Authors:
Mori MA, Meyer E, Soares LM, Milani H, Guimarães FS, de Oliveira RM.
Abstract:
This study investigated the effects of cannabidiol (CBD), a
non-psychotomimetic phytochemical present in Cannabis sativa, on the
cognitive and emotional impairments induced by bilateral common carotid
artery occlusion (BCCAO) in mice. Using a multi-tiered behavioral
testing battery during 21days, we found that BCCAO mice exhibited
long-lasting functional deficits reflected by increase in anxiety-like
behavior (day 9), memory impairments (days 12-18) and despair-like
behavior (day 21). Short-term CBD 10mg/kg treatment prevented the
cognitive and emotional impairments, attenuated hippocampal
neurodegeneration and white matter (WM) injury, and reduced glial
response that were induced by BCCAO. In addition, ischemic mice treated
with CBD exhibited an increase in the hippocampal brain derived
neurotrophic factor (BDNF) protein levels. CBD also stimulated
neurogenesis and promoted dendritic restructuring in the hippocampus of
BCCAO animals. Collectively, the present results demonstrate that
short-term CBD treatment results in global functional recovery in
ischemic mice and impacts multiple and distinct targets involved in the
pathophysiology of brain ischemic injury.