Effect of repeated juvenile exposure to Δ9‑tetrahydrocannabinol on anxiety-related behavior and social interactions in adolescent rats

Publication date: Available online 21 June 2018 Source:Neurotoxicology and Teratology Author(s): Afzaal N. Mohammed, Navatha Alugubelly, Barbara L. Kaplan, Russell L. Carr The gestational and adolescent periods are critically important for brain development and exposure to Δ9‑tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC) during these periods results in long term behavioral and biochemical abnormalities in laboratory animals. However, recent reports indicate a dramatic rise in oral Δ9-THC exposure in young children but the effects of this exposure scenario have not been adequately investigated. Using a model designed to mimic childhood exposure, male and female rat pups were orally exposed to either corn oil or 10 mg/kg Δ9-THC daily from postnatal days 10–16. On day 29, rats were tested in the elevated plus maze under both low and high illumination with no differences in anxiety-related parameters observed between controls and treated rats. Under high but not low illumination, male Δ9-THC rats exhibited increased anxiolytic behavior as compared to female Δ9-THC rats suggesting a sexual dimorphic effect that was only observed under increased aversiveness. In addition, male Δ9-THC rats had increased activity levels as compared to control males. On day 38, social interactions were determined and both male and female Δ9-THC rats exhibited lower levels of social exploration behaviors but increased episodes of social play behaviors and increased time spent engaged in play. These...
Source: Neurotoxicology and Teratology - Category: Toxicology Source Type: research