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On December 14, 2017, Karen Houseknecht, Ph.D., professor of pharmacology in the ɫ����ƵCollege of Osteopathic Medicine and interim dean of the ɫ����ƵCollege of Pharmacy, presented the keynote address at the International Conference on Toxicology and Pharmacology. Held in Rome, Italy, the conference brought together leading principle investigators, pharmacologists, toxicologists, clinicians, CRO’s, biotech and pharmaceutical industry professionals to discuss the evolution of the health care, medicinal and clinical trials.

Titled “Mechanisms underlying adverse endocrine and metabolic side effects of atypical antipsychotic medications: Central vs. direct effects,” Houseknecht’s talk focused on her groundbreaking research of antipsychotic medications.

Atypical antipsychotic (AA) drugs, including risperidone (RIS), are used to treat schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, and some are approved to treat irritability associated with autism in children. Although AA drugs were initially developed to minimize neurological side effects caused by typical antipsychotic drugs, AA drugs have been found to have significant side effects. Houseknecht and her team are the first to have published a study focusing on risperidone’s impact on bone cells and skeletal changes.

To learn more about the University of New England’s College of Pharmacy, visit www.une.edu/pharmacy

To apply, visit www.une.edu/admissions