CB1 Receptor Activation on VgluT2-Expressing Glutamatergic Neurons Underlies Δ⁹-Tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ⁹-THC)-Induced Aversive Effects in Mice.

ABSTRACT: Cannabis can be rewarding or aversive. Cannabis reward is believed to be mediated by activation of cannabinoid CB1 receptors (CB1Rs) on GABAergic neurons that disinhibit dopaminergic neurons in the ventral tegmental area (VTA). However, little is known about the mechanisms underlying cannabis aversion in rodents. In the present study, CB1Rs are found not only on VTA GABAergic neurons, but also on VTA glutamatergic neurons that express vesicular glutamate transporter 2 (VgluT2). We then used Cre-Loxp transgenic technology to selectively delete CB1Rs in VgluT2-expressing glutamatergic neurons (VgluT2-CB1 ^-/-) and Cre-dependent viral vector to express light-sensitive channelrhodopsin-2 into VTA glutamatergic neurons. We found that photoactivation of VTA glutamatergic neurons produc

SUBMITTER: Han X 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5614984 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature