Abstract
Relatively high dosages of Δ 1-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ 1-THC) markedly suppressed almost all normally occurring behavioral elements in rats as observed in both a small and a large open field. This effect persisted following repeated treatment and testing for 3 consecutive days. The psychotropically inert but related compound cannabidiol (CBD) did not suppress behavior, but in contrast had a mild activating effect. Both compounds decreased defecation during the test procedure. In addition, Δ 1-THC, but not CBD, induced a bizarre circling and turning response, that was evident over all 3 test days and occurred even when the rats were deeply sedated. It is suggested that an analysis of this phenomenon may be useful in measuring the psychotominetic action of Δ 1-THC and similar compounds in rats.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Bhattacharyya AK, Auklakh CS, Pradhan S, Ghosh P, Pradhan SN (1980) Behavioural and neurochemical effects of Δ 9-tetrahydrocannabinol in rats. Neuropharmacology 19:87–95
Carlini EA, Santos M, Claussens U, Bieniek D, Korte F (1970) Structure activity relationship for four tetrahydrocannabinols and the pharmacological activity of five semi-purified extracts of cannabis sativa. Psychopharmacologia 18:82–93
Carlini EA, Mechoulam R, Lander N (1975) Anticonvulsant activity of four oxygenated cannabidiol derivatives. Res Conimun Chem Pathol Pharmacol 12:1–15
Davis WM, Moreton JE, King WT, Pace HB (1972) Marihuana on locomotor activity: Biphasic effect and tolerance development. Res Commun Chem Pathol Pharmacol 3:29–35
Drew WG, Miller LL, Wikler A (1972) Effect of Δ 9-THC on the open field activity of the rat. Psychopharmacologia 23:289–299
Gaoni Y, Mechoulam R (1971) The isolation and strucutre of Δ 1-THC and other cannabinoids of hashish. J Am Chem Soc 93:217–224
Järbe TUC, Heriksson BG (1973) Open-field behavior and acquisition of discriminative response control in Δ 9-THC tolerant rats. Experientia 29:1251–1253
Masur J, Märtz RMW, Carlini EA (1971) Effects of acute and chronic administration of Cannabis Sativa and (-)Δ 9-trans-tetrahydrocannabinol on the behavior of rats in an open field arena. Psychopharmacologia 19:388–397
McCaughran JA Jr, Corcoran ME, Wada JA (1974) Anticonvulsant activity of Δ 8- and Δ 9-tetrahydrocannabinol in rats. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2:227–233
Mechoulam R, Edery H (1973) Structure activity relationship of the Cannabinoid series. In: Mechoulam R (ed) Marijuana chemistry, pharmacology, metabolism and clinical effects. Academic Press, New York, pp 110–120
Miczek KA, Dixit BW (1980) Behavioral and biochemical effects of chronic Δ 9-tetrahydrocannabinol in rats. Psychopharmacology 67:195–202
Potvin RJ, Fried PA (1972) Acute and chronic effects on rats of (-)Δ 1-trans-tetrahydrocannabinol on unlearned motor tasks. Psychopharmacologia 26:369–378
Raduco-Thomas S, Magnan F, Grove RN, Singh P, Garcia F, Raduco-Thomas C (1976) Effect of chronic administration of Δ 1-THC on learning and memory in developing mice. In: Braude MC, Szara S (eds) The pharmacology of marihuana. Raven Press, New York, pp 487–498
Schneider C (1968) Behavioural effects of some morphine antagonists and hallucinogens in the rat. Nature 220:586–587
Sjödén PO, Järbe TUC, Henriksson BG (1973) Effects of long term administration and withdrawal of tetrahydrocannabinols (Δ 8-THC and Δ 9-THC) on open field behavior in rats. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 1:243–249
Van Ree JM (1982) Non-opiate β-endorphin fragments and dopamine — II. β-Endorphin 2–9 enhances apomorphine-induced stereotypy following subcutaneous and intra-striatal injection. Neuropharmacology 21:1103–1109
Wray SA, Cowan A (1971) The behavioral effects of levallorphan, cyprenorphine (M285) and amphetamine on repeated Y-maze performance in rats. Psychopharmacologia 21:257–267
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Nir, I., Veldhuis, H.D. & van Ree, J.M. Δ 1-tetrahydrocannabinol-induced circling behavior in rats: A possible measure of psychotomimetic activity?. Psychopharmacology 84, 556–560 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00431466
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00431466