Prenatal THC exposure produces a hyperdopaminergic phenotype rescued by pregnenolone

Nature Neuroscience

This research published in Nature Neuroscience shows that pregnant rats who were exposed to THC, the psychoactive component of cannabis, gave birth to offspring with neurological abnormalities. The effects were mainly seen in brain cells that release dopamine. These offspring also performed worse on at least one of several behavioural tests.

The researchers were able to ‘correct’ the brain abnormalities and behavioural difference by treating the offspring with pregnenolone after their birth. Pregnenolone is a drug approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and is undergoing clinical trials for cannabis use disorder, schizophrenia, autism, and bipolar disorder.

Based on their findings, the authors advise that just as pregnant women are advised to discontinue alcohol use during pregnancy, they should also be advised about to abstain from cannabis. It remains unknown whether the effects of pregnenolone would be similar in humans as it was in these rats.

For the original article, click here.

Frau, R., Miczán, V., Traccis, F. et al. Prenatal THC exposure produces a hyperdopaminergic phenotype rescued by pregnenolone. Nat Neurosci 22, 1975–1985 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41593-019-0512-2