Professor Iain McGregor
People_

Professor Iain McGregor

I completed my undergraduate degree in Experimental Psychology at the University of Oxford and gained my PhD in Psychology at the University of Sydney. I am currently an NHMRC Principal Research Fellow, Professor of Psychopharmacology and Academic Director of the Lambert Initiative for Cannabinoid Therapeutics.

My primary interest is in the potential of cannabinoids in treating diseases such as epilepsy, cancer, dementia and pain and in the development of new drugs from plant-based cannabinoids. To this end, I oversee a large team of world-class scientists and students with skills in medicinal chemistry, cellular pharmacology, animal models of disease, human psychopharmacology and clinical trials. For more information on this visit the website of The Lambert Initiative for Cannabinoid Therapeutics:

www.sydney.edu.au/science/lambert

I also have broad general research interests in human and preclinical psychopharmacology. I am particularly interested in the neuropeptide oxytocin and the development of small molecules that stimulate the brain oxytocin system to modulate social and addictive behaviours.

An additional interest is in characterising the effects of novel psychoactive substances such as synthetic cannabinoids, synthetic cathinones and novel hallucinogens.

Finally, the lab also does work in the area of pheromones and the olfactory system.

I currently supervise 1 PhD student and am an associate supervisor of 2 more. I also aim to supervise 2 honours students each year. These projects involve a diverse range of topics in human and basic psychopharmacology.

1. Endocannabinoids, medicinal cannabinoids and synthetic cannabinoids.

2. Drug discovery: development of new drugs to enhance social behaviour and treat addiction.

3. The prosocial effects of oxytocin and vasopressin.

4. Neuronal exctiability, epilepsy and endocannabinoids.

5. Pheromones for repellling pest species.

6. Pharmacoepidemiology: current utilisation patterns of psychotropic drugs in Australia.

NHMRC Principal Research Fellow (2014-2019)

Adjunct Professor, James Cook University (2014)

European Behavioural Pharmacology Society best paper award (2013)

Australian Research Council Professorial Fellowship (2009-2013)

NHMRC Achievement Award (2007)

Project titleResearch student
Potential therapeutic effects of psychedelic compounds derived from plants in preclinical models of epilepsyMonique MCDONALD

Publications

Book Chapters

  • Elcombe, E., Lagopoulos, J., Duffy, S., Lewis, S., Norrie, L., McGregor, I., Naismith, S. (2015). Hippocampal Volume in Older Adults at Risk of Cognitive Decline: The Role of Sleep, Vascular Risk, and Depression. In Gwenn S. Smith (Eds.), Handbook of Depression in Alzheimer's Disease, (pp. 217-228). Amsterdam: IOS Press. [More Information]
  • Barron, M., Werry, E., McGregor, I., Kassiou, M. (2014). P2X7 in Bipolar and Depressive Disorders. In Norbert Weiss, Alexandra Koschak (Eds.), Pathologies of Calcium Channels, (pp. 635-661). Berlin: Springer-Verlag. [More Information]
  • McGregor, I., Bowen, M. (2013). Oxytocin and addiction: recent preclinical advances and future clinical potential. In E. Choleris, D. W. Pfaff, & M. Kavaliers (Eds.), Oxytocin, Vasopressin and Related Peptides in the Regulation of Behavior, (pp. 270-287). Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press.

Journals

  • Bawa, Z., Lewis, D., Gavin, P., Libinaki, R., Joubran, L., El-Tamimy, M., Taylor, G., Meltzer, R., Bedoya-Perez, M., Kevin, R., McGregor, I. (2024). An open-label feasibility trial of transdermal cannabidiol for hand osteoarthritis. Scientific Reports, 14(1). [More Information]
  • Suraev, A., McCartney, D., Kevin, R., Gordon, R., Grunstein, R., Hoyos, C., McGregor, I. (2024). Detection of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in oral fluid using two point-of-collection testing devices following oral administration of a THC and cannabidiol containing oil. Drug Testing and Analysis. [More Information]
  • Bawa, Z., McCartney, D., Bedoya-Perez, M., Lau, N., Fox, R., MacDougall, H., McGregor, I. (2024). Effects of cannabidiol on psychosocial stress, situational anxiety and nausea in a virtual reality environment: a protocol for a single-centre randomised clinical trial. BMJ Open, 14(3). [More Information]

Conferences

  • Husain, M., Calvo, R., Ellis, L., Li, J., Ospina Pinillos, L., Davenport, T., McGregor, I. (2015). NLG-based moderator response generator to support mental health. 33rd Annual CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems (CHI 2015), New York: Association for Computing Machinery (ACM). [More Information]
  • Banister, S., Wilkinson, S., Connor, M., McGregor, I., Kassiou, M. (2012). Medicinal chemists breaking bad: The clandestine rational design of cannabimimetic indoles as drugs of abuse. The clandestine rational design of cannabimimetic indoles as drugs of abuse. Frontiers in medicinal chemistry, Australia: RACI.
  • Creelman, A., Thominiaux, C., Chauveau, F., Fulton, R., Kuhnast, B., Henderson, D., Boutin, H., Selleri, S., McGregor, I., Hantraye, P., Kassiou, M., et al (2007). Synthesis and evaluation of the translocator protein (18kDa) (TSPO) ligand (11C)DPA0715 in rat and non-human primate. 17th International Symposium on Radiopharmaceutical Sciences. John Wiley & Sons.

Patents

  • McGregor, I., Kassiou, M., Bowen, M., Hicks, C., Jorgensen, W. (2020). Novel small molecules that target social impairment and addictions (SOC 1). Patent No. 2715384. Russian Federation.
  • Jorgensen, W., Bowen, M., McGregor, I., Werry, E., Reekie, T., Kassiou, M. (2017). Small molecule treatments for mental illness. Patent No. International PCT WO2017004674 A1, International PCT/AU2017/051371.
  • McGregor, I., Carson, D., Guastella, A., Bowen, M. (2015). Pat: Treatment of Alcohol Use Disorders With Oxytocin and Other Agents Acting at Oxytocin Receptors. Patent No. 2010302945, 2010302945, 2482835, 9119805, 2482835. , , Germany, Ireland, Italy, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom.

Research Reports

  • Arnold, J., Allsop, D., Lintzeris, N., McGregor, I. (2016). Evidence Check: Pharmacological actions and associated therapeutic levels of phytocannabinoids, (pp. 1 - 81). Sydney, Australia: The Sax Institute.

2024

  • Bawa, Z., Lewis, D., Gavin, P., Libinaki, R., Joubran, L., El-Tamimy, M., Taylor, G., Meltzer, R., Bedoya-Perez, M., Kevin, R., McGregor, I. (2024). An open-label feasibility trial of transdermal cannabidiol for hand osteoarthritis. Scientific Reports, 14(1). [More Information]
  • Suraev, A., McCartney, D., Kevin, R., Gordon, R., Grunstein, R., Hoyos, C., McGregor, I. (2024). Detection of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in oral fluid using two point-of-collection testing devices following oral administration of a THC and cannabidiol containing oil. Drug Testing and Analysis. [More Information]
  • Bawa, Z., McCartney, D., Bedoya-Perez, M., Lau, N., Fox, R., MacDougall, H., McGregor, I. (2024). Effects of cannabidiol on psychosocial stress, situational anxiety and nausea in a virtual reality environment: a protocol for a single-centre randomised clinical trial. BMJ Open, 14(3). [More Information]

2023

  • Milligan, C., Anderson, L., McGregor, I., Arnold, J., Petrou, S. (2023). Beyond CBD: Inhibitory effects of lesser studied phytocannabinoids on human voltage-gated sodium channels. Frontiers in Physiology, 14. [More Information]
  • Lavender, I., McCartney, D., Marshall, N., Suraev, A., Irwin, C., D'Rozario, A., Gordon, C., Saini, B., Grunstein, R., Yee, B., McGregor, I., et al (2023). Cannabinol (CBN; 30 and 300 mg) effects on sleep and next-day function in insomnia disorder ('CUPID' study): protocol for a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over, three-arm, proof-of-concept trial. BMJ Open, 13(8), e071148. [More Information]
  • Arkell, T., Abelev, S., Mills, L., Suraev, A., Arnold, J., Lintzeris, N., McGregor, I. (2023). Driving-related behaviors, attitudes, and perceptions among Australian medical cannabis users: results from the CAMS 20 survey. Journal of Cannabis Research, 5(1). [More Information]

2022

  • Bawa, Z., Saini, B., McCartney, D., Bedoya-Perez, M., McLachlan, A., McGregor, I. (2022). A cross-sectional survey exploring the knowledge, experiences and attitudes of Australian pharmacists toward medicinal cannabis. International Journal of Clinical Pharmacy. [More Information]
  • Milligan, C., Anderson, L., Bowen, M., Banister, S., McGregor, I., Arnold, J., Petrou, S. (2022). A nutraceutical product, extracted from Cannabis sativa, modulates voltage-gated sodium channel function. Journal of Cannabis Research, 4(1). [More Information]
  • Colvin, E., Hudson, A., Anderson, L., Kumar, R., McGregor, I., Howell, V., Arnold, J. (2022). An Examination of the Anti-Cancer Properties of Plant Cannabinoids in Preclinical Models of Mesothelioma. Cancers, 14(15). [More Information]

2021

  • Kevin, R., Vogel, R., Doohan, P., Berger, M., Amminger, G., McGregor, I. (2021). A validated method for the simultaneous quantification of cannabidiol, Δ9‐tetrahydrocannabinol, and their metabolites in human plasma and application to plasma samples from an oral cannabidiol open‐label trial. Drug Testing and Analysis, 13(3), 614-627. [More Information]
  • Bedoya-Perez, M., Le, A., McGregor, I., Crowther, M. (2021). Antipredator responses toward cat fur in wild brown rats tested in a semi-natural environment. Behavioral Ecology, 32(5), 835-844. [More Information]
  • Martin, L., Cairns, E., Heblinski, M., Fletcher, C., Krycer, J., Arnold, J., McGregor, I., Bowen, M., Anderson, L. (2021). Cannabichromene and Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinolic Acid Identified as Lactate Dehydrogenase-A Inhibitors by in Silico and in Vitro Screening. Journal of Natural Products, 84(5), 1469-1472. [More Information]

2020

  • McGregor, I., Cairns, E., Abelev, S., Cohen, R., Henderson, M., Couch, D., Arnold, J., Gauld, N. (2020). Access to cannabidiol without a prescription: A cross-country comparison and analysis. International Journal of Drug Policy, 85, 102935. [More Information]
  • Benson, M., Abelev, S., Corte, C., Connor, S., McGregor, I. (2020). Attitudes and knowledge of australian gastroenterologists around the use of medicinal cannabis for inflammatory bowel disease. Crohn's & Colitis 360, 2(2), 1-9. [More Information]
  • Suraev, A., Grunstein, R., Marshall, N., D'Rozario, A., Gordon, C., Bartlett, D., Wong, K., Yee, B., Vandrey, R., Irwin, C., Arnold, J., McGregor, I., Hoyos, C. (2020). Cannabidiol (CBD) and delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) for chronic insomnia disorder ('CANSLEEP' trial): protocol for a randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blinded, proof-of-concept trial. BMJ Open, 10(5), e034421. [More Information]

2019

  • Santiago, M., Sachdev, S., Arnold, J., McGregor, I., Connor, M. (2019). Absence of Entourage: Terpenoids Commonly Found in Cannabis sativa Do Not Modulate the Functional Activity of 9-THC at Human CB1 and CB2 Receptors. Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research, 4(3), 165-176. [More Information]
  • Udoh, M., Santiago, M., Devenish, S., McGregor, I., Connor, M. (2019). Cannabichromene is a cannabinoid CB2 receptor agonist. British Journal of Pharmacology, 176(23), 4537-4547. [More Information]
  • Arkell, T., Lintzeris, N., Kevin, R., Ramaekers, J., Vandrey, R., Irwin, C., Haber, P., McGregor, I. (2019). Cannabidiol (CBD) content in vaporized cannabis does not prevent tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)-induced impairment of driving and cognition. Psychopharmacology, 236(9), 2713-2724. [More Information]

2018

  • Suraev, A., Lintzeris, N., Stuart, J., Kevin, R., Blackburn, R., Richards, E., Arnold, J., Ireland, C., Todd, L., Allsop, D., McGregor, I. (2018). Author Correction: Composition and Use of Cannabis Extracts for Childhood Epilepsy in the Australian Community. Scientific Reports, 8(1), 1-1. [More Information]
  • Parsons, M., Apfelbach, R., Banks, P., Cameron, E., Dickman, C., Frank, A., Jones, M., McGregor, I., McLean, S., Muller-Schwarze, D., et al (2018). Biologically meaningful scents: a framework for understanding predator-prey research across disciplines. Biological Reviews, 93(1), 98-114. [More Information]
  • Hay, G., Baracz, S., Everett, N., Roberts, J., Costa, P., Arnold, J., McGregor, I., Cornish, J. (2018). Cannabidiol treatment reduces the motivation to self-administer methamphetamine and methamphetamine-primed relapse in rats. Journal of Psychopharmacology, 32(12), 1369-1378. [More Information]

2017

  • Kevin, R., Wood, K., Stuart, J., Mitchell, A., Moir, M., Banister, S., Kassiou, M., McGregor, I. (2017). Acute and residual effects in adolescent rats resulting rrom exposure to the novel synthetic cannabinoids AB-PINACA and AB-FUBINACA. Journal of Psychopharmacology, 31(6), 757-769. [More Information]
  • Suraev, A., Todd, L., Bowen, M., Allsop, D., McGregor, I., Ireland, C., Lintzeris, N. (2017). An Australian nationwide survey on medicinal cannabis use for epilepsy: History of antiepileptic drug treatment predicts medicinal cannabis use. Epilepsy and Behavior, 70, 334-340. [More Information]
  • Clarke, D., Stuart, J., McGregor, I., Arnold, J. (2017). Endocannabinoid dysregulation in cognitive and stress-related brain regions in the Nrg1 mouse model of schizophrenia. Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology & Biological Psychiatry, 72, 9-15. [More Information]

2016

  • Jones, M., Apfelbach, R., Banks, P., Cameron, E., Dickman, C., Frank, A., McLean, S., McGregor, I., Muller-Schwarze, D., Parsons, M., et al (2016). A Nose for Death: Integrating Trophic and Informational Networks for Conservation and Management. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment, 4, 1-9. [More Information]
  • Brzozowska, N., Li, K., Wang, X., Booth, J., Stuart, J., McGregor, I., Arnold, J. (2016). ABC transporters P-gp and Bcrp do not limit the brain uptake of the novel antipsychotic and anticonvulsant drug cannabidiol in mice. PeerJ, 4(5), 1-17. [More Information]
  • Hicks, C., Cornish, J., Baracz, S., Suraev, A., McGregor, I. (2016). Adolescent pre-treatment with oxytocin protects against adult methamphetamine-seeking behavior in female rats. Addiction Biology, 21(2), 304-315. [More Information]

2015

  • Allsop, D., Lintzeris, N., Copeland, J., Dunlop, A., McGregor, I. (2015). Cannabinoid Replacement Therapy (CRT): Nabiximols (Sativex) as a Novel Treatment for Cannabis Withdrawal. Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics, 97(6), 571-574. [More Information]
  • Banister, S., Stuart, J., Kevin, R., Edington, A., Longworth, M., Wilkinson, S., Beinat, C., Buchanan, A., Hibbs, D., Glass, M., McGregor, I., Kassiou, M., et al (2015). Effects of Bioisosteric Fluorine in Synthetic Cannabinoid Designer Drugs JWH-018, AM-2201, UR-144, XLR-11, PB-22, 5F-PB-22, APICA, and STS-135. ACS Chemical Neuroscience, 6(8), 1445-1458. [More Information]
  • Elcombe, E., Lagopoulos, J., Duffy, S., Lewis, S., Norrie, L., McGregor, I., Naismith, S. (2015). Hippocampal Volume in Older Adults at Risk of Cognitive Decline: The Role of Sleep, Vascular Risk, and Depression. In Gwenn S. Smith (Eds.), Handbook of Depression in Alzheimer's Disease, (pp. 217-228). Amsterdam: IOS Press. [More Information]

2014

  • Einfeld, S., Smith, E., McGregor, I., Steinbeck, K., Taffe, J., Rice, L., Horstead, S., Rogers, N., Redoblado Hodge, M., Guastella, A. (2014). A Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial of Oxytocin Nasal Spray in Prader Willi Syndrome. American Journal of Medical Genetics, Part A, 164A (9), 2232-2239. [More Information]
  • Too, L., Ball, H., McGregor, I., Hunt, N. (2014). A novel automated test battery reveals enduring behavioural alterations and cognitive impairments in survivors of murine pneumococcal meningitis. Brain, Behavior, and Immunity, 35, 107-124. [More Information]
  • Bowen, M., Hari Dass, S., Booth, J., Suraev, A., Vyas, A., McGregor, I. (2014). Active coping toward predatory stress is associated with lower corticosterone and progesterone plasma levels and decreased methylation in the medial amygdala vasopressin system. Hormones and Behavior, 66(3), 561-566. [More Information]

2013

  • Carson, D., Guastella, A., Taylor, E., McGregor, I. (2013). A brief history of oxytocin and its role in modulating psychostimulant effects. Journal of Psychopharmacology, 27(3), 231-247. [More Information]
  • Quintana, D., McGregor, I., Guastella, A., Malhi, G., Kemp, A. (2013). A Meta-Analysis on the Impact of Alcohol Dependence on Short-Term Resting-State Heart Rate Variability: Implications for Cardiovascular Risk. Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research, 37(S1), E23-E29. [More Information]
  • Ramos, L., Hicks, C., Kevin, R., Caminer, A., Narlawar, R., Kassiou, M., McGregor, I. (2013). Acute Prosocial Effects of Oxytocin and Vasopressin When Given Alone or in Combination with 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine in Rats: Involvement of the VI(A) Receptor. Neuropsychopharmacology, 38(11), 2249-2259. [More Information]

2012

  • Bowen, M., Keats, K., Kendig, M., Cakic, V., Callaghan, P., McGregor, I. (2012). Aggregation in quads but not pairs of rats exposed to cat odor or bright light. Behavioural Processes, 90(3), 331-336. [More Information]
  • Ahmed, E., Ahmed, S., Ukai, W., Matsumoto, I., Kemp, A., McGregor, I., Kashem, M. (2012). Antipsychotic Induced Alteration of Growth and Proteome of Rat Neural Stem Cells. Neurochemical Research, 37, 1649-1659. [More Information]
  • McGregor, I., Bowen, M. (2012). Breaking the loop: Oxytocin as a potential treatment for drug addiction. Hormones and Behavior, 61(3), 331-339. [More Information]

2011

  • Hunt, G., van Nieuwenhuijzen, P., Chan-Ling, T., McGregor, I. (2011). 'When an old rat smells a cat': a decline in defense-related, but not accessory olfactory, Fos expression in aged rats. Neurobiology of Aging, 32(4), 737-749. [More Information]
  • Bowen, M., Carson, D., Spiro, A., Arnold, J., McGregor, I. (2011). Adolescent Oxytocin Exposure Causes Persistent Reductions in Anxiety and Alcohol Consumption and Enhances Sociability in Rats. PloS One, 6(11), e27237-1-e27237-11. [More Information]
  • Karanges, E., McGregor, I. (2011). Antidepressants and adolescent brain development. Future Neurology, 6(6), 783-808. [More Information]

2010

  • van Nieuwenhuijzen, P., Kashem, M., Matsumoto, I., Hunt, G., McGregor, I. (2010). A long hangover from party drugs: Residual proteomic changes in the hippocampus of rats 8 weeks after gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB),3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) or their combination. Neurochemistry International, 56(8), 871-877. [More Information]
  • Arnold, J., Dielenberg, R., McGregor, I. (2010). Cannabinoids increase conditioned ultrasonic vocalisations and cat odour avoidance in rats: Strain differences in drug-induced anxiety. Life Sciences, 87(17-18), 572-578. [More Information]
  • Carson, D., Cornish, J., Guastella, A., Hunt, G., McGregor, I. (2010). Oxytocin decreases methamphetamine self-administration, methamphetamine hyperactivity, and relapse to methamphetamine-seeking behaviour in rats. Neuropharmacology, 58(1), 38-43. [More Information]

2009

  • Long, L., Chesworth, R., Huang, X., McGregor, I., Arnold, J., Karl, T. (2009). A behavioural comparison of acute and chronic Delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabidiol in C57BL/6JArc mice. International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology, 13 (2010)(7), 861-876. [More Information]
  • Kashem, M., Sarker, R., Des Etages, H., Machaalani, R., King, N., McGregor, I., Matsumoto, I. (2009). Comparative proteomics in the corpus callosal sub-regions of postmortem human brain. Neurochemistry International, 55(7), 483-490. [More Information]
  • Kashem, M., Des Etages, H., Kopitar-Jerala, N., McGregor, I., Matsumoto, I. (2009). Differential protein expression in the corpus callosum (body) of human alcoholic brain. Journal of Neurochemistry, 110(2), 486-495. [More Information]

2008

  • Rutten, K., Reneerkensa, O., Hamers, H., Sik, A., McGregor, I., Prickaerts, J., Blokland, A. (2008). Automated scoring of novel object recognition in rats. Journal of Neuroscience Methods, 171, 72-77. [More Information]
  • Staples, L., McGregor, I., Apfelbach, R., Hunt, G. (2008). Cat odor, but not trimethylthiazoline (fox odor), activates accessory olfactory and defense-related brain regions in rats. Neuroscience, 151, 937-947. [More Information]
  • McGregor, I., Callaghan, P., Hunt, G. (2008). From ultrasocial to antisocial: a role for oxytocin in the acute reinforcing effects and long-term adverse consequences of drug use? British Journal of Pharmacology, 154, 358-368. [More Information]

2007

  • Thompson, M., Callaghan, P., Hunt, G., Cornish, J., McGregor, I. (2007). A role for oxytocin and 5-HT(1A) receptors in the prosocial effects of 3,4 methylenedioxymethamphetamine ("ecstasy"). Neuroscience, 146(2), 509-514. [More Information]
  • Quinn, H., Matsumoto, I., Callaghan, P., Long, L., Arnold, J., Gunasekaran, N., Thompson, M., Dawson, B., Mallet, P., Kashem, M., Matsuda-Matsumoto, H., Iwazaki, T., McGregor, I. (2007). Adolescent rats find repeated delta-9-THC less aversive than adult rats but display greater residual cognitive deficits and changes in hippocampal protein expression following exposure. Neuropsychopharmacology, 33(5), 1113-1126. [More Information]
  • Ferguson (Sokolic), L., Laing, D., McGregor, I. (2007). Asymmetric suppression of components in binary aldehyde mixtures: Behavioral studies in the laboratory rat. Chemical Senses, 32(2), 191-199. [More Information]

2006

  • Staples, L., McGregor, I. (2006). Defensive responses of Wistar and Sprague-Dawley rats to cat odour and TMT. Behavioural Brain Research, 172(2), 351-354. [More Information]
  • Siviy, S., Harrison, K., McGregor, I. (2006). Fear, risk assessment, and playfulness in the juvenile rat. Behavioral Neuroscience, 120(1), 49-59. [More Information]
  • Clemens, K., Cornish, J., Hunt, G., McGregor, I. (2006). Intravenous methamphetamine self-administration in rats: Effects of intravenous or intraperitoneal MDMA co-administration. Pharmacology, Biochemistry and Behavior, 85, 454-463. [More Information]

2005

  • Hargreaves, G., McGregor, I., Sachdev, P. (2005). Chronic repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation is antidepressant but not anxiolytic in rat models of anxiety and depression. Psychiatry Research, 137(1-2), 113-121. [More Information]
  • Young, J., McGregor, I., Mallet, P. (2005). Co-administration of THC and MDMA ('Ecstasy') synergistically disrupts memory in rats. Neuropsychopharmacology, 30(8), 1475-1482. [More Information]
  • Cornish, J., Lontos, J., Clemens, K., McGregor, I. (2005). Cocaine and heroin ('speedball') self-administration: the involvement of nucleus accumbens dopamine and mu-opiate, but not delta-opiate receptors. Psychopharmacology, 180(1), 21-32. [More Information]

2004

  • Morley, K., Li, K., Hunt, G., Mallet, P., McGregor, I. (2004). Cannabinoids Prevent The Acute Hyperthermia And Partially Protect Against The 5-Ht Depleting Effects Of Mdma ('Ecstasy') In Rats. Neuropharmacology, 46(7), 954-965. [More Information]
  • Thompson, M., Li, K., Clemens, K., Gurtman, C., Hunt, G., Cornish, J., McGregor, I. (2004). Chronic Fluoxetine Treatment Partly Attenuates The Long-Term Anxiety And Depressive Symptoms Induced By Mdma ('Ecstasy') In Rats. Neuropsychopharmacology, 29(4), 694-704. [More Information]
  • Gallate, J., McGregor, I., Mallet, P. (2004). Combined Low Dose Treatment With Opioid And Cannabinoid Receptor Antagonists Synergistically Reduces The Motivation To Consume Alcohol In Rats. Psychopharmacology, 173(1-2), 210-216. [More Information]

2003

  • Cornish, J., Shahnawaz, Z., Thompson, M., Wong, S., Morley, K., Hunt, G., McGregor, I. (2003). Heat increases 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine self-administration and social effects in rats. European Journal of Pharmacology, 482(1-3), 339-341. [More Information]
  • McGregor, I., Clemens, K., Van Der Plasse, G., Li, K., Hunt, G., Chen, F., Lawrence, A. (2003). Increased Anxiety 3 Months after Brief Exposure to MDMA ('Ecstasy') in Rats: Association with Altered 5-HT Transporter and Receptor Density. Neuropsychopharmacology, 28, 1472-1484. [More Information]
  • McGregor, I., Gurtman, C., Morley, K., Clemens, K., Li, K., Blokland, A., Cornish, J., Hunt, G. (2003). Increased anxiety and "depressive" symptoms months after MDMA ("ecstasy") in rats: drug-induced hyperthermia does not predict long-term outcomes. Psychopharmacology, 168(4), 465-474. [More Information]

2002

  • Hunt, G., McGregor, I. (2002). Contrasting effects of dopamine antagonists and frequency reduction on Fos expression induced by lateral hypothalamic stimulation. Behavioural Brain Research, 132(2), 187-201. [More Information]
  • Gurtman, C., Morley, K., Li, K., Hunt, G., McGregor, I. (2002). Increased anxiety in rats after 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine: association with serotonin depletion. European Journal of Pharmacology, 446(1-3), 89-96. [More Information]
  • McGregor, I., Schrama, L., Ambermoon, P., Dielenberg, R. (2002). Not all 'predator odours' are equal: cat odur but not 2,4,5 trimrthylthiazoline (TMT; fox odour) elicits specific defensive behaviours in rats. Behavioural Brain Research, 130(1-2), 1-16. [More Information]

2001

  • Dielenberg, R., Hunt, G., McGregor, I. (2001). 'When a rat smells a cat': The distribution of fos immunoreactivity in rat brain following exposure to a predatory odor. Neuroscience, 104, 1085-1097.
  • Dielenberg, R., McGregor, I. (2001). Defensive behvior in rats towards predatory odors: a review. Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews, 25, 597-609.
  • Arnold, J., Hunt, G., McGregor, I. (2001). Effects of the cannabinoid receptor agonist CP 55,940 and the cannabinoid receptor antagonist SR 141716 on intracranial self-stimulation in Lewis rat. Life Sciences, 70, 97-108.

Selected Grants

2022

  • Research officer in high throughput drug discovery using phenotypic zebrafish models, Hesselson D, Cairns E, McGregor I, Oehlers S, Nakagawa S, Multiple Donors to The Lambert Initiative/Medicinal Chemistry (RL7)
  • Driving behaviours of ACT cannabis users following the decriminalisation of cannabis cultivation and possession, McCartney D, Kevin R, McGregor I, Lavender I, Australian Capital Territory/2022 ACT Road Safety Funds Grant Program

2021

  • Automated Cell Biology, James D, McGregor I, Neely G, National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC)/Equipment Grant

In the media

Kinoxis Therapeutics launched to develop novel ant-addiction drugs. University of Sydney media release on a new oxytocin-simulating drug developed by University of Sydney researchers (February 2018).

GPs prescribing cannabis could be just what the doctor ordered. Sydney Morning Herald op-ed on RACP perspective pieve on medicinal cannabis (February 2018).

Professor Iain McGregor discusses the medicinal value of cannabis.An interview on the Channel 9 TV show 60 Minutes relating to the therapeutic value of cannabis and cannabinoids.

Why so few Australians are using medicinal cannabis on prescription. Sydney Morning Herald op-ed on the Federal Medicinal Cannabis scheme (October 2017).

Pioneering study of cannabis extracts in treating epileptic kids. An outline of the PELICAN study of the use of cannabis extracts in treating pediatric epilepsy in the community.

University partners in medical cannabis trial for chemotherapy patients. A promising major advance for cannabis-based medications.

A gift for Katelyn. Story in Sydney Alumni magazine about the extraordinary gift from Barry and Joy Lambert to establish the Lambert Initiative.

Medicinal cannabis. ABC Catalyst show featuring Iain McGregor and the Lambert Initiative team (August 2016).

Oxytocin. ABC TV show Catalyst explores the role of the neuropeptide Oxytocin in social behaviour and as a possible treatment for addiction, featuring Prof Iain McGregor (Feb 2016).

Unlocking the medicinal potential of cannabis. Story in the Australian Financial Review about the Lambert gift.

Sydney family donates 33 million to medicinal cannabis research.SBS news story (including video footage) regarding the historic Lambert donation to the University of Sydney (researchers McGregor, Allsop, Lintzeris).

Businessman donates record 33 million to medicinal marijuana research.The same story covered on ABC News, again with video footage.

Sydney scientists hope for pot boom.David Allsop and Iain McGregor comment on research into medical cannabis in The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald.

Meet the people at each end of an illegal medical marijuana supply chain.Iain McGregor appeared on ABC TV’s 7.30 Report in a story about medicinal marijuana including usage in treating seizures and nausea, and problems posed by self-medication using “street cannabis”.

McGregor And Allsop Featured In Sydney Alumni Magazine: Article in the Sydney Alumni Magazine on The Lambert Initiative for Cannabinoid Therapeutics.

Lambert Donation Puts Australia At Forefront Of Medicinal Cannabinoid Research

Could research into oxytocin and alcohol lead to a 'sobriety pill'?: Article in The Conversation on our research on oxytocin and the potential for a‘sobriety pill’.

Old dope, new tricks: the new science of medical cannabis: Article in The Conversation on the science of medical cannabis.

OECD says Australians take too many pills and must tackle nation's obesity problem: Article in the Sydney Morning Herald with interview with Iain McGregor on the rise in anti-depressant use in Australia.

Stoners beware: exercising might lead to a positive drug test: Media release that received worldwide coverage (e.g. time.com, abc news) detailing our recent study of exercise effects in regular cannabis users.

The straight dope: Marijuana in NSW is among strongest in the world. Sydney Morning Herald article on our recent potency study of NSW cannabis.

High Alert for Synthetic Drugs. Iain McGregor comments on the emerging synthetic drugs in Australia.

Life Enhancing Drugs. Iain McGregor and the lab were featured on ABC Catalyst in a story about smart drugs.

TGA to decide on benzos rescheduling.Iain McGregor comments on the likely rescheduling of the benzodiazepine alprazolam.

Marketing Crazy.Iain McGregor comments on the explosive growth in antidepressant utilization in Australia.

An articleon the inherited risk of alcoholism and relapse featuringMichael Bowen.

Wikipedia articleon SDB-001, one of the synthetic cannabinoids currently being examined in the lab, with a mention of one of our recent publications.

Drug experts meet in Hobart.Iain McGregor provides the keynote address to the 2013 Comorbidity Symposium in Hobart.

Concerns over rising psychotropic drug use.A piece in Psychiatry Update on our work on trends in psychotropic drug use over the last decade.

Related research articles

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