Antipsychotics improve Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol-induced impairment of the prepulse inhibition of the startle reflex in mice

Hiroshi Nagai, Nobuaki Egashira, Kazunori Sano, Ayumi Ogata, Ai Mizuki, Kenichi Mishima, Katsunori Iwasaki, Yukihiro Shoyama, Ryoji Nishimura, Michihiro Fujiwara

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

59 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Recently, cannabinoid receptor agonists have been reported to impair prepulse inhibition (PPI) of the startle reflex. In the current study, we examined the effect of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the principal psychoactive component of cannabis, on the PPI, and found that THC (10 mg/kg, i.p.) impaired the PPI concomitant with a decrease in the startle response. Antipsychotics such as haloperidol (0.3 mg/kg, i.p.) and risperidone (0.1 mg/kg, i.p.), which are potent dopamine D2 receptor antagonists, and SR141716 (10 mg/kg, i.p.), a CB1 cannabinoid receptor antagonist, reversed these THC-induced PPI deficits. Moreover, THC (10 mg/kg) increased dopamine (DA) release in the nucleus accumbens but not medial prefrontal cortex over a 50-100-min period (time of PPI test) after treatment, and SR141716 (10 mg/kg) reversed this increase in DA release induced by THC. These results suggest that dopaminergic hyperfunction in the nucleus accumbens may be involved in THC-induced PPI deficits.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)330-336
Number of pages7
JournalPharmacology Biochemistry and Behavior
Volume84
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jun 2006
Externally publishedYes

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Biochemistry
  • Toxicology
  • Pharmacology
  • Clinical Biochemistry
  • Biological Psychiatry
  • Behavioral Neuroscience

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