Δ⁹Tetrahydrocannabinol impairs visuo-spatial associative learning and spatial working memory in rhesus macaques.
Journal of Psychopharmacology October 2012 DOI: 10.1177/0269881112443743 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized within-subject behavioral pharmacology study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Adult male rhesus monkeys |
| Intervention | Δ⁹THC |
| Dose | 0.1-0.3 mg/kg, i.m. |
| Topics | Cannabis |
| Key points | Δ⁹THC at 0.1–0.3 mg/kg impaired performance on visuo-spatial associative memory and self-ordered spatial search tasks in a dose- and task-difficulty-dependent manner, which the authors interpret as a direct memory effect rather than sedation, suggesting spatial memory and working memory are sensitive to endocannabinoid perturbation. |
Abstract
Cannabis remains the most commonly abused illicit drug and is rapidly expanding in quasi-licit use in some jurisdictions under medical marijuana laws. Effects of the psychoactive constituent Δ⁹tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ⁹THC) on cognitive function remain of pressing concern. Prior studies in monkeys have not shown consistent evidence of memory-specific effects of Δ⁹THC on recognition tasks, and it remains unclear to what extent Δ⁹THC causes sedative versus specific cognitive effects. In this study, adult male rhesus monkeys were trained on tasks which assess spatial working memory, visuo-spatial associative memory and learning as well as motivation for food reward. Subjects were subsequently challenged with 0.1-0.3 mg/kg Δ⁹THC, i.m., in randomized order and evaluated on the behavioral measures. The performance of both vsPAL and SOSS tasks was impaired by Δ⁹THC in a dose and task-difficulty dependent manner. It is concluded that Δ⁹THC disrupts cognition in a way that is consistent with a direct effect on memory. There was evidence for interference with spatial working memory, visuo-spatial associative memory and incremental learning in the latter task. These results and the lack of specific effect of Δ⁹THC in prior visual recognition studies imply a sensitivity of spatial memory processing and/or working memory to endocannabinoid perturbation.
Comparable studies
Other preclinical and animal studies on cannabis, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cited by 5
- Tolerance to hypothermic and antinoceptive effects of ∆9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) vapor inhalation in rats. Pharmacology, Biochemistry, and Behavior September 2018
- Chronic administration of amphetamines disturbs development of neural progenitor cells in young adult nonhuman primates. Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry July 13, 2018
- Chronic Δ9-THC in Rhesus Monkeys: Effects on Cognitive Performance and Dopamine D2/D3 Receptor Availability. Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics February 2018
- Comparisons of Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol and Anandamide on a Battery of Cognition-Related Behavior in Nonhuman Primates. Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics January 29, 2016
- Δ(9)Tetrahydrocannabinol impairs reversal learning but not extra-dimensional shifts in rhesus macaques. Neuroscience April 3, 2013
Cites 10
- Impact of cannabidiol on the acute memory and psychotomimetic effects of smoked cannabis: naturalistic study: naturalistic study [corrected]. The British Journal of Psychiatry October 2010
- Cannabidiol attenuates the appetitive effects of Delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol in humans smoking their chosen cannabis. Neuropsychopharmacology August 2010
- Behavioral and temperature effects of delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol in human-relevant doses in rats. Brain Research September 4, 2008
- The relationship between non‐acute adolescent cannabis use and cognition Drug and Alcohol Review May 1, 2007
- SR 141716A differentially attenuates the behavioral effects of delta9-THC in rhesus monkeys. Behavioural Pharmacology September 2005
and 5 more in the library