Differential effects of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol dosing on correlates of schizophrenia in the sub-chronic PCP rat model.
PloS one January 1, 2020 Alexandre Seillier, Alex A Martinez, Andrea Giuffrida
In a rat model of schizophrenia, low doses of THC (0.1 mg/kg) reversed social withdrawal and elevated anandamide levels caused by PCP, while higher doses (0.3, 1.0 mg/kg) worsened social deficits and disrupted dopamine neuron activity similarly to PCP alone. THC also activated the Akt/GSK3β pathway in a dose-dependent manner in both control and PCP-treated animals. These findings suggest that only low doses of THC may have beneficial effects on behavioral, neurochemical, and electrophysiological correlates of schizophrenia symptoms, potentially informing the debate on marijuana use as self-medication in patients.