[Abstract Title]. - Society for Neuroscience

285. Sleep: Molecular, Cellular and Pharmacology I
Time: Sunday, November 16, 2008, 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Program#/Poster#: 285.3/QQ19
Topic: E.08.c. Sleep: Molecular, cellular, and pharmacology
Support: Fideicomiso-UNAM given to R. D-C
UNAM/DGAPA/PAPIIT (IN208206-2)
Title: Microinjections of cannabidiol into lateral hypothalamus enhance wakefuless in rats
Authors: *E. MURILLO-RODRIGUEZ 1 , D. MILLÁN-ALDACO 2 , M. PALOMERO-
RIVERO 2 , R. MECHOULAM 3 , R. DRUCKER-COLÍN 2 ;
1 Fac Med., Lab. de Neurobiol, Campeche, Mexico; 2 Neurociencias, Inst. de Fisiología Celular,
Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México. México DF, Mexico; 3 Dept. of Medicinal Chem.
and Natural Products, Sch. of Pharm., Hebrew University. Jerusalem, Israel
Abstract: Cannabidiol (CBD) is a constituent of Cannabis sativa that induces non-psychotropic
effects and some of its biological actions in sleep have been described by our group. Here, we
report that when administered (10, 20µg/1µL) during the lights-on period directly into wakeinducing
brain areas, such as lateral hypothalamus (LH) or dorsal raphe nuclei (DRN), enhanced
wakefulness (W) and decreased slow wave sleep (SWS), as well as rapid eye movement sleep
(REMS), is noted. We found that the changes in sleep after CBD injection into LH or DRN were
due to the result of modifications on the sleep parameters. For example, the number of bouts in
W was statistically enhanced with the highest dose of CBD whereas both doses of this drug
diminished SWS as well as REMS. On the other hand, all tested doses of CBD enhanced the
mean duration of W whereas decreased it for SWS. We also found that CBD enhanced latency
for SWS and REMS. Additionally, we found that microinjection of this cannabinoid into either
LH or DRN increased alpha and theta but diminished delta power spectra. Finally, it was
observed that the injection of CBD into either LH or DRN increased the c-Fos expression in
these brain nuclei. Our findings suggest that CBD behaves as a wake-inducing compound that
presumably activates neurons in LH and DRN. Despite the current lack of pharmacological
evidence indicating that CBD modulates sleep, one might consider the use of this compound to
treat excessive somnolence. This sleep disturbance affects mood and perturbs focusing on tasks.
Disclosures: E. Murillo-Rodriguez, None; D. Millán-Aldaco, None; M. Palomero-Rivero,
None; R. Mechoulam, None; R. Drucker-Colín, None.
Poster