A selective cannabinoid CB2 agonist attenuates damage and improves memory retention following stroke in mice

Publication date: Available online 30 May 2015 Source:Life Sciences Author(s): Richard D. Ronca , Alyssa M. Myers , Doina Ganea , Ronald F. Tuma , Ellen A. Walker , Sara Jane Ward Aims We have recently demonstrated that treatment with a cannabinoid CB2 agonist was protective in a mouse middle cerebral artery occlusion model of cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury. The present study aimed to determine whether these protective effects of CB2 agonism would extend to a mouse photoinjury model of permanent ischemia and determine associated alterations in cognition and infarct size. Main Methods Mice received three injections of the CB2 selective agonist O-1966 or vehicle 1 h prior to and 2 and 5 days following induction of stroke. Infarct size was assessed at 1, 3, or 7 days post injury and learning and memory effects of injury and O-1966 treatment were assessed on days 6 and 7 using a novel object recognition task and an operant acquisition and retention procedure. Key Findings O-1966 treated mice had significantly smaller infarct volumes compared with vehicle treated mice. Photoinjury was also associated with a significant memory impairment on day 7 post-injury, and this deficit was reversed with O-1966 treatment. Surprisingly, sham-operated mice receiving O-1966 treatment showed a significant learning deficit in both the recognition and operant tasks compared with vehicle treated sham mice. Significance We conclude that CB2 activation is protective against cogni...
Source: Life Sciences - Category: Biology Source Type: research