George M. Anderson, Ph.D.

Research Scientist

Research Interests

Dr Anderson's neurochemistry research laboratory performs a range of monoamine-related and neuroendocrine analyses of plasma, platelet, urine, cerebrospinal fluid and brain samples using high performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) methods and radiometric procedures. The methods are applied to studies of the neurobiology of autism, ADHD, Tourette's syndrome and adult neuropsychiatric conditions, and to investigations of the basic neurochemistry and psychopharmacology of serotonin. Recent studies in these areas are briefly described below.

In a large Dutch collaborative study, we have demonstrated bimodality distribution of platelet serotonin in autism. Follow-up proteomic studies are attempting to identify disorder- and subgroup-specific alterations of potential etiological significance. Postmortem brain studies of monoamine and amino acid neurotransmitter-related analytes and receptors in autism are ongoing. Possible neurochemical (catecholamines) and neuroendocrine (prolactin, leptin, cortisol) predictors and correlates of treatment of autism with the atypical neuroleptic risperidone, the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) citalopram, and the stimulant and noradrenergic agents methylphenidate and guanfacine are being examined in collaborative studies multi-center studies coordinated by Dr. Lawrence Scahill of the Yale Child Study Center. In collaboration with Dr. Sylvie Tordjman of the University of Rennes, we are examining pineal function and sleep problems in autism, as well as investigating the relationship of ß-endorphin, pain reactivity and self-injurious behavior in autism.

Collaborative studies (with Dr. J. D. Higley, NIAAA Primate Center Poolesville, Maryland) have examined the effects of the SSRI sertraline on central and peripheral serotonin. Additional studies examining the genetic, environmental, and pharmacological effects on serotonin levels in cisternal cerebrospinal fluid are planned, as are studies examining the neurobiological basis of anxiety-related behaviors. Ongoing studies with Dr. J. Winslow of the Poolesville facility are examining long-term behavioral and neurobiological effects of chronic SSRI exposure in young rhesus. Collaborative studies of self-injurious behavior in rhesus monkeys, as well as studies of social development in chimpanzees, are ongoing with Dr. B. Fontenot of the University of Louisiana New Iberia Research Center (Lafayette, LA).

A series of collaborative human studies examine hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis functioning in ADHD, Tourette's PTSD, smoking behavior, depression and trauma.

Recent Publications

• Anderson GM, Scahill L, McCracken JT, McDougle CJ, Aman MG, Tierney E, Arnold E, Martin A, Katsovich L, Posey DJ, Shah B and Vitiello B. Effects of short- and long-term risperidone treatment on prolactin levels in children with autism. Biological Psychiatry, Epublished May 25, 2006.
• Janu_onis S, Anderson GM, Shifrovich I, Rakic P. Ontogeny of brain and blood serotonin levels in 5-ht_1a receptor knockout mice: potential relevance to the neurobiology of autism. J Neurochemistry, in press 2006
• Anderson GM. Report of altered urinary oxytocin and AVP excretion in neglected orphans should be reconsidered. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, e-published 2006.
• Anderson GM, Jacobs-Stannard A, Chawarska K, Volkmar FR, Kliman HJ. Placental Trophoblast Inclusions in Autism Spectrum Disorder. Biological Psychiatry, Epublished June 23, 2006
• Anderson GM. Barr CS. Lindell S. Durham AC. Shifrovich I. Higley JD. Time course of the effects of the serotonin-selective reuptake inhibitor sertraline on central and peripheral serotonin neurochemistry in the rhesus monkey. Psychopharmacology. 178:339-46, 2005
• Tordjman S. Anderson GM. Pichard N. Charbuy H. Touitou Y. Nocturnal excretion of 6-sulphatoxymelatonin in children and adolescents with autistic disorder. Biological Psychiatry. 57:134-8, 2005
• Anderson GM, Czarkowski K, Ravski N, Epperson CN. Platelet serotonin in newborns and infants: ontogeny, heritability, and effect of in utero exposure to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. Pediatric Research. 56:418-22, 2004.
• Anderson GM. Peripheral and central neurochemical effects of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) in humans and nonhuman primates: assessing bioeffect and mechanisms of action. International Journal of Developmental Neuroscience. 22:397-404, 2004.
• Mulder EJ. Anderson GM. Kema IP. de Bildt A. van Lang ND. den Boer JA. Minderaa RB. Platelet serotonin levels in pervasive developmental disorders and mental retardation: diagnostic group differences, within-group distribution, and behavioral correlates. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry. 43:491-9, 2004.
• Anderson GM. Zimmerman AW. Akshoomoff N. Chugani DC. Autism clinical trials: biological and medical issues in patient selection and treatment response. CNS Spectrums. 9:57-64, 2004.

Contact

Campus Address
Child Study Center
230 South Frontage Road
P.O. Box 207900
New Haven, CT 06520-7900

E-mail
george.anderson@yale.edu

Office Phone
203-785-4793