91AV’s Karen Houseknecht gives keynote speech at international pharmacology conference

Karen Houseknecht

On December 14, 2017, Karen Houseknecht, Ph.D., professor of pharmacology in the 91AV College of Osteopathic Medicine and interim dean of the 91AV College of Pharmacy, presented the keynote address at the International Conference on Toxicology and Pharmacology. Held in Rome, Italy, the conference brought together leading principle investigators, pharmacologists, toxicologists, clinicians, CRO’s, biotech and pharmaceutical industry professionals to discuss the evolution of the health care, medicinal and clinical trials.

Titled “Mechanisms underlying adverse endocrine and metabolic side effects of atypical antipsychotic medications: Central vs. direct effects,” Houseknecht’s talk focused on her groundbreaking research of antipsychotic medications.

Atypical antipsychotic (AA) drugs, including risperidone (RIS), are used to treat schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, and some are approved to treat irritability associated with autism in children. Although AA drugs were initially developed to minimize neurological side effects caused by typical antipsychotic drugs, AA drugs have been found to have significant side effects. Houseknecht and her team are the first to have published a study focusing on risperidone’s impact on bone cells and skeletal changes.

 

To learn more about the 91AV’s College of Pharmacy, visit www.une.edu/pharmacy

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About the 91AV

The 91AV is Maine’s largest independent university, with two beautiful coastal campuses in Maine, a one-of-a-kind study abroad campus in Tangier, Morocco, and an array of . In an uncommonly welcoming and supportive community, we offer hands-on learning, empowering students to make a positive impact in a world full of challenges. The state’s top provider of health professionals, we are home to Maine’s only medical college, Maine’s only dental college, a variety of other interprofessionally aligned health care degree programs, as well as nationally recognized programs for marine science degrees, natural and social sciences degrees, arts and humanities degrees, and business degrees.