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Debra A. Gearhart, Ph.D.
Telephone: (706) 721-7958/4797
Fax:706-721-6839
Room: CB 1111/1116
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Joint
Appointment: Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center
Research Emphasis:
I am investigating the role of environmental and endogenous toxins, including
N-methylated beta-carbolines, in the pathogenesis of Parkinson’s disease. I
am focused on identifying the proteins that mediate the metabolism and
pharmacology of beta-carboline derivatives, including: the enzymes that form
and degrade these toxins; the transporters that influx and efflux the toxins in
brain; and the cellular targets that are important in mediating N-methylated
beta-carboline cytotoxicity and oxidative damage. Understanding the role of
environmental and endogenous toxins in Parkinson’s disease will allow for the
development of therapies that prevent or slow disease progression.
Education:
1982
B.S., Pharmacy, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN
1997
Ph.D., Neuroscience, Loyola University Chicago, Chicago, IL
Postdoctoral
Training and Professional Experience:
1997-1999
Cellular Biology and Anatomy, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, GA,
Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease focus (mentor: William D. Hill, Ph.D.)
1981-1991
Lilly Research Laboratories, Eli Lilly and Company, Lafayette and Indianapolis,
IN
Selected
Publications:
Neafsey,
E.J., R. Albores, D. Gearhart, G. Kindel, K. Raikoff, F. Tamayo, and M.A.
Collins. Methyl-ß-carbolinium analogs of MPP + cause nigrostriatal toxicity
after substantia nigra injections in rats.
Brain
Res. 675: 279-288 (1995).
Gearhart,
D.A., M.A. Collins, M.A., and E. J. Neafsey. Characterization of
brain-ß-carboline-2-N-methyltransferase,an enzyme that may play a role in
Parkinson’s disease. Neurochem. Res. 22: 113-121(1997).
Gearhart, D.A., M.A. Collins, J.M. Lee, and E.J. Neafsey. Increased frontal
cortex ß-carboline 9N-methyltransferase activity in Parkinson’s disease.
Neurobiol. Disease 7(3): 201-211 (2000).
Keywords:
Parkinson’s disease, oxidative stress, neurotoxicology, environmental
toxins, immunotoxicity, transporters, carbolines, xenobiotics, N-methylation
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