Chronic treatment with Delta(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol enhances the locomotor response to amphetamine and heroin. Implications for vulnerability to drug addiction.
S Lamarque, K Taghzouti, H Simon
Neuropharmacology July 1, 2001 DOI: 10.1016/s0028-3908(01)00039-9 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Experimental study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Rats |
| Interventions | Delta(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol amphetamine heroin |
| Dose | 0.6, 3 and 15 mg/kg THC; 1 mg/kg amphetamine; 1 mg/kg heroin |
| Duration | Chronic treatment followed by testing at 3 days (amphetamine) and 41 days (heroin) after last injection |
| Topics | Addiction Cannabis |
| Key findings | Chronic THC pre-treatment increased locomotor responses to amphetamine and heroin in high-responder rats, suggesting cross-sensitization that is time-dependent and limited to individuals vulnerable to drug taking. |
Abstract
Cannabis sativa preparations are some of the most widely used illicit recreational drugs. In addition to their direct addictive potential, cannabinoids may influence the sensitivity to other drugs. The aim of the present study was to determine if a cross-sensitization between Delta(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol (Delta(9)-THC) and other drugs (amphetamine and heroin) could be demonstrated. We examined the effects of a chronic treatment with Delta(9)-THC (0.6, 3 and 15mg/kg, ip) on the locomotor response to amphetamine (1mg/kg, ip) and heroin (1mg/kg, ip). Chronic treatment with Delta(9)-THC resulted in tolerance to the initial hypothermic and anorexic effects. Pre-treatment with Delta(9)-THC increased the locomotor responses to amphetamine and heroin. This cross-sensitization was time-dependent as it was observed three days after the last injection of Delta(9)-THC for amphetamine, and a relatively long time after the end of chronic treatment (41 days) for heroin. Moreover, the enhanced response to amphetamine or heroin was noted in some individuals only: the high-responder rats (HR). These animals have previously been shown to be vulnerable to drug taking behaviors. It is hypothesised that repeated use of Cannabis derivates may facilitate progression to the consumption of other illicit drugs in vulnerable individuals.
Comparable studies
Other preclinical and animal studies on cannabis for addiction, most cited first.
Citations in the library
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- History of cannabis use is not associated with alterations in striatal dopamine D 2 /D 3 receptor availability Journal of Psychopharmacology September 2, 2011
- Adolescent cannabinoid exposure induces irritability-like behavior and cocaine cross-sensitization without affecting the escalation of cocaine self-administration in adulthood Scientific Reports September 11, 2018
- Psychotomimetic compensation versus sensitization. Pharmacology Research & Perspectives August 1, 2024
- Chronic, intermittent treatment with a cannabinoid receptor agonist impairs recognition memory and brain network functional connectivity. Journal of Neurochemistry September 27, 2018
- Naltrexone does not attenuate the effects of intravenous Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol in healthy humans. The International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology October 2012
and 6 more in the library
Cites 3
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