A behavioural model to reveal place preference to delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol in mice.
BACKGROUND
The rewarding properties of delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) are difficult to demonstrate in rodents using standard procedures.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the motivational responses of THC in the place conditioning paradigm in mice after minimizing the dysphoric effects of the first drug exposure and/or the consequences of its pharmacokinetic properties.


METHODS
Mice were conditioned to THC (1 or 5 mg/kg) using an unbiased procedure with an elevated number of pairings and long conditioning time.


RESULTS
A place aversion was observed with 5 mg/kg THC using a standard protocol. Similar results were obtained when the CB-1 receptor antagonist SR 141716A (1 mg/kg) was administered immediately after each THC conditioning period. However, mice receiving a priming THC injection and conditioned 24 h later showed a place preference with 1 mg/kg THC and no effect with 5 mg/kg THC.


CONCLUSIONS
THC produces a clear place preference in mice by using a long period of conditioning and avoiding the possible dysphoric consequences of the first drug exposure.
Valjent
E
E
Laboratori de Neurofarmacologia, Facultat de Cienciès de la Salut i de la Vida, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain.
Maldonado
R
R
D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects*; D003216:Conditioning, Operant / Q000187:drug effects*; D013759:Dronabinol / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006207:Half-Life; D006213:Hallucinogens / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D009042:Motivation; D010880:Piperidines / Q000494:pharmacology; D011720:Pyrazoles / Q000494:pharmacology; D043882:Receptors, Cannabinoid; D011955:Receptors, Drug / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D012201:Reward; D000077285:Rimonabant
D006213:Hallucinogens; D010880:Piperidines; D011720:Pyrazoles; D043882:Receptors, Cannabinoid; D011955:Receptors, Drug; D013759:Dronabinol; D000077285:Rimonabant