title: Cannabidiol attenuates deficits of visuospatial associative memory induced by Δ(9) tetrahydrocannabinol.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Recent human studies suggest that recreational cannabis strains that are relatively high in cannabidiol (CBD) content produce less cognitive impairment than do strains with negligible CBD and similar Δ(9) tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) content. Self-selection in such studies means it is impossible to rule out additional variables which may determine both cannabis strain selection and basal cognitive performance level. Controlled laboratory studies can better determine a direct relationship.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this study, adult male rhesus monkeys were assessed on visuospatial Paired Associates Learning and Self-Ordered Spatial Search memory tasks, as well as additional tests of motivation and manual dexterity. Subjects were challenged with THC (0.2, 0.5 mg·kg(-1) , i.m.) in randomized order and evaluated in the presence or absence of 0.5 mg·kg(-1) CBD.
  
  
  RESULTS
  CBD attenuated the effects of THC on paired associates learning and a bimanual motor task without affecting the detrimental effects of THC on a Self-Ordered Spatial Search task of working memory. CBD did not significantly reverse THC-induced impairment of a progressive ratio or a rotating turntable task.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study provides direct evidence that CBD can oppose the cognitive-impairing effects of THC and that it does so in a task-selective manner when administered simultaneously in a 1:1 ratio with THC. The addition of CBD to THC-containing therapeutic products may therefore help to ameliorate unwanted cognitive side-effects.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  This article is commented on by Mechoulam and Parker, pp 1363-1364 of this issue. To view this commentary visit http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/bph.12400.
authors.affiliation: Committee on the Neurobiology of Addictive Disorders, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA.
authors.forename: M Jerry
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Wright
authors.forename: Sophia A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Vandewater
authors.forename: Michael A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Taffe
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects*; D002185:Cannabidiol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003071:Cognition / Q000187:drug effects*; D013759:Dronabinol / Q000633:toxicity*; D007839:Functional Laterality / Q000187:drug effects; D008253:Macaca mulatta; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory / Q000187:drug effects*; D008569:Memory Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D023421:Models, Animal; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009042:Motivation / Q000187:drug effects; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D002185:Cannabidiol; D013759:Dronabinol
keywords: Macaca mulatta; cannabis; marijuana; working memory
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