The role of CA1 CB1 receptors on lithium-induced spatial memory impairment in rats

Authors

  • Salar Vaseghi Department of Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
  • Vahab Babapour Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
  • Mohammad Nasehi Cognitive and Neuroscience Research Center (CNRC), Amir-Almomenin Hospital, Tehran Medical Sciences Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
  • Mohammad-Reza Zarrindast Department of Pharmacology School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Institute for Cognitive Science Studies (ICSS), Tehran, Iran; Department of Neuroendocrinology, Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17179/excli2018-1511

Keywords:

ACPA, AM251, lithium, spatial memory, CA1, rats

Abstract

Lithium, a glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β) inhibitor, prevents cannabinoid withdrawal syndrome, but there is limited data exploring the interaction between lithium and cannabinoid system on memory processes. The present study aimed to test the interaction between dorsal hippocampal (CA1 region) cannabinoid system and lithium on spatial memory in rats. Spatial memory was assessed in Morris Water Maze (MWM) apparatus by a single training session of eight trials. The results showed that pre-training intra-CA1 microinjection of ACPA, the cannabinoid type 1 receptor (CB1r) agonist, at doses of 0.001, 0.01 or 1 µg/rat, or AM251, the cannabinoid type 1 receptor (CB1r) antagonist, at doses of 1, 10 or 100 ng/rat, increased escape latency and traveled distance to the platform, suggesting a spatial learning impairment, whereas intraperitoneal administration of lithium (0.5, 1 or 5 mg/kg) had no effect on spatial learning. Also, rats that received lithium plus a lower dose of ACPA (0.001 µg/rat) or AM251 (1 ng/rat) had successful performance in the MWM. In the probe test, the results showed that pre-training administration of lithium (5 mg/kg) and ACPA (0.01 or 1 µg/rat) but not AM251 (at all doses used) impaired spatial memory retrieval. Also, lower dose of ACPA (0.001 µg/rat) or AM251 (1 ng/rat) potentiated the effect of ineffective doses of lithium (0.5 and 1 mg/kg) on spatial memory retrieval, while restored the effect of effective dose of lithium (5 mg/kg). In conclusion, cannabinoids may have a dual effect on lithium-induced spatial memory impairment in rats.

Published

2018-09-20

How to Cite

Vaseghi, S., Babapour, V., Nasehi, M., & Zarrindast, M.-R. (2018). The role of CA1 CB1 receptors on lithium-induced spatial memory impairment in rats. EXCLI Journal, 17, 916–934. https://doi.org/10.17179/excli2018-1511

Issue

Section

Original articles

Most read articles by the same author(s)