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Caryn
Lerman, Ph.D.
Professor, Dept of Psychiatry
Director, Tobacco Use Research Center
3535 Market Street - Suite 4100
(215) 746-7141 FAX:(215) 746-7140
email: clerman@mail.med.upenn.edu
Click here for selected publications since Dr. Lerman's arrival at Penn
RESEARCH INTERESTS
RESEARCH TECHNIQUES
Human bio-behavioral studies employing laboratory-based methods, cohort studies, and clinical trials to investigate gene-environment interactions in nicotine dependence.RESEARCH SUMMARY
This research program seeks to elucidate the bio-behavioral basis of addiction to nicotine, with emphasis on the role of genetic factors in smoking behavior. Active research projects include cohort studies of genetic influences on smoking initiation and progression, pharmacogenetic studies of tobacco dependence treatment, and behavioral pharmacology investigations of nicotine-related endophenotypes. Pathways of relevance to tobacco dependence include those involved in neurotransmitter regulation (dopamine, serotonin, norepinephrine), nicotine metabolism (cytochrome P450 enzymes), and nicotinic receptor systems. Research on the health policy and bioethical implications of genetics and smoking research is also in progress.
