Increasing endocannabinoid levels in the ventral pallidum restore aberrant dopamine neuron activity in the subchronic PCP rodent model of schizophrenia.
The International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology October 31, 2014 David D Aguilar, Li Chen, Daniel J Lodge
Rats treated with phencyclidine (PCP) to model schizophrenia showed increased dopamine neuron activity in the ventral tegmental area. Increasing endogenous cannabinoid levels with URB-597 normalized this aberrant activity. The ventral pallidum was identified as the site where URB-597 acts to restore normal dopamine neuron activity. The authors propose that augmenting endogenous cannabinoids may be an effective therapy for schizophrenia, acting in part through the ventral pallidum.