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Jeanne Fahey, Ph.D.

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Research Interests

My current research interest is to characterize the behavioral and pharmacodynamic features of benzodiazepine tolerance and withdrawal and to describe the neurochemical and molecular mechanisms of these phenomena. Investigation into chronic benzodiazepine administration may shed light on strategies or interventions that may eliminate or minimize these syndromes. The present project focuses on the following research questions:
A.the role of benzodiazepine receptor subtypes in the development of tolerance;
B. the role of the excitatory amino acids receptor system in coregulation of benzodiazepine tolerance and withdrawal;
C. age-dependent differences in response to chronic benzodiazepine administration and withdrawal.

In addition, I am interested in the modulation of the glutamatergic and GABAergic neurotransmitter systems by cytokines and neuroactive steroids and the role of these compounds in acute and chronic neurodegeneration. Investigation into disruptions in the critical balance between excitation and inhibition in the aging brain may shed light on the susceptibility of the elderly to neurodegenerative diseases such as stroke and Alzheimer's disease. To accomplish these goals, I employ both in vivo and in vitro systems, including primary neuronal tissue culture and whole animals. Within these models, I utilize a number of biochemical, pharmacological and behavioral techniques. With this approach, I am able to correlate specific cellular events with systemic and behavioral changes in order to better bridge the gap between basic and applied research.

Recent Publications

Fahey, J.M., Pritchard, G.A., Pratt, J.S., Shader, R.I. and Greenblatt, D.J. Lorazepam attenuates the behavioral effects of dizocilpine. (1999). Pharmacology Biochemistry & Behavior, 62, 103-110.

Fahey, J.M., Pritchard, G.A., Grassi, J.M., Pratt, J.S., Shader, R.I. and Greenblatt, D.J. (1999). In situ hybridization histochemistry as a method to assess GABAA receptor subunit mRNA expression following chronic alprazolam administration. Journal of Psychopharmacology, 13, 211-218.

Perloff, M.D., von Moltke, L.L., Fahey, J.M., Dailey, J.P. and Greenblatt, D.J. (2000). Induction of P-glycoprotein expression by HIV protease inhibitors in cell culture. AIDS, 14, 1287-1289.

Fahey, J.M., Pritchard, G.A., Grassi, J.M., Pratt, J.S., Shader, R.I. and Greenblatt, D.J. (2001). Pharmacodynamic and receptor binding changes during chronic lorazepam administration. Pharmacology Biochemistry & Behavior, 68, 1-8.

Isaacson, R. L., Fahey, J.M. and Al-Mughairbi, F. (2003). Environmental conditions unexpectedly affect the long-term extent of cell death following a hypoxic episode. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 993, 179-195.

Fahey, J.M., Grassi, J.M., Reddi, J.M. and Greenblatt, D.J. (2006). Acute zolpidem administration produces pharmacodynamic and receptor occupancy changes at similar doses. Pharmacology, Biochemistry & Behavior, 83, 21-27.

Fahey, J.M., Pritchard, G.A., Reddi, J.M. Pratt, J.S., Grassi, J.M., Shader, R.I. and Greenblatt, D.J. (2006). The effect of chronic lorazepam administration in aging animals. Brain Research, 1118, 13-24.

Perloff, M.D., von Moltke, L.L., Fahey, J.M., Dailey, J.P. and Greenblatt, D.J. (2007). Induction of p-glycoprotein expression and activity by ritonavir in bovine brain microvessel endothelial cells. Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology. In press.