Biology subjects

Scheyer, A. F.

Publications and source records attributed to Scheyer, A. F..

3 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2020

Maternal exposure to the cannabinoid agonist WIN 55,12,2 during lactation induces lasting behavioral and synaptic alterations in the rat adult offspring of both sexes

Consumption of cannabis during pregnancy and the lactation period is a rising public health concern (Scheyer et al., 2019). We have previously shown that exposure to synthetic or plant-derived cannabinoids via lactation disrupts perinatal programming of the gamma-aminobutyric acid trajectory in the prefrontal cortex and early-life behaviors (Scheyer et al., 2020b). Recently, we described lasting behavioral and neuronal consequences of {Delta}9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) perinatal exposure via lactation (Scheyer et al., 2020a). Here, we extend upon these findings by testing the effects in offspring of maternal exposure to the synthetic cannabinoid agonist WIN 55,12,2 (WIN). The data demonstrate that rats exposed during lactation to WIN display social, cognitive and motivational deficits at adulthood. These behavioral changes were paralleled by a specific loss of endocannabinoid-mediated long-term depression in the prefrontal cortex and nucleus accumbens, while other forms of synaptic plasticity remained intact. Thus, similarly to THC, perinatal WIN exposure via lactation induces behavioral and synaptic abnormalities lasting into adulthood.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2020

Perinatal THC Exposure via Lactation Induces Lasting Alterations to Social Behavior and Prefrontal Cortex Function in Rats at Adulthood

Cannabis is the worlds most widely abused illicit drug and consumption amongst women during and surrounding the period of pregnancy is increasing. Previously, we have shown that cannabinoid exposure via lactation during the early postnatal period disrupts early developmental trajectories of prefrontal cortex maturation and induces behavioral abnormalities during the first weeks of life in male and female rat progeny. Here, we investigated the lasting consequences of this postnatal cannabinoid exposure on synaptic and behavioral parameters in the adult offspring of {Delta}9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)-treated dams. At adulthood, these perinatally THC-exposed rats exhibits deficits in social discrimination accompanied by an overall augmentation of social exploratory behavior. These behavioral alterations were further correlated with multiple abnormalities in synaptic plasticity in the prefrontal cortex, including lost endocannabinoid-mediated long-term depression (LTD), lost long-term potentiation and augmented mGlu2/3-LTD. Finally, basic parameters of intrinsic excitability at prefrontal cortex pyramidal neurons were similarly altered by the perinatal THC exposure. Thus, perinatal THC exposure via lactation induces lasting deficits in behavior and synaptic function which persist into adulthood life in male and female progeny.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2018

Maternal cannabinoid exposure during lactation alters the developmental trajectory of prefrontal cortex GABA-currents in offspring

Cannabis is the most widely used illicit drug in the world, and its usage is increasing with its widespread legalization. Use of the drug by mothers during lactation may transfer active cannabinoids to the developing offspring, altering postnatal neurodevelopment during this critical period. During early life, GABA undergoes a functional switch from an excitatory to an inhibitory neurotransmitter due to reciprocal changes in expression of the K+/Cl- co-transporters KCC2 and NKCC1. Here, we characterize the functional GABA switch in the prefrontal cortex of both male and female rats. We show that treating rat dams with {Delta}9-THC or a synthetic cannabinoid during early lactation (PND01-10) retards KCC2 expression and delays the GABA switch in pups of both sexes via a CB1R-dependent mechanism. Our results indicate that the developmental trajectory of GABA in PFC neurons is significantly altered by perinatal exposure to cannabinoids through lactation during the early perinatal period.

neuroscience↗