Pharmacology & Cancer Biology | Duke University Medical Center

Dr. Saul Schanberg

Saul Schanberg, Ph.D.
Professor of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology
Professor of Biological Psychiatry

Duke University Medical Center
Research Park 2
Box 3813
Durham, NC 27710

Phone: 919-684-5187
E-mail: schan003@mc.duke.edu

Research Interests

The primary research goal of our laboratory is to identify the biological mechanisms involving CNS regulation of ontogenic growth and development of cell and organ systems. We investigate the role of trophic factors (neurotransmitters, neuropeptides and hormones) in mediating perturbations in cell growth and function, as induced by maternal deprivation, various stress conditions and neuroactive drugs. Our basic experimental approach utilizes assessment of multiple physiological and biochemical parameters in developing organ systems as indices of altered functional maturation of those systems caused by manipulation of sensory input or pharmacological agents. Our major behavioral paradigm is maternal separation and its effect on maturational processes - primarily cell growth and development - and the neuropeptides and cell signal transduction systems that mediate these effects. Other studies include: neurotransmitter and neurotropic polypeptide regulation of growth hormone, prolactin and insulin function in the developing neonate; and pharmacologic models of chronic sympathetic stimulation, such as chronic infusion of norepinephrine, epinephrine, corticosterone, dexamethasone, ACTH and CRF.

Publications

Field, Tiffany M., Saul M. Schanberg, Frank Scafidi, Charles R. Bauer, Nitza Vega-Lahr, Robert Garcia, Jerome Nystrom and Cynthia M. Kuhn: Tactile/Kinesthetic Stimulation Effects on Preterm Neonates. Pediatrics 77:654-658 (1986).

Pauk, J., C.M. Kuhn, T.M. Field and S.M. Schanberg: Positive Effects of Tactile Versus Kinesthetic or Vestibular Stimulation on Neuroendocrine and ODC Activity in Maternally-Deprived Rat Pups. Life Sciences 39:2081-2087 (1986).

Schanberg, Saul M. and Tiffany M. Field: Sensory Deprivation Stress and Supplemental Stimulation in the Rat Pup and Preterm Human Neonate. Child Development 58:1431-1447 (1987).

Bartolomé, J.V., M.B. Bartolomé, B.A. Lorber, S.J. Dileo and S.M. Schanberg: Effects of Central Administration of Beta-Endorphin on Brain and Liver DNA Synthesis in Preweanling Rats. Neuroscience 40:289-294 (1991).

Field, Tiffany, Connie Morrow, Chad Valdeon, Sandra Larson, Cynthia Kuhn and Saul Schanberg: Massage Reduces Anxiety in Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Patients. J. Amer. Acad. of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry 31(1):125-131 (1992).

Wang, S., J.V. Bartolomé and S.M. Schanberg: Neonatal Deprivation of Maternal Touch May Suppress Ornithine Decarboxylase Via Downregulation of the Protooncogenes C-Myc and Max. J. Neurosci. 16(2):836-842 (1996).

Katz, L.M., L. Nathan, C.M. Kuhn and S.M. Schanberg: Inhibition of GH in Maternal Separation may be Mediated through Altered Serotonergic Activity at 5-HT2A and 5-HT2C Receptors. Psychoneuroendo. 21(2):219-235 (1996).

Field, Tiffany, T.H. Henteleff, M. Hernandez-Reif, E. Martinez, K. Mavunda, C. Kuhn and S. Schanberg: Children with asthma have improved pulmonary functions after massage therapy. J. Pediatrics 132(5):854-858 (1998).

Kuhn, C.M. and S.M. Schanberg: Responses to Maternal Separation: Mechanisms and Mediators. Int. J. Devl. Neuroscience 16:261-269 (1998).

Bartolomé, J.V., S. Wang, S.M. Schanberg and M.B. Bartolomé: Involvement of c-myc and max in CNS ß-endorphin modulation of hepatic ornithine decarboxylase responsiveness to insulin in rat pups. Life Sci. 64:87-91 (1999).

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