| Alan L. Hudson Associate Professor at Pharmacology Department, University of Alberta, Canada. |
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| Biography | ||
Dr. Alan L. Hudson is associate professor at Pharmacology Department, University of Alberta, Canada. He primarily conducts research on Brain monoamine turnover, mood disorders and drug abuse and got his PhD done from University of Bristol in the year 1994. |
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| Research Interest | ||
My current research covers two main areas of interest:Firstly, the effects of ecstasy on brain neurochemistry and rodent behaviour, and second, the structure, function and pharmacology of alpha-2-adrenoceptors and imidazoline receptors. Ecstasy abuse is of prime interest at present as Canada is a leading manufacturer and exporter of the component substances found in ecstasy tablets. Recent tragic deaths following the ingestion of the drug ecstasy have highlighted how widespread the use of this drug and so called "legal highs" are in Canada. Ecstasy ((±)-3-4-methylenedioxy-methamphetamine, MDMA) tablets are usually not pure but also contain related piperazine derivatives (benzylpiperazine. BZP, 3-trifluoromethyl-phenylpiperazine, TFMPP, 1-(3-chlorphenyl)-piperazine, mCPP), with some tablets containing BZP alone.We are using a rodent model to investigate the neurochemical and behavioural effects of these substances to determine their effects on monoamine turnover using brain microdialysis. We are also looking at drugs that have the potential to block the effects of ecstasy with a view to their clinical use to treat acute ecstasy overdose.
Alpha-2-adrenoceptors and imidazoline receptors are of great interest to us as they also regulate the turnover of monoamines in the brain. In mammalian systems modulation of central monoamine levels can have a profound effect on mood, anxiety, cognition. Much of my work uses new and novel synthetic ligands combined with a variety of in vitro and in vivo techniques to improve our understanding of the role of these receptors in normal and diseased brain. A greater understanding of these receptors may lead to improved therapies for mood disorders including depression and drug addiction.
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