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The interaction of chronic delta‐9‐tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and estradiol during early adulthood has long‐term effects on learning in female rats
Author(s) -
Winsauer Peter John,
Sutton Jessie L
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.24.1_supplement.582.8
Subject(s) - delta 9 tetrahydrocannabinol , saline , δ9 tetrahydrocannabinol , endocrinology , cannabinol , medicine , ovariectomized rat , tetrahydrocannabinol , psychology , estrogen , chemistry , physiology , cannabinoid , receptor
Persistent THC abuse by adolescents has been shown to produce long‐term, hormonally‐dependent deficits in complex behavioral processes such as learning. This study examined whether the same deficits would be produced by chronic THC during early adulthood to determine the age sensitivity of these effects. To do this, either sham‐operated (Intact) or ovariectomized (OVX) female rats received 40, daily THC injections of 5.6 mg/kg i.p. during early adulthood. Following THC administration and a drug‐free period for training to respond under a multiple schedule with acquisition and performance components, the baseline response rates and response accuracy for the groups were not significantly different (Intact/Saline, Intact/THC, OVX/Saline, and OVX/THC). However, when 0.56–10 mg/kg of THC was administered acutely, group differences were apparent. With respect to response rate, the rank order for disruption by THC in the acquisition and performance components was Intact/Saline > Intact/THC = OVX/Saline > OVX/THC. With respect to accuracy in both components, the rank order for disruption by THC was Intact/THC > OVX/Saline > Intact/Saline = OVX/THC. These results indicate that chronic THC in female rats during early adulthood, as well as adolescence, can have long‐term, hormonally‐dependent effects on learning, and that these effects show only moderate age sensitivity.