Tetrahydrocannabinol(THC ) , the main cannabinoid in marijuana , may cause memory loss by inhibiting the energy - grow components of brain cell , know asmitochondria , fit in to a newly put out study in the journalNature .
Cannabinoids such as THC bind tocannabinoid receptorsthroughout the central spooky organization ( CNS ) so as to produce a range of force , some of which lead to the sensation of feelingstoned . It was latterly get word that the mitochondria inside neurons also have cannabinoid receptors on their membranes , raising the possible action that certain substance may change energetic activity in the mental capacity .
Researchers therefore determine to investigate whether this causes store deficits . First , they order mouse in a tangle along with a series of objects . Once the mouse had familiarized themselves with these point , the team throw in THC into their brains , specifically targeting the hippocampus , which check memory board formation .
As a import , the mice appeared to forget their old encounters with the maze and its mental object , indicated by the fact that they spent a significant amount of time re - familiarize themselves with these items .
However , mice that were engineered to lack cannabinoid receptors in the chondriosome of their hippocampal neurons did not know the same level of amnesia , hint that this memory loss may be intercede by the mode that THC interact with these mitochondrion .
The investigator then extracted neurons from the hippocampus of both readiness of mouse , and observed what find when they were introduced to THC in a petri dish . In the brain cells take from regular mice , the addition of cannabinoids disturb theelectron transport systemof mitochondria , leading to a drop-off in synthesis of a mote calledATP , which acts as the major cellular DOE storage .
As a consequence , cellular respiration dropped , causing a decrease in communication among the neurons of the hippocampus .
In contrast , cells taken from mice that lacked cannabinoid receptors in their mitochondrion did not show any signs of concentrate energy or connectivity , which the researchers say in all likelihood explains why memory formation was not impaired in these mouse .
In astatement , subject field conscientious objector - generator Pedro Grandes said that this new information could one day help to create new alterative cannabinoids that aim “ specific cannabinoid receptors settle in the learning ability in certain specific neurone compartments , ” in gild to annul any unwanted side effects like memory release .
