OHSU

Graduate Studies Faculty

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Aaron Janowsky, Ph.D.

Director, The Methamphetamine Abuse Research Center
Professor, Depts. of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience
V.A. Research Career Scientist
Admin Unit: SOM-Psychiatry Department
Programs:
Behavioral Neurocience
Neuroscience Graduate Program
Research Interests:
Brain, neurotransmitter transporter function and regulation, G-protein coupled receptors, receptor regulation, signal transduction systems, neuropsychiatric disorders, schizophrenia, addiction, methamphetamine, cocaine, pharmacotherapy development, behavioral » PubMed Listing
Preceptor Rotations
Academic Term Available Spring 2009 Maybe
Faculty Mentorship
Dr. Janowsky is available as a mentor for 2008-2009. Dr. Janowsky might be available as a mentor for 2009-2010.
Profile

Summary of Current Research

My laboratory is involved in characterizing drug interactions with neurotransmitter transporters and receptors. A major goal is to identify potential therapeutic agents for the treatment of neuropsychiatric disorders including Parkinson's disease, alcohol and drug abuse, depression, and schizophrenia. Methods we use include determining the effects of drugs on radioligand binding to, on neurotransmitter uptake and release by cells expressing cloned DNA for the respective human transporters, and on receptor activation and second messenger system function.

In addition, we are characterizing recently-discovered receptor/second messenger systems that may play a role in the development of symptoms of potential subtypes of schizophrenia.  Alteration of these systems may serve as medical, as opposed to behavioral, diagnostic criteria for the disorder(s). 

 

Recent Publications

Meltzer, P.C., Kryatova, O., Pham-Huu, D.P., Donovan, P., Janowsky, A. The synthesis of bivalent 2β-carbomethoxy-3β-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-8-heterobicyclo[3.2.1]octanes as probes for proximal binding sites on the dopamine and serotonin transporters.  Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry 16, 1832-41 (2008)

Wilhelm, C.J., Johnson R.A., Eshleman, A.J., and Janowsky, A.  Lobeline effects on tonic and methamphetamine-induced dopamine release.  Biochem. Pharmacol. 75:1411-5 (2008)

 Kelly, J.X., Smilkstein M.J., Cooper, R.A., Lane, K.D.,  Johnson, R.A., Janowsky, A., Dodean, R.A., Hinrichs, D.J., Winter, R. and Riscoe, M.  Design, Synthesis, and Evaluation of 10-N-substituted Acridones as Novel Chemosensitizers in Plasmodium falciparum.  Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy 51(11):4133-40 (2007)

Froimowitz, M., Gu, Y., Dakin, L.A., Nagafuji, P.N., Kelley, C.J., Parrish, D., Deschamps, J.R., Janowsky, A. Slow-Onset, Long-Duration, Alkyl Analogs of Methylphenidate with Enhanced Selectivity for the Dopamine Transporter.  J. Med. Chem. 50(2):219-32 (2007)

Basile, A.S., Janowsky, A., Golembiowska, K., Kowalska, M., Tam, E.,  Benveniste, M., Popik, P., Nikiforuk, A., Krawczyk, M., Nowak, G., Krieter, P.A., Lippa, A.S., Skolnick, P., Koustova E. Characterization of the Antinociceptive Actions of Bicifadine in Models of Acute, Persistent and Chronic Pain.  J. Pharmacol. Exp. Ther. 321(3):1208-25 (2007)

Education

Ph.D., Vanderbilt University, 1982,