Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol does not upregulate an aversive dopamine receptor mechanism in adolescent brain unlike in adults.

ABSTRACT: Earlier age of cannabis usage poses higher risk of Cannabis Use Disorder and adverse consequences, such as addiction, anxiety, dysphoria, psychosis, largely attributed to its principal psychoactive component, Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and altered dopaminergic function. As dopamine D1-D2 receptor heteromer activation causes anxiety and anhedonia, this signaling complex was postulated to contribute to THC-induced affective symptoms. To investigate this, we administered THC repeatedly to adolescent monkeys and adolescent or adult rats. Drug-naïve adolescent rat had lower striatal densities of D1-D2 heteromer compared to adult rat. Repeated administration of THC to adolescent rat or adolescent monkey did not alter D1-D2 heteromer expression in nucleus accumbens or dorsal striatum but upreg

SUBMITTER: Di Raddo ME 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10663137 | biostudies-literature | 2023

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature