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1. Name: Maria L.de Ceballos, Ph.D.
2. Title: Researcher and Group Leader, Neurochemical Alterations in Neurodegenerative Diseases, Department of Neural Plasticity, Cajal Institute, Spain
3. Medical Marijuana
Position:		 No statement found to the question "Should marijuana be a medical option?"
4. Reasoning:

"We got recently interested on the therapeutic effects of cannabinoids. In collaboration with the group of Prof. M. Guzmán we have found that selective activation of the CB2 receptor, which does not exist in normal brain and does not mediate psycoactive effects [sic], inhibits the growth of gliomas, one of the most malignant brain tumours.[...]

Furthermore, we have demonstrated that both in vitro and in vivo cannabinoids show an 'astroprotective' role, that may result in neuroprotective effects as well." (8/26/06, Cajal Institute website)
5. Credibility
Ranking:

 Experts
PhD's and JD's (lawyers) with significant post-doctoral involvement in medical marijuana issues; judges who have presided over medical marijuana cases.

6. Involvement:
  • Present - Researcher and Group Leader, Neurochemical Alterations in Neurodegenerative Diseases, Department of Neural Plasticity, Cajal Institute, Spain

  • Present - Editorial Board, Journal of Neuropathology and Experimental Neurology
7. Education:
  • Not listed
8. Relevant Affiliations/Honors:
  • None listed
9. Contact Info:
Phone:  (34-91) 585 47 50 Fax: (34-91) 585 47 54
E-Mail:   mceballos@cajal.csic.es
Web Site: www.cajal.csic.es
10. Other: Some of her publications include:

  • "Increased Cannabinoid CB1 Receptor Binding and Activation of GTP-binding Proteins in the Basal Ganglia of Patients With Parkinson's Syndrome and of MPTP-Treated Marrmosets," Eurorpean Journal or Neuroscience 14 2001 1827-1832 (with I.Lastres-Becker, M.Ceberira, B.-Y.Zeng, P.Jenner, J.A.Ramos and J.J.Fernández-Ruiz)

  • "Regression of Gliomas In Vivo By Selective Activation of the CB2 Cannabinoid Receptor," Cancer Research 61: 5784-5789, 2001 (with C.Sánchez, T.Gómez del Pulgar, D.Rueda, C.Corbacho, G.Velasco, I.Galve-Roperh, J.W.Huffman, S.Ramón y Cajal and M.Guzmán)
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