Neurobiological mechanisms underlying the resilience and vulnerability to developing cannabis and food addiction

The increasing use of cannabis and highly palatable foods in modern society, along with their decreasing risk perception, have raised the prevalence of addiction. However, the neurobiological mechanisms that contribute to the development of cannabis and food addiction in vulnerable individuals remain unclear, which this thesis seeks to address. Given the lack of existing animal models of cannabis addiction, we established a novel mouse model based on cannabis self-administration encompassing the main human diagnostic criteria and phenotypic vulnerability factors. Using this model, we investigated the effect of cannabis exposure during adolescence on the risk of developing cannabis addiction in adulthood. Additionally, employing a validated food addiction mouse model, we experimentally inhibited the orbitofrontal cortex and its projections to the striatum and amygdala to understand their role in the decision-making deficits observed in food addicts. Overall, this thesis offers a comprehensive examination of the vulnerability and resilience factors involved in these addictive disorders.