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Cannabinoid agonists and antagonists modulate lithium-induced conditioned gaping in rats

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Abstract

Considerable evidence indicates that conditioned gaping in rats reflects nausea in this species that does not vomit. A series of experiments evaluated the potential of psychoactive cannabinoid agonists, Δ-9-THC and HU-210, and non-psychoactive cannabinoids, Cannabidiol (CBD) and its dimethylheptyl homolog (CBD-dmh), to interfere with the establishment and the expression of conditioned gaping in rats. All agents attenuated both the establishment and the expression of conditioned gaping. Furthermore, the CB1 antagonist, SR-141716, reversed the suppressive effect of HU-210 on conditioned gaping. Finally, SR-141716 potentiated lithium-induced conditioned gaping, suggesting that the endogenous cannabinoid system plays a role in the control of nausea.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, Wilfrid Laurier University, N2L 3C5, Waterloo, Ontario

    Linda A. Parker

  2. School of Pharmacy, Hebrew University Medical Faculty, Jerusalem, Israel

    Raphael Mechoulam

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  1. Linda A. Parker
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  2. Raphael Mechoulam
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Correspondence to Linda A. Parker.

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Parker, L.A., Mechoulam, R. Cannabinoid agonists and antagonists modulate lithium-induced conditioned gaping in rats. Integrative Physiological & Behavioral Science 38, 133–145 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02688831

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