Cannabinoid receptor stimulation is anti-inflammatory and improves memory in old rats

Abstract The number of activated microglia increase during normal aging. Stimulation of endocannabinoid receptors can reduce the number of activated microglia, particularly in the hippocampus, of young rats infused chronically with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). In the current study we demonstrate that e...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Neurobiology of aging 2008-12, Vol.29 (12), p.1894-1901
Main Authors: Marchalant, Yannick, Cerbai, Francesca, Brothers, Holly M, Wenk, Gary L
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Activated microglia
Aging
Animals
Brain - physiopathology
Cannabinoid receptors
Encephalitis - chemically induced
Encephalitis - physiopathology
Inflammation
Internal Medicine
Lipopolysaccharides
Male
Memory
Neurology
Rats
Rats, Inbred F344
Receptors, Cannabinoid - metabolism
Spatial memory
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Summary:Abstract The number of activated microglia increase during normal aging. Stimulation of endocannabinoid receptors can reduce the number of activated microglia, particularly in the hippocampus, of young rats infused chronically with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). In the current study we demonstrate that endocannabinoid receptor stimulation by administration of WIN-55212-2 (2 mg/kg day) can reduce the number of activated microglia in hippocampus of aged rats and attenuate the spatial memory impairment in the water pool task. Our results suggest that the action of WIN-55212-2 does not depend upon a direct effect upon microglia or astrocytes but is dependent upon stimulation of neuronal cannabinoid receptors. Aging significantly reduced cannabinoid type 1 receptor binding but had no effect on cannabinoid receptor protein levels. Stimulation of cannabinoid receptors may provide clinical benefits in age-related diseases that are associated with brain inflammation, such as Alzheimer's disease.
ISSN:0197-4580
1558-1497
DOI:10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2007.04.028