delta 9-Tetrahydrocannabinol elicited ipsilateral circling behavior in rats with unilateral nigral lesion.
The present study was designed to examine the influence of delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) on the central dopaminergic system using circling behavior. THC 5 mg/kg i.p. produced ipsilateral circling in rats with unilateral nigral lesion by 6-hydroxy-dopamine. THC-induced ipsilateral circling was completely antagonized by 0.2 mg/kg of haloperidol. These findings suggest that THC may cause a presynaptic stimulation of nigrostriatal dopaminergic neurons.
D000818:Animals; D001058:Apomorphine / Q000494:pharmacology; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects*; D004298:Dopamine / Q000502:physiology; D013759:Dronabinol / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006220:Haloperidol / Q000494:pharmacology; D006892:Hydroxydopamines / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D008694:Methamphetamine / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects; D016627:Oxidopamine; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D013378:Substantia Nigra / Q000187:drug effects*
D006892:Hydroxydopamines; D008694:Methamphetamine; D013759:Dronabinol; D016627:Oxidopamine; D006220:Haloperidol; D001058:Apomorphine; D004298:Dopamine