The research activities in Dr. Ho's laboratory involve the investigations of biochemical mechanisms of tolerance to and physical dependence on drugs of abuse and neurotoxicity induced by organophosphate cholinesterase inhibitors and lead. The topics of our major research interests are:

1.  Characterization of opioid receptors in the development of physical dependence on opioids;

2. Examination of glutamatergic neurotransmission within the locus coeruleus in physical dependence on opioids;

3. Characterization of the involvement of locus coeruleus glutamate receptor subtypes in the development of dependence on opioids;

4. Investigation of allosteric coupling of GABA, benzodiazepine and other binding sites on the GABA_A receptors in barbiturate dependence;

5. Examination of mechanism in regulation of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors in lead induced neurotoxicity; and

6.  Investigation of non-cholinergic aspects of organophosphate-induced neurotoxicity.

Selected Publications

Park, Y., Ho, I. K., Fan, L.-W., Loh, H. H, and Ko, K. H.: Region specific increase of dopamine receptor D1/D2 mRNA expression in the brain of mu-opioid receptor knockout mice. Brain Res. 894: 311-315, 2001.

Jang, C.-G., Lee, S.-Y., Loh, H. H. and Ho, I. K.: Lack of mu-opioid receptor gene leads to an increase in the NMDA receptor subunit mRNA expression and NMDA-induced convulsion. Molec. Brain Res. 94: 105-111, 2001.

Jang, C.-G., Lee, S.-Y., Park, Y., Ma, T., Loh, H. H. and Ho, I. K.: Differential effects of morphine, DPDPE, and U-50488 on apomorphine-induced climbing behavior in mu-opioid receptor knockout mice. Molec. Brain Res. 94: 197-199, 2001.

Ma, T., Cai, Z., Wellman, S. and Ho, I. K.: A quantitative histochemistry technique for measuring regional distribution of acetylcholinesterase in the brain using digital scanning densitometry. Analyt. Biochem. 296: 18-28, 2001.

Fan, L.-W., Tanaka, S., Tein, L.-T., Ma, T., Rockhold, R.W. and Ho, I. K.: Withdrawal from dependence upon butorphanol uniquely increases kappa₁-opioid receptor binding in the rat brain. Brain Res. 58: 149-160, 2002.