Effects of an acute cannabidiol treatment on cocaine self-administration and cue-induced cocaine seeking in male rats. (January 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mahmud, Ashraf; Gallant, Stephanie; Sedki, Firas; D'Cunha, Tracey; Shalev, Uri
• Is Part Of: Journal of psychopharmacology. Volume 31:Number 1(2017)
• Page Start: 96
• Page End: 104
• Publication Date: 2017-01
• Subjects: Cannabidiol -- cocaine -- progressive ratio -- relapse; Psychopharmacology -- Periodicals; 615.78
• DOI: 10.1177/0269881116667706
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0269-8811

Abstract

Cannabidiol is a non-psychoactive compound that is the second most abundant component of cannabis. It has been shown to have a potential therapeutic value for a wide range of disorders, including anxiety, psychosis, and depression. Recently, it was suggested that cannabidiol might be a potential treatment for heroin craving and relapse. Here we investigated the effects of an acute treatment with cannabidiol on cocaine self-administration and cue-induced cocaine seeking in rats. Rats were trained to press a lever to self-administer cocaine (0.5 mg/kg/infusion), first under a fixed interval 20 s (FI-20 s) and then under a progressive ratio (PR) schedule of reinforcement. Cocaine self-administration under a PR schedule of reinforcement was not attenuated by cannabidiol injections (5.0 mg/kg and 10.0 mg/kg; i.p.) when tested 30 min and 24 h after treatment. Cannabidiol treatment (5.0 mg/kg or 10.0 mg/kg) also did not attenuate cue-induced cocaine seeking in rats after a withdrawal period of 14 days. In contrast, treatment with cannabidiol (10.0 mg/kg; i.p.) resulted in a statistically significant anxiolytic effect in the elevated plus-maze. Our findings suggest that, under the conditions described here, an acute cannabidiol treatment has a minimal effect on a rat model of cocaine intake and relapse.