Talia Neally

Date of Award

2022

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelors

Department

Natural Sciences

First Advisor

Clore, Amy

Area of Concentration

Cell and Developmental Biology with Chemistry

Abstract

Cannabidiol (CBD) is a chemical currently being researched for its potential medical applications which are thought to include pain, nausea, and muscle tension, anxiety, and depression. An under-explored use for CBD and its medical capabilities is treating pregnant women for the most uncomfortable pregnancy symptoms. Unfortunately, there is little to no knowledge currently available as to whether use of CBD during pregnancy is safe for the developing fetus. The present study uses planaria as a model for CBD exposure during development. As will be reviewed, planaria consist of 30% stem cells known as neoblasts which gives them the unique ability to regenerate an entire organism from a piece as small as 1/279 of the original. Planarian neuro- regenerative abilities allowed for study of neurodevelopment after CBD exposure. The planaria were decapitated and monitored for regrowth. The dissected planaria were placed in wells containing CBD diluted to 0.00025-0.05 mg/mL in spring water and after approximately fourteen days, their central nervous systems were evaluated using immunofluorescence microscopy using anti-alpha tubulin antibodies to label cerebral ganglia and nerve cords. It was found that CBD concentrations higher than 0.001 mg/mL were lethal to regenerating Dugesia dorotocephala, while concentrations that were high but still allowed for regeneration extended the regeneration period. Additionally, high concentrations of methanol (the solvent for the CBD), while not affecting physical regeneration, may have interrupted CNS function in ways that presented during behavioral analyses.

Download

Share

COinS