Discipline: Biological Sciences
Subcategory: Genetics
Session: 1
Room: Exhibit Hall A
Britney E. Roberts - Harris Stowe State University
Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of the many cannabinoid compounds found in Cannabis sativa. It does not appear to alter consciousness or trigger a high as it is classified as a non-psychoactive agent. Recent literature and evidence documented the value for CBD in treating some neuropsychiatric disorders, including epilepsy, social anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and schizophrenia as well as chronic pain. Evidence points toward a calming effect for CBD in the central nervous system. The common fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, has been used widely to study human disorders and almost all aspects of organismal biology including pharmacology (Kiel G. Ormerod et al., 2017; Robert G. Pendleton et al., 2002). Interest in CBD as a treatment for wide range of human disorders has exploded, yet few clinical studies have determined an effective dose of CBD for various health conditions. My objective was to determine whether CBD oil effects rhythmic behaviors of Drosophila larvae. Of the rhythmic behavioral assays tested, we found that a low dosage of CBD oil mixed with 10% coconut oil attenuates the inhibitory effects of 10% methanol in third-instar larva. This is an interesting result we will continue to investigate since human clinical trails are currently underway to determine whether CBD oil administration can effectively help alcoholics recover from their addiction to alcohol.
Funder Acknowledgement(s): The National Science Foundation; Historic Black College and University Undergraduate Program; Dr. Sandra M. Leal, Chair of Biology; Dr. Tommie Turner, Director of Institute for Sciences and Mathematics at Harris Stowe State University
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Sandra M. Leal, leals@hssu.edu
Role: I conducted all of the research on my own.