Neurosciences and Psychiatry

Tel: 419-383-6124

Fax: 419-383-3008

2005:   B.S. in Biochemistry           Stonehill College, Easton, Massachusetts
2011:   Ph.D. in Pharmacology       Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts

My research interests are in the areas of pharmacology, neuroscience and immunology. My current studies focus on the mechanisms by which stress enhances the toxic effects of the widely abused psychostimulant, methamphetamine (Meth). Studying the effects of Meth in the context of stress is important because stress always precipitates drug use and drug addicts are always under stress.

Meth is known to produce long-term dopaminergic and serotonergic terminal damage and prior exposure to stress enhances this damage. In addition, more recent findings from our lab illustrate a new toxic effect of the serial exposure to stress and Meth, which is a long-lasting disruption of blood-brain barrier structure and function. Current studies are underway to investigate the mechanisms, specifically the neuroinflammatory mechanisms, by which blood-brain barrier disruption occurs in response to serial exposure to stress and Meth, as well as the consequences of long-lasting BBB disruption.

Schell J, Rose NF, Fazo N, Marx PA, Hunter M, Ramsburg E, Montefiori D, Earl P, Moss B, Rose JK. (2009) Long-term vaccine protection from AIDS and clearance of viral DNA following SHIV89.6P challenge. Vaccine. 27(7):979-986.

Northrop NA, Yamamoto BK. (2011) Neuroimmune Pharmacology from a Neuroscience Perspective. Journal of Neuroimmune Pharmacology. 6(1):10-19.

Northrop NA, Smith LP, Yamamoto BK, Eyerman DJ. (2011) Regulation of Glutamate Release by Alpha 7 Nicotinic Receptors: Differential Role in Methamphetamine-Induced Damage to Dopaminergic and Serotonergic Terminals. Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics. 336(3):900-907.