Alterations of prefrontal cortex GABAergic transmission in the complex psychotic-like phenotype induced by adolescent delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol exposure in rats.
Neurobiology of disease March 1, 2014 Erica Zamberletti, Sarah Beggiato, Luca Steardo et al.
Adolescent exposure to THC in female rats leads to long-lasting behavioral changes in adulthood, including memory deficits, social withdrawal, altered emotional reactivity, and heightened sensitivity to the effects of PCP. These changes are accompanied by reduced levels of the enzyme GAD67 and the neurotransmitter GABA in the prefrontal cortex, as well as increased glutamate and cFos activity in the prefrontal cortex and dorsal striatum. The findings suggest that adolescent THC exposure may contribute to the development of psychotic-like behaviors later in life.