Cannabinoid‐1 receptor antagonist rimonabant (SR141716) increases striatal dopamine D2 receptor availability. (29th September 2011)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Crunelle, Cleo L.; van de Giessen, Elsmarieke; Schulz, Sybille; Vanderschuren, Louk J. M. J.; de Bruin, Kora; van den Brink, Wim; Booij, Jan
• Is Part Of: Addiction biology. Volume 18:Number 6(2013:Nov.)
• Page Start: 908
• Page End: 911
• Publication Date: 2011-09-29
• Subjects: Substance abuse -- Periodicals; Substance abuse -- Physiological aspects -- Periodicals; Substance-Related Disorders -- periodicals; 616.86
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1369-1600.2011.00369.x
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1355-6215

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" xml:lang="en"> <title>ABSTRACT</title> <p>The cannabinoid 1 receptor antagonist rimonabant (SR141716) alters rewarding properties and intake of food and drugs. Additionally, striatal dopamine D₂ receptor (DRD2) availability has been implicated in reward function. This study shows that chronic treatment of rats with rimonabant (1.0 and 3.0 mg/kg/day) dose‐dependently increased DRD2 availability in the dorsal striatum (14 and 23%) compared with vehicle. High‐dose rimonabant also increased DRD2 availability in the ventral striatum (12%) and reduced weight gain. Thus, up‐regulation of striatal DRD2 by chronic rimonabant administration may be an underlying mechanism of action and confirms the interactions of the endocannabinoid and dopaminergic systems.</p> </abstract>