Date of Award
Fall 12-6-2023
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Department/Program
Forensic Science
Language
English
First Advisor or Mentor
Shu-Yuan Cheng
Second Reader
Peter Diaczuk
Third Advisor
Delianny Perez
Abstract
Drug addiction is a major endemic crisis in the United States with a higher prevalence than any other country. Marijuana and hallucinogens make up a great percentage of the drugs of abuse in Americans ranging from 15 to 64 years old. Marijuana contains over 500 active compounds that contribute to its effects, the major components being delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ-9-THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). Understanding the pharmacological mechanism as well as the effects that they elicit through the dopaminergic reward system is a key factor in being able to understand why addiction is so prevalent in our society. This research was aimed to determine how the widely used cannabinoids, Δ-9-THC and CBD, affect the expression and function of dopamine transporter. In a previous study, cells treated with high concentrations of Δ-9-THC expressed less dopamine transporters (DAT) on their cell surface. This study aimed to corroborate those results seen in that previous study, as well as to determine the effect that CBD would have on dopamine transporter expression and function on cell membranes. The results showed a transient decrease in dopamine transporter expression after 1 hour of CBD exposure and DAT function in the cell surface of HEK-DAT cells dependent on Δ-9-THC and CBD concentration as well as exposure time to the drug.
Recommended Citation
Guzman, Delia M., "Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol and Cannabidiol Effect on Dopamine Transporter Expression and Function" (2023). CUNY Academic Works.
https://academicworks.cuny.edu/jj_etds/304