Nigrostriatal denervation changes the effect of cannabinoids on subthalamic neuronal activity in rats

Abstract Rationale: It is known that dopaminergic cell loss leads to increased endogenous cannabinoid levels and CB1 receptor density. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of dopaminergic cell loss, induced by injection of 6-hydroxydopamine, on the effects exerted by cannabinoid agonists on neuron activity in the subthalamic nucleus (STN) of anesthetized rats. Results: We have previously shown that Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC) and anandamide induce both stimulation and inhibition of STN neuron activity and that endocannabinoids mediate