Cannabidiol Reduces D1 and D2 Medium Spiny Neuron Excitability in the Nucleus Accumbens Core.
bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology December 5, 2025 preprint DOI: 10.64898/2025.12.02.691956 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Preclinical experimental study |
|---|---|
| Population | Nucleus accumbens core neurons (D1 and D2 medium spiny neurons) |
| Intervention | Cannabidiol (CBD) |
| Topics | CBD |
| Key findings | CBD decreased membrane excitability of D1 and D2 medium spiny neurons in the nucleus accumbens core and broadened action potentials, with no effect on spontaneous excitatory synaptic transmission. The authors present this as the first assessment of CBD's effects on NAc neuronal function and as mechanistic insight into its therapeutic potential. |
Abstract
Cannabidiol (CBD) is a non-psychotomimetic phytocannabinoid constituent of the cannabis plant that shows promise for the treatment of a variety of neuropsychiatric disorders such as anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, and substance use disorders. The nucleus accumbens (NAc) is a key brain region in the etiologies of these disorders and is actively modulated by CBD. Prior research has established that CBD alters the molecular composition of the NAc, but none have assessed how CBD affects NAc neuronal function. In this study, we demonstrate that CBD significantly decreases D1 and D2 medium spiny neuron membrane excitability, broadens action potentials, and has no effect on spontaneous excitatory synaptic transmission in the NAc core. These data enhance our understanding of CBD's physiological effects and provide mechanistic insight into its therapeutic potential.