Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 14, 2026

Preparation of Acute Hippocampal Slices from Rats and Transgenic Mice for the Study of Synaptic Alterations during Aging and Amyloid Pathology
Published on: March 23, 2011
Cannabinoid receptor stimulation is anti-inflammatory and improves memory in old rats
Yannick Marchalant1, Francesca Cerbai, Holly M Brothers
1Department of Psychology, Psychology Building, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA. marchalant.1@osu.edu
Abstract:
The number of activated microglia increase during normal aging. Stimulation of endocannabinoid receptors can reduce the number of activated microglia, particularly in the hippocampus, of young rats infused chronically with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). In the current study we demonstrate that endocannabinoid receptor stimulation by administration of WIN-55212-2 (2mg/kg day) can reduce the number of activated microglia in hippocampus of aged rats and attenuate the spatial memory impairment in the water pool task. Our results suggest that the action of WIN-55212-2 does not depend upon a direct effect upon microglia or astrocytes but is dependent upon stimulation of neuronal cannabinoid receptors. Aging significantly reduced cannabinoid type 1 receptor binding but had no effect on cannabinoid receptor protein levels. Stimulation of cannabinoid receptors may provide clinical benefits in age-related diseases that are associated with brain inflammation, such as Alzheimer's disease.
Related Concept Videos
CNS Stimulants: Cocaine, Amphetamines and Cannabinoids
Cognitive Enhancers: Cholinesterase Inhibitors and NMDA Receptor Antagonists

