Increased encoding of aversive stimuli by lateral habenula neurons during Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol withdrawal

Abstract

The lateral habenula (LHb) integrates cortical and basal forebrain (BF) input and is implicated in negative affective states, but its involvement in negative affect associated with cannabis withdrawal is unknown. Here, effects of withdrawal from the psychoactive cannabis constituent, Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC), on fear conditioning (FC) and LHb function were measured in rats using calcium photometry and electrophysiology. FC-associated LHb calcium signals, freezing behavior, and LHb excitatory-inhibitory (E-I) ratios were increased during Δ9-THC withdrawal, and local GABA release was impaired, indicating disinhibition of LHb output neurons. GABA release was also impaired at optogenetically activated BF-LHb axons, and not from ventral tegmental area-LHb inputs. The results indicate that Δ9-THC withdrawal increases LHb excitability through disinhibition, contributing to increased fear of primary and conditioned aversive stimuli. Our findings implicate the LHb in cannabis withdrawal-associated negative affect and offer insight into the neural mechanisms of cannabis use disorder. Withdrawal from extended cannabis use is associated with negative emotional states. Here, the authors show that withdrawal from the psychoactive cannabis molecule, THC, increased lateral habenula excitability and the strength of fear conditioning.