Role of cannabinoid CB2receptor in the reinforcing actions of ethanol

• DOI: 10.1111/adb.12076
• Publication Date: 2013-07-16T10:26:42Z
• Authors: Antonio Ortega-Ál...; Alexander Ternianov; Auxiliadora Araci...; Francisco Navarrete; Maria Salud Garcí...; Jorge Manzanares
• Keywords: Conditioned place preference; Self-administration

This study examines the role of cannabinoid CB2 receptor (CB2r) on vulnerability to ethanol consumption. The time-related and dose-response effects rectal temperature, handling-induced convulsions (HIC) blood concentrations were evaluated in CB2KO wild-type (WT) mice. reinforcing properties conditioned place preference (CPP), voluntary consumption oral self-administration. Water-maintained behavior schedule was performed evaluate degree motivation induced by a natural stimulus. Preference for non-alcohol tastants assay differences taste sensitivity. Tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) μ-opioid gene expressions also measured ventral tegmental area nucleus accumbens (NAcc), respectively. mice presented increased HIC score, ethanol-CPP, preference, acquisition self-administration, drink compared with WT No found between genotypes water-maintained or tastants. Naïve expression NAcc. Acute administration (1–2 g/kg) TH mice, whereas lower dose decreased These results suggest that deletion CB2r consumption, at least part, ethanol-induced sensitivity mesolimbic neurons. Future studies will determine as target treatment problems related alcohol