Interaction between marihuana and altitude on a complex behavioral task in baboons.

OAM report.PDFTech ReportFAA-AM-75-6DOT/FAA/AM-75/6MarijuanaDrug effectsAltitudePerformancePhysiological aspectsHypoxiaLaboratory animalsBaboonsExperimentsBehaviorUnited StatesCivil Aerospace Medical InstituteLewis, Mark F.Ferraro, Douglas PeterMertens, Henry W.Steen, Jo AnnCivil Aeromedical InstituteUnited States. Office of Aviation MedicineNTL-AVIATION-AVIATIONNTL-SAFETY AND SECURITY-SAFETY AND SECURITYUS Transportation CollectionMarihuana, or its principal active ingredient, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (delta9-THC), impairs performance on complex behavioral tasks in animals and man. Although there exists some evidence that altitude-induced hypoxia potentiates the physiological effects of marihuana, the interaction between altitude and marihuana on behavioral tasks has not been established.Two baboons were trained to perform on a delayed matching-to-sample task at ground level and altitudes of 8,000 and 12,000 feet. The animals were orally administered doses of delta9-THC, ranging from 0.25 to 2.0 mg/kg, 2 hours prior to experimental sessions at each altitude. No effects on accuracy of matching performance were observed for any of the drug doses or altitudes used. Amount of work output, as measured by number of trials completed and speed of responding, was not affected by delta9-THC at ground level but was markedly reduced by the higher drug doses at the 8,000- and 12,000-feet altitudes.This interaction suggests that the behavioral impairment produced by marihuana can be potentiated by hypoxia