Cannabinoid receptor agonism suppresses tremor, cognition disturbances and anxiety-like behaviors in a rat model of essential tremor

Abstract

Cognitive and motor disturbances are serious consequences of tremor induced by motor disorders. Despite a lack of effective clinical treatment, some potential therapeutic agents have been used to alleviate the cognitive symptoms in the animal models of tremor. In the current study, the effects of WIN55, 212-2 (WIN), a cannabinoid receptor (CBR) agonist, on harmaline-induced motor and cognitive impairments were studied. Adult rats were treated with WIN (0.5mg/kg; i.p.) 15min before harmaline administration (10mg/kg; ip) after which exploratory and anxiety related behaviors, and cognitive function were assessed using open-field behavior and shuttle box tests. Rats that received harmaline only exhibited a markedly reduced number of central square entries when compared to harmaline vehicle-treated controls, whereas those treated with WIN and harmaline showed a significant increase in central square entries, compared to harmaline only treated. The passive avoidance memory impairments observed in harmaline treated rats, was reversed somewhat by administration of WIN. The neuroprotective and anxiolytic effects of WIN demonstrated in the current study can be offered cannabinoid receptor (CBR) agonism as a potential neuroprotective agent in the treatment of patients with tremor that manifest mental dysfunctions.

Cannabinoid CB1 receptor mediates METH-induced electrophysiological and morphological alterations in cerebellum Purkinje cells

“…3 Recent studies have raised hope about the therapeutic potential of cannabinoids in neurodegenerative disorders. 2,[6][7][8] Cannabinoids exert most of their functions in the brain by binding to G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs): the cannabinoid CB1 receptor. [9][10][11] The major intracellular signaling pathway mediated by CB1 receptors is through coupling to inhibitory G proteins (G i ).…”

Minocycline Mitigation of Tremor Syndrome and Defect of Cognitive and Balance Induced by Harmaline

“…The scale of tremors was assessed by an observer who was unaware of the treatment protocol. The qualitative grading of tremor severity was based on the Arshaduddin et al method, which is as follows: no tremor= 0, mild tremor= 1 (only the head and neck affected), moderate intermittent tremor= 2 (whole-body parts affected), moderate persistent tremor= 3 (whole-body parts and tail affected), and pronounced severe tremor= 4 (trembling and unable to mobility) ( Abbassian et al, 2016 ; Dahmardeh, Shabani, Basiri, Kalantaripour, & Asadi-Shekaari, 2019 ).…”

“…Studies show that intraperitoneal administration of this substance in animal models of ET increases glutamate transmission of the olivo-cerebellar pathway with an excitotoxic effect of Purkinje cells ( Beitz & Saxon, 2004 ). Besides cytotoxicity, tremor, and motor disorders, harmaline can cause cognitive disturbances and learning and memory deficits ( Abbassian et al, 2016 ; Aghaei et al, 2019 ; Nasehi, Ketabchi, Khakpai, & Zarrindast, 2015 ).…”

Erythropoietin attenuates motor impairments induced by bilateral renal ischemia/reperfusion in rats

“…The following parameters were recorded for each animal: total distance moved [TDM, cm], velocity, mobility, immobility, number of grooming and rearing, and the time spent in periphery and center. At the end of each test, the animal was removed from the arena and the OFT chamber was cleaned with a cotton cloth and 10% ethanol .…”