Meeting Abstract
Anxiety affects approximately 1/3 of the US population and presents in many different forms, ranging from social to panic disorders. It also presents with high comorbidity for other mental disorders. One treatment is Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) which allow for increased activation of serotonin (5-HT) receptors. SSRIs come with an extensive list of side effects, which can fail to maintain quality of life. Cannabidiol (CBD) is a cannabis derived compound which has been shown to decrease anxiety by activation of multiple subtype 5-HT amine receptors. CBD has few side effects, is not psychoactive, and exhibits anti-psychotic properties. CB1 receptors can have bound CBD where it acts as an allosteric inhibitor of anandamide resulting in decreased drive for food. The current understanding of CBD’s mechanisms is limited specifically in invertebrates where to date limited published articles involve behavior and cannabinoids. Decapod crustaceans, specifically crayfish, have emerged as a novel approach to studying drugs of abuse. Within the neural structures of the crayfish tails are 5-HT receptors that control tail-flips, a withdraw reflex when placed into a fight. Serotonin has also been linked to aggression and decision making for engaging in fights with other crayfish. Additionally, evidence currently suggests CB1 receptors are present at neuromuscular junctions (NMJ) and may have an impact on mobility. We are evaluating CBD effects on the NMJ. Crayfish administered with CBD or 5HT will have physiological recordings of tail tissue, assessment of amount of food consumed, and determine if CBD alters aggression and time spent engaging in paired fights of equal size. Statistical analysis of CBD and 5HT treated crayfish behaviors will lead to better understanding of crayfish and how it could impact humans.
