Sam J. Enna, Ph.D.

Dr. Enna’s research is aimed at defining the physiological and pharmacological properties of neurotransmitter receptors, in particular those for γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA). Past work included studies on the effects of hormones on receptor responses to psychotherapeutics, on the development of receptor agonists and antagonists for GABA, glutamate, cholinergic muscarinic, and bradykinin receptors, and on the identification of the cellular components of coincident signaling in brain. Current efforts are directed at characterizing GABAB receptors, heterodimeric, G protein-coupled sites. Included are attempts to discern the manner in which these receptors participate in the transmission and perception of pain. The goal is to discover the extent to which pharmacological manipulation of GABAB receptor function and subunit gene expression may be a useful strategy in the management of neuropathic pain and the treatment of other central nervous system disorders.