The Open Behavioral Science Journal

2012, 6 : 31-36
Published online 2012 December 28. DOI: 10.2174/1874230001206010031
Publisher ID: TOBSJ-6-31

Chronic Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol Induces Monoamine Release but Not Conditioned Place Preference

Mohamad Aris Mohd Moklas , Zulkhairi Amom , Mohamad Taufik Hidayat Baharuldin , Che Norma Mat Taib , Fatin Nadzirah Zakaria , Muhammad Khairulasraf Muhammad Yusof , Muhammad Farhan Adzhar , Sharida Fakurazi and Rusliza Basir
Department of Human Anat-omy, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia.

ABSTRACT

THC is the primary psychoactive compound of Cannabis sativa and while the human abuse potential of THC is well recognised, knowledge of its reinforcing and dependence-producing effects is limited. In addition to euphoric proper-ties, cannabinoids are known to attenuate learning and memory in both humans and animals but the underlying mecha-nism is unclear. The present study investigated the effects of chronic THC treatment on CB1 receptor-mediated reward. In addition, DA and 5HT and their metabolites DOPAC, HVA and 5HIAA were measured in the striatum and hippocampus. Chronic THC (0.5, 2.0 and 5.0mg/Kg ip, 21 days) had no significant effect on conditioned place preference while DA content of the striatum was increased by chronic THC in a dose-dependant manner.

Keywords:

THC, reward, CPP.