Osaretin Albert Taiwo Ebuehi, Nosarieme Omoregie Abey Impact of Marijuana (Cannabis sativa) on Some Neurochemicals and Cognitive Function of Sprague-Dawley Rats, Research in Neuroscience 2016, 5(1): 1-9. DOI: 10.5923/j.neuroscience.20160501.01
Abstract
Background: Cannabis sativa is the most commonly abused drug in the world; its active ingredient tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is linked to cognitive deficits. The underlying neurochemical change is just being explored. Objective: This study was set out to decipher some structural and chemical changes that underlies the cognitive Function displayed by Cannabis sativa administered rat. Methodology: Sprague-Dawley rats were fed diet containing 10% and 5% Cannabis sativa chow for a period of seven weeks served as model to evaluate the learning, memory and cognitive function, acetylcholine level/acetylcholinesterase activity, serotonin concentration, antioxidant capacity and histopathology of the brain. Results: The results indicate that Cannabis sativa administered rats exhibited cognitive deficit and impaired learning, decreased acetylcholine level, acetylcholinesterase activity, serotonin concentration and altered structural component of the brain all in dose and time dependent manner. Conclusions: Data of the study suggest that chronic Cannabis sativa users are at higher risk of cognitive deficit and memory impairment. The imbalance in the antioxidant, serotoninergic and cholinergic systems as observed in the study might correlate to the cognitive deficit and structural alteration of the rat’s brain.
Keywords: Cognitive function, Cannabis sativa, Anti-oxidants, Serotoninergic, Serotoninergic and cholinergic systems, Cognitive function, Rat