Specific Clinical/Research Interests:

Organic synthesis and neurochemistry; radiotracer synthesis with positron emitters; mechanistic studies relating to the development of radiotracers for positron emission tomography (PET); translational applications of radiotracers to problems in neuroscience; PET studies of neurotransmitter activity, enzyme activity and drug mechanisms

Summary of Research Studies:

Dr. Fowler has recently focused on changes in brain that are disrupted during drug addiction. Her work has included imaging studies on the uptake and movement of cocaine and methamphetamine in the human brain, which shed light on why these drugs are so powerfully addictive. She is also involved in PET studies to understand the action of medications and to facilitate the introduction of new drugs.

Another research area targets variations in monoamine oxidase (MAO) genes and how they affect personality and vulnerability to psychiatric disorders. In earlier research, Dr. Fowler discovered that cigarette smokers have reduced levels of MAO, an enzyme that breaks down dopamine, the neurotransmitter that mediates reward, motivation and movement. This finding may account for the high rate of smoking in individuals who are depressed or addicted to drugs.