Abstract
The active components associated with the bio-designer drugs known variously as “Spice” or “K2” have rapidly gained in popularity among recreational users, forcing the United States Drug Enforcement Administration to classify these compounds as Schedule I drugs in the Spring of 2011. However, although there is some information about many of the synthetic cannabinoids used in Spice products, little is known about the consequences of the main constituent, (1-pentyl-3-(1-naphthoyl)indole; JWH-018), on neuropsychological development or behavior. In the present experiment, adolescent rats were given repeated injections of either saline or 100 μg/kg of JWH-018. Once the animals were 75 days of age, they were trained using tasks with spatial components of various levels of difficulty and a spatial learning set task. On early trials with water maze tasks of varying difficulty, the JWH-018 treated rats were impaired relative to controls. However, by the end of each phase of testing, drug and control animals were comparable, although on probe trials the drug-treated animals spent significantly less time in the target quadrant. In addition, the performance of the drug-treated rats was inferior to that of the control animals on a learning set task, suggesting some difficulty in adapting their responses to changing task demands. The results suggest that chronic exposure to this potent cannabinoid CB1 receptor agonist during adolescence is capable of producing a variety of subtle changes affecting spatial learning and memory performance in adulthood, well after the drug exposure period.
Highlights
Because of their effects on the mind, cannabinoids have been used recreationally by humans for over 4000 years [1]
There is some information about many of the synthetic cannabinoids used in Spice products, little is known about the consequences of the main constituent, (1-pentyl-3-(1-naphthoyl)indole; JWH-018), on neuropsychological development or behavior
The results suggest that chronic exposure to this potent cannabinoid CB1 receptor agonist during adolescence is capable of producing a variety of subtle changes affecting spatial learning and memory performance in adulthood, well after the drug exposure period
Summary
Because of their effects on the mind, cannabinoids have been used recreationally by humans for over 4000 years [1]. Cannabinoid use has been associated with a variety of neuropsychological effects including diminished motor coordination, a disruption of short-term memory, and a reduction in the ability to maintain attentional focus [2,3,4]. Until recently the accumulated evidence (see [6]) suggested that the CB1 receptor acts within the central nervous system (CNS) while the CB2 is associated with the immune system and not expressed in the CNS [7,8]. Anandamide and 2-arachidonylglycerol, have been identified so far with both acting as CB1 agonists [9]. The CB1 receptors in the CNS endocannabinoid system are presynaptic [1] and are considered neuroregulatory influencing other neurontransmitter systems including glutamate, GABA, and dopamine [8]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
