The role of the CB1 receptor in learning, memory and anxiety-like behaviors

Author

Loretta Lynn Bolyard, The University of Montana

Year of Award

2009

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Type

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Degree Name

Clinical Psychology

Department or School/College

Department of Psychology

Committee Chair

David Schuldberg

Committee Co-chair

Michael P. Kavanaugh

Commitee Members

Allen Szalda-Petree, Stuart Hall, Daniel Denis

Keywords

age, anxiety, CB1 receptor, endocannabinoid, learning, memory

Publisher

University of Montana

Abstract

Several lines of evidence support a role of the endocannabinoid (eCB) system in cognition and anxiety. This study explores cognitive processes and anxiety-like behaviors in wild type (CB1+/+) and CB1-receptor-deficient (CB1-/-) mice of differing ages. Differences were observed between CB1+/+ and CB1-/- mice in a Morris Water Maze acquisition task. Furthermore, CB1-/- mice did not display deficits in extinction during reversal learning. In the Light-Dark Box and Suok tasks, the CB1-/- mice demonstrated greater anxiety-like behaviors relative the CB1+/+ mice. No differences were observed in the Open-Field task, suggesting that the observed behavioral differences may be related to anxiety rather than cognitive impairments. This study has important implications for neuropsychiatric disorders, including depression and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Recommended Citation

Bolyard, Loretta Lynn, "The role of the CB1 receptor in learning, memory and anxiety-like behaviors" (2009). Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers. 1074.
https://scholarworks.umt.edu/etd/1074