Publications by authors named "C William McCurdy"

Article Synopsis
  • FABP7 is a protein found in the brain that may help transport cannabinoids like THC, but its role in the endocannabinoid system is not fully understood.
  • In a study using mice lacking FABP7, researchers measured THC and its metabolite 11-OH-THC levels after THC inhalation, finding that females with FABP7 deletion had lower levels of 11-OH-THC compared to those with the protein.
  • The study also revealed that FABP7 influences endocannabinoid levels, showing females with FABP7 deletion had decreased levels of anandamide and increased levels of 2-AG, indicating a sex-specific role in THC metabolism and endocannabinoid regulation.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF

With increased legalization of recreational and medical cannabis, use of this drug is growing rapidly among older adults. As cannabis use can impair cognition in young adults, it is critically important to understand how consumption interacts with the cognitive profile of aged individuals, who are already at increased risk of decline. The current study was designed to determine how cannabis influences multiple forms of cognition in young adult and aged rats of both sexes when delivered via two translationally-relevant routes of administration.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Introduction: The US age-adjusted drug overdose rate increased by 298%, with fentanyl being the main contributor to drug overdose deaths. The contribution of kratom to drug overdoses or intoxication is seldom reported despite its increasing use and detection among overdose decedents.

Methods: Our cross-sectional study utilized deidentified data from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, 2020-2021 (N = 30,845).

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) is increasingly used in the US for self-management of pain, despite limited research on its efficacy and safety. To better understand how and why people use kratom for pain self-management, we analyzed baseline survey data (N = 395) and 15-day ecological momentary assessment (EMA) data (N = 357) from kratom consumers across the US. Although we recruited participants based on their kratom use, not on whether they used it for pain management, nearly half (49.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF