CANNABIDIOL ATTENUATES DEPRESSIVE-LIKE BEHAVIOR IN GESTATIONAL CRACK COCAINE EXPOSED ANIMALS

Crack cocaine use during pregnancy has become a serious public health concern. The metabolites of cocaine and crack cocaine cross the placental barrier and promote long-lasting effects observed in humans and experimental models, including behavioral and neurocognitive deficits. Our research group recently conducted a study revealing that gestational exposure to crack cocaine induces depressive-like behavior in rat offspring (F1). Studies have shown anticonvulsant, anxiolytic and antidepressant effects of cannabidiol (CBD) in animal models. Therefore, the beneficial modulation of CBD in treatment for many neuropsychopharmacological diseases has been suggested.