Andrew Harkin
Associate Professor in Pharmacology, Pharmacy
Deputy Director of TCIN, Trinity Inst. of Neurosciences (TCIN)
Biography
Publications and Further Research Outputs
Peer-Reviewed Publications
Abautret-Daly Á, Dempsey E, Riestra S, de Francisco-García R, Parra-Blanco A, Rodrigo L, Medina C, Connor TJ, Harkin A., Association between psychological measures with inflammatory and disease-related markers of inflammatory bowel disease, International Journal of Psychiatry & Clinical Practise, Mar 29, 2017, p1 - 10
McIntosh A.L, Gormley S, Tozzi L, Frodl T, Harkin A, Recent advances in translational magnetic resonance imaging in animal models of stress and depression, Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience, 11, 2017, p00150-
Sherwin E, Gigliucci V, Harkin A, Regional specific modulation of neuronal activation associated with nitric oxide synthase inhibitors in an animal model of antidepressant activity, Behavioural Brain Research, 316, 2017, p18 - 28
Abautret-Daly Á, Dempsey E, Riestra S, de Francisco-García R, Parra-Blanco A, Rodrigo L, Medina C, Connor TJ, Harkin A., Gut-brain actions underlying comorbid anxiety and depression associated with inflammatory bowel disease, Acta Neuropsychiatr, March 8, 2017, p1 - 22
O'Farrell K, Fagan E, Connor T.J, Harkin A, Inhibition of the kynurenine pathway protects against reactive microglial-associated reductions in the complexity of primary cortical neurons, European Journal of Pharmacology, 810, 2017, p163 - 173
Maria N.I, van Helden-Meeuwsen C.G, Brkic Z, Paulissen S.M.J, Steenwijk E.C, Dalm V.A, van Daele P.L, Martin van Hagen P, Kroese F.G.M, van Roon J.A.G, Harkin A, Dik W.A, Drexhage H.A, Lubberts E, Versnel M.A, Association of Increased Treg Cell Levels With Elevated Indoleamine 2,3-Dioxygenase Activity and an Imbalanced Kynurenine Pathway in Interferon-Positive Primary Sjögren's Syndrome, Arthritis and Rheumatology, 68, (7), 2016, p1688 - 1699
Novel Targets in the Glutamate and Nitric Oxide Neurotransmitter Systems for the Treatment of Depression in, editor(s) , Systems Neuroscience in Depression, 2016, pp81-113 , [O'Toole, E., Doucet, M.V., Sherwin, E., Harkin, A.]
Hughes M.M, Connor T.J, Harkin A, Stress-Related Immune Markers in Depression: Implications for Treatment, International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology, 19, (6), 2016, p1 - 19
McGuiness B, Gibney S.M, Beumer W, Versnel M.A, Sillaber I, Harkin A, Drexhage H.A, Exaggerated increases in microglia proliferation, brain inflammatory response and sickness behaviour upon lipopolysaccharide stimulation in non-obese diabetic mice, NeuroImmunoModulation, 23, (3), 2016, p137 - 150
Ryan K.M, Griffin à .W, Ryan K.J, Tanveer R, Vanattou-Saifoudine N, McNamee E.N, Fallon E, Heffernan S, Harkin A, Connor T.J, Clenbuterol activates the central IL-1 system via the β
Gormley, S., Rouine, J., McIntosh, A., Kerskens, C., Harkin, A., Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) immunoreactivity correlates with cortical perfusion parameters determined by bolus tracking arterial spin labelling (bt-ASL) magnetic resonance (MR) imaging in the Wistar Kyoto rat, Physiology and Behavior, 160, 2016, p66-79
O'Neill E, Kwok B, Day J.S, Connor T.J, Harkin A, Amitriptyline protects against TNF-α-induced atrophy and reduction in synaptic markers via a Trk-dependent mechanism, Pharmacology Research and Perspectives, 4, (2), 2016
Morgese, M.G., Colaianna, M., Mhillaj, E., Zotti, M., Schiavone, S., D'Antonio, P., Harkin, A., Gigliucci, V., Campolongo, P., Trezza, V., De Stradis, A., Tucci, P., Cuomo, V., Trabace, L., Soluble beta amyloid evokes alteration in brain norepinephrine levels: Role of nitric oxide and interleukin-1, Frontiers in Neuroscience, 9, (NOV), 2015, p2015
Rouine J, Kelly ME, Jennings-Murphy C, Duffy P, Gorman I, Gormley S, Kerskens CM, Harkin A, Investigation of the mechanisms mediating MDMA "Ecstasy"-induced increases in cerebro-cortical perfusion determined by btASL MRI., Psychopharmacology, 232, (9), 2015, p1501-1513
Doucet MV, O'Toole E, Connor T, Harkin A, Small molecule inhibitors at the PSD-95/nNOS interface protect against glutamate-induced neuornal atrophy in primary cortical neurons, Neuroscience, 301, 2015, p421 - 438
Murray, C., Griffin, E.W., O'Loughlin, E., (...), Harkin, A., Cunningham, C., Interdependent and independent roles of type I interferons and IL-6 in innate immune, neuroinflammatory and sickness behaviour responses to systemic poly I: C, Brain, Behavior, and Immunity, 48, 2015, 274-286
Rodent Models of Stress-Induced Depression: The link between stress and immune system related changes in, editor(s)Norbert Muller, Aye-Mu Myint, Markus J Schwarz , Immunology and Psychiatry; from basic research to therapeutic interventions, Switzerland, Springer, 2015, pp33 - 62, [McGuinness B, Harkin A]
Inflammation in the pathogenesis of depression in, editor(s)Nicola Woodroofe, Sandra Amor , Neuroinflammation and CNS Disorders, United Kingdom, Wiley Blackwell, 2015, pp261 - 288, [Thomas J. Connor and Andrew Harkin]
O'Farrell, K., Harkin, A., Stress-related regulation of the kynurenine pathway: Relevance to neuropsychiatric and degenerative disorders, Neuropharmacology, 2015
Harkin A, Muscling in on Depression, New England Journal of Medicine, 371, (24), 2014, p2333 - 2334
O'Donovan S*, Dalton VS*, Harkin A, McLoughlin DM; * joint first author, Effects of brief pulse and ultrabrief pulse electroconvulsive stimulation on rodent brain and behaviour in the corticosterone model of depression. , International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology. DOI: 10.1017/S1461145714000500, 17, (9), 2014, p1477 - 1486
Gibney S, Fagan EM, Waldron AM, O'Byrne J, Connor TJ, Harkin A , Inhibition of stress-induced heaptic tryptophan 2,3 di-oxygenase exhibits antidepressant activity in an animal model of depressive behaviour, International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology, 17, (6), 2014, p917 - 928
Gigliucci V, Gormley S, Gibney S, Rouine J, Kerskens C, Connor TJ, Harkin A, Characterisation of the antidepressant properties of nitric oxide synthase inhibitors in the olfactory bulcectomised rat model of depression, European Neuropsychopharmacology, 24, (8), 2014, p1349 - 1361
Frodl T, Carballedo A, Frey EM, O'Keane V, Skokauskas N, Morris D, Gill M, Hughes MM, Harkin A, Connor T, Expression of glucocorticoid inducible genes is associated with reductions in cornu ammonis and dentate gyrus volumes in patients with major depressive disorder., Development and psychopathology, 26, (4 Pt 2), 2014, p1209-17
Cuartero MI, Ballesteros I, de la Parra J, Harkin A, Abautret-Daly A, Sherwin E, Fernandez-Salguero P, Corbi AL, Lizasoain I, Moro MA, L-kynurenine/aryl hydrocarbon receptor pathway mediates brain damage after experimental stroke, Circulation, 130, (23), 2014, p2040 - 2051
Gigliucci V, O'Dowd G, Casey S, Egan D, Gibney S, Harkin A, Ketamine elicits sustained antidepressant-like activity via a serotonin-dependent mechanism., Psychopharmacology, 228, (1), 2013, p157-66
Doucet MV, Levine H, Dev KK, Harkin A, Small-Molecule Inhibitors at the PSD-95/nNOS Interface have Antidepressant-Like Properties in Mice., Neuropsychopharmacology : official publication of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology, 38, (8), 2013, p1575-1584
Ryan KJ, Griffin E, Yssel JD, Ryan KM, McNamee EN, Harkin A, Connor TJ, Stimulation of central ß2-adrenoceptors suppresses NFkB activity in rat brain: A role for IkB., Neurochemistry international, 63, (5), 2013, p368-378
Gibney SM, McGuinness B, Prendergast C, Harkin A, Connor TJ, Poly I:C-induced activation of the immune response is accompanied by depression and anxiety-like behaviours, kynurenine pathway activation and reduced BDNF expression., Brain, behavior, and immunity, 28, 2013, p170-81
Pertl, M.M., Hevey, D., Boyle, N.T., Hughes, M.M., Collier, S., O'Dwyer, A.M., Harkin, A., Kennedy, M.J., & Connor, T.J., C-reactive prtoein predicts fatigue independently of depression in breast cancer patients prior to chemotherapy, Brain Behaviour and Immunity, 34, 2013, p108 - 119
Day JS, O'Neill E, Cawley C, Aretz NK, Kilroy D, Gibney SM, Harkin A, Connor TJ, Noradrenaline acting on astrocytic ß2-adrenoceptors induces neurite outgrowth in primary cortical neurons., Neuropharmacology, 77C, 2013, p234-248
Rouine J, Gobbo OL, Campbell M, Gigliucci V, Ogden I, McHugh Smith K, Duffy P, Behan B, Byrne D, Kelly ME, Blau CW, Kerskens CM, Harkin A, MDMA 'ecstasy' increases cerebral cortical perfusion determined by bolus-tracking arterial spin labelling (btASL) MRI., British journal of pharmacology, 169, (5), 2013, p974-87
Doucet MV, Harkin A, Dev KK, The PSD-95/nNOS Complex: New Drugs for Depression?, Pharmacology & Therapeutics, 133, 2012, p218 - 229
Hughes MM, Carballedo A, McLoughlin DM, Amico F, Harkin A, Frodl T, Connor TJ, Tryptophan depletion in depressed patients occurs independent of kynurenine pathway activation, Brain Behavior and Immunity, 26, 2012, p979 - 987
Beumer W, Gibney SM, Drexhage RC, Pont-Lezica L, Doorduin J, Klein HC, Steiner J, Connor TJ, Harkin A, Versnel MA, Drexhage HA, The immune theory of psychiatric diseases: a key role for activated microglia and circulating monocytes., Journal of leukocyte biology, 92, (5), 2012, p959-75
Hughes MM, Carballedo A, McLoughlin DM, Amico F, Harkin A, Frodl T, Connor TJ, Tryptophan depletion in depressed patients occurs independent of kynurenine pathway activation., Brain, behavior, and immunity, 26, (6), 2012, p979-987
Vanattou-Saifoudine N, Behan B, Harkin A, Dopamine D1 receptor mediated intracellular responses in the hypothalamus after co-administration of caffeine with MDMA, Basic and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, 110, 2012, p283 - 289
Vanattou-Saifoudine N, McNamara R, Harkin A, Caffeine provokes adverse interactions with MDMA ("Ecstasy") and related psychostimulants: mechanisms and mediators, British Journal of Pharmacology, 2012, pEpub ahead of print
Doucet MV, Harkin A, Dev KK, The PSD-95/nNOS complex: New drugs for depression?, Pharmacology and Therapeutics, 133, (2), 2012, p218-29
Natacha Vanattou-Saïfoudine, Anna Gossen, Andrew Harkin, A role for adenosine A1 receptor blockade in the ability of caffeine to promote MDMA "Ecstasy"-induced striatal dopamine release , European Journal of Pharmacology , 650, (1), 2011, p220-228
E.N. McNamee, K.M. Ryan, E.W. Griffin, R.E. González-Reyes, K.J. Ryan, A. Harkin and T.J. Connor, Noradrenaline acting at central beta-adrenoceptors induces interleukin-10 and suppressor of cytokine signaling-3 expression in rat brain: Implications for neurodegeneration, Brain Behavior and Immunity, 24, (4), 2010, p660 - 671
Vanattou-Saifoudine N, McNamara R, Harkin A., Mechanisms mediating the ability of caffeine to influence MDMA ("Ecstasy")-induced hyperthermia in rats. , British Journal of Pharmacology, 160, 2010, p860 - 877
Gigliucci V, Buckley KN, Nunan J, O'Shea K, Harkin A, A role for serotonin in the antidepressant activity of N(G)-Nitro-L-arginine, in the rat forced swimming test., Pharmacology, biochemistry, and behavior, 94, (4), 2010, p524-533
O'Sullivan JB, Ryan KM, Harkin A, Connor TJ, Noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors inhibit expression of chemokines IP-10 and RANTES and cell adhesion molecules VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 in the CNS following a systemic inflammatory challenge., Journal of neuroimmunology, 220, (1-2), 2010, p34-42
L.C. Gleeson, K.J. Ryan, E.W. Griffin, T.J. Connor and A. Harkin, The beta2-adrenoceptor agonist clenbuterol elicits neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory and neurotrophic actions in the kainic acid model of excitotoxicity , Brain Behavior and Immunity, 24, (8), 2010, p1354 - 1361
Vanattou-Saïfoudine N, McNamara R, Harkin A, Caffeine promotes dopamine D(1) receptor-mediated body temperature, heart rate and behavioural responses to MDMA ('ecstasy')., Psychopharmacology, 211, (1), 2010, p15-25
E.N. McNamee, E.W. Griffin, K.M. Ryan, K.J. Ryan, S. Heffernan, A. Harkin and T.J. Connor, Noradrenaline acting at beta-adrenoceptors induces expression of IL-1beta and its negative regulators IL-1ra and IL-1RII, and drives an overall anti-inflammatory phenotype in rat cortex, Neuropharmacology, 59, (1-2), 2010, p37 - 48
J.B. O'Sullivan, K.M. Ryan, A. Harkin and T.J. Connor, Noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors inhibit expression of chemokines IP-10 and RANTES and cell adhesion molecules VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 in the CNS following a systemic inflammatory challenge, Journal of Neuroimmunology, 220, (1-2), 2010, p34 - 42
Valentina Gigliucci, Kathleen Niamh Buckley, John Nunan, Karen O'Shea and Andrew Harkin, A role for serotonin in the antidepressant activity of NG Nitro-L-arginine in the rat forced swimming test, Pharmacology Biochemistry and Behavior, 2009
J.B. O'Sullivan, K.M. Ryan, N.M. Curtin, A. Harkin and T.J. Connor, Noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors limit neuroinflammation in rat cortex following a systemic inflammatory challenge: implications for depression and neurodegeneration., International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology , 12, (5), 2009, p687 - 699
M. Roche, E. Shanahan, A. Harkin, J.P. Kelly, Trans-species assessment of antidepressant activity in a rodent model of depression, Pharmacological Reports, 60, (3), 2008, p404 - 408
S. Durkin, A. Prendergast, A. Harkin, Reduced efficacy of fluoxetine following MDMA ("Ecstasy")-induced serotonin loss in rats, Progress in Neuropsychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry, 32, (8), 2008, p1894 - 1901
T.J. Connor, N. Starr, J.B. O'Sullivan and A. Harkin, Induction of indolamine 2,3-dioxygenase and kynurenine 3-monooxygenase in rat brain following a systemic inflammatory challenge: a role for IFN-gamma?, Neuroscience Letters, 441, (1), 2008, p29 - 34
M.R. Garland, B. Hallahan, M. McNamara, P.A. Carney, H. Grimes, J.R. Hibbeln, A. Harkin, R.M. Conroy , Lipids and essential fatty acids in patients presenting with self-harm., British Journal of Psychiatry , 190, 2007, p112 - 117
M. Roche, A. Harkin, J.P. Kelly, Chronic fluoxetine treatment attenuates stressor-induced changes in temperature, heart rate and neuronal activation in the olfactory bulbectomised rat, Neuropsychopharmacology, 32, (6), 2007, p1312-1320
R. McNamara, M. Maginn, A. Harkin, Caffeine induces a profound and persistent tachycardia in response to MDMA ("Ecstasy") administration, European Journal of Pharmacology, 555, (2-3), 2007, p194 - 198
R. McNamara, A. Kerans, B. O'Neill and A. Harkin, Caffeine promotes hyperthermia and serotonergic loss following co-administration of the substituted amphetamines, MDMA ("Ecstasy") and MDA ("Love") , Neuropharmacology, 50, (1), 2006, p69 - 80
T.J. Connor, C. Brewer, J.P. Kelly and A. Harkin, Acute stress suppresses pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-alpha and IL-1beta independent of a catecholamine-driven increase in IL-10 production. , Journal of Neuroimmunology , 159, (1-2), 2005, p119 - 128
T.J. Connor, A. Harkin and J.P. Kelly , Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA; "Ecstasy") suppresses production of the pro-inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor-alpha independent of a beta-adrenoceptor mediated increase in interleukin-10. , Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics , 312, (1), 2005, p134 - 143
Zueger M, Urani A, Chourbaji S, Zacher C, Roche M, Harkin A, Gass P., Olfactory bulbectomy in mice induces alterations in exploratory behavior, Neuroscience letters, 374, (2), 2005, p142 - 146
A. Harkin, T.J. Connor, M.P. Burns and J.P. Kelly, Nitric oxide synthase inhibitors augment the effects of serotonin re-uptake inhibitors in the forced swimming test., European Neuropsychopharmacology, 14, (4), 2004, p274 - 281
Connole L, Harkin A, Maginn M, Adenosine A(1) receptor blockade mimics caffeine's attenuation of ethanol-induced motor incoordination, Basic and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, 95, (6), 2004, p299 - 304
A. Harkin, M.J. Hynes, E. Masterson, J.P. Kelly, J.M. O' Donnell and T.J. Connor, A toxicokinetic study of nickel-induced immunosuppression in rats. Immunopharmacol, Immunopharmacology and Immunotoxicology, 25, (4), 2003, p655 - 670
A. Harkin, J.P. Kelly, Leonard B.E. , A review of the relevance and validity of olfactory bulbectomy as a model of depression, Clinical Neurscience Research, 3, (4), 2003, p253 - 262
A. Harkin, T.J. Connor, M. Walsh, St. John, N. and J.P. Kelly, Serotonergic mediation of the antidepressant-like effects of nitric oxide synthase inhibitors, Neuropharmacology, 44, (5), 2003, p616 - 623
A. Harkin, E. Shanahan, J.P. Kelly and T.J. Connor , Methylenendioxyamphetamine produces serotonin nerve terminal loss and diminished behavioural and neurochemical responses to the antidepressant fluoxetine., European Journal of Neuroscience, 18, (4), 2003, p1021 - 1027
A. Harkin, J.M. O'Donnell, J.P. Kelly, A combined and comparative study of physiologic and behavioural parameters in a systemic toxicity test, Contemporary Topics in Laboratory Animal Science , 42, (2), 2003, p30 - 37
A. Harkin, D.D. Houlihan, J.P. Kelly, Reduction in preference for saccharin by repeated unpredictable stress in mice and its prevention by imipramine, Journal of Psychopharmacology, 16, (2), 2002, p115 - 123
A. Harkin, J.M. O'Donnell, J.P. Kelly, A study of VitalView for behavioural and physiological monitoring in laboratory rats, Physiology & Behavior, 77, (1), 2002, p65 - 77
A. Harkin, T.J. Connor, J.M. O' Donnell and J.P. Kelly, Physiological and behavioral responses to stress: What does a rat find stressful ? , Lab Animal , 31, (4), 2002, p42 - 50
A. Harkin, T.J. Connor, J. Mulrooney, J.P. Kelly and B.E. Leonard, Prior exposure to methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA) induces serotonergic loss and changes in spontaneous exploratory and amphetamine-induced behaviours in rats, Life Science, 68, (12), 2001, p1367 - 1382
A. Harkin, K. Morris, J.P. Kelly, J.M. O'Donnell, B.E. Leonard, Modulation of MK-801-induced behaviour by noradrenergic agents in mice, Psychopharmacology, 154, (2), 2001, p177 - 188
T.J. Connor, M.C. Dennedy, A. Harkin and J.P. Kelly, Methylenedioxymethamphetamine-induced suppression of interleukin-1β and tumour necrosis factor-α is not mediated by serotonin, European Journal of Pharmacology, 418, (1-2), 2001, p147 - 152
A. Harkin, R. Nally, J.P. Kelly, B.E. Leonard , Effects of reboxetine and sertraline treatments alone and in combination on the binding properties of cortical NMDA and beta1-adrenergic receptors in an animal model of depression, Journal of Neural Transmission, 107, (10), 2000, p1213 - 1227
A. Harkin, J.F. Cryan, M. Naughton, J.P. Kelly, B.E. Leonard , Characterization of D-fenfluramine-induced hypothermia: evidence for multiple sites of action, European Journal of Pharmacology, 390, (3), 2000, p275 - 285
A. Harkin, J.P. Kelly, J. Frawley, J.M. O'Donnell, B.E. Leonard, Test conditions influence the response to a drug challenge in rodents., Pharmacology Biochemistry and Behavior, 65, (3), 2000, p389 - 398
T.J. Connor, A. Harkin, J.P. Kelly and B.E. Leonard, Olfactory bulbectomy provokes a suppression of interleukin-1beta and tumour necrosis factor-alpha production following an in vivo challenge with lipopolysaccharide: Effect of chronic desipramine treatment, Neuroimmunomodulation, 7, (1), 2000, p27 - 35
T.J. Connor, P. Kelliher, Y. Shen, A. Harkin, J.P. Kelly and B.E. Leonard, Effect of Subchronic Antidepressant Treatments on Behavioral, Neurochemical, and Endocrine Changes in the Forced-Swim Test, Pharmacology Biochemistry and Behavior, 65, (4), 2000, p591 - 597
A. Harkin, G. Nowak, I.A. Paul, Noradrenergic lesion antagonizes desipramine-induced adaptation of NMDA receptors, European Journal of Pharmacology, 389, (2-3), 2000, p187 - 192
P. Kelliher, T.J. Connor, A. Harkin, C. Sanchez, J.P. Kelly and B.E. Leonard, Varying responses to the rat forced swim test under diurnal and nocturnal conditions, Physiology & Behavior, 69, (4-5), 2000, p531 - 539
D.G. Healy, A. Harkin, J.F. Cryan, J.P. Kelly, B.E. Leonard, Metyrapone displays antidepressant-like properties in preclinical paradigms, Psychopharmacology, 145, (3), 1999, p303 - 308
A.M. Redmond, A. Harkin, J.P. Kelly, B.E. Leonard , Effects of acute and chronic antidepressant administration on phencyclidine induced locomotor hyperactivity, European Neuropsychopharmacology, 9, (1-2), 1999, p165 - 170
A. Harkin, J.P. Kelly, M. McNamara, T.J. Connor, K. Dredge, A. Redmond, B.E. Leonard, Activity and onset of action of reboxetine and effect of combination with sertraline in an animal model of depression, European Journal of Pharmacology, 364, (2-3), 1999, p123 - 132
A. Harkin, K.H. Bruce, B. Craft, I.A. Paul , Nitric oxide synthase inhibitors have antidepressant-like properties in mice. 1. Acute treatments are active in the forced swim test, European Journal of Pharmacology, 372, (2), 1999, p207 - 213
T.J. Connor, P. Kelliher, A. Harkin, J.P. Kelly and B.E. Leonard, Reboxetine attenuates forced swim test-induced behavioural and neurochemical alterations in the rat, European Journal of Pharmacology, 379, (2-3), 1999, p125 - 133
C.J. Faherty, A. Harkin, B.E. Leonard , The functional sensitisation of sigma receptors following chronic selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor treatment, European Journal of Pharmacology, 346, (1), 1998, p15 - 21
I. De Souza, J.P. Kelly, A. Harkin, B.E. Leonard , An appraisal of the pharmacological and toxicological effects of a single oral administration of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) in the rat, Pharmacology & Toxicology, 80, (5), 1997, p207 - 210
A. Harkin, J.P. Kelly, B.E. Leonard , Single or repeated administration of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors fail to modulate apomorphine-induced responses in the rat., J. Serotonin Res, 3, 1996, p49 - 58
A. Harkin, J.P. Kelly, B.E. Leonard , The comparative effects of long-term administration of sertraline, paroxetine, citalopram, fluoxetine and amitryptyline on monoamine content in rat brain, J. Serotonin Res, 2, 1995, p181 - 190
Research Expertise
Description
My research falls within the remit of Neuropsychopharmacology, a discipline that links basic neuroscience to the pharmacological treatment of psychiatric and neurological disease. Selected examples of projects in these areas are outlined below: 1. Marie Curie Initial Training Networks (ITN): FP7-PEOPLE-2012-ITN Brain Imaging Return to Health "reBIRTH" see http://www.rbirth.eu/). The r'BIRTH consortium is a Marie Curie Initial Training Network that gathers experts on molecular mechanisms of age-associated pathologies including neurodegeneration and depression. They work together to identify stress-regulated molecules provoking neuronal atrophy and hindering neurogenesis (birth of new neurons), and monitor the consequences of these processes in human brain that contribute to cognitive decline and increased depressive and anxiety disorders associated with ageing. The work is funded by the European Commission (FP7) under the sub-programme PEOPLE (Marie Curie Actions). 16 early stage researchers will be trained in the topics of the programme i.e. molecular imaging (MRI), proteomics, immunotechnology, high content screening, molecular neuroscience, neuropharmacology and patient studies. The training is provided by seven universities, two private companies and one non-profit research organisation from 7 European countries. 2. Early diagnosis, treatment and prevention of mood disorders targeting the activated inflammatory response system [Acronym: MOODINFLAME] Our research group is funded under EU FP7 as part of a collaborative, large-scale research project entitled "Early diagnosis, treatment and prevention of mood disorders targeting the activated inflammatory response system. [Acronym: MOODINFLAME]. A consortium of 14 European Universities/Research Institutes and 4 SMEs have come together for this project with the overall objective of developing biomarker tests for mood disorder patients based on an activated inflammatory response system (IRS) and inflammation-mediated disturbances in tryptophan metabolism. As part of this programme patients are treated with drugs to counteract the consequences of an activated IRS/disturbed metabolism of tryptophan. The project leads to an enhanced understanding of the pathogenesis of inflammation-related mood disorders, and of the mechanism of anti-inflammatory drugs and drugs targeting tryptophan metabolism in treating depressive behaviour. 3. Neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS): a novel target for antidepressant action. Inhibition of NMDA-R has shown considerable promise as a drug target to produce new antidepressants that work faster, and are more effective than existing antidepressants. We hypothesise that targeting signalling events down-stream of NMDA-R may provide a more viable approach. nNOS is a down stream target of NMDA-R. We have published a number of original papers demonstrating that 1) NOS inhibitors have antidepressant properties 2) such properties are dependent on endogenous serotonin and 3) NOS inhibitors can augment the effects of conventional antidepressants in preclinical models. Currently our research is assessing the efficacy of nNOS inhibitors as novel antidepressant agents. A future aim is to determine if uncoupling the NMDA-R from nNOS can elicit antidepressant actions. This work is funded by the Health research board.Projects
- Title
- Brain Imaging Return to Health
- Summary
- Marie Curie Initial Training Networks (ITN): FP7-PEOPLE-2012-ITN Brain Imaging Return to Health "reBIRTH" (see http://www.rbirth.eu/) The r'BIRTH consortium is a Marie Curie Initial Training Network that gathers experts on molecular mechanisms of age-associated pathologies including neurodegeneration and depression. They work together to identify stress-regulated molecules provoking neuronal atrophy and hindering neurogenesis, and monitor the consequences of these processes in human brain. At the cellular level, diminished birth of new neurons (neurogenesis) contributes to cognitive decline and increased depressive and anxiety disorders that are associated with ageing. The work is funded by the European Commission (FP7) under the sub-programme PEOPLE (Marie Curie Actions). 16 early stage researchers will be trained in the topics of the programme i.e. molecular imaging (MRI), proteomics, immunotechnology, high content screening, molecular neuroscience, neuropharmacology and patient studies. The training is provided by seven universities, two private companies and one non-profit research organisation from 7 European countries.
- Funding Agency
- European Commission
- Date From
- 2014
- Date To
- 2018
- Title
- Early diagnosis, treatment and prevention of mood disorders targeting the activated inflammatory response system.
- Summary
- [Acronym: MOODINFLAME] 2008-2013. A collaborative, large-scale focused research project entitled "Early diagnosis, treatment and prevention of mood disorders targeting the activated inflammatory response system. [Acronym: MOODINFLAME]. A consortium of 14 European Universities/Research Institutes and 4 SMEs have come together for this project with the overall objective of developing biomarker tests for mood disorder patients based on an activated inflammatory response system (IRS) and inflammation-mediated disturbances in tryptophan metabolism. As part of this programme patients are treated with drugs to counteract the consequences of an activated IRS/disturbed metabolism of tryptophan. The project leads to an enhanced understanding of the pathogenesis of inflammation-related mood disorders, and of the mechanism of anti-inflammatory drugs and drugs targeting tryptophan metabolism in treating depressive behaviour.
- Funding Agency
- EU 7th Framework
- Date From
- 2008
- Date To
- 2012
- Title
- Neuronal nitric oxide synthase: A novel target for antidepressant activity
- Summary
- Inhibition of N-methyl-D-aspartic acid receptors (NMDA-R) has shown considerable promise as a drug target to produce new antidepressants that work faster, and are more effective than existing antidepressants. However, targeting NMDA-R directly is problematic due to adverse effects. We hypothesise that targeting signalling events down-stream of NMDA-R may provide a more viable approach. nNOS is a down stream target of NMDA-R. We have published a number of original papers demonstrating that 1) NOS inhibitors have antidepressant properties 2) such properties are dependent on endogenous serotonin and 3) NOS inhibitors can augment the effects of conventional antidepressants in preclinical models. Currently our research is assessing the efficacy of nNOS inhibitors as novel antidepressant agents. A future aim is to determine if uncoupling the NMDA-R from nNOS can elicit antidepressant actions.
- Funding Agency
- Health Research Board
- Date From
- 2008
- Date To
- 2012
- Title
- Caffeine exacerbates the acute toxicity of 3,4 methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA; "Ecstasy"): A role for dopamine ?
- Summary
- Co-administration of caffeine profoundly enhances the acute toxicity of MDMA. This project will elucidate the mechanism underlying a potentially serious drug interaction between caffeine and MDMA and clarify risks associated with the concurrent consumption of caffeine with other drugs which increase dopaminergic transmission.
- Funding Agency
- Health Research Board
- Date From
- 2006
- Date To
- 2009
- Title
- Caffeine promotes hyperthermia and serotonergic loss following co-administration of the substituted amphetamines, MDMA
- Summary
- The project determined the effect of caffeine co-administration on the core body temperature response and long-term serotonin (5-HT) loss induced by methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA; "Ecstasy") and its metabolite methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA; "Love"). Caffeine promotes hyperthermia, tachycardia and long-term central serotonin loss associated with MDMA and MDA. This is a serious drug interaction, which could have important acute and long-term health consequences for recreational drug users.
- Funding Agency
- Irish Research Council for Science Engineering and Technology
- Date From
- 2003
- Date To
- 2006
Recognition
Awards and Honours
Health Research Board career development fellowship
CINP Young Investigator Award.
Fellowship Trinity College Dublin
Memberships
Psychoneuroimmunology Research Society
Collegium Internationale Neuro-Psychopharmacologicum
British Pharmacological Society
British Association for Psychopharmacology
Neuroscience Ireland