Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Identifier

6492

Date

2019

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science

Major

Psychology

Committee Member

James Murphy

Abstract

A major problem with current anxiolytic medications is abuse liability; thus, new pharmaceutical targets are being explored. Cannabinergic and vanilloidergic signaling is of interest in the modulation of anxiety through cannabinoid type 1 receptor (CB1R) activation and transient vanilloid type 1 channel (TRPV1) inhibition. Arachidonoyl serotonin (AA-5-HT), a dual fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) and TRPV1 inhibitor, and arachidonyl-2-chloro-ethylamide (ACEA), a direct CB1R agonist, are drugs of interest in modulating these two systems. The current study explored the addictive potential of chronic AA-5-HT or ACEA administration in the open field (OF), during in vivo fixed potential amperometry (FPA), during conditioned place preference (CPP), and during saccharin preference. AA-5-HT did not alter locomotor activity in the OF, dopamine efflux in the NAc, CPP, and saccharin preference. ACEA altered dopamine dynamics in the NAc, but did not alter locomotor activity in the OF, CPP, or saccharin preference. These results suggest these drugs present little addictive potential.

Comments

Data is provided by the student.

Library Comment

Dissertation or thesis originally submitted to the local University of Memphis Electronic Theses & dissertation (ETD) Repository.

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