A behavioural comparison of acute and chronic Delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabidiol in C57BL/6JArc mice.
Leonora E Long, Rose Chesworth, Xu-Feng Huang, Iain S. Mcgregor, Jonathon C Arnold, Tim Karl
The International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology August 2010 DOI: 10.1017/s1461145709990605 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Male adult C57BL/6JArc mice |
| Interventions | Delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Delta9-THC) Cannabidiol (CBD) Dexamphetamine |
| Dose | Delta9-THC: 0.3, 1, 3 or 10 mg/kg; CBD: 1, 5, 10 or 50 mg/kg; Dexamphetamine: 5 mg/kg |
| Duration | 21 daily injections |
| Topics | Cannabis CBD |
| Key findings | Chronic CBD produced anxiolytic-like effects in the open-field test at 50 mg/kg and in the light-dark test at 1 mg/kg, and attenuated dexamphetamine-induced hyperlocomotion at 50 mg/kg, suggesting an antipsychotic-like action. Delta9-THC produced the classic cannabinoid tetrad and anxiogenic effects at 10 mg/kg. The authors state these data provide the first evidence of anxiolytic- and antipsychotic-like effects of chronic but not acute CBD in C57BL/6JArc mice. |
Abstract
Cannabis contains over 70 unique compounds and its abuse is linked to an increased risk of developing schizophrenia. The behavioural profiles of the psychotropic cannabis constituent Delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Delta9-THC) and the non-psychotomimetic constituent cannabidiol (CBD) were investigated with a battery of behavioural tests relevant to anxiety and positive, negative and cognitive symptoms of schizophrenia. Male adult C57BL/6JArc mice were given 21 daily intraperitoneal injections of vehicle, Delta9-THC (0.3, 1, 3 or 10 mg/kg) or CBD (1, 5, 10 or 50 mg/kg). Delta9-THC produced the classic cannabinoid CB1 receptor-mediated tetrad of hypolocomotion, analgesia, catalepsy and hypothermia while CBD had modest hyperthermic effects. While sedative at this dose, Delta9-THC (10 mg/kg) produced locomotor-independent anxiogenic effects in the open-field and light-dark tests. Chronic CBD produced moderate anxiolytic-like effects in the open-field test at 50 mg/kg and in the light-dark test at a low dose (1 mg/kg). Acute and chronic Delta9-THC (10 mg/kg) decreased the startle response while CBD had no effect. Prepulse inhibition was increased by acute treatment with Delta9-THC (0.3, 3 and 10 mg/kg) or CBD (1, 5 and 50 mg/kg) and by chronic CBD (1 mg/kg). Chronic CBD (50 mg/kg) attenuated dexamphetamine (5 mg/kg)-induced hyperlocomotion, suggesting an antipsychotic-like action for this cannabinoid. Chronic Delta9-THC decreased locomotor activity before and after dexamphetamine administration suggesting functional antagonism of the locomotor stimulant effect. These data provide the first evidence of anxiolytic- and antipsychotic-like effects of chronic but not acute CBD in C57BL/6JArc mice, extending findings from acute studies in other inbred mouse strains and rats.
Comparable studies
Other preclinical and animal studies on CBD, most cited first.
Citations in the library
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- CB1 receptor-enriched functional connectivity analysis revealed target-specific modulation by cannabidiol in early psychosis. Journal of Psychopharmacology August 5, 2026
- Prior cannabis vapor exposure impairs pattern separation in rodents of multiple ages but is rescued by citicoline administration. Neuroscience May 25, 2026
- Persistent behavioural consequences of chronic adolescent cannabidiol (CBD) in a mouse model with increased susceptibility to Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol and schizophrenia. Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry March 1, 2025
and 11 more in the library
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- Cannabidiol reverses the reduction in social interaction produced by low dose Delta(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol in rats. Pharmacology, Biochemistry, and Behavior August 2009
- The diverse CB1 and CB2 receptor pharmacology of three plant cannabinoids: delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol, cannabidiol and delta9-tetrahydrocannabivarin. British Journal of Pharmacology January 2008
- Heterozygous neuregulin 1 mice are more sensitive to the behavioural effects of Delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol. Psychopharmacology June 2007
- Interactions between THC and cannabidiol in mouse models of cannabinoid activity. Psychopharmacology June 2006
and 4 more in the library