Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The effects of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol on the metabolism of norepinephrine in rat brain

  • Published:
Psychopharmacologia Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Δ 9-THC (approximately 80 mg/kg) was administered to rats by intraperitoneal injection. This dose was found to cause an accelerated rate of disappearance of intracisternally administered norepinephrine-H3 from the brain and a small increase in the uptake of norepinephrine-H3 in the brain. In contrast to most stimulants, euphoriants, or antidepressants (e.g., cocaine or amphetamine, monoamine oxidase inhibitors and tricyclic antidepressants), Δ 9-THC appeared to cause no decrease in the deamination of norepinephrine-H3 in brain. Levels of endogenous norepinephrine in brain tended to be slightly lower, whereas levels of endogenous serotonin were slightly higher in animals treated with Δ 9-THC than in matched control animals. Behavioral effects were observed and are described in the text.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Efron, D. H.: Marijuana. In: Psychopharmacology a review of progress 1957–1967. D. H., Efron, J. O. Cole, J. Levine and J. R. Wittenborn, eds., pp. 1269–1271. Washington: U. S. Government Printing Office 1968.

    Google Scholar 

  • Glowinski, J., Axelrod, J.: Effect of drugs on the uptake, release and metabolism of H3-norepinephrine in the rat brain. J. Pharmacol. exp. Ther. 149, 43–49 (1965).

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • — —, Iversen, L. L.: Regional studies of catecholamines in the rat brain. IV. Effects of drugs on the disposition and metabolism of H3-norepinephrine and H3-Dopamine. J. Pharmacol. exp. Ther. 153, 30–41 (1966).

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hollister, L. E., Richards, R. K., Gillespie, H. K.: Comparison of tetrahydrocannabinol and synhexyl in man. Clin. Pharm. Ther. 9, 783–791 (1968).

    Google Scholar 

  • Holtzman, D., Lovell, R. A., Jaffe, J. H., Freedman, D. X.: I-Δ 9-Tetrahydrocannabinol: Neurochemical and behavioral effects in the mouse. Science 163, 1464–1467 (1969).

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Isbell, H., Gorodetzsky, C. W., Jasinski, D.: Effects of (-)Δ 9-trans-tetrahydrocannabinol in man. Psychopharmacologia (Berl.) 11, 184–188 (1967).

    Google Scholar 

  • —, Jasinski, D. R.: A comparison of LSD-25 with (-)Δ 9-trans-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and attempted cross tolerance between LSD and THC. Psychopharmacologia (Berl.) 14, 115–123 (1969).

    Google Scholar 

  • Schanberg, S. M., Schildkraut, J. J., Kopin, I. J.: The effects of pentobarbital on the fate of intracisternally administered norepinephrine-H3. J. Pharmacol. exp. Ther. 157, 311–318 (1967).

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Schildkraut, J. J.: Tranylcypromine: Effects on norepinephrine metabolism in rat brain: Amer. J. Psychiat. 126, 925–931 (1970).

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • —, Dodge, G. A., Logue, M. A.: Effects of tricyclic antidepressants on the uptake and metabolism of intracisternally administered norepinephrine-H3 in rat brain. J. Psychiat. Res. 7, 29–34 (1969a).

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • —, Logue, M. A., Dodge, G. A.: The effects of lithium salts on the turnover and metabolism of norepinephrine in rat brain. Psychopharmacologia (Berl.) 14, 135–141 (1969b).

    Google Scholar 

  • —, Schanberg, S. M., Breese, G. R., Kopin, I. J.: Norepinephrine metabolism and drugs used in the affective disorders: A possible mechanism of action. Amer. J. Psychiat. 124, 600–608 (1967).

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Neuropsychopharmacology Laboratory, Massachusetts Mental Health Center, USA

    Joseph J. Schildkraut

  2. Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts

    Joseph J. Schildkraut

  3. Pharmacology Section, Psychopharmacology Research Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, Maryland

    Daniel H. Efron

Authors
  1. Joseph J. Schildkraut
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Daniel H. Efron
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Schildkraut, J.J., Efron, D.H. The effects of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol on the metabolism of norepinephrine in rat brain. Psychopharmacologia 20, 191–196 (1971). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00404373

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00404373

Key-Words

Search

Navigation