Journal of Pharmacological Sciences
Online ISSN : 1347-8648
Print ISSN : 1347-8613
ISSN-L : 1347-8613
Forum Minireviews
New Perspectives in the Studies on Endocannabinoid and Cannabis: Abnormal Behaviors Associate With CB1 Cannabinoid Receptor and Development of Therapeutic Application
Michihiro FujiwaraNobuaki Egashira
Author information
JOURNAL FREE ACCESS

2004 Volume 96 Issue 4 Pages 362-366

Details
Abstract

Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC), the major psychoactive component of marijuana, induces catalepsy-like immobilization and impairment of spatial memory in rats. Δ9-THC also induces aggressive behavior in isolated housing stress. These abnormal behaviors could be counteracted by SR141716A, a CB1 cannabinoid receptor antagonist. Also Δ9-THC inhibited release of glutamate in the dorsal hippocampus, but this inhibition could be antagonized by SR141716A in an in vivo microdialysis study. Moreover, NMDA and AMPA-type glutamate receptor enhancers improved the Δ9-THC-induced impairment of spatial memory. On the other hand, Δ9-THC markedly inhibited the neurodegeneration in experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE), an animal model of multiple sclerosis and reduced the elevated glutamate level of cerebrospinal fluid induced by EAE. These therapeutic effects on EAE were reversed by SR141716A. Taken together, our results demonstrate that the inhibition of glutamate release via activation of the CB1-cannabinoid receptor is one mechanism involved in Δ9-THC-induced impairment of spatial memory, and the therapeutic effect of Δ9-THC on EAE, and a Δ9-THC analog might provide an effective treatment for psychosis and neurodegenerative diseases.

Content from these authors
© The Japanese Pharmacological Society 2004
Previous article Next article
feedback
Top