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Cannabinoids And The Cholinergic System
Author(s) -
DOMINO EDWARD F.
Publication year - 1981
Publication title -
the journal of clinical pharmacology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.92
H-Index - 116
eISSN - 1552-4604
pISSN - 0091-2700
DOI - 10.1002/j.1552-4604.1981.tb02602.x
Subject(s) - acetylcholine , neocortex , cholinergic , hippocampus , electroencephalography , neuroscience , pharmacology , tetrahydrocannabinol , chemistry , medicine , endocrinology , cannabinoid , biology , receptor
Δ 9 ‐Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) decreases EEG activation and causes slow waves in the cat. The EEG slow‐wave activity is accompanied by a concomitant decrease in acetylcholine release from the neocortex. The findings suggest that THC depresses the brain stem activating system. Large doses of Δ 8 ‐ and Δ‐THC increase brain acetylcholine levels in rodents such as the mouse and rat, but this effect is not seen with minimal doses of the cannabinoids which show behavioral effects. The most dramatic change produced by THC is that brain acetylcholine utilization is reduced primarily in the hippocampus.