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Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol and the extrapyramidal system

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Abstract

The behavioural effects of stereotypy and catalepsy by Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC) in the rat were estimated and the possible involvement of the basal ganglia in these behaviours was studied using brain lesion techniques. In addition, the interactions of Δ9-THC with a dopaminergic (amphetamine) and a cholinergic stimulant (RS-86) were evaluated using the above methods.

The excitatory effects of Δ9-THC alone, i.e., circling, sniffing, and head movements, were of low intensity and short duration and they were not significantly affected by lesions in the basal ganglia. On the other hand, Δ9-THC was found to depress behaviour, including catalepsy and atonic muscular prostration, the former being markedly potentiated, while prostration was unaffected by such lesions.

Δ9-THC was also found to potentiate cholinergic-induced catalepsy, extrapyramidal lesions causing further potentiation.

Amphetamine-induced circling, sniffing, and gnawing emerged as a triad of related behaviour fragments. This was altermated by pallidal lesions and Δ9-THC treatment, the combination of the two being additive. The potentiation by Δ9-THC of amphetamine-induced rhythmic head and body movements was unaffected by pallidal lesions and so could be mediated by another brain area.

The hypothesis is proposed that Δ9-THC exerts its cataleptogenic and some of its amphetamine interaction effects by reducing dopaminergic transmission in the basal ganglia.

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  1. School of Pharmacology, University of Bradford, BD7 1DP, Bradford, UK

    A. L. Gough & J. E. Olley

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  1. A. L. Gough
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  2. J. E. Olley
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Gough, A.L., Olley, J.E. Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol and the extrapyramidal system. Psychopharmacology 54, 87–99 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00426547

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00426547

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