Effects of two cannabinoids upon abstinence signs in ethanol-dependent mice.

The effects of delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and nabilone, a synthetic cannabinoid, upon handling-induced convulsions and responsiveness to electric foot shock were examined during abstinence in ethanol-dependent mice. The severity of handling-induced convulsions was apparently increased by THC (10-40 mg/kg) and nabilone (2.5-10 mg/kg) but both drugs elicited similar convulsions in normal mice never exposed to ethanol. Enhanced responsiveness to electric foot shock, evident during abstinence, was suppressed by THC (10-40 MG/KG). The effects of ethanol upon the two abstinence signs were determined for comparative purposes. Ethanol (0.5-4 g/kg) reduced the severity of handling-induced convulsions and suppressed the increased responsiveness to electric foot shock. These results indicate that THC and nabilone have similar actions upon two abstinence signs in ethanol-dependent mice, and although one sign (responsiveness to electric foot shock) was clearly alleviated, another (handling-induced convulsions) was not.