Research Interests
Neuropharmacology, neuropsychiatric disorders
Role of polyunsaturated fatty acids in neuronal functional and neuropsychiatric disorders, and drugs and diseases affecting the CNS dopamine systems. Major research foci are the role of brain polyunsaturated fatty acid composition in postpartum depression and the role of developmental docosahexaenoic acid deficiency in attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder, schizophrenia, and traumatic brain injury. Additional interests include the D3 dopamine receptor as a therapeutic target for schizophrenia, drug addiction, and Parkinson’s disease; and mechanisms underlying sensitization to psychostimulants.
Levant B, Ozias MK, Davis PF, Winter M, Russell KL, Carlson SE, Reed GA, McCarson KE (2008) Decreased brain docosahexaenoic acid content produces neurobiological effects associated with depression: interactions with reproductive status in female rats. Psychoneuroendocrinology doi:10.1016/j.psyneuen.2008.06.012. Aug 14. [Epub ahead of print]. PMID: 1870781
Ahmad SO, Park J, Radel JD, Levant B (2008) Reduced numbers of dopamine neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta and ventral tegmental area of rats fed an n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid-deficient diet: a stereological study. Neurosci. Lett. 438:303-307. PMID: 18499349
Levant B, Ozias MK, Carlson SE (2007) Specific brain regions of the female rat are differentially depleted of docosahexaenoic acid by reproductive activity and an (n-3) fatty acid-deficient diet. J. Nutr.137:130-134. PMID: 17182813
Richards TL, Pazdernik TL, Levant B (2007) Clorgyline-induced modification of behavioral sensitization to quinpirole: effects on local cerebral glucose utilization. Brain Res. 1160:124-133. PMID: 17573047
Levant B, Ozias MK, Carlson SE (2006) Diet (n-3) polyunsaturated fatty acid content and parity interact to alter maternal rat brain phospholipid fatty acid composition. J. Nutr. 136:2236-2242. PMID: 16857847
Beth Levant, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology, & Therapeutics
The University of Kansas Medical Center
MS 1018
3901 Rainbow Blvd.
Kansas City, KS 66160
Phone: (913) 588-7527
Fax: (913) 588-7501
E-mail address: blevant@kumc.edu
Curriculum Vitae in PDF Format
Updated 10/8/08
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The University of Kansas Medical Center