An astrocytic ensemble at vHip-NAc synapses modulates cognitive impairments induced by chronic tetrahydrocannabinol exposure.

ABSTRACT: Cannabis is the most widely used illicit drug, particularly during adolescence. Its consumption disrupts glutamate homeostasis and synaptic plasticity in the nucleus accumbens (NAc). Here, we identify a functionally distinct accumbal astrocytic ensemble, associated with the ventral hippocampus-NAc (vHip→NAc) circuit, that is critical for tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)-induced synaptic and behavioral impairments. We employed the AstroLight tool to selectively manipulate this astrocytic ensemble. Our findings reveal that THC increases astrocytic calcium activity and glutamatergic tone within the NAc. These glutamatergic alterations are absent in astrocyte-specific p38α knockout mice, implicating p38α signaling in astrocyte-mediated plasticity. Astrocytic glutamate release within the vHip→NAc ens

SUBMITTER: Martin-Monteagudo C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12800225 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature