Poster Presenter

Interaction of CB1cannabinoid Receptors in Central Amygdala On Anxiety in Rat
Shadi Sarahroodi, Mohammad Reza Zarrindast
Iran

In this study the important role of the cannabinoid system in the modulation of anxiety like behaviors in clinical and experimental studies has been evaluated. We studied the effects of intracentral amygdala (intra-CeA) microinjection of cannabinoid agents in rats, using elevated plus-maze test of anxiety. Intra-CeA administration of arachidonylcyclopropylamide (ACPA), an agonist shown to selectively activate CB1 receptors (0.125, 1.25 and 5 ng/rat) increased % OAT and % OAE but not locomotor activity, indicating an anxiolytic response. Intra-CeA administration of AM251, CB1 cannabinoid receptor antagonist, (2.5, 25 and 100 ng/rat) did not alter % OAT and % OAE but the higher doses of the drug (25 and 100 ng/rat) reduced locomotor activity.

In another series of experiments, ACPA (1.25 ng/rat), was co-administered (Intra-CeA) with AM251 (2.5, 25 and 100 ng/rat). The results showed that AM251decreased anxiolytic effect of ACPA at doses of 2.5, 25 and 100ng/rat. In conclusion, the results indicate an anxiolytic effect for CB1 cannabinoid receptors in the CeA.