THC DOES NOT AFFECT STRIATAL DOPAMINE RELEASE - MICRODIALYSIS IN FREELY MOVING RATS

The hypothesis that cannabinoids potentiate the motor effects of neuroleptics and produce their abuse potential by stimulating dopaminergic activity was tested by measuring the ability of THC to increase extracellular dopamine concentrations. Male Long-Evans rats were implanted with guide cannulae for the striatum or nucleus accumbens. Fifteen hours prior to testing, removable microdialysis probes were inserted through the guide cannulae. Dialysis samples were collected during resting baseline, after 1.0 mg/kg, 10 mg/kg THC, or vehicle of olive oil with 5% ETOH (by gavage) followed by amphetamine (1.5 mg/kg) or fluphenazine (0.3 mg/kg). THC produced no change in the extracellular concentrations of DA, DOPAC, and HVA, nor in 5-HIAA. THC also had no effect on the enhancement of extracellular DA produced by amphetamine nor on the transient increase in DA, DOPAC, and HVA produced by fluphenazine. There were also no behavioral differences between groups during any of these treatments.