The exploration of the behavioural and neurological consequences of prenatal THC exposure in male vs female offspring
Abstract
The developing brain is especially vulnerable to the schizophrenia-inducing effects of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive chemical in cannabis. Although the mechanisms underlying schizophrenia remains unclear, aberrant mesocorticolimbic signaling and brain omega-3 deficiency may be involved. This study investigated chronic prenatal THC’s effects on schizophrenia-associated behaviour as well as the neuronal activity states and omega-3 levels in the mesocorticolimbic system. Behaviourally, THC induced social memory impairments in male offspring whereas female exposure increased anxiety and anhedonia. Electrophysiology revealed ventral tegmental area dopamine hyperactivity and ventral hippocampus glutamate hyperactivity in male offspring whereas female exposure induced glutamate hyperactivity in the prefrontal cortex and ventral hippocampus. Lastly, matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization imaging mass spectrometry showed that THC induces omega-3 deficiency in the prefrontal cortex, nucleus accumbens, and ventral hippocampus. These findings suggest that prenatal THC may induce different schizophrenia-associated effects on male and female offspring which calls for sex-specific treatments to counter THC’s effects.