Franklin University, North Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Kuei Y Tseng
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Illinois at Chicago - College of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA.
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44
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Hawes SW, Pacheco-Colón I, Ross JM, Gonzalez R. Adolescent Cannabis Use and Conduct Problems: The Mediating Influence of Callous-Unemotional Traits. Int J Ment Health Addict 2020; 18:613-627. [PMID: 32742245 PMCID: PMC7394462 DOI: 10.1007/s11469-018-9958-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Cannabis use has been linked to an increased risk of engaging in conduct problem behaviors. However, little existing research has considered intervening processes and shared risk factors that may contribute to this association. The current investigation examines whether callous-unemotional traits, which have shown associations with adolescent cannabis use and conduct problem development, may exhibit a mediating influence on this relationship. Using a longitudinal cohort of youth (n = 390) at increased risk for escalating in their use of cannabis, we found that baseline cannabis use (age~15) was associated with higher levels of trait-like conduct problems (ages~16 & 17), even after controlling for important autoregressive and cross-lagged effects, along with a number of other shared risk factors (e.g., co-occuring substance use, age, sex). Findings also revealed that callous-unemotional traits partially mediated this relationship, with the hypothesized model accounting for approximately one-third of the variance in the conduct problem outcome (R2=.34). These results indicate that callous-unemotional traits may play an important intermediary role in the association between cannabis use and the development of problem behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel W Hawes
- Center for Children and Families, Florida International University, Department of Psychology, 11200 S.W. 8 Street, AHC1 Rm 140, Miami, Florida 33199
| | - Ileana Pacheco-Colón
- Center for Children and Families, Florida International University, Department of Psychology, 11200 S.W. 8 Street, AHC1 Rm 140, Miami, Florida 33199
| | - J Megan Ross
- Center for Children and Families, Florida International University, Department of Psychology, 11200 S.W. 8 Street, AHC1 Rm 140, Miami, Florida 33199
| | - Raul Gonzalez
- Center for Children and Families, Florida International University, Department of Psychology, 11200 S.W. 8 Street, AHC1 Rm 140, Miami, Florida 33199
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45
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Berthoux C, Hamieh AM, Rogliardo A, Doucet EL, Coudert C, Ango F, Grychowska K, Chaumont‐Dubel S, Zajdel P, Maldonado R, Bockaert J, Marin P, Bécamel C. Early 5-HT 6 receptor blockade prevents symptom onset in a model of adolescent cannabis abuse. EMBO Mol Med 2020; 12:e10605. [PMID: 32329240 PMCID: PMC7207164 DOI: 10.15252/emmm.201910605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2019] [Revised: 03/05/2020] [Accepted: 03/10/2020] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Cannabis abuse during adolescence confers an increased risk for developing later in life cognitive deficits reminiscent of those observed in schizophrenia, suggesting common pathological mechanisms that remain poorly characterized. In line with previous findings that revealed a role of 5-HT6 receptor-operated mTOR activation in cognitive deficits of rodent developmental models of schizophrenia, we show that chronic administration of ∆9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) to mice during adolescence induces a long-lasting activation of mTOR in prefrontal cortex (PFC), alterations of excitatory/inhibitory balance, intrinsic properties of layer V pyramidal neurons, and long-term depression, as well as cognitive deficits in adulthood. All are prevented by administrating a 5-HT6 receptor antagonist or rapamycin, during adolescence. In contrast, they are still present 2 weeks after the same treatments delivered at the adult stage. Collectively, these findings suggest a role of 5-HT6 receptor-operated mTOR signaling in abnormalities of cortical network wiring elicited by THC at a critical period of PFC maturation and highlight the potential of 5-HT6 receptor antagonists as early therapy to prevent cognitive symptom onset in adolescent cannabis abusers.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Camille Coudert
- IGF, University of MontpellierCNRS, INSERMMontpellierFrance
- Department of Adult PsychiatryMontpellier University HospitalMontpellierFrance
| | - Fabrice Ango
- IGF, University of MontpellierCNRS, INSERMMontpellierFrance
| | - Katarzyna Grychowska
- Department of Medicinal ChemistryJagiellonian University Medical CollegeKrakówPoland
| | | | - Pawel Zajdel
- Department of Medicinal ChemistryJagiellonian University Medical CollegeKrakówPoland
| | - Rafael Maldonado
- Neuropharmacology LaboratoryDepartment of Experimental and Health SciencesPompeu Fabra UniversityBarcelonaSpain
| | - Joël Bockaert
- IGF, University of MontpellierCNRS, INSERMMontpellierFrance
| | - Philippe Marin
- IGF, University of MontpellierCNRS, INSERMMontpellierFrance
| | - Carine Bécamel
- IGF, University of MontpellierCNRS, INSERMMontpellierFrance
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Weinstein G, Sznitman SR. The implications of late-life cannabis use on brain health: A mapping review and implications for future research. Ageing Res Rev 2020; 59:101041. [PMID: 32109605 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2020.101041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2019] [Revised: 02/12/2020] [Accepted: 02/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
While medical and recreational cannabis use is becoming more frequent among older adults, the neurocognitive consequences of cannabis use in this age group are unclear. The aim of this literature review was to synthesize and evaluate the current knowledge on the association of cannabis use during older-adulthood with cognitive function and brain aging. We reviewed the literature from old animal models and human studies, focusing on the link between use of cannabis in middle- and old-age and cognition. The report highlights the gap in knowledge on cannabis use in late-life and cognitive health, and discusses the limited findings in the context of substantial changes in attitudes and policies. Furthermore, we outline possible theoretical mechanisms and propose recommendations for future research. The limited evidence on this important topic suggests that use in older ages may not be linked with poorer cognitive performance, thus detrimental effects of early-life cannabis use may not translate to use in older ages. Rather, use in old ages may be associated with improved brain health, in accordance with the known neuroprotective properties of several cannabinoids. Yet, firm conclusions cannot be drawn from the current evidence-base due to lack of research with strong methodological designs.
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Tirado-Muñoz J, Lopez-Rodriguez AB, Fonseca F, Farré M, Torrens M, Viveros MP. Effects of cannabis exposure in the prenatal and adolescent periods: Preclinical and clinical studies in both sexes. Front Neuroendocrinol 2020; 57:100841. [PMID: 32339546 DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2020.100841] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2019] [Revised: 03/15/2020] [Accepted: 04/19/2020] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Cannabis is the most commonly used illicit drug among adolescents and young adults, including pregnant women. There is substantial evidence for a significant association between prenatal cannabis exposure and lower birth weight in offspring, and mixed results regarding later behavioural outcomes in the offspring. Adolescent cannabis use, especially heavy use, has been associated with altered executive function, depression, psychosis and use of other drugs later in life. Human studies have limitations due to several confounding factors and have provided scarce information about sex differences. In general, animal studies support behavioural alterations reported in humans and have revealed diverse sex differences and potential underlying mechanisms (altered mesolimbic dopaminergic and hippocampal glutamatergic systems and interference with prefrontal cortex maturation). More studies are needed that analyse sex and gender influences on cannabis-induced effects with great clinical relevance such as psychosis, cannabis use disorder and associated comorbidities, to achieve more personalized and accurate treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judith Tirado-Muñoz
- Addiction Research Group, IMIM-Institut Hospital del Mar d'Investigacions Mèdiques, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ana Belen Lopez-Rodriguez
- School of Biochemistry & Immunology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Francina Fonseca
- Addiction Research Group, IMIM-Institut Hospital del Mar d'Investigacions Mèdiques, Barcelona, Spain; Institute of Neuropsychiatry and Addictions, Parc de Salut Mar, Barcelona, Spain; Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Magi Farré
- Clinical Pharmacology Unit, Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol and Institut de Recerca Germas Trias (HUGTP-IGTP), Badalona, Spain; Department of Pharmacology, Therapeutics and Toxicology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marta Torrens
- Addiction Research Group, IMIM-Institut Hospital del Mar d'Investigacions Mèdiques, Barcelona, Spain; Institute of Neuropsychiatry and Addictions, Parc de Salut Mar, Barcelona, Spain; Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
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48
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A Systematic Review of Human Neuroimaging Evidence of Memory-Related Functional Alterations Associated with Cannabis Use Complemented with Preclinical and Human Evidence of Memory Performance Alterations. Brain Sci 2020; 10:brainsci10020102. [PMID: 32069958 PMCID: PMC7071506 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci10020102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2020] [Revised: 02/04/2020] [Accepted: 02/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Cannabis has been associated with deficits in memory performance. However, the neural correlates that may underpin impairments remain unclear. We carried out a systematic review of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies investigating brain functional alterations in cannabis users (CU) compared to nonusing controls while performing memory tasks, complemented with focused narrative reviews of relevant preclinical and human studies. Twelve studies employing fMRI were identified finding functional brain activation during memory tasks altered in CU. Memory performance studies showed CU performed worse particularly during verbal memory tasks. Longitudinal studies suggest that cannabis use may have a causal role in memory deficits. Preclinical studies have not provided conclusive evidence of memory deficits following cannabinoid exposure, although they have shown evidence of cannabinoid-induced structural and histological alteration. Memory performance deficits may be related to cannabis use, with lower performance possibly underpinned by altered functional activation. Memory impairments may be associated with the level of cannabis exposure and use of cannabis during developmentally sensitive periods, with possible improvement following cessation of cannabis use.
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49
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Verrico CD, Mathai DS, Gu H, Sampson AR, Lewis DA. Recovery from impaired working memory performance during chronic Δ-9-tetrahydrocannabinol administration to adolescent rhesus monkeys. J Psychopharmacol 2020; 34:211-220. [PMID: 31621487 PMCID: PMC8173701 DOI: 10.1177/0269881119882857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The relationship between adolescent cannabis use and susceptibility to persistent cognitive impairments is poorly understood. AIMS We examined the effects of repeated exposure to Δ-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) on reinforcement-related learning and performance of spatial working memory (WM) tasks of varying difficulty in adolescent monkeys. METHODS Seven pairs of male adolescent rhesus monkeys, matched for baseline cognitive performance, received vehicle or THC intravenously 5 days/week for 12 months. Performance on 4-item spatial WM trials was assessed throughout the 12-month study period. At the 6-month time point, more difficult novel and distractor 8-item spatial WM trials were added. Residual effects on performance were determined 23 or 71 h after THC or vehicle administration throughout the study. RESULTS/OUTCOMES Relative to vehicle-exposed animals, repeated THC exposure was initially associated with significantly slower improvement in performance accuracy on 4-item spatial WM trials; however, this performance difference gradually diminished such that by month 12, accuracy did not significantly differ between vehicle and THC groups. Similarly, for the novel and distractor 8-item trials introduced at month 6, performance accuracy improved more slowly in the THC than in the vehicle group, despite comparable performance between groups on the 4-item task during this same period. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION These findings suggest that compared to vehicle exposure, THC exposure during adolescence impairs the reinforcement-related learning process required for improved performance on spatial WM tasks, but this impairment might be overcome with continued training, even in the face of ongoing THC exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher D Verrico
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA,Department of Pharmacology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - David S Mathai
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Hong Gu
- Department of Statistics, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Allan R Sampson
- Department of Statistics, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - David A Lewis
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA,Department of Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
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50
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Alarcon TA, Areal LB, Herlinger AL, Paiva KK, Cicilini MA, Martins-Silva C, Pires RGW. The cannabinoid agonist WIN-2 affects acquisition but not consolidation of a spatial information in training and retraining processes: Relation with transcriptional regulation of the endocannabinoid system? Behav Brain Res 2020; 377:112231. [PMID: 31526770 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2019.112231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2019] [Revised: 09/09/2019] [Accepted: 09/11/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
The endocannabinoid system is capable of modulating multiple physiological brain functions including learning and memory. Moreover, there is evidence that the processes of acquisition and consolidation have distinct biological basis. We used the cannabinoid agonist WIN 55,212-2 (WIN-2) to investigate whether chronic CB1 activation affects acquisition and consolidation differently by evaluating gene expression in the hippocampus (HIP) and prefrontal cortex (PFC). Swiss mice were treated with WIN-2 (2 mg/kg) and submitted to the Morris water maze to evaluate different aspects of memory. We observed short-term memory impairment in acquisition of the spatial task while consolidation remained unchanged. In the PFC, animals that received WIN-2 prior to the task exhibited increased expression of the 2-AG synthesis enzyme diacylglycerol lipase and decreased levels of the degradation enzyme monoacylglycerol lipase, while mice that were treated after the task for the evaluation of consolidation exhibited the opposite profile. With respect to genes related to AEA metabolism, no correlation between the molecular and behavioral data could be established. In this sense, the cognitive impairment in the acquisition promoted by WIN-2 treatment may be related to a possible increase in the concentration of 2-AG in the PFC. Overall, this study confirms the relevance of the endocannabinoid system in the modulation of cognitive processes. A better understanding of the mechanisms underlying endocannabinoids roles in cognition could provide guidance for the development of treatments to reduce the cognitive deficits caused by drug abuse.
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Affiliation(s)
- T A Alarcon
- Laboratory of Molecular and Behavioral Neurobiology, Health Sciences Center, Federal University of Espírito Santo, Vitoria-ES, Brazil; Graduate Program in Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Health Sciences Center, Federal University of Espírito Santo, Vitoria-ES, Brazil
| | - L B Areal
- Laboratory of Molecular and Behavioral Neurobiology, Health Sciences Center, Federal University of Espírito Santo, Vitoria-ES, Brazil; Graduate Program in Neuroscience, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte-MG, Brazil
| | - A L Herlinger
- Laboratory of Molecular and Behavioral Neurobiology, Health Sciences Center, Federal University of Espírito Santo, Vitoria-ES, Brazil; Department of Genetics, Institute of Biology, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro-RJ, Brazil
| | - K K Paiva
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Health Sciences Center, Federal University of Espírito Santo, Vitoria-ES, Brazil
| | - M A Cicilini
- Department of Physiological Sciences, Health Sciences Center, Federal University of Espírito Santo, Vitoria-ES, Brazil
| | - C Martins-Silva
- Laboratory of Molecular and Behavioral Neurobiology, Health Sciences Center, Federal University of Espírito Santo, Vitoria-ES, Brazil; Graduate Program in Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Health Sciences Center, Federal University of Espírito Santo, Vitoria-ES, Brazil; Department of Physiological Sciences, Health Sciences Center, Federal University of Espírito Santo, Vitoria-ES, Brazil
| | - R G W Pires
- Laboratory of Molecular and Behavioral Neurobiology, Health Sciences Center, Federal University of Espírito Santo, Vitoria-ES, Brazil; Graduate Program in Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Health Sciences Center, Federal University of Espírito Santo, Vitoria-ES, Brazil; Graduate Program in Neuroscience, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte-MG, Brazil; Department of Physiological Sciences, Health Sciences Center, Federal University of Espírito Santo, Vitoria-ES, Brazil.
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