The dimethylheptyl derivative of (-)-delta 8-tetrahydrocannabinol reduces the turnover rate of gamma-aminobutyric acid in the septum and nucleus accumbens

Life Sci. 1982 May 24;30(21):1841-6. doi: 10.1016/0024-3205(82)90322-8.

Abstract

Accumulating evidence suggests that the cannabinoids exert their action to reduce the turnover rate of acetylcholine in the hippocampus by an action in the septum via inhibitory gamma-butyric acid (GABA) containing interneurons. In the studies presented here administration of the potent dimethylheptyl derivative of (-)-delta-tetrahydrocannabinol, which has previously been shown to reduce the turnover rate of acetylcholine in the hippocampus, reduces the turnover rate of GABA in the septum. A simple model in which cannabinoids transsynaptically activate inhibitory GABAergic septal neurons impinging on cholinergic septal neurons does not explain the data. A more complex model suggesting that inhibitory GABAergic septal interneurons innervate other inhibitory GABAergic septal interneurons has been hypothesized.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Acetylcholine / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Dronabinol / analogs & derivatives*
  • Dronabinol / pharmacology
  • Hippocampus / drug effects
  • Hippocampus / metabolism
  • Interneurons / metabolism
  • Male
  • Nucleus Accumbens / drug effects*
  • Nucleus Accumbens / metabolism
  • Rats
  • Rats, Inbred Strains
  • Septal Nuclei / drug effects*
  • Septum Pellucidum / drug effects*
  • Septum Pellucidum / metabolism
  • gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / metabolism*

Substances

  • dimethyl-heptyl tetrahydrocannabinol
  • gamma-Aminobutyric Acid
  • Dronabinol
  • Acetylcholine