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Current Neuropharmacology

Editor-in-Chief

ISSN (Print): 1570-159X
ISSN (Online): 1875-6190

Altered Mesolimbic Dopamine System in THC Dependence

Author(s): S. Spiga, A. Lintas and M. Diana

Volume 9, Issue 1, 2011

Page: [200 - 204] Pages: 5

DOI: 10.2174/157015911795017083

Price: $65

Abstract

To explore the functional consequences of cannabinoid withdrawal in the rat mesolimbic dopamine system, we investigated the anatomical morphology of the mesencephalic, presumed dopaminergic, neurons and their main post-synaptic target in the Nucleus Accumbens. We found that TH-positive neurons shrink and Golgi-stained medium spiny neurons loose dendritic spines in withdrawal rats after chronic cannabinoids administration. Similar results were observed after administration of the cannabinoid antagonist rimonabant to drug-naive rats supporting a role for endocannabinoids in neurogenesis, axonal growth and synaptogenesis. This evidence supports the tenet that withdrawal from addictive compounds alters functioning of the mesolimbic system. The data add to a growing body of work which indicates a hypodopaminergic state as a distinctive feature of the “addicted brain”.

Keywords: Cannabinoids, dopamine, nucleus accumbens, withdrawal, cannabis derivatives, cannabinoid CB1 receptors, neuro- biological effects, psychological functions, dopamine (DA), Ventral Tegmental area (VTA), cannabinoid dependence


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