The overarching goal of this application for an Independent Scientist Award is to improve the pharmacotherapy of late-life mental disorders. Inter-individual differences in drug oxidation are the most important cause of the wide range in drug concentrations which affect clinical response in older patients. The candidate proposes to incorporate recent advances in molecular pharmacogenetics and in vitro drug metabolism into his ongoing program of research on geriatric drug metabolism. This program currently utilizes cytochrome P450 isoenzyme-specific metabolic probes for GYPs 2D6, 2C19, 1A2 and 3A4, in conjunction with analyses for drug concentrations, active metabolites, and enantiomers. New initiatives in positron emission tomography will be integrated with ongoing appraisal of peripheral serotonergic and cholinergic receptor indices and sensitive quantitative outcome measures of cognition, behavioral disturbance, balance and motor function. This research plan is conducted within the framework of comparative trials of conventional and experimental medications for the two major psychiatric problems of old age, depression and dementia-associated behavioral disturbance. Study One (MH55106) is an ongoing, trial of citalopram, perphenazine and placebo for the treatment of behavioral disturbances associated with dementia in 112 patients. Study Two (MH52247) is an ongoing, comparative study of the cognitive and antidepressant effects of paroxetine and nortriptyline in 120 patients aged 60 years and older suffering from major depression. Study Three (Women's Health Supplement to MH52247) is a pilot examination of the P450 isozyme-specific effects of estrogen replacement therapy in 40 post menopausal women with mild to moderate depression. The long-term goal of the candidate's research is to derive and validate methods for prospective selection of specific psychotropics and their dosages for older patients, in the presence of intensely heterogeneous pharmacodynamics and drug metabolism caused by the combined effects of genetic polymorphism, changes associated with age or illness, and drug-induced inhibition or induction.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Type
Research Scientist Development Award - Research (K02)
Project #
1K02MH001509-01
Application #
2384686
Study Section
Mental Disorders of Aging Review Committee (MDA)
Project Start
1997-09-01
Project End
2002-04-30
Budget Start
1997-09-01
Budget End
1998-04-30
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
1997
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Pittsburgh
Department
Psychiatry
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
053785812
City
Pittsburgh
State
PA
Country
United States
Zip Code
15213
Chew, Marci L; Mulsant, Benoit H; Pollock, Bruce G (2005) Serum anticholinergic activity and cognition in patients with moderate-to-severe dementia. Am J Geriatr Psychiatry 13:535-8
Smith, Gwenn S; Lotrich, Francis E; Malhotra, Anil K et al. (2004) Effects of serotonin transporter promoter polymorphisms on serotonin function. Neuropsychopharmacology 29:2226-34
Goldberg, Sara; Smith, Gwenn S; Barnes, Anna et al. (2004) Serotonin modulation of cerebral glucose metabolism in normal aging. Neurobiol Aging 25:167-74
Lenze, Eric J; Mulsant, Benoit H; Dew, Mary Amanda et al. (2003) Good treatment outcomes in late-life depression with comorbid anxiety. J Affect Disord 77:247-54
Marin, Robert S; Butters, Meryl A; Mulsant, Benoit H et al. (2003) Apathy and executive function in depressed elderly. J Geriatr Psychiatry Neurol 16:112-6
Fabian, Tanya J; Amico, Janet A; Kroboth, Patricia D et al. (2003) Paroxetine-induced hyponatremia in the elderly due to the syndrome of inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone (SIADH). J Geriatr Psychiatry Neurol 16:160-4
Mamo, David C; Pollock, Bruce G; Mulsant, Benoit et al. (2002) Effects of nortriptyline and paroxetine on postural sway in depressed elderly patients. Am J Geriatr Psychiatry 10:199-205
Smith, Gwenn S; Kramer, Elisse; Hermann, Carol R et al. (2002) Acute and chronic effects of citalopram on cerebral glucose metabolism in geriatric depression. Am J Geriatr Psychiatry 10:715-23
Pollock, Bruce G; Mulsant, Benoit H; Rosen, Jules et al. (2002) Comparison of citalopram, perphenazine, and placebo for the acute treatment of psychosis and behavioral disturbances in hospitalized, demented patients. Am J Psychiatry 159:460-5
Joo, Jin H; Lenze, Eric J; Mulsant, Benoit H et al. (2002) Risk factors for falls during treatment of late-life depression. J Clin Psychiatry 63:936-41

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