Award
National Institute on Drug Abuse 5P50DA044118-07
Impact of Cannabinoid Across the Lifespan (ICAL)
Recipient
University of California-Irvine
Award Amount
$170,984.00
Ceiling
$170,984.00
Awarded
May 12, 2026
Identifier
5P50DA044118-07
This NIH grant supports the University of California-Irvine to study the effects of cannabinoids across the lifespan, focusing on adolescent exposure and its long-term impacts on brain and behavior, using advanced analytical chemistry methods.
Description
The ICAL Analytical Core aims to support research on the impact of cannabinoids across the lifespan, focusing on how activation of the endocannabinoid system during adolescence affects genetic, epigenetic, neuroanatomical, and synaptic functions, leading to persistent cognitive and behavioral changes. The core has conducted studies characterizing THC metabolism and pharmacokinetics in adolescent and adult rodents, providing evidence for the relevance of their protocols to human cannabis use. The core's specific aims include providing bioanalytical support for ICAL activities and developing sensitive methods for endocannabinoid analysis using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Dr. Faizy Ahmed, with over 30 years of experience, will lead these efforts, including method implementation, validation, and training.