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1. Name: Antonio W. Zuardi, Ph.D.
2. Title: Vice Director, Department of Neurology, Psychiatry and Medical Psychology, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto (FMRP), University of São Paulo (USP), Brazil
3. Medical Marijuana
Position:		 No position found to the question "Should marijuana be a medical option?"
4. Reasoning:

"Cannabidiol (CBD), one of the major products of the marijuana plant, is devoid of marijuana's typical psychological effects. In contrast, potential antipsychotic efficacy has been suggested based on preclinical and clinical data (Zuardi et al., 2002). In this report, we further investigated the efficacy and safety of CBD monotherapy in three patients with treatment-resistant schizophrenia (TRS)...

Efficacy, tolerability and side effects were assessed. One patient showed mild improvement, but two patients didn't show any improvement during CBD monotherapy. All patients tolerated CBD very well and no side effects were reported. These preliminary data suggest that CBD monotherapy may not be effective for TRS." ("Cannabidiol Monotherapy for Treatment-Resistant Schizophrenia," Journal of Psychopharmacology 9/06)
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:
  • Vice Director, Department of Neurology, Psychiatry and Medical Psychology, FMRP, University of São Paulo, Brazil
  • President, Commission of University Activities, University of São Paulo
  • President, Commission for the Growth of Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy Courses, University of São Paulo
7. Education:
  • Ph.D., School unknown
8. Relevant Affiliations/Honors:
  • None listed
9. Contact Info:
Phone: (16) 3602-3000, Main office, FMRP, University of São Paulo Fax: (16) 3633-1586, Main office, FMRP, University of São Paulo
E-Mail:   awzuardi@fmrp.usp.br
Web Site: www.fmrp.usp.br/portal
10. Other: Select Publications:
  • Author, "History of Cannabis as a Medicine: A Review," Revista Brasileira de Psiquiatria 2006, 28(2): 153-7
  • Co-author, "Cannabidiol, a Cannabis Sativa Constituent, as an Antipsychotic Drug," Brazilian Journal of Medical and Biological Research 2006, 39(4): 421-9
  • Co-author, "Brain Effects of Cannabis--Neuroimaging Findings," [Article in Portuguese] Revista Brasileira de Psiquiatria 2005, 27(1): 70-8
  • Co-author, "Cannabidiol Increases Fos Expression in the Nucleus Accumbens but not in the Dorsal Striatum," Life Sciences 2004, 75(5): 633-8
  • Co-author, "Effects of Cannabidiol (CBD) on Regional Cerebral Blood Flow," Neuropsychopharmacology 2004, 29(2): 417-26
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