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Human Neurochemical
Pathology Laboratory
Dr. Stephen
Kish, Head  The mandate of the Human Neurochemical Pathology
Laboratory is to understand the causes of neuropsychiatric disorders
through direct examination of the human brain by either brain scan procedures
in living subjects or by neurochemical investigations in autopsied human
brain. During the year 2001, we published eight articles in peer-reviewed
neuroscientific journals. The laboratory continues to divide its time
between studies of drug use (ecstasy) and psychiatric problems in patients
with movement disorders (Parkinson's disease).
Drug Use
Ecstasy
Ecstasy (MDMA), a derivative of amphetamine,
is widely used by people of all age groups worldwide. Among known risks
of the drug (e.g., death in a very small number of users), the most
serious concern is that ecstasy might cause permanent damage to brain
neurons that use serotonin as a neurotransmitter, as suggested by animal
data.
In collaboration with the pet brain scan unit
at CAMH (Drs. Sylvain Houle, Alan Wilson, Natalie Ginovart), we have
begun to measure the number of serotonin neurons in brain of chronic
users of ecstasy as compared with that in a control group. The results
of this study will help define the risks of taking ecstasy and may also
help us to understand the role of serotonin in different psychiatric
conditions, such as depression and panic anxiety, sometimes observed
in people who use ecstasy.
Movement Disorders
Depression in Parkinson's Disease
Recent data suggest that depression has a greater
impact on the quality of life of the patient with Parkinson's disease
than does the movement disorder (rigidity, tremor, slow movement) itself.
Work of Dr. Oleh Hornykiewicz suggests that damage to the brain serotonin
system might explain the depression in Parkinson's disease.
In collaboration with Dr. Mark Guttman (Human Neurochemical Pathology
Lab), responsible for the largest Parkinson's disease practice in Canada,
Dr. Jerry Warsh, a CAMH psychiatrist specializing in mood disorders,
and the pet unit, we are comparing the number of serotonin neurons in
brain of depressed patients with Parkinson's disease, non-depressed
patients with Parkinson's disease, and control subjects. The results
of this study, supported by the Michael J. Fox Foundation, will help
us understand the nature, cause, and treatment of the disabling depression
in Parkinson's disease.
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