Neuropharmacology
June 2015
D Matthew Walentiny, Robert E Vann, Jenny L Wiley
A number of studies have examined the ability of the endogenous cannabinoid anandamide to elicit Δ(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)-like subjective effects, as modeled through the THC discrimination paradigm. In the present study, we compared transgenic mice lacking fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH), the enzyme primarily responsible for anandamide catabolism, to wildtype counterparts in a THC...
European Journal of Pharmacology
August 15, 2014
Jenny L Wiley, D Matthew Walentiny, M Jerry Wright et al.
The mechanism through which marijuana produces its psychoactive effects is Δ(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)-induced activation of cannabinoid CB1 receptors. These receptors are normally activated by endogenous lipids, including anandamide and 2-arachidonoyl glycerol (2-AG). A logical "first step" in determination of the role of these endocannabinoids in THC׳s psychoactive effects is to...
Drug and Alcohol Dependence
December 1, 2012
Jason M Wiebelhaus, Justin L. Poklis, Alphonse Poklis et al.
Use of synthetic "marijuana" has increased in recent years, produced adverse effects and prompted the temporary DEA ban of five specific cannabinoid analogs, including JWH-018. The objectives of the current study include determining the chemical content of the herbal product, Buzz, assessing its behavioral effects upon inhalation exposure to mice, determining whether CB(1) receptors mediate its...
Neuropharmacology
February 2012
Robert E Vann, D M Walentiny, J J Burston et al.
Marijuana's effects in humans are most often reported as intoxicating or therapeutic; yet, some humans report dysphoria or other negative affect. To evaluate whether differences in endocannabinoid levels might account for this variability, the present study examined whether sensitivity to cannabinoids changed when anandamide (AEA) metabolism was inhibited through administration of phenylmethyl...
Behavioural Pharmacology
September 2011
Jenny L Wiley, D Matthew Walentiny, Robert E Vann et al.
Δ(9)-Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) discrimination in rodents is a behavioral assay that has been used to probe differences among classes of cannabinoids in rats. The purpose of this study was to determine whether traditional and anandamide-like cannabinoids were distinguishable in cannabinoid discrimination procedures in mice. Male mice were trained to discriminate 30 mg/kg THC or 70 mg/kg...
European Journal of Pharmacology
April 10, 2011
D Matthew Walentiny, Thomas F Gamage, Jonathan A Warner et al.
The endogenous cannabinoid system has been noted for its therapeutic potential, as well as the psychoactivity of cannabinoids such as Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). However, less is known about the psychoactivity of anandamide (AEA), an endocannabinoid ligand. Thus, the goals of this study were to establish AEA as a discriminative stimulus in transgenic mice lacking fatty acid amide hydrolase...
Psychopharmacology
June 1, 2010
D Matthew Walentiny, Robert E Vann, Jonathan A Warner et al.
49 citations
Salvinorin A, the primary psychoactive derivative of the hallucinogenic herb Salvia divinorum, is a potent and highly selective kappa-opioid receptor (KOR) agonist. Several recent studies, however, have suggested endocannabinoid system mediation of some of its effects. This study represents a systematic examination of this hypothesis. Salvinorin A was isolated from S. divinorum and was...
European Journal of Pharmacology
August 1, 2009
Robert E Vann, Jonathan A Warner, Kristen Bushell et al.
Primarily, rats have served as subjects in Delta(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol's (THC) discrimination studies although other species such as monkeys and pigeons have been used. While the introduction of the knockout and transgenic mice has vastly stimulated the study of the discriminative stimulus effects of drugs there is only a single published report of mice trained to discriminate THC. Thus, this...
Drug and Alcohol Dependence
April 1, 2008
Robert E Vann, Thomas F Gamage, Jonathan A Warner et al.
Cannabis sativa (marijuana plant) contains myriad cannabinoid compounds; yet, investigative attention has focused almost exclusively on Delta(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), its primary psychoactive substituent. Interest in modulation of THC's effects by these other cannabinoids (e.g., cannabidiol (CBD)) has been stimulated anew by recent approval by Canada of Sativex (a 1:1 dose ratio...