PMID- 11594438
DA - 20011011
IS - 0033-3158
VI - 157
IP - 2
DP - 2001 Sep
TI - Differential effects of delta9-THC on spatial reference and working memory in mice.
PG - 142-50 AB - RATIONALE: Marijuana remains the most widely used illicit drug in the U.S., and recent attention has been given to putative therapeutic uses of marijuana and cannabinoid derivatives. Thus, developing a better understanding of delta9-THC (tetrahydrocannabinol)-induced mnemonic deficits is of critical importance. OBJECTIVES: These experiments were conducted to determine whether delta9-THC has differential effects on spatial reference and working memory tasks, to investigate its receptor mechanism of action, and to compare these effects with those produced by two other compounds--scopolamine and phencyclidine--known to produce mnemonic deficits. In addition, the potency of delta9-THC in these memory tasks was compared with its potency in other pharmacological effects traditionally associated with cannabinoid activity. METHODS: Two different versions of the Morris water maze were employed: a working memory task and a reference memory task. Other effects of delta9-THC were assessed using standard tests of hypomotility, antinociception, catalepsy, and hypothermia. RESULTS: delta9-THC disrupted performance of the working memory task (3.0 mg/kg) at doses lower than those required to disrupt performance of the reference memory task (100 mg/kg), or elicit hypomotility, antinociception, catalepsy, and hypothermia. These performance deficits were reversed by SR 141716A. The effects of delta9-THC resembled those of scopolamine, which also selectively disrupted the working maze task. Conversely, phencyclidine disrupted both tasks only at a dose that also produced motor deficits. CONCLUSIONS: These data indicate that delta9-THC selectively impairs performance of a working memory task through a CB, receptor mechanism of action and that these memory disruptions are more sensitive than other pharmacological effects of delta9-THC.
AD - Department of Pharmacology, VCU, Richmond, VA 23298, USA.
FAU - Varvel, S A
AU - Varvel SA
FAU - Hamm, R J
AU - Hamm RJ
FAU - Martin, B R
AU - Martin BR
FAU - Lichtman, A H
AU - Lichtman AH
LA - eng
ID - DA 03672/DA/NIDA
ID - DA 07027/DA/NIDA
ID - DA 09789/DA/NIDA
PT - Journal Article
CY - Germany
TA - Psychopharmacology (Berl)
JID - 7608025
SB - IM
EDAT- 2001/10/12 10:00
MHDA- 2001/10/12 10:00
PST - ppublish
SO - Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2001 Sep;157(2):142-50.