High Hopes for New Comprehensive Treatments in Schizophrenia
CALPACS members and the general community are cordially invited to our Fall Luncheon. This year, we will be treated with a lecture from Kristen Gilliland, Ph.D., from Vanderbilt University. Dr. Gilliland will detail the underlying mechanisms of schizophrenia and the new research into possible novel therapies. The event will include appetizers and a three course lunch. Attendees can also choose to stay for the annual open session of the CALPACS Executive Committee.
Speaker: Kristen Gilliland, Ph.D., Vanderbilt University
Title: High Hopes for New Comprehensive Treatments in Schizophrenia
Date & Time: Saturday, October 12, 2024 at 11:30 – 2:00 PM
Place: Firestone Walker Barrelworks, 620 McMurray Rd, Buellton, CA 93427 (https://maps.app.goo.gl/mq4VHUfh4YmgoP8g6)
Cost: $20/$10 for students
Note: Seating is limited. Please RSVP and submit your payment using the form at the bottom of this page. Stay on the payment confirmation page until you are directed to the meal selection form.
Please use the form at the bottom of this page to make your reservation, and follow the link at the end of checkout to enter your meal choices.
Schizophrenia is a devastating mental illness affecting roughly 1% of the U.S. population. The disorder of schizophrenia presents itself during the late teens and early twenties as three main symptom clusters: positive symptoms (hallucinations, paranoia), negative symptoms (apathy, depression), and cognitive symptoms (problems with concentration and memory). Abnormal dopaminergic and glutamatergic signaling in the brain, resulting from both genetic and environmental factors, is proposed as the underlying pathophysiology of schizophrenia. Most typical and atypical antipsychotics serve as dopamine receptor (D2) antagonists treating mainly the positive symptoms of schizophrenia and along with a host of side effects. Currently, pharmaceutical treatments targeting all three symptom clusters are lacking. This presentation introduces a new class of positive allosteric modulators (PAMs) targeting the metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluR) that demonstrate promise as comprehensive treatments for the symptoms of schizophrenia.
Kristen earned her Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry at the University of Colorado, Boulder. She later served as an Associate Professor of Chemistry at Cal Poly State University, San Luis Obispo. During her professorship at Cal Poly, she taught Organic Chemistry, Neurochemistry, and the Chemistry of Drugs and Poisons. In 2018, Kristen came to the Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery to help research new treatments for schizophrenia. Also in 2018, Kristen delivered a TEDx presentation titled Rewiring Revolution: Neuroplasticity’s Impact on Wellbeing. Currently, she serves as the Director of Outreach and Advocacy and a Drug Discovery Scientist for the Warren Center. As Director, Kristen presents to middle schools, high schools, parents, law enforcement, prevention coalitions, and recovery programs across the nation. In addition, she developed a multi award-winning educational documentary aimed at middle school and high school-aged children titled “Speaking Through Me” that was released August 2023. In April of 2024, Kristen appeared on NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt as part of a Kate Snow interview regarding high-potency cannabis use during adolescence and increased psychosis risk.
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