Faculty Collaboration Database

Selective effects of the endogenous cannabinoid arachidonylethanolamide (anandamide) on regional cerebral blood flow in the rat. Neuropsychopharmacology 1998 Dec;19(6):481-91

Date

11/06/1998

Pubmed ID

9803424

DOI

10.1016/S0893-133X(98)00043-8

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-0031782032 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   21 Citations

Abstract

Recent biochemical data suggest that arachidonylethanolamide (AEA; anandamide) may be an endogenous ligand for brain cannabinoid receptors. The functional neuronal consequences of AEA binding to cannabinoid receptors are only poorly understood. Using regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) as an indirect marker of neuronal activity, acute AEA administration dose-dependently depressed rCBF in unanesthetized rats. Although 3.0 mg/kg was ineffective in altering rCBF, 10 mg/kg led to a decrease in rCBF in seven brain areas including the amygdala, cingulate, frontal, prepyriform, sensorimotor, and claustrocortex. An additional 16 areas responded in a similar manner to AEA, but only after 30 mg/kg, including the CA1 and CA3 regions of the hippocampus, the rostral core portion of the nucleus accumbens, and rostral caudate nucleus. Most of these rCBF effects dissipated between 15 and 20 min after drug administration, with only 4 regions, the basomedial and lateral amygdala, CA3 hippocampus and claustrocortex still depressed 60 min after an acute drug injection. No significant changes in heart rate, blood pressure, or blood gases were seen at the time of rCBF measurement, suggesting that the observed drug effects were neuronally mediated. Taken together with existing behavioral data, these data support the hypothesis that an endogenous cannabinoid neural system exists in mammalian brain and may help to explain the unique behavioral profile seen after cannabinoid administration.

Author List

Stein EA, Fuller SA, Edgemond WS, Campbell WB

Author

William B. Campbell PhD Professor in the Pharmacology and Toxicology department at Medical College of Wisconsin

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Animals
Arachidonic Acids
Autoradiography
Blood Gas Analysis
Calcium Channel Blockers
Cerebrovascular Circulation
Endocannabinoids
Hemodynamics
Male
Polyunsaturated Alkamides
Rats
Rats, Sprague-Dawley