Rehab Abdullah, PhD

Postdoctoral Researcher
email: raabdulla@vcu.edu

Education

PhD	1998	Pharmaceutics, University of Baghdad, Iraq
M.Phil	1983	Biopharmaceutics, Leicester Polytechnic, England

Research interests

I specialize in techniques for extracting and quantifying organic molecules, including cannabinoids and endocannabinoids, in different tissues including brain, spinal cord, and skin. Changes in tissue levels of these lipids can be caused by direct administration of cannabinoids, as in the case of THC via injection or inhalation of marijuana smoke, or indirect modulation of endocannabinoids. For example, various compounds, including inhibitors of degradative enzymes of the endogenous cannabinoid system (e.g., FAAH and MAGL), cause increases in brain and spinal cord levels of the endocannabinoids that these enzymes catalyze (i.e., anadamide or 2-AG, respectively). I am particularly interested in detecting and quantifying region-specific fluctuations in endocannabinoid levels, as they relate to behavioral and/or inflammatory changes at the level of the whole animal.

Selected Publications | Pubmed

Joel E. Schlosburg, Brittany L.A. Carlson, Divya Ramesh, Rehab A. Abdullah, Jonathan Z. Long, Benjamin F., Precipitated Withdrawal Responses in THC Dependent Mice," AAPS Journal; 11(2): 342-52, 2009.

Steven G. Kinsey, Jonathan Z. Long, Scott T.O'Neal, Rehab A. Abdullah, Justin L. Poklis, Dale L. Boger, Benjamin F. Cravatt and Aron H. Lichtman " Blockade of Endocannabinoid-degrading Enzymes Attenuates Neuropathic Pain ," Journal of Pharmacology & Experimental Therapeutics; 330(3); 902-10, 2009.

R. A. Abdullah, F. A. Tawfiq, Y. Y. Zeki "Preparation and Kinetic Studies of Allopurinol Derivatives to Improve the Physiochemical Properties of the Drug," Iraqi Journal of Pharm. Sciences, Vol. 10, 1999.

F. A. Tawfiq, S. A. Sarkis, R. A. Abdullah "Release of Metoclopramide HCl from Different Suppository bases," Iraqi Journal of Pharm. Sciences, Vol.5 (1), 1994.