Topic: Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)

Neurogenesis, the process in which neural precursor cells differentiate into mature neurons, occurs also postnatally and is critical to cognitive processes such as learning and memory. A main neurogenic niche is located in the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus, a brain area greatly involved in learning and memory. During the normal process of aging, hippocampal neurogenesis decreases substantially, and it is suggested that this decrease starts at the very first stages, if not immediately prior to, the development of mild cognitive impairment and/or dementia. Unfortunately, despite the increasin

Our investigation delves into the intricate interplay between adult hippocampal neurogenesis, a pivotal constituent of long-term memory, and its susceptibility to stress. The ongoing hypothesis is that stress, by impeding neurogenesis, contributes to symptoms associated with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Our work explores the potential of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive constituent of cannabis, in mitigating stress-induced gene expression alterations in astrocytes, thereby fostering neurogenesis. The initial phase involves inducing cellular stress in an astrocyte-