Charles Richard Breese Associate Professor, (past)

My scientific interests are primarily in the molecular neurobiology of drug and alcohol abuse, and mental and neurological disorders. I have concentrated my studies on changes in protein and gene expression in three major systems:

1. Examining how changes in ligand gated ion channels can lead or contribute to addictive behaviors and psychiatric disorders in adults

2. Examining the role of growth factor systems in normal fetal and neonatal development, and how fetal alcohol and nicotine induced alterations in these systems may produce the growth and mental deficiencies observed in drug exposed offspring

3. Examining neurotrophic factor expression following brain injury, and the potential role of growth factors in rescuing or reversing neurotoxic insults leading to neuronal death and neurodegenerative disorders

Studies of the molecular neurobiology of drug and alcohol abuse, and mental and neurological disorders. Studies concentrate on changes in protein and gene expression in 3 major systems: 1) Changes in ligand gated ion channels and their contribution to addictive behaviors and psychiatric disorders. 2) The effects of fetal alcohol and drug exposure on the abnormal regulation of growth factors and neurotransmitter systems. 3) Neurotrophic factor expression following brain injury, and their role in reversing neuronal death and neurodegenerative disorders. My scientific interests are primarily in the molecular neurobiology of drug and alcohol abuse, and mental and neurological disorders. I have concentrated my studies on changes in protein and gene expression in three major systems:

1. Examining how changes in ligand gated ion channels can lead or contribute to addictive behaviors and psychiatric disorders in adults

2. Examining the role of growth factor systems in normal fetal and neonatal development, and how fetal alcohol and nicotine induced alterations in these systems may produce the growth and mental deficiencies observed in drug exposed offspring

3. Examining neurotrophic factor expression following brain injury, and the potential role of growth factors in rescuing or reversing neurotoxic insults leading to neuronal death and neurodegenerative disorders