Douglas Boggs, PharmD, associate research scientist in psychiatry, was honored with the Best Original Research Award at the 2016 annual meeting of the College of Psychiatric and Neurologic Pharmacists (CPNP).
The meeting was held April 17-20 in Colorado Springs, CO. Boggs received the award for his paper, “Assessment of the Dose-Dependent Motor Effects of Intravenous Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).”
The study assessed the motor effects of THC, the primary psychoactive constituent of marijuana (cannabis). The study showed that THC did not impair all motor skills, but did have a dose dependent effect, specifically slowing down performance and accuracy on coordination and timing motor tasks.
“As marijuana becomes more accessible, people need to be aware that even small doses may cause some impairment in the ability to complete complex psychomotor tasks,” Boggs said.
As marijuana becomes more accessible, people need to be aware that even small doses may cause some impairment in the ability to complete complex psychomotor tasks.
Douglas Boggs, PharmD, associate research scientist in psychiatry
Boggs completed his work with Patrick Skosnik, assistant professor of psychiatry in the Schizophrenia Neuropharmacology Research Group at Yale (SNRGY). SNRGY continues to conduct research on the neurobiological and behavioral effects of marijuana and its constituent cannabinoid molecules.
CPNP is a professional association of more than 1,800 members who work directly with patients and caregivers to apply specialized clinical knowledge and skills, educate and train healthcare professionals, and develop new knowledge to improve health outcomes for people with psychiatric and neurologic disorders, according to its website.
Members apply evidence-based, cost-efficient best practices as a member of a treatment team to achieve patient recovery and improved quality of life.