Natural cannabinoids improve dopamine neurotransmission and tau and amyloid pathology in a mouse model of tauopathy

J Alzheimers Dis. 2013;35(3):525-39. doi: 10.3233/JAD-130050.

Abstract

Cannabinoids are neuroprotective in models of neurodegenerative dementias. Their effects are mostly mediated through CB1 and CB2 receptor-dependent modulation of excitotoxicity, inflammation, oxidative stress, and other processes. We tested the effects of Sativex®, a mixture of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabidiol, acting on both CB1 and CB2 receptors, in parkin-null, human tau overexpressing (PK-/-/TauVLW) mice, a model of complex frontotemporal dementia, parkinsonism, and lower motor neuron disease. The animals received Sativex®, 4.63 mg/kg, ip, daily, for one month, at six months of age, at the onset of the clinical symptoms. We evaluated the effects of Sativex® on behavior, dopamine neurotransmission, glial activation, redox state, mitochondrial activity, and deposition of abnormal proteins. PK-/-/TauVLW mice developed the neurological deficits, but those treated with Sativex® showed less abnormal behaviors related to stress, less auto and hetero-aggression, and less stereotypy. Sativex® significantly reduced the intraneuronal, MAO-related free radicals produced during dopamine metabolism in the limbic system. Sativex® also decreased gliosis in cortex and hippocampus, increased the ratio reduced/oxidized glutathione in the limbic system, reduced the levels of iNOS, and increased those of complex IV in the cerebral cortex. With regard to tau and amyloid pathology, Sativex® reduced the deposition of both in the hippocampus and cerebral cortex of PK-/-/TauVLW mice and increased autophagy. Sativex®, even after a short administration in animals with present behavioral and pathological abnormalities, improves the phenotype, the oxidative stress, and the deposition of proteins in PK-/-/TauVLW mice, a model of complex neurodegenerative disorders.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amyloidosis / pathology
  • Amyloidosis / physiopathology*
  • Animals
  • Behavior, Animal / drug effects
  • Behavior, Animal / physiology
  • Biogenic Monoamines / metabolism
  • Cannabidiol
  • Disease Models, Animal*
  • Dopamine / physiology*
  • Dronabinol
  • Drug Combinations
  • Frontotemporal Dementia / pathology
  • Frontotemporal Dementia / physiopathology*
  • Glutathione / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Neurologic Mutants
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Neuroprotective Agents / pharmacology*
  • Phytotherapy*
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology*
  • Synaptic Transmission / drug effects*
  • Synaptic Transmission / physiology*
  • Tauopathies / pathology
  • Tauopathies / physiopathology*

Substances

  • Biogenic Monoamines
  • Drug Combinations
  • Neuroprotective Agents
  • Plant Extracts
  • Cannabidiol
  • Dronabinol
  • Glutathione
  • nabiximols
  • Dopamine