Ethanol enhances JWH-018-induced impairment of sensorimotor and memory functions in mice: From preclinical evidence to forensic implication in Driving Under the Influence of Drugs

Giorgia Corli; Micaela Tirri; Sabrine Bilel; Arianna Giorgetti; Tatiana Bernardi; Federica Boccuto; Martina Borsari; Raffaele Giorgetti; Matteo Marti

doi:10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2023.109888

Ethanol enhances JWH-018-induced impairment of sensorimotor and memory functions in mice: From preclinical evidence to forensic implication in Driving Under the Influence of Drugs

Drug Alcohol Depend. 2023 Jun 1:247:109888. doi: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2023.109888. Epub 2023 Apr 18.

Authors

Giorgia Corli¹, Micaela Tirri¹, Sabrine Bilel¹, Arianna Giorgetti², Tatiana Bernardi³, Federica Boccuto¹, Martina Borsari¹, Raffaele Giorgetti⁴, Matteo Marti⁵

Affiliations

¹ Department of Translational Medicine, Section of Legal Medicine, LTTA Center and University Center of Gender Medicine, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy.
² Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Unit of Legal Medicine, University of Bologna, Via Irnerio 49, Bologna, 40126, Italy.
³ Department of Environmental Sciences and Prevention, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, 44121, Italy.
⁴ Department of Excellence of Biomedical Science and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy.
⁵ Department of Translational Medicine, Section of Legal Medicine, LTTA Center and University Center of Gender Medicine, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy; Collaborative Center for the Italian National Early Warning System, Department of Anti-Drug Policies, Presidency of the Council of Ministers, Italy. Electronic address: matteo.marti@unife.it.

PMID: 37120918
DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2023.109888

Abstract

Background: Several new Synthetic Cannabinoids have appeared each year since their introduction into the illicit drug market as recreational drugs. Among these, naphtalen-1-yl-(1-pentylindol-3-yl) methanone (JWH-018) is one of the most detected compounds in biological samples from patients involved in intoxication or death cases. Furthermore, consumption of JWH-018 has been linked to several cases of Driving Under the Influence of Drugs (DUID) suggesting that effects induced by this compound can affect individuals' ability to drive.

Methods: Given the high spread of polydrug consumption and the wide number of alcohol-related traffic accidents, this study aims to investigate the acute effects induced by co-administration of JWH-018 with ethanol on sensorimotor and motor responses, grip strength and memory functions in CD-1 male mice. Acute impairments induced by JWH-018 and ethanol alone have also been investigated, in order to compare their effects with that induced by their concurrent administration.

Results: In vivo behavioral experiments revealed a worsening of the cognitive and sensorimotor disruption after the co-administration of JWH-018 with ethanol compared to single compounds.

Conclusions: These animal-based findings suggest a potential increased impairment on psychomotor performances which could be related to driving abilities posed by poly-drug consumption involving SCs and ethanol.

Keywords: DUID; Ethanol; JWH-018; NPS; Novel Object Recognition; Synthetic cannabinoid.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Animals
Cannabinoids*
Driving Under the Influence*
Ethanol / adverse effects
Illicit Drugs* / pharmacology
Male
Mice
Pharmaceutical Preparations

Substances

Pharmaceutical Preparations
Ethanol
1-pentyl-3-(1-naphthoyl)indole
Cannabinoids
Illicit Drugs