Identification of Putative Biomarkers in the Serum of Marijuana Users by Surface-Enhanced Laser Desorption/Ionization Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry (SELDI-TOF-MS)

Marijuana is the most commonly used illicit drug in the United States. Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the active ingredient in marijuana (MJ), rapidly passes from the lungs and goes to the brain via the bloodstream. In addition to its euphoric effects, long-term abuse of MJ is associated with learning and memory dysfunctions, perceptual abnormalities, and neuroimaging abnormalities. The use of MJ is also associated with immune dysfunctions. Although no medications are currently available to treat MJ abuse, identification of biomarkers of MJ abuse might help in the creation of more specific diagnostic criteria for MJ use disorders. This, in turn, might help in the development of more specific therapeutic approaches to these disorders. Proteomics, the analysis and characterization of overall protein modifications, is helping to revolutionize our understanding of protein function. It is also aiding in the discovery of biomarkers and/or therapeutic targets of human diseases. The recent development of the...