Delta(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol decreases extracellular GABA and increases extracellular glutamate and dopamine levels in the rat prefrontal cortex: an in vivo microdialysis study

Brain Res. 2002 Sep 6;948(1-2):155-8. doi: 10.1016/s0006-8993(02)03055-x.

Abstract

Cannabinoid modulation of prefrontal cortex and hippocampus neuronal functioning has been correlated to the disruptive action of marijuana on memory tasks. This study investigates the effects of delta(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol (delta(9)-THC) on dopamine, glutamate and GABA levels in vivo by brain microdialysis in the prefrontal cortex. Delta(9)-THC (1 mg/kg, i.v.) significantly increased extracellular dopamine and glutamate levels and decreased GABA levels. These effects were prevented by the cannabinoid antagonist SR141716A (1 mg/kg, i.v.), which per se was ineffective. These results suggest that delta(9)-THC disrupt the normal interplay between neurotransmitters in this area and may bear relevance in understanding neuronal mechanisms underlying cannabinoid-induced cognitive deficits.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Dopamine / analysis
  • Dopamine / metabolism*
  • Dronabinol / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Dronabinol / pharmacology*
  • Extracellular Space / chemistry
  • Extracellular Space / drug effects
  • Extracellular Space / metabolism*
  • Glutamic Acid / analysis
  • Glutamic Acid / metabolism
  • Male
  • Microdialysis
  • Piperidines / pharmacology
  • Prefrontal Cortex / drug effects
  • Prefrontal Cortex / metabolism*
  • Psychotropic Drugs / pharmacology
  • Pyrazoles / pharmacology
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Receptors, Drug / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Rimonabant
  • gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / analysis
  • gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / metabolism*

Substances

  • Piperidines
  • Psychotropic Drugs
  • Pyrazoles
  • Receptors, Drug
  • Glutamic Acid
  • gamma-Aminobutyric Acid
  • Dronabinol
  • Rimonabant
  • Dopamine