2019 Project Narratives and Anticipated Impacts
Efficacy of a controlled short-term trial of CBD ingestion on reducing symptomatic response and facilitating recovery after induced muscle injury
Paul A. Borsa, PhD
Associate Professor
College of Health and Human Performance
University of Florida
Project Narrative
Many physically-active Americans have reported pain relieving effects of cannabidiol (CBD) that can reduce or eliminate use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for activity-related pain with minimal to no side effects. Long-term use of over the counter (OTC) medications, including NSAIDs, can pose a significant health risk, coupled with the rise in dependence on opioid medications has resulted in the deaths of tens of thousands of Americans annually. Currently its biological and therapeutic effects have not been explained, and clinical research in humans regarding its effectiveness is urgently needed.
Anticipated Impact
There is a large consumer base for CBD products in the US that will be expanding exponentially in the next few years. If CBD is found to be effective for managing musculoskeletal pain and anxiety, the impact for clinical and policy decision-making could be far-reaching.
Therapeutic dosing of a cannabinoid (CBD) after mild and moderate brain injury for translation to the clinic
Helen Bramlett, PhD
Professor
Miller College of Medicine
University of Miami
Project Narrative
The prevalence of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and concussion is on the rise, but research and treatments are still very much in the early stages. Cannabinoids (CBD) have been shown to have not only an anti-inflammatory effect but also modulation of neuronal activity as well as an antioxidant. Our lab has developed a method to reliably administer oral CBD which will accelerate the research on this class of drug and drug products by dissolving CBD in peanut oil and assess efficacy for translation to the clinic.
Anticipated Impact
Because CBD is an excellent candidate for therapeutic development based on preliminary data and lack of untoward psychoactive sequelae, this preclinical study will contribute to the generation of new knowledge on the use of medical marijuana and clinical practice for treating TBI and other neurological disorders.
Cannabidiol: A potential treatment for migrainelike pain, negative emotion and photophobia
Andrea Cippitelli, PhD
Research Assistant Professor
College of Medicine
Florida Atlantic University
Project Narrative
Migraine is extremely common, but the disease is poorly understood, leading to challenges in therapeutics development. Cannabidiol (CBD) holds beneficial effects in multiple neurological diseases, and its use is favorable due to its active, but not addictive nature. The mechanism of action of CBD within the cell alludes that it may be beneficial for managing migraine based on our understanding of the disease, and by modeling this in our lab it could provide a valuable treatment alternative for patients with migraine seeking relief.
Anticipated Impact
By testing verified CBD from a reputable source in a controlled lab setting and modeling migraine pathology, a debilitating disease lacking successful treatment options, we will be able to evaluate CBD’s role in relieving symptoms caused by migraine.
Characterizing community and physician-level factors associated with medical marijuana prescriber registration and patient access
Joshua Brown, PharmD, PhD, MS
Assistant Professor
College of Pharmacy
University of Florida
Project Narrative
This project will assess the ecological and external factors that influence clinical outcomes for patients who access medical cannabis. Community-level factors, such as access to care and indicators of community health, as well as physician level factors, such as high-risk prescribing practices, physician specialty and availability of cannabis-licensed physicians, are likely to vary geographically throughout Florida. We hypothesize that these county-level and physician-level factors vary among physicians authorized in Florida’s medical marijuana program and are correlated with availability of physicians and dispensaries throughout communities in Florida.
Anticipated Impact
This study will provide evidence on whether community and physician-level factors influence access to medical marijuana. We aim to understand what interventions may be needed to ensure that all state residents have access to medical cannabis and high-value care from licensed physicians.
Evaluation of medical marijuana for the treatment of chronic spinal cord injury pain using a rat central neuropathic pain model
Jacqueline Sagen, PhD, MBA
Professor
Miller College of Medicine
University of Miami
Project Narrative
Although the most frequently reported use of medical marijuana is for pain relief, there have thus far been a paucity of preclinical studies evaluating the effects of Cannabis components in chronic pain models, in particular for debilitating neuropathic pain resulting from injury to the nervous system such as spinal cord injury (SCI). Thus, the goal of this study is to rigorously evaluate the effects of the two major but mechanistically distinct Cannabis components, CBD and THC and their combination, on alleviating chronic pain following spinal cord injury using a preclinical rodent model. Analgesic dose-ranging, side effects, and effects on reducing opioid use will be tested to provide the foundation for further development of medical marijuana in the treatment of chronic neuropathic pain.
Anticipated Impact
There is a compelling need for improved treatment options for chronic pain patients through the identification of new and potent therapeutics. Despite promising anecdotal reports, solid preclinical evidence supporting the use of cannabis derived compounds for management of chronic pain following spinal cord injury is lacking, and progress in the field has been hampered by legal restrictions. The study will address this knowledge gap to provide the necessary preclinical evidence for guiding policy decision making on the medical use of marijuana for the clinical management of chronic pain.
A feasibility study of real-time monitoring of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder related sleep disturbances and other symptoms among patients on medical marijuana
Krishna Vaddiparti, PhD, MPE, MSW
Research Assistant Professor
College of Public Health and Health Professions
College of Medicine
University of Florida
Project Narrative
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a debilitating disorder experienced by a subgroup of individuals following a life-threatening trauma, such as sexual and physical assault, natural disasters, and military combat. In the US several states have passed laws permitting the medical use of marijuana by individuals with PTSD but, at this point we lack evidence on the appropriateness of marijuana as a therapy for PTSD. The goal of this pilot grant is to recruit and retain patients with PTSD on medical marijuana in a prospective study and examine in real-time how medical marijuana affects PTSD related sleep disturbances and recovery from PTSD symptoms and distress.
Anticipated Impact
This pilot study will generate necessary evidence about the feasibility of conducting a prospective, real-time assessment of sleep problems, PTSD symptoms and mood among persons on medical marijuana for their PTSD symptoms. Such feasibility data is crucial at this juncture to inform large studies to investigate the long-term clinical impact of treating PTSD symptoms with medical marijuana.
Marijuana-derived terpenes for the treatment of chemotherapy-induced pain
Jenny L. Wilkerson, PhD
Research Assistant Professor
College of Pharmacy
University of Florida
Project Narrative
Paclitaxel, commonly used to treat breast and lung cancers, produces persistent and debilitating side effects such as chemotherapy induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) and impairments in mood. Marijuana contains a multitude of non-psychoactive compounds (i.e., terpenes, minor cannabinoids) which may hold therapeutic promise in the treatment of pathological pain. This research will examine if a subset of terpenes found in marijuana: γ-terpinene, α-terpineol, β-caryophyllene, and minor cannabinoids: cannabichromene (CBC) and cannabinol (CBN), reduce CIPN in an experimental mouse model.
Anticipated Impact
This research will provide a foundation for understanding the pharmacology and mechanisms of minor cannabinoids/ terpenes as a function of their effects in a model of neuropathic pain. This research will produce timely data that will help inform public policy regarding the potential of the components of marijuana to produce analgesia, with a major anticipated relevance to neuropathic pain. Additionally, of clinical impact, this research may lead to the development of new therapeutics to treat neuropathic pain that lack abuse potential.
Rapid identification and quantification of heavy metals and microplastics in CBD oil.
Gregory McManus, PhD
Associate Professor
Florida Gulf Coast University
Project Narrative
Cannabis has shown great promise for the treatment of many medical conditions. There are, however, substantial uncertainties surrounding the nature and content of contaminants in cannabis plants. This project aims to develop reliable, rapid, efficient, inexpensive techniques for the determination of key contaminants within the cannabis plant and to accelerate research in this promising industry to ensure consumer/patient safety
Anticipated Impact
This project intends to provide a better understanding of the contaminants present in medicinal products derived from the cannabis plant. Ensuring that these medicinal products are free of toxins is essential for public health.
Hyaluronic acid functionalized, Cannabidiol-loaded Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSC)-Derived Exosomes for Drug Resistant Cancers
Mandip Singh Sachdeva, PhD
Professor
College of Pharmacy
Florida A&M University
Project Narrative
The objective of this proposal is to formulate hyaluronic acid (HA) functionalized mesenchymal cells (MSC) derived exosomes which will serve as an ideal delivery platform not only for increasing the bioavailability and anticancer effects of Cannabidiol (CBD) but also for overcoming resistance of docetaxel (DTX) in MDA-MB-231 (i.e., CB1, CB2, and CD44 receptors expressing) triple negative breast cancer cells.
Anticipated Impact
This project will allow us to develop a formulation of exosomes containing CBD which will have possible superior pharmacodynamic effects. Further, the stabilized formulation of HA coated CBD exosomes will then be evaluated in 3D culture systems to suggest their translational potential for future in vivo studies.
The Relationship between State Medical Marijuana Laws, Substance Use and Mental Health Disorder Diagnoses, and Associated Health Care Costs
Ali Yurasek, PhD
Assistant Professor
College of Public Health and Health Professions
University of Florida
Project Narrative
The influence of medical marijuana laws on changes in substance use or mental health diagnoses or treatment related health costs remains unclear. To date, no studies have examined substance use and mental health diagnoses and treatment utilization trends in states with and without medical marijuana laws. This project will examine these relationships using novel measurement and analytical techniques.
Anticipated Impact
Completion of this project will provide policy-related information about the influence of medical marijuana laws on health care utilization for substance use and mental health diagnoses. Findings will inform both health care policy and state-specific medical marijuana policy and implementation.