Repeated administration of the synthetic cannabinoid AKB48 induces serotonergic neuroadaptation in male and female mice: behavioural and immunohistochemical evidence.
Neuropharmacology February 1, 2026 Giorgia Corli, Fabrizio De Luca, Sabrine Bilel et al. 1 citation
Repeated exposure to the synthetic cannabinoid AKB48 worsens the visual sensorimotor, sensory gating, and motor reactivity response to the hallucinogens 2C-I and 25I-NBOMe in mice. This effect is more prolonged in males than in females. The underlying mechanism involves neuroplastic changes in the cerebellum and cortex, specifically at serotonin 2A receptors and the serotonin transporter. These changes occur more markedly and rapidly in female mice. The findings highlight a significant interaction between synthetic cannabinoids and psychedelic drugs, which may be relevant to long-term effects and psychiatric consequences of their consumption.