Impaired Ghrelin Signaling Does Not Lead to Alterations of Anxiety-like Behaviors in Adult Mice Chronically Exposed to THC during Adolescence
Matija Šestan-Peša, Marya Shanabrough, Tamás L. Horváth, Maria Consolata Miletta
Biomedicines January 6, 2023 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11010144 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Experimental animal study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | GHSR knockout mice and wild-type littermates |
| Intervention | Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) |
| Duration | THC exposure from P42 to P55, with testing after 1 month of no exposure |
| Topics | Anxiety Cannabis |
| Citations | 4 |
| Key findings | Continuous THC exposure during late adolescence (P42–55) did not significantly alter anxiety-like behaviors in adult mice of either genotype after one month without exposure. The authors conclude that THC exposure during late adolescence has limited if any long-term impact on anxiety-like behaviors in mice, regardless of whether ghrelin/GHSR signaling is intact or impaired. |
Abstract
As marijuana use during adolescence has been increasing, the need to understand the effects of its long-term use becomes crucial. Previous research suggested that marijuana consumption during adolescence increases the risk of developing mental illnesses, such as schizophrenia, depression, and anxiety. Ghrelin is a peptide produced primarily in the gut and is important for feeding behavior. Recent studies have shown that ghrelin and its receptor, the growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHSR), play important roles in mediating stress, as well as anxiety and depression-like behaviors in animal models. Here, we investigated the effects of chronic tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) administration during late adolescence (P42–55) in GHSR (GHSR −/−) knockout mice and their wild-type littermates in relation to anxiety-like behaviors. We determined that continuous THC exposure during late adolescence did not lead to any significant alterations in the anxiety-like behaviors of adult mice, regardless of genotype, following a prolonged period of no exposure (1 month). These data indicate that in the presence of intact or impaired ghrelin/GHSR signaling, THC exposure during late adolescence has limited if any long-term impact on anxiety-like behaviors in mice.
Comparable studies
Other preclinical and animal studies on cannabis for anxiety, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cited by 1
Cites 5
- Chronic adolescent exposure to cannabis in mice leads to sex-biased changes in gene expression networks across brain regions Neuropsychopharmacology August 22, 2022
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- An evidence based review of acute and long-term effects of cannabis use on executive cognitive functions. Journal of Addiction Medicine March 2011
- Medial temporal structures and memory functions in adolescents with heavy cannabis use Journal of Psychiatric Research February 5, 2011
- Altered frontal cortical volume and decision making in adolescent cannabis users. Frontiers in Psychology 2010