While marijuana remains the most widely used illicit drug in the U.S., the consequences of its use on systems of learning and memory remain poorly understood. Thus, the primary purpose of these experiments is to investigate the mechanisms by which THC, the primary psychoactive ingredient in marijuana, exerts its disruptive effects of learning and memory. First, these experiments will compare the effects of THC with those of methadamide, a synthetic analog of the endogenous cannabinoid anandamide chosen for its relatively greater metabolic stability, on acquisition, reference memory, and working memory of mice in the Morris water maze. Secondly, the receptor mechanism of action will be investigated with the CB1 receptor antagonist SR1417116A, as well as by assessing the affects of these drugs in CB1 receptor knockout mice. Finally, the putative involvement of GABA-ergic mechanisms will be assessed by evaluating the ability of drugs that differentially modulate GABAergic transmission to potentiate/attenuate the dose-effect relationships of THC and methanandamide.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
Type
Postdoctoral Individual National Research Service Award (F32)
Project #
1F32DA006094-01
Application #
6294238
Study Section
Human Development Research Subcommittee (NIDA)
Program Officer
Babecki, Beth
Project Start
2001-09-15
Project End
Budget Start
2001-07-01
Budget End
2002-06-30
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2001
Total Cost
$34,832
Indirect Cost
Name
Virginia Commonwealth University
Department
Pharmacology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
City
Richmond
State
VA
Country
United States
Zip Code
23298