# A FUNCTIONAL CELL BASED ASSAY FOR SYNTHETIC CANNABINOIDS

> **NIH NIH R21** · UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO DENVER · 2020 · $231,133

## Abstract

The overall objective of this proposal, A Functional Cell Based Assay for Synthetic Cannabinoids, is to develop
a flexible and inexpensive screening assay that can detect all synthetic cannabinoids (SCs). Identification of
SC abuse remains difficult for clinicians and law enforcement due to the rapid evolution of SC compounds.
There are over 200 SCs known to exist though the most comprehensive clinical assay can only detect 43 of
these drugs. In fact, more than 90% of SCs identified in patients seen in the University of Colorado Emergency
Department are not detectable through the clinically available assay. High performance liquid chromatography-
mass spectrometry methods are far more sensitive, though lack of reference standards, lack of availability, and
cost remain a limitation of this drug detection method for the vast majority of clinical and law enforcement
applications. New inexpensive drug screens able to detect rapidly evolving SC compounds are necessary.
In this proposal, we employ an innovative strategy to detect new synthetic cannabinoids (SCs) through
detection of activation of the cannabinoid receptor (CB1). The priorities are to create an assay that (a) will
rapidly and cheaply detect binding and/or activation of CB1, (b) will distinguish between THC-level
binding/activation and SC-level binding/activation, (c) can be integrated as a pre-screen prior to mass
spectrometry confirmation. To achieve these priorities, we will develop and assess three independent detection
systems of CB1 agonism via membrane potential change (Aim 1), cAMP production (Aim 2), and receptor
conformational change (Aim 3).
When completed, this receptor based-strategy can be used for detection of other new psychoactive
substances, such as synthetic opioids, and can be optimized for rapid bedside screening of a large number of
patients. Since avoidance of detection is a major reason SCs are chosen by users, increased screening will
decrease use of these drugs. This technique is a solution for clinical and law enforcement detection of all new
psychoactive substances.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9979149
- **Project number:** 1R21DA048350-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO DENVER
- **Principal Investigator:** Andrew Albert Monte
- **Activity code:** R21 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $231,133
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2020-09-15 → 2022-09-14

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9979149

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9979149, A FUNCTIONAL CELL BASED ASSAY FOR SYNTHETIC CANNABINOIDS (1R21DA048350-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9979149. Licensed CC0.

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