The synthetic cannabinoid 5F-AMB changes the balance between excitation and inhibition of layer V pyramidal neurons in the mouse medial prefrontal cortex.
Psychopharmacology August 1, 2018 Masaki Domoto, Hitoki Sasase, Shintaro Wada et al.
5F-AMB, a synthetic cannabinoid abused worldwide, reduces both excitatory and inhibitory signaling in layer V pyramidal neurons of the medial prefrontal cortex by activating CB1 receptors on presynaptic terminals. Bath application of 5F-AMB decreased the frequency of spontaneous and miniature excitatory and inhibitory postsynaptic currents, an effect blocked by the CB1 antagonist AM251. The suppression of excitatory transmission was greater than that of inhibitory transmission, shifting the balance toward net inhibition of these neurons. This inhibitory effect may contribute to the memory and consciousness impairments observed after inhalation of 5F-AMB.