Cannabidiol modulates the motivational and anxiety-like effects of 3,4-methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV) in mice

Alegre Zurano, Laia; López Arnau, Raúl; Luján Pérez, Miguel Ángel, 1991-; Camarasa, Jordi; Valverde Granados, Olga

doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ijms22158304

Cannabidiol modulates the motivational and anxiety-like effects of 3,4-methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV) in mice

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Alegre-Zurano L, López-Arnau R, Luján MÁ, Camarasa J, Valverde O. Cannabidiol modulates the motivational and anxiety-like effects of 3,4-methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV) in mice. Int J Mol Sci. 2021;22(15):8304. DOI: 10.3390/ijms22158304

Abstract

3,4-Methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV) is a new psychoactive substance (NPS) and the most widespread and life-threatening synthetic cathinone of the "bath salts". Preclinical research has proven the cocaine-like psychostimulant effects of MDPV and its potential for abuse. Cannabidiol (CBD) is a non-psychotropic phytocannabinoid that has emerged as a new potential treatment for drug addiction. Here, we tested the effects of CBD (20 mg/kg) on MDPV (2 mg/kg)-induced conditioned place preference and MDPV (0.05 and 0.075 mg/kg/infusion) self-administration paradigms. In addition, we assessed the effects of the co-administration of CBD and MDPV (3 and 4 mg/kg) on anxiety-like behaviour using the elevated plus maze (EPM). CBD mitigated the MDPV-induced conditioned place preference. On the contrary, CBD administration throughout the MDPV (0.075 mg/kg/infusion) self-administration increased drug-seeking and taking behaviours, but only in the high-responders group of mice. Furthermore, CBD exerted anxiolytic-like effects, exclusively in MDPV-treated mice. Taken together, our results indicate that CBD modulation of MDPV-induced motivational responses in mice varies depending on the requirements of the learning task, resulting in a complex response. Therefore, further research attempting to decipher the behavioural and molecular interactions between CBD and MDPV is needed.