Cited by 289Cannabis and Cannabinoid ResearchNeurotransmitter Receptor Influence on BehaviorNeuroscience and Neuropharmacology Research

Marijuana and cannabinoid regulation of brain reward circuits

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Lupica, Carl R, Riegel, Arthur C, Hoffman, Alexander F·2004·British Journal of Pharmacology

Abstract

The reward circuitry of the brain consists of neurons that synaptically connect a wide variety of nuclei. Of these brain regions, the ventral tegmental area (VTA) and the nucleus accumbens (NAc) play central roles in the processing of rewarding environmental stimuli and in drug addiction. The psychoactive properties of marijuana are mediated by the active constituent, Delta(9)-THC, interacting primarily with CB1 cannabinoid receptors in a large number of brain areas. However, it is the activation of these receptors located within the central brain reward circuits that is thought to play an important role in sustaining the self-administration of marijuana in humans, and in mediating the anxiolytic and pleasurable effects of the drug. Here we describe the cellular circuitry of the VTA and the NAc, define the sites within these areas at which cannabinoids alter synaptic processes, and discuss the relevance of these actions to the regulation of reinforcement and reward. In addition, we compare the effects of Delta(9)-THC with those of other commonly abused drugs on these reward circuits, and we discuss the roles that endogenous cannabinoids may play within these brain pathways, and their possible involvement in regulating ongoing brain function, independently of marijuana consumption. We conclude that, whereas Delta(9)-THC alters the activity of these central reward pathways in a manner that is consistent with other abused drugs, the cellular mechanism through which this occurs is likely different, relying upon the combined regulation of several afferent pathways to the VTA.

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  1. WU, X. & FRENCH, E.D. (2000). Effects of chronic delta9-tetra- hydrocannabinol on rat midbrain dopamine neurons: an electrop- hysiological assessment (in process citation). Neuropharmacology, 39, 391-398.

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Authors
Lupica, C. R., Riegel, A. C., & Hoffman, A. F.
Affiliations
National Institutes of Health (US)
Corresponding author
Lupica, Carl R
Venue
British Journal of Pharmacology
Publisher
Wiley
Published
2004-09
Volume
143
Issue
2
Pages
227-234
ISSN
  • 0007-1188 (ISSN-L)
  • 1476-5381
OpenAlex
W1993599253
Cited by
289
References
85
Citations by year
2026: 5 · 2025: 6 · 2024: 10 · 2023: 10 · 2022: 17 · 2021: 15 · 2020: 16 · 2019: 12 · 2018: 13 · 2017: 14 · 2016: 12 · 2015: 17 · 2014: 13 · 2013: 6 · 2012: 13
FWCI
1.64
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • British Journal of Pharmacology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Pharmacology › Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neuroscience and Neuropharmacology Research
Keywords
cannabis, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, CB1 receptor, brain reward circuits, ventral tegmental area, nucleus accumbens, drug addiction, self-administration, synaptic regulation, endocannabinoids, reinforcement, psychoactive effects
MeSH terms
Animals, Brain, Cannabinoids, Humans, National Institutes of Health (U.S.), Reward, United States

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