E Valjent1, R Maldonado. 1. Laboratori de Neurofarmacologia, Facultat de Cienciès de la Salut i de la Vida, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain.
Abstract
RATIONALE: 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. CONCLUSION: 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.
RATIONALE: 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. CONCLUSION: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.
Authors: Robert E Vann; Thomas F Gamage; Jonathan A Warner; Ericka M Marshall; Nathan L Taylor; Billy R Martin; Jenny L Wiley Journal: Drug Alcohol Depend Date: 2008-04-01 Impact factor: 4.492
Authors: Carmen Manzanedo; Marta Rodríguez-Arias; Manuel Daza-Losada; Concepción Maldonado; María A Aguilar; José Miñarro Journal: Behav Brain Funct Date: 2010-03-22 Impact factor: 3.759