Dr Paul Callaghan
Staff Profile
Role at ANSTO
Paul applies PET/CT and SPECT/CT multimodal molecular imaging techniques for investigating animal models of neurological and psychiatric disease.
Background
After graduating from a B.Sc. (Hons.) from the University of Adelaide, Paul commenced a PhD jointly between the University of Adelaide and University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, USA.
This work involved understanding the acute and long term pharmacology of the substituted amphetamine ("Ecstasy") p-methoxyamphetamine (PMA or 'Death'). Subsequently, Paul worked at Flinders University investigating novel autonomic neural pathways involved in neuroinflammation (pain).
Prior to working at ANSTO, he was at the University of Sydney, investigating the neurochemistry underlying long term behavioural changes in social anxiety produced by the substituted amphetamines, methamphetamine ('ice') and MDMA ('ecstasy').
Research interests and areas of expertise
Paul’s expertise lies in PET/SPECT longitudinal imaging, monoamine pharmacology, drug abuse, in vivo voltammetry, neuroanatomy, in vivo and in vitro pharmacological models, quantitative autoradiography, and immunohistochemistry.
Qualifications & Achievements
- Postdoctoral Fellow, the University of Sydney
- Ph.D. at the University of Adelaide
- B.Sc.(Hons.) at the University of Adelaide
- Paul is a member of the Society for Neuroscience (SFN)
Publications
Key Publications Hunt, G. E., McGregor, I. S., Cornish, J. L., Callaghan, P. D. MDMA-induced c-Fos expression in oxytocin-containing neurons is blocked by pretreatment with the 5-HT-1A receptor antagonist WAY 100635. Brain Research Bulletin , 86(1-2), 65-73. (2011)
Karanges, E., Li, K., Motbey, C., Callaghan, P., Katsifis, A., McGregor, I. Differential behavioural and neurochemical outcomes from chronic paroxetine treatment in adolescent and adult rats: a model of adverse antidepressant effects in human adolescents? International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology,14(4), 491-504. (2011)
Katsifis, A., Loc'h, C., Henderson, D., Bourdier, T., Pham, T., Greguric, I., Lam, P., Callaghan, P., Mattner, F., Eberl, D., Fulham, M. A rapid solid-phase extraction method for measurement of non-metabolised peripheral benzodiazepine receptor ligands, [(18)F]PBR102 and [(18)F]PBR111, in rat and primate plasma. Nuclear Medicine and Biology, 38(1), 137-48. (2011)
McGregor, I. S., Callaghan, P. D., Hunt, G. E. From ultrasocial to antisocial: a role for oxytocin in the acute reinforcing effects and long-term adverse consequences of drug use? British Journal of Pharmacology, 154(2), 358-68. (2008)
Quinn, H. R., Matsumoto, I., Callaghan, P. D., Long, L. E., Arnold, J. C., Gunasekaran, N., Thompson, M. R., Dawson, B., Mallet, P. E., Kashem, M. A., Matsuda-Matsumoto, H., Iwazaki, T., McGregor, I. S. Adolescent rats find repeated Delta(9)-THC less aversive than adult rats but display greater residual cognitive deficits and changes in hippocampal protein expression following exposure. Neuropsychopharmacology. 33(5), 1113-26. (2008)
Thompson, M. R., Callaghan, P. D., Hunt, G. E., Cornish, J. L., McGregor, I. S. A role for oxytocin and 5-HT(1A) receptors in the prosocial effects of 3,4 methylenedioxymethamphetamine ("ecstasy"). Neuroscience, 146(2), 509-14. (2007)
Callaghan, P. D., Owens, W. A., Javors, M. A., Sanchez, T. A., Jones, D. J., Irvine, R. J., Daws, L. C. In vivo analysis of serotonin clearance in rat hippocampus reveals that repeated administration of p-methoxyamphetamine (PMA), but not 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), leads to long-lasting deficits in serotonin transporter function. Journal of Neurochemistry, 100(3), 617-27. (2007)
Callaghan, P. D., Irvine, R. J., Daws, L. C. Differences in the in vivo dynamics of neurotransmitter release and serotonin uptake after acute para-methoxyamphetamine and 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine revealed by chronoamperometry. Neurochemistry International, 47(5), 350-61. (2005)