Abstract
To explore the functional consequences of cannabinoid withdrawal in the rat mesolimbic dopamine system, we investigated the anatomical morphology of the mesencephalic, presumed dopaminergic, neurons and their main post-synaptic target in the Nucleus Accumbens. We found that TH-positive neurons shrink and Golgi-stained medium spiny neurons loose dendritic spines in withdrawal rats after chronic cannabinoids administration. Similar results were observed after administration of the cannabinoid antagonist rimonabant to drug-naive rats supporting a role for endocannabinoids in neurogenesis, axonal growth and synaptogenesis. This evidence supports the tenet that withdrawal from addictive compounds alters functioning of the mesolimbic system. The data add to a growing body of work which indicates a hypodopaminergic state as a distinctive feature of the “addicted brain”.
Keywords: Cannabinoids, dopamine, nucleus accumbens, withdrawal, cannabis derivatives, cannabinoid CB1 receptors, neuro- biological effects, psychological functions, dopamine (DA), Ventral Tegmental area (VTA), cannabinoid dependence
Current Neuropharmacology
Title: Altered Mesolimbic Dopamine System in THC Dependence
Volume: 9 Issue: 1
Author(s): S. Spiga, A. Lintas and M. Diana
Affiliation:
Keywords: Cannabinoids, dopamine, nucleus accumbens, withdrawal, cannabis derivatives, cannabinoid CB1 receptors, neuro- biological effects, psychological functions, dopamine (DA), Ventral Tegmental area (VTA), cannabinoid dependence
Abstract: To explore the functional consequences of cannabinoid withdrawal in the rat mesolimbic dopamine system, we investigated the anatomical morphology of the mesencephalic, presumed dopaminergic, neurons and their main post-synaptic target in the Nucleus Accumbens. We found that TH-positive neurons shrink and Golgi-stained medium spiny neurons loose dendritic spines in withdrawal rats after chronic cannabinoids administration. Similar results were observed after administration of the cannabinoid antagonist rimonabant to drug-naive rats supporting a role for endocannabinoids in neurogenesis, axonal growth and synaptogenesis. This evidence supports the tenet that withdrawal from addictive compounds alters functioning of the mesolimbic system. The data add to a growing body of work which indicates a hypodopaminergic state as a distinctive feature of the “addicted brain”.
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Cite this article as:
Spiga S., Lintas A. and Diana M., Altered Mesolimbic Dopamine System in THC Dependence, Current Neuropharmacology 2011; 9 (1) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/157015911795017083
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/157015911795017083 |
Print ISSN 1570-159X |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1875-6190 |
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