title: Aversive effects of the synthetic cannabinoid CP 55,940 in rats.
abstract: A series of experiments investigated the behavioral and hedonic effects of the synthetic cannabinoid CP 55,940 in male Wistar rats. CP 55,940 had a biphasic effect on locomotor activity, with a 10 micrograms/kg dose causing locomotor stimulation and a 100 micrograms/kg dose causing profound hypoactivity. CP 55,940 (100 micrograms/kg) also caused a marked hypothermia for at least 3 h following administration, while lower doses (2.5 and 10 micrograms/kg) had no effect. CP 55,940 (100 micrograms/kg) had anorexic and hyperdipsic effects for up to 24 h following administration and caused significant reductions in body weight. CP 55,940 (100 micrograms/kg) also caused significant avoidance to a flavoured fluid (saccharin) with which it was paired. In the conditioned place preference paradigm both the 10 micrograms/kg and 100 micrograms/kg doses of CP 55,940 produced significant place avoidance. It is concluded that CP 55,940 is aversive to rats. The possible mechanisms underlying this aversion are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Sydney, NSW, Australia. iain@psych.su.oz.au
authors.forename: I S
authors.initials: IS
authors.lastname: McGregor
authors.forename: C N
authors.initials: CN
authors.lastname: Issakidis
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Prior
mesh_terms: D000700:Analgesics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D001362:Avoidance Learning / Q000187:drug effects*; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects; D001831:Body Temperature / Q000187:drug effects; D003511:Cyclohexanols / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008124:Locomotion / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013649:Taste / Q000187:drug effects*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000700:Analgesics; D003511:Cyclohexanols; C054649:3-(2-hydroxy-4-(1,1-dimethylheptyl)phenyl)-4-(3-hydroxypropyl)cyclohexanol