NEWS and ACHIEVEMENTS
Pharmacology, Toxicology & Neuroscience

Invisible at birth yet essential for life, smooth muscle cells control digestion, urination, childbirth and blood flow. Research at LSU Health Shreveport reveals how genetic missteps in these cells can dictate a child’s future, and how science may one day change that outcome.

After nearly four months of early-morning bus rides and learning concepts not typically encountered in the high school classroom, BioStart students presented their findings on human conditions that often need intense medical interventions for survival.

Kevin Murnane, PHD, was awarded a new two-year UG3 grant from the NIH through Virogenomics BioDevelopment, Inc. for his project "IND-enabling studies and phase I clinical trials to advance CD74-target, DRhQ, as a treatment for stimulant use disorder."

The February 2025 School of Graduate Studies Student of the Month is Alicia Thomas in the Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology & Neuroscience.

Red River Radio - LSUHS Dr. Shawn McNeil, Dr. Kevin Murnane and PhD candidate Frances Vest talk about addiction to methamphetamines, its prevalence, and a new clinical trial at LSUHS with psilocybin as a possible treatment. 

Xiaohong Lu, PhD, Associate Professor of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Neuroscience, awarded a one-year $506,052 R56 grant from the NIH National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.

The June 2024 School of Graduate Studies Student of the Month is Noel Jacquet in the Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology, & Neuroscience.

The Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology & Neuroscience was well represented at Graduate Research Day this year. Graduate Students, Clifton Haacker and Adesewa Akande were award recipients and alumnus, Madison ElSaadi, PhD was the featured speaker.

A new study led by researchers at LSU Health Shreveport recently published in JACC: Advances found there has been a drastic increase in cardiomyopathy - associated hospital admissions among methamphetamine users in the United States, as well as significant social and geographic disparities associated with these cases.

KTBS3 - Dr. Armando Salinas, LSUHS Assistant Professor of Pharmacology, Toxicology & Neuroscience, shares that a brain neurotransmitter called acetylcholine is intricately involved in changing or altering behaviors and could assist with alcohol use disorder.