 |
Psychopharmacology Unit
(PPU)
|
   
|
The Psychopharmacology Unit (PPU) is responsible for
supporting and coordinating studies done in the Research Center that involve the use of
drugs. The PPU also provides consultation and guidance for all of the Center's studies
that involve pharmacological agents. The PPU is closely associated with its
"sister" laboratory at the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon, Canada that
is directed by Kamal Midha, Ph.D. The PPU develops analytical methods for analysis of specimens from studies of newer antipsychotics in different inpatient and outpatient populations including refractory patients, recent onset patients and individuals in long-term maintenance therapy. Each of these studies has included a focus on the pharmacokinetics of these compounds and how an understanding of kinetics can contribute to clinical treatment. This close collaboration between experienced clinical researchers and experts in analytical pharmacology has been extremely useful during the past decade. In this respect, we believe that our Research Center has become one of the most important centers for improving the drug treatment of schizophrenia. Pilot studies are conducted that increase our understanding of the actions of antipsychotics and advance the Center's core concept. The PPU is devoted to understanding the mechanisms of antipsychotic drug actions through both pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic studies. In league with the Saskatoon lab, the PPU will continue to develop innovative strategies for understanding drug metabolism and kinetics in patients and laboratory animals. The PPU has a longstanding interest in the effects of antipsychotic drugs on abnormal movements. We will continue to work with the West LA VA Movement Disorder Laboratory, a component of the PPU, to improve our understanding of the relationship between neuroleptic plasma levels and abnormal movements and we will build upon the recent MRI studies of Bartzokis which indicate that there is a reduced T2 relaxation time in the caudate of patients with tardive dyskinesia. This later area will include pilot studies to determine if there is altered iron deposition in the brains of patients with tardive dyskinesia. Current analytical methods available at PPU include assays for homovanillic acid, serotonin, fluphenazine (and three major metabolites), haloperidol and reduced haloperidol, risperidone and 9-hydroxy risperidone, olanzapine and clozapine and its N-desmethyl and N-oxide metabolites, and sertindole. Major investigators in the PPU include Manickam Aravagiri, Ph.D., William C Wirshing, M.D., Donna Wirshing, M.D., George Bartzokis, M.D., Barringer D.Marshall, Jr, M.D. and Michael Gitlin, M.D. |
| [PPU Personnel] [Instruments/Intervention Techniques] | |
[Home] [ Faculty] [Labs] [Training] [Products] [Director] [Bulletin] [Contact Us] |
|
