Cognitive impairment induced by delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol occurs through heteromers between cannabinoid CB1 and serotonin 5-HT2A receptors

Viñals, Xavier, Moreno, Estefanía, Lanfumey, Laurence, Cordomí, Arnau, Pastor, Antoni, de La Torre, Rafael, Gasperini, Paola, Navarro, Gemma, Howell, Lesley, Pardo, Leonardo, Lluís, Carmen, Canela, Enric I, McCormick, Peter J., Maldonado, Rafael and Robledo, Patricia (2015) Cognitive impairment induced by delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol occurs through heteromers between cannabinoid CB1 and serotonin 5-HT2A receptors. PLoS Biology, 13 (7). ISSN 1545-7885

Preview

PDF (pbio.1002194 (pdf proofs)) - Published Version Available under License Creative Commons Attribution. Download (5MB) | Preview

Abstract

Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main psychoactive compound of marijuana, induces numerous undesirable effects, including memory impairments, anxiety, and dependence. Conversely, THC also has potentially therapeutic effects, including analgesia, muscle relaxation, and neuroprotection. However, the mechanisms that dissociate these responses are still not known. Using mice lacking the serotonin receptor 5-HT2A, we revealed that the analgesic and amnesic effects of THC are independent of each other: while amnesia induced by THC disappears in the mutant mice, THC can still promote analgesia in these animals. In subsequent molecular studies, we showed that in specific brain regions involved in memory formation, the receptors for THC and the 5-HT2A receptors work together by physically interacting with each other. Experimentally interfering with this interaction prevented the memory deficits induced by THC, but not its analgesic properties. Our results highlight a novel mechanism by which the beneficial analgesic properties of THC can be dissociated from its cognitive side effects.

Item Type:	Article
Faculty \ School:	Faculty of Science > School of Pharmacy
UEA Research Groups:	Faculty of Science > Research Groups > Medicinal Chemistry (former - to 2017)
Depositing User:	Pure Connector
Date Deposited:	18 Mar 2016 09:30
Last Modified:	21 Oct 2022 01:03
URI:	https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/57575
DOI:	10.1371/journal.pbio.1002194

Downloads

Actions (login required)

View Item