title: Delta(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol decreases extracellular GABA and increases extracellular glutamate and dopamine levels in the rat prefrontal cortex: an in vivo microdialysis study.
abstract: Cannabinoid modulation of prefrontal cortex and hippocampus neuronal functioning has been correlated to the disruptive action of marijuana on memory tasks. This study investigates the effects of delta(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol (delta(9)-THC) on dopamine, glutamate and GABA levels in vivo by brain microdialysis in the prefrontal cortex. Delta(9)-THC (1 mg/kg, i.v.) significantly increased extracellular dopamine and glutamate levels and decreased GABA levels. These effects were prevented by the cannabinoid antagonist SR141716A (1 mg/kg, i.v.), which per se was ineffective. These results suggest that delta(9)-THC disrupt the normal interplay between neurotransmitters in this area and may bear relevance in understanding neuronal mechanisms underlying cannabinoid-induced cognitive deficits.
authors.affiliation: BB Brodie Department of Neuroscience, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria SS 554, 09042 Monserrato (CA), Italy. mpistis@unica.it
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pistis
authors.forename: Luca
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ferraro
authors.forename: Luigi
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Pira
authors.forename: Giovanna
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Flore
authors.forename: Sergio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tanganelli
authors.forename: Gian Luigi
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Gessa
authors.forename: Paola
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Devoto
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004298:Dopamine / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D013759:Dronabinol / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005110:Extracellular Space / Q000737:chemistry / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D018698:Glutamic Acid / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D017551:Microdialysis; D010880:Piperidines / Q000494:pharmacology; D017397:Prefrontal Cortex / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs / Q000494:pharmacology; D011720:Pyrazoles / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D011955:Receptors, Drug / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D000077285:Rimonabant; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D010880:Piperidines; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs; D011720:Pyrazoles; D011955:Receptors, Drug; D018698:Glutamic Acid; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid; D013759:Dronabinol; D000077285:Rimonabant; D004298:Dopamine