Effects of chronic CBD exposure in juvenile zebrafish (Danio rerio) on their anxiety-related behaviors and brain wide 5-HT1A receptor expression as adults
Presenter Type
UNO Undergraduate Student
Major/Field of Study
Neuroscience
Author ORCID Identifier
0000-0002-6222-4443
Advisor Information
Dr. Ryan Wong
Location
CEC RM #201/205/209
Presentation Type
Poster
Poster Size
48 x 36
Start Date
22-3-2024 1:00 PM
End Date
22-3-2024 2:15 PM
Abstract
Cannabidiol (CBD) is the primary non-psychomimetic component of the Cannabis sativa plant and has been shown to have a variety of medicinal, therapeutic benefits. Both human and animal model experiments have highlighted CBD’s acute anxiolytic effects as determined by VAS factory anxiety scores after public speaking in humans and elevated maze test in rodents. These anxiolytic effects have been found to be mediated by the 5-HT1A receptor in the central nervous system. However, literature surrounding the effects of chronic, early life exposure to CBD and its effect on behavior in adult hood, and potential alterations to CBD signaling pathways is more limited. To elucidate the role of early life exposure and consequential behavioral manifestation in adulthood, cohorts of juvenile zebra fish were subjected to varying concentrations of CBD-infused water, on alternating days for a three-week duration. At six-months of age, we quantified anxiety-related behaviors and whole-brain expression of serotonin 1A receptor (htr1aa) for all cohorts. Overall, preliminary open field test (OFT) data analysis indicate that CBD exposure did not alter freezing behavior, swim velocity, or total swim distance. Ongoing analysis will assess if CBD exposure impacted performance in another anxiety-related assay (NTDT) and htr1aa expression in the brain. Our study will give insights into some behavioral and neuromolecular impacts, if any, of early-life CBD exposure.
Effects of chronic CBD exposure in juvenile zebrafish (Danio rerio) on their anxiety-related behaviors and brain wide 5-HT1A receptor expression as adults
CEC RM #201/205/209
Cannabidiol (CBD) is the primary non-psychomimetic component of the Cannabis sativa plant and has been shown to have a variety of medicinal, therapeutic benefits. Both human and animal model experiments have highlighted CBD’s acute anxiolytic effects as determined by VAS factory anxiety scores after public speaking in humans and elevated maze test in rodents. These anxiolytic effects have been found to be mediated by the 5-HT1A receptor in the central nervous system. However, literature surrounding the effects of chronic, early life exposure to CBD and its effect on behavior in adult hood, and potential alterations to CBD signaling pathways is more limited. To elucidate the role of early life exposure and consequential behavioral manifestation in adulthood, cohorts of juvenile zebra fish were subjected to varying concentrations of CBD-infused water, on alternating days for a three-week duration. At six-months of age, we quantified anxiety-related behaviors and whole-brain expression of serotonin 1A receptor (htr1aa) for all cohorts. Overall, preliminary open field test (OFT) data analysis indicate that CBD exposure did not alter freezing behavior, swim velocity, or total swim distance. Ongoing analysis will assess if CBD exposure impacted performance in another anxiety-related assay (NTDT) and htr1aa expression in the brain. Our study will give insights into some behavioral and neuromolecular impacts, if any, of early-life CBD exposure.