DELTA-9-TETRAHYDROCANNABINOL REGULATES GENE-EXPRESSION OF THE GROWTH-FACTOR PLEIOTROPHIN IN THE FOREBRAIN

Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is a major psychoactive component o f cannabis. We here studied, by quantitative in situ hybridization at the macroscopic level, the possible modulatory effects of acute THC (5 mg/kg/i.p.) on gene expression of the growth factor pleiotrophin (PTN ) in the adult rat forebrain. We found, 30 min after a single injectio n of THC, a significant increase of PTN mRNA concentrations in the cin gulate cortex (38%), fronto-parietal cortex (31%) and caudate-putamen (27%). In conclusion, this is the first report on THC regulation of gr owth factor gene expression in the brain.