Hippocampal differential expression underlying the neuroprotective effect of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol microdose on old mice

Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the primary psychoactive compound of cannabis plant and an exogenous ligand endocannabinoid system. In previous studies, we demonstrated that a single microdose THC (0.002 mg/kg, 3–4 orders magnitude lower than standard dose for rodents) exerts distinct, long-term neuroprotection in model mice subjected to acute neurological insults. When administered old, healthy mice, induced remarkable long-lasting (weeks) improvement wide range cognitive functions, including significant morphological biochemical brain alterations. To elucidate mechanisms underlying these effects, analyzed gene expression hippocampal samples from mice. Samples taken 5 days after treatment showed differential genes associated with neurogenesis development. weeks treatment, transcriptional signature was shifted neuronal differentiation survival. This study use transcriptome profiling uncovering molecular basis atypical, anti-aging effects old