Faculty

I am investigating the neurobiology, including pharmacology, of the cholinesterase enzymes acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase. This work includes identifying the distribution of molecular forms of these enzymes in neuronal and non-neuronal tissues and examining the implications of this distribution with respect to alternative functions of these enzymes. We are focusing on the possibility that these enzymes may be involved in cell adhesion functions. Furthermore, we are studying xenobiotic actions of the enzymes, particularly the ability of butyrylcholinesterase to metabolize drugs of abuse such as cocaine, cocaethylene and heroin.

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