Abstract.
Rationale: We wished to investigate further the hypothesis of an endogenous cannabinoid 'aversive counter-rewarding system', as the rewarding properties of cannabinoids using standard procedures remain ambiguous. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to confirm the behavioural effects of a highly potent synthetic cannabinoid agonist (HU210) and the selective cannabinoid antagonist SR141716A using conditioned place preference (CPP). Methods: HU210 (20, 60 and 100 µg kg–1), SR141716A (0.25, 0.5, 2 and 3 mg kg–1), cocaine (15 mg kg–1) and Δ9-THC (1.5 mg kg–1) were given to male Lister hooded rats using an unbiased CPP design. Results: SR141716A and cocaine produced place preference at all doses tested, whereas HU210 and Δ9-THC produced aversion as expressed by time spent in the drug-paired compartment of the CPP apparatus. Conclusions: The aversive effects of cannabinoid agonists and the rewarding effect of the cannabinoid antagonist are suggestive of a cannabinergic tone in the rat brain. Further research is needed to determine the precise relationship of that tone with the reward pathways of the brain.
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Cheer, J., Kendall, D. & Marsden, C. Cannabinoid receptors and reward in the rat: a conditioned place preference study. Psychopharmacology 151, 25–30 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1007/s002130000481
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s002130000481