On Monday 3 April at 14.00, Maiken Krogsbæk Bøgh defends her PhD entitled "Olanzapine treatment effects - A molecular and cellular study on the hypothalamic feeding regulation in rat and human".

Antipsychotic treatment of schizophrenia with the drug olanzapine often results in a range of hunger and weight related adverse effects, with great discomfort and health risk to the treated patients. New treatment options that focuses on these adverse effects show a positive effect of opioid receptor inhibition, however it is not known wheter olanzapine actually effects these receptors in the brain. A new PhD project from Aarhsu University, Health has investigated the effect of olanzapine on the hunger regulating brain area hypothalamus, using molecular spatial analyses. The project found an increased expression of opioid receptors after both acute and chronic olanzapine treatment, with concurrent weight gain, increased food intake, and reduced number of satiety regulating neurons in the hypothalamus. Parallel studies in human autopsy brains have started. By understanding the neurobiological effects of drugs like olanzapine, the opportunities of improved treatment of the adverse effects are increased.

The summary is written by the PhD student.

The defence is public and takes place in Auditorium C114-101, Aarhus University Hospital, Palle Juul Jensens Boulevard 99, Entrance C, Level 1. Please see the press release for more information.

Contact

PhD student Maiken Krogsbæk Bøgh
Mail: mkm@clin.au.dk 
Phone: +45 42754457

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