Absence of delta -9-tetrahydrocannabinol dysphoric effects in dynorphin-deficient mice.
Andreas Zimmer, E Valjent, M Konig, A M Zimmer, Patricia Robledo, H Hahn, Olga Valverde, Rafaël Maldonado
Journal of Neuroscience December 1, 2001 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.21-23-09499.2001 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Experimental study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Mice with targeted inactivation of the prodynorphin gene |
| Topics | Cannabis |
| Key findings | Dynorphin-deficient mice show reduced spinal THC analgesia and no THC-induced conditioned place aversion, while opioid effects remain normal. This indicates that dynorphin mediates the dysphoric effects of THC. |
Abstract
The involvement of dynorphin on Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and morphine responses has been investigated by using mice with a targeted inactivation of the prodynorphin (Pdyn) gene. Dynorphin-deficient mice show specific changes in the behavioral effects of THC, including a reduction of spinal THC analgesia and the absence of THC-induced conditioned place aversion. In contrast, acute and chronic opioid effects were normal. The lack of negative motivational effects of THC in the absence of dynorphin demonstrates that this endogenous opioid peptide mediates the dysphoric effects of marijuana.
Comparable studies
Other preclinical and animal studies on cannabis, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cited by 8
- Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol does not upregulate an aversive dopamine receptor mechanism in adolescent brain unlike in adults. Current Research in Neurobiology 2023
- Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) history fails to affect THC's ability to induce place preferences in rats. Pharmacology, Biochemistry, and Behavior May 2016
- Effect of norbinaltorphimine on ∆⁹-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)-induced taste avoidance in adolescent and adult Sprague-Dawley rats. Psychopharmacology September 2015
- Involvement of opioid system in cognitive deficits induced by ∆⁹-tetrahydrocannabinol in rats. Psychopharmacology February 2012
- Behavioral pharmacology of cannabinoids with a focus on preclinical models for studying reinforcing and dependence-producing properties. Current Drug Abuse Reviews November 2008
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