Altered Network Function in Hippocampus After Sub-Chronic Activation of Cannabinoid Receptors in Early Adolescence.

The cannabinoid 1 receptor (CB1R) is abundant in the hippocampus and linked to schizophrenia risk when cannabis is used during adolescence. In rats, adolescent pre-treatment with the CB1R agonist CP-55940 caused a lasting decrease in hippocampal theta oscillations in adulthood, a brain rhythm essential for memory and cognition. The impairment was more severe when exposure occurred in early adolescence (postnatal days 32–36) compared to late adolescence (days 42–46). These findings suggest that early adolescence is a critical window during which cannabis exposure can permanently disrupt neural network synchronization, potentially increasing vulnerability to psychiatric disorders.

Study at a glance

Abstract

The cannabinoid 1-receptor (CB1R) is found in particularly high levels in the hippocampus (HPC). Increased CB1R density and binding are observed in patients with schizophrenia, and epidemiological studies suggest that regular cannabis use during adolescence is a risk factor for the disease. CB1R was shown to interfere with neuronal network oscillations and to impair sensory gating and memory function. Neuronal oscillations are essential in multiple cognitive functions, and their impairment was documented in neurological and psychiatric diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate how adolescent pre-treatment with the CB1R-selective agonist CP-55940 may lead to abnormalities in theta synchronization in adulthood. Rats were pre-treated with CP-55940 or vehicle during adolescence (daily injections in PND 32-36 or PND 42-46). They were then tested in adulthood (PND over 70) under urethane anesthesia. Hippocampal theta rhythm was elicited by brainstem stimulation at five intensity levels 1 hour before and up to 5 h after injection. We found a significant decrease in elicited theta power after CP-55940 in adult rats, which was aggravated further in rats pre-treated in adolescence with the CB1R agonist. The effect was significantly larger in rats pre-treated during early adolescence (PND 32-36) compared to the group pre-treated during late adolescence (PND 42-46). We conclude that (1) exposure to cannabis during adolescence leads to increased sensitivity to CB1R agonist in adulthood, and (2) early adolescence, a critical period for development of HPC networks generating theta rhythms, is particularly prone to this sensitivity.