Neuroscience 2005 Abstract
| Presentation Number: | 580.12 |
|---|---|
| Abstract Title: | The CB1 receptor and ˝non-organic failure-to thive˝ in infants: the first animal (mouse) model. |
| Authors: |
Fride, E.*1,2
; Peretz-Ezra, D.1
; Arshavsky, N.1
; Dahan, H.1,3
; Weller, A.3
1Dept Behav Sci, Col. Judea and Samaria, Ariel, Israel 2Dept Molec Biol, Col. Judea and Samaria, Ariel, Israel 3Israel, POBox 3, 44837, |
| Primary Theme and Topics |
Homeostatic and Neuroendocrine Systems - Regulation of Food Intake and Body Weight -- Monamines, amino acids, and other regulators |
| Secondary Theme and Topics | Development<br />- Development of Sensory and Limbic Systems<br />-- Olfactory and taste systems |
| Session: |
580. Food Intake and Body Weight: Integrative Studies Slide |
| Presentation Time: | Tuesday, November 15, 2005 10:45 AM-11:00 AM |
| Location: | Washington Convention Center - Room 140A |
| Keywords: | FEEDING, APPETITE, NEONATAL, CANNABINOIDS |
˝Non-organic failure-to-thrive˝ (NOFTT) afflicts 2-4% of infants and is characterized by low body weight and height for age, without known organic cause. A “biological vulnerability” leading to hypotonia, deficient oral-motor function and impaired suckling has been postulated.
Administration of the CB1 receptor antagonist rimonabant caused severe growth failure and death in newborn mice, reversible with Д9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Fride et al., Eur J. Pharmacol. 419:207-14 2001, 461:27-34 2003). Here, we investigated whether neonatal rimonabant may serve as an animal model for NOFTT. One-day-old mouse pups were injected with rimonabant. Nursing-related behaviors were recorded throughout the first 10 days of life. Exp. 1 Motivation to suckle, oral-motor performance and general motor behavior were recorded. The results indicated that motivation was normal, but general and oral-motor performance were significantly impaired. Exp. 2 Some pups were placed at the nipple, thus circumventng the general hypotonia caused by rimonabant. These helped pups displayed growth failure similar to rimonabant-treated pups which received no “help”, suggesting that general hypotonia was not responsible for the failure to suckle. Exp. 3 investigated whether rimonabant pups can ingest milk by licking and swallowing, without the need for nipple-sucking. Placing rimonabant pups in a dish containing cream/milk, they ingested large amounts and growth and survival were significantly improved.
We have shown that CB1 receptor blockade in newborns impairs milk ingestion and causes severe growth failure. The motor and oral-motor deficiencies were only counteracted when allowing the pups to ingest milk by licking. We conclude that the growth failure in pups with CB1 receptor blockade may serve as the first animal model for NOFTT. Further, we suggest that a deficient Endogenous Cannabinoid-CB1 Receptor System represents the “biological vulnerability” underlying the etiology of NOFTT.
Administration of the CB1 receptor antagonist rimonabant caused severe growth failure and death in newborn mice, reversible with Д9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Fride et al., Eur J. Pharmacol. 419:207-14 2001, 461:27-34 2003). Here, we investigated whether neonatal rimonabant may serve as an animal model for NOFTT. One-day-old mouse pups were injected with rimonabant. Nursing-related behaviors were recorded throughout the first 10 days of life. Exp. 1 Motivation to suckle, oral-motor performance and general motor behavior were recorded. The results indicated that motivation was normal, but general and oral-motor performance were significantly impaired. Exp. 2 Some pups were placed at the nipple, thus circumventng the general hypotonia caused by rimonabant. These helped pups displayed growth failure similar to rimonabant-treated pups which received no “help”, suggesting that general hypotonia was not responsible for the failure to suckle. Exp. 3 investigated whether rimonabant pups can ingest milk by licking and swallowing, without the need for nipple-sucking. Placing rimonabant pups in a dish containing cream/milk, they ingested large amounts and growth and survival were significantly improved.
We have shown that CB1 receptor blockade in newborns impairs milk ingestion and causes severe growth failure. The motor and oral-motor deficiencies were only counteracted when allowing the pups to ingest milk by licking. We conclude that the growth failure in pups with CB1 receptor blockade may serve as the first animal model for NOFTT. Further, we suggest that a deficient Endogenous Cannabinoid-CB1 Receptor System represents the “biological vulnerability” underlying the etiology of NOFTT.
Sample Citation:
[Authors]. [Abstract Title]. Program No. XXX.XX. 2005 Neuroscience Meeting Planner. Washington, DC: Society for Neuroscience, 2005. Online.
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