Ipsilateral turning behavior induced by unilateral microinjections of a cannabinoid into the rat subthalamic nucleus.
The subthalamic nucleus contains cannabinoid receptors and cannabinoid receptor mRNA. However, the role of cannabinoid receptors in this nucleus has not been examined. In order to investigate the functional role of cannabinoid receptors in the rat subthalamic nucleus, turning activity was observed following unilateral microinjection of the synthetic cannabinoid CP 55,940. CP 55,940 (10 microg) induced ipsilateral turning. This effect was blocked by coadministration of the cannabinoid receptor antagonist SR141716A (5 microg). These results suggest that cannabinoid receptors in the subthalamic nucleus mediate an inhibition of motor activity.
Miller
A S
AS
Schrier Research Laboratory, Department of Psychology, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island 02912, USA.
Sañudo-Peña
M C
MC
Walker
J M
JM
D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects*; D002186:Cannabinoids / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003511:Cyclohexanols / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D007839:Functional Laterality / Q000187:drug effects; D005917:Globus Pallidus / Q000502:physiology; D007276:Injections, Intraventricular; D008297:Male; D008636:Mesencephalon / Q000187:drug effects; D008845:Microinjections; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects; D010880:Piperidines / Q000494:pharmacology; D011720:Pyrazoles / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D043882:Receptors, Cannabinoid; D011955:Receptors, Drug / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D000077285:Rimonabant; D013787:Thalamic Nuclei / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology
D002186:Cannabinoids; D003511:Cyclohexanols; D010880:Piperidines; D011720:Pyrazoles; D043882:Receptors, Cannabinoid; D011955:Receptors, Drug; C054649:3-(2-hydroxy-4-(1,1-dimethylheptyl)phenyl)-4-(3-hydroxypropyl)cyclohexanol; D000077285:Rimonabant