CB-1 receptors modulate the effect of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, citalopram on extracellular serotonin levels in the rat prefrontal cortex.

A large percentage of depressed individuals use drugs of abuse, like cannabis. This study investigates the impact of cannabis on the pharmacological effects of the antidepressant citalopram. Using microdialysis in the prefrontal cortex of rats we monitored serotonin levels before and after cannabinoid (WIN55,212-2 or rimonabant) and citalopram administration. Stimulating CB-1 decreased the effect of citalopram on increasing serotonin levels in the prefrontal cortex. Blocking CB-1 augmented this effect of citalopram. Although repeating these experiments in a chronical setting is recommended the present results might have implication for the clinical effects of citalopram.