Open AccessCB 1 receptor signaling regulates social anxiety and memory
Author(s) -
Litvin Y.,
Phan A.,
Hill M. N.,
Pfaff D. W.,
McEwen B. S.
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
genes, brain and behavior
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.315
H-Index - 91
eISSN - 1601-183X
pISSN - 1601-1848
DOI - 10.1111/gbb.12045
Subject(s) - am251 , cannabinoid , cannabinoid receptor , psychology , anxiety , antagonist , endocannabinoid system , elevated plus maze , receptor antagonist , receptor , endocrinology , medicine , developmental psychology , psychiatry
The endocannabinoid ( eCB ) system regulates emotion, stress, memory and cognition through the cannabinoid type 1 ( CB 1 ) receptor. To test the role of CB 1 signaling in social anxiety and memory, we utilized a genetic knockout ( KO ) and a pharmacological approach. Specifically, we assessed the effects of a constitutive KO of CB 1 receptors ( CB 1 KOs ) and systemic administration of a CB 1 antagonist ( AM251 ; 5 mg/kg) on social anxiety in a social investigation paradigm and social memory in a social discrimination test. Results showed that when compared with wild‐type ( WT ) and vehicle‐treated animals, CB 1 KOs and WT animals that received an acute dose of AM251 displayed anxiety‐like behaviors toward a novel male conspecific. When compared with WT animals, KOs showed both active and passive defensive coping behaviors, i.e. elevated avoidance, freezing and risk‐assessment behaviors, all consistent with an anxiety‐like profile. Animals that received acute doses of AM251 also showed an anxiety‐like profile when compared with vehicle‐treated animals, yet did not show an active coping strategy, i.e. changes in risk‐assessment behaviors. In the social discrimination test, CB 1 KOs and animals that received the CB 1 antagonist showed enhanced levels of social memory relative to their respective controls. These results clearly implicate CB 1 receptors in the regulation of social anxiety, memory and arousal. The elevated arousal/anxiety resulting from either total CB 1 deletion or an acute CB 1 blockade may promote enhanced social discrimination/memory. These findings may emphasize the role of the eCB system in anxiety and memory to affect social behavior .