Neuroscience 2004 Abstract
| Presentation Number: | 690.12 |
|---|---|
| Abstract Title: | Chronic treatment with delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol alters the structure of neurons in the nucleus accumbens and medial prefrontal cortex of rats. |
| Authors: |
Limebeer, C. L.*1
; Gorny, G.2
; Parker, L. A.1
; Kolb, B.2
1Dept. of Psychology, Wilfrid Laurier Univ., Waterloo, Canada 2AB, Wilfrid Laurier University, N2L 3C5, |
| Primary Theme and Topics |
Cognition and Behavior - Human and Animal Cognition and Behavior -- Emotional learning & memory systems and modulation of memory |
| Secondary Theme and Topics | Synaptic Transmission and Excitability<br />- Synaptic Plasticity<br />-- Other |
| Session: |
690. Drugs of Abuse: Cannabinoids Poster |
| Presentation Time: | Tuesday, October 26, 2004 11:00 AM-12:00 PM |
| Location: | San Diego Convention Center - Hall A-H, Board # EEE10 |
| Keywords: | Plasticity, Sensitization, Rat, Drugs of Abuse |
The potential of repeated exposure to delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) to produce long lasting changes in synaptic connections in a manner similar to other drugs of abuse was evaluated in Sprague-Dawley rats. For 14 days, rats received two intraperitoneal injections per day (8 hr apart) of vehicle, a low dose of THC (0.5 mg/kg) or escalating doses of THC (0.5 – 4.0 mg/kg). Thirty days later, they were evaluated for sensitized locomotor activity (during the night cycle) for 60 min on each of three trials. Using a within-groups design, rats were tested following an injection of vehicle, 0.5 mg/kg THC or 2.0 mg/kg. The rats showed no evidence of sensitized locomotor activity in any group. On Day 33, their brains were removed and then processed for Golgi-Cox staining. Prior exposure to THC (both the low dose and the escalating doses) increased the length of the dendrites as well as the number of dendritic branches in the shell of the nucleus accumbens and in the medial prefrontal cortex. There were no significant effects of the THC on dendritic measures in neurons in the striatum, hippocampus, or parietal cortex. These results are similar to those evident in brains of rats sensitized to amphetamine and support previous findings that cannabinoids promote dopamine activity in the mesolimbic dopamine system.
Supported by Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada to LP and BK
Sample Citation:
[Authors]. [Abstract Title]. Program No. XXX.XX. 2004 Neuroscience Meeting Planner. San Diego, CA: Society for Neuroscience, 2004. Online.
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