Glen R. Hanson

Professor of Pharmacology and Toxicology

Brain and Behavior
Neurobiology of Disease

 

 

 

e-mail: Glen.Hanson@pharm.utah.edu 
D.D.S. 1973, University of California, Los Angeles; Ph.D. in pharmacology, 1978, University of Utah; PRAT Fellow, 1978-1980, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland

RESEARCH:

Interaction between neuropeptide and biogenic amine transmitter systems in the central nervous system

Dr. Hanson conducts research concerning the relationship between CNS transmitter systems such as the monoamines (e.g., dopamine and serotonin), neuropeptides (e.g., neurotensin, substance P, dynorphin, and enkephalins) and the amino acid (e.g., glutamate and GABA) transmitters. His research particularly focuses on the areas of the brain involved in addiction, goal seeking, compulsive behavior, the control of mental states, and locomotion. This research helps elucidate the cause, consequences and treatment of substance abuse, psychiatric disorders and CNS degenerative diseases. In his studies he investigates psychoactive drugs such as the amphetamines, cocaine, nicotine, the antidepressants and the antipsychotic agents to help elucidate these transmitter interactions. A variety of analytical procedures are routinely employed in Dr. Hanson's laboratory including: radioimmunoassays (RIA); radioenzymatic assays; in situ hybridization for analysis of mRNA expression; receptor binding techniques; transporter activity assays; microdialysis for measuring transmitter release; and behavioral analysis employing self-administration and operant training strategies in rats.

Selected Publications:

Volz, T.J., Farnsworth, S.J., Rowley, S.D., Hanson, G.R., and Fleckenstein, A.E. (2009) Age-dependent differences in dopamine transporter and vesicular monoamine transporter-2 function and their implications for methamphetamine neurotoxicity. Synapse, 63:147-151.

Volz, T.J., Farnsworth, S.J., Rowley, S.D., Hanson, G.R. and Fleckenstein, A.E. (2008) Methylphenidate-induced increases in vesicular dopamine sequestration and dopamine release in the striatum: The role of muscarinic and dopamine D2 Receptors. J. Pharmacol. Exp. Ther., 327:161-167.

Frankel, P.S., Hoonakker, A.J., and Hanson, G.R. (2008) Differential response of neurotensin to methamphetamine self-administration. Ann N Y Acad Sci, 1139:112-117.

Frankel, P.S., Alburges, M.E., Bush, L., Hanson, G.R., and Kish, S. (2008) Striatal and ventral pallidaum dynorhpin concentrations are markedly increased in human chronic cocaine users. Neuropharm., 55:41-46.

Volz, T.J., Farnsworth, S.M., King, J.L., Riddle, E.L., Hanson, G.R., and Fleckenstein, A.E. (2007) Methyphenidate administration alters vesicular monoamine transporter-2 function in cytoplasmic and membrane-associated vesicles. J. Pharmacol. Exp. Ther., 323(2):738-745.

Truong, J. G., Hanson, G. R., and Fleckenstein, A. E. (2004) Apomorphine increases vesicular monoamine transporter-2 functions: Implications for neurodegeneration. Eur. J. Pharmocology, 492:143-147.

Baucum, A. J., Rau, K., Riddle, E., Hanson, G. R., and Fleckenstein, A. E. (2004) Methamphetamine increases dopamine transporter oligomer formation via a dopamine- and hyperthermia-associated mechanism. J. Neurosci. 24:3436-3443.

Fleckenstein, A. E., and Hanson, G. R. (2004) Impact of psychostimulants on vesicular monoamine transporter function. Eur. J. Pharmacol. 479:283-289.

Truong, J., Rau, K., Hanson, G. R., and Fleckenstein, A. E. (2003) Pramipexole increases vesicular dopamine uptake: implications for treatment of Parkinson's disease. Eur. J. Pharmacol., 474:223-226.

Hanson, G. R., and Li, T. K. (2003) Public Health Implications of Excessive Alcohol Consumption and Substance Abuse. JAMA 289:1031-1032.

Adams, D. G., Hanson, G. R., and Keefe, K. A. (2003) Distinct effects of methamphetamine and cocaine on preprodynorphin messenger RNA in rat striatal patch and matrix. J. Neurochem., 84:87-93.

Westwood, S., and Hanson, G. R. (1999) Effects of stimulants of abuse on extrapyramidal and limbic neuropeptide Y systems. Pharmacol. Exp. Ther. 288:1160-1166.

Alburges, M. E., and Hanson, G. R. (1999) Differential responses by neurotensin systems to ibogaine and cocaine. Brain Res. 818:96-104.

Haughey, H. M., Fleckenstein, A. E., and Hanson, G. R. (1999) Differential regional effects of methamphetamine on the activities of tryptophan and tyrosine. J. Neurochem. 72:661-668.

Kokoshka, J. M., Wilkins, D. G., Vaughan, R. A., Hanson, G. R., and Fleckenstein, A. E. (1998) Nature of methamphetamine-induced rapid and reversible changes in dopamine transporters. Eur. J. Pharmacol. 361:269-275.

Kokoshka, J. M., Metzger, R. R., Hanson, G. R., Gibb, J. W., and Flackenstein, A. E. (1998) Methamphetamine treatment rapidly inhibits serotonin, but not glutamate, transporters in rat brain. Brain Research 799:78-83.

Metzger, R. R., Hanson, G. R., Gibb, J. W., and Fleckenstein, A. E. (1998) 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine-induced acute changes in dopamine transporter function. Eur. J. Pharmacol. 349:205-210.

Fleckenstein, A. E., Beyeler, M. L., Jackson, J. C., Wilkins, D. G., Gibb, J. W., and Hanson, G. R. (1997) Methamphetamine-induced decrease in tryptophan hydroxylase activity: Role of 5HT transporters. Eur. J. Pharmacol. 324:179-186.

Wagstaff, J. D., Gibb, J. W., and Hanson, G. R. (1997) Role of dopamine D-1 and NMDA receptors in regulating neurotensin release in the striatum and nucleus accumbens. Brain Res. 748:241-244.

Fleckenstein, A. E., Metzger, R. R., Gibb, J. W., and Hanson, G. R. (1997) A rapid and reversible change in dopamine transporters induced by methamphetamine. Eur. J. Pharmacol. 323:R9-R10.

Hanson, G. R., Bush, L., Taylor, V. L., Gibb, J. W., Davis, K., and Schmidt, C. J. (1997) Comparison of neurotensin responses to MDL 100, 907, a selective 5HT 2A antagonist, with clozapine and haloperidol. Brain Res. Bull. 42:211-219.

Gygi, M. P., Gygi, S. P., Johnson, M., Wilkins, D., Gibb, J. W., and Hanson, G. R. (1996) Mechanisms for tolerance to methamphetamine effects. Neuropharmacol. 35:751-757.

Wagstaff, J. D., Gibb, J. W., and Hanson, G. R. (1996) Microdialysis assessment of methamphetamine-induced changes in extracellular neurotensin content in the striatum and nucleus accumbens. J. Pharmacol. & Exp. Ther. 278:547-554.

Wagstaff, J. D., Gibb, J. W., and Hanson, G. R. (1996) Dopamine D-2 receptors regulate neurotensin release from nucleus accumbens and striatum as measured by in vivo microdialysis. Br. Res. 721:196-203.