Modulation by fluoxetine of striatal dopamine release following Delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol: a microdialysis study in conscious rats.
British Journal of Pharmacology September 1, 1999 D T Malone, D A Taylor
Delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) increased dopamine release in the striatum of conscious, freely-moving rats in a dose-dependent manner, with maximum increases of 42% to 97% above baseline occurring 20 minutes after intravenous administration. This effect was blocked by a cannabinoid CB1 receptor antagonist and by pretreatment with the antidepressant fluoxetine. However, fluoxetine administered after THC or perfused locally into the striatum potentiated the dopamine release. The authors suggest that THC-induced dopamine release is modulated by serotoninergic changes, with fluoxetine's effect depending on timing of administration.