Evolutionism

Vol. 96, Issue 10, 5780-5785, May 11, 1999

Neurobiology
Increased mortality, hypoactivity, and hypoalgesia in cannabinoid CB1 receptor knockout mice

Andreas Zimmer^*,, Anne M. Zimmer^*, Andrea G. Hohmann, Miles Herkenham, and Tom I. Bonner^*

Laboratories of ^* Genetics and  Cellular and Molecular Regulation, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, MD 20892

Communicated by Tomas Hokfelt, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden, March 2, 1999 (received for review December 28, 1998)

⁹-Tetrahydrocannabinol (⁹-THC), the major psychoactive ingredient in preparations of Cannabis sativa (marijuana, hashish), elicits central nervous system (CNS) responses, including cognitive alterations and euphoria. These responses account for the abuse potential of cannabis, while other effects such as analgesia suggest potential medicinal applications. To study the role of the major known target of cannabinoids in the CNS, the CB1 cannabinoid receptor, we have produced a mouse strain with a disrupted CB1 gene. CB1 knockout mice appeared healthy and fertile, but they had a significantly increased mortality rate. They also displayed reduced locomotor activity, increased ring catalepsy, and hypoalgesia in hotplate and formalin tests. ⁹-THC-induced ring-catalepsy, hypomobility, and hypothermia were completely absent in CB1 mutant mice. In contrast, we still found ⁹-THC-induced analgesia in the tail-flick test and other behavioral (licking of the abdomen) and physiological (diarrhea) responses after ⁹-THC administration. Thus, most, but not all, CNS effects of ⁹-THC are mediated by the CB1 receptor.