Professor of Systems Neuroscience (2003), PhD (Institute of Psychiatry 1982). Co-Director of Psychiatric Research Institute of Neuroscience in Glasgow (PsyRING; psyring.co.uk) a collaboration between the Universities of Strathclyde and Glasgow and NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde. Since 1997, PsyRING has engaged in major collaborations with Pharmaceutical companies to provide translational solutions for drug discovery and development in Psychiatric disease.
Research Interests are focussed onunderstanding the molecular and neural systems that underpin behaviour in mental health and disease. We are a multidisciplinary, friendly team with expertise spanning genetics, molecular biology, brain imaging and behaviour.
Schizophrenia: PsyRING has provided new insight into the glutamate hypothesis of schizophrenia. We have demonstrated that PCP produces schizophrenia-like changes in brain imaging, GABAergic interneurone markers and cognition. Novel therapeutic targets have been identified (e.g. serominic) and validated. We have determined the functional brain networks subserving PCP-induced disruption of cognition and their restoration by the pro-cognitive drug modafinil.
Cannabinoids: We are investigating the mechanisms of interaction between the constituents of cannabis (e.g. THC and cannabidiol) and with THC and other psychoactive drugs. Currently we are determining the impact of adolescence THC exposure on brain systems and behaviour.
CeNsUS (Centre for Neuroscience at the University of Strathclyde): Through multidisciplinary collaborations within CeNsUS we are 1) applying novel algorithms from network science to understanding brain systems underpinning drug actions in disease and 2) developing medical devices for deep brain stimulation.
Teaching: Neuroscience to MPharm and BSc biomedical science degrees. Engaged in outreach activities for BAAS and CPD with British Association of Psychopharmacology
"Gene mutation causing schizophrenia (PsyRING)" Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation
"Imaging and electrophysiological biomarker validation of cognitive processing in rats (PsyRING)" TMRI Ltd
"PsyRING - Genetic Studies in Schizophrenia (NHS) " NHS Greater Glasgow Primary Care Division
Publications
Dawson N, Thompson RJ, McVie A, Thomson DM, Morris BJ, Pratt JA (2010) Modafinil Reverses Phencyclidine-Induced Deficits in Cognitive Flexibility, Cerebral Metabolism, and Functional Brain Connectivity.. Schizophrenia Bulletin , Published (Epub)
Sousa VC, Assaife-Lopes N, Ribeiro JA, Pratt JA, Brett RR, Sebastião AM (2011) Regulation of Hippocampal Cannabinoid CB(1) Receptor Actions by Adenosine A(1) Receptors and Chronic Caffeine Administration: Implications for the Effects of Δ(9)-Tetrahydrocannabinol on Spatial Memory.. Neuropsychopharmacology36, 472-487
Ledgerwood CJ, Greenwood SM, Brett RR, Pratt JA, Bushell TJ (2011) Cannabidiol inhibits synaptic transmission in rat hippocampal cultures and slices via several receptor pathways.. British Journal of Pharmacology162, 286-294
Pratt JA, Winchester C, Egerton A, Cochran SM, Morris BJ (2008) Modelling prefrontal cortex deficits in schizophrenia: implications for treatment. British Journal of Pharmacology153 Suppl , S465-470 Published (review)
Thomson DM, McVie A, Morris BJ, Pratt JA.
(2011) Dissociation of acute and chronic intermittent phencyclidine-induced performance deficits in the 5-choice serial reaction time task: influence of clozapine.. Psychopharmacology213, 681-695
Egerton A, Reid L, McGregor S, Cochran SM, Morris BJ and Pratt JA (2008) Subchronic and chronic PCP produces temporally distinct deficits in attentional set shifting and prepulse inhibition. Psychopharmacology198, 37-49 [DOI: 10.1007/s00213-008-1071-5]
Dawson N, Thompson RJ, McVie A, Thomson DM, Morris BJ, Pratt JA (2010) Modafinil Reverses Phencyclidine-Induced Deficits in Cognitive Flexibility, Cerebral Metabolism, and Functional Brain Connectivity.. Schizophrenia Bulletin , Published (Epub)
Sousa VC, Assaife-Lopes N, Ribeiro JA, Pratt JA, Brett RR, Sebastião AM (2011) Regulation of Hippocampal Cannabinoid CB(1) Receptor Actions by Adenosine A(1) Receptors and Chronic Caffeine Administration: Implications for the Effects of Δ(9)-Tetrahydrocannabinol on Spatial Memory.. Neuropsychopharmacology36, 472-487
Ledgerwood CJ, Greenwood SM, Brett RR, Pratt JA, Bushell TJ (2011) Cannabidiol inhibits synaptic transmission in rat hippocampal cultures and slices via several receptor pathways.. British Journal of Pharmacology162, 286-294
Pratt JA, Winchester C, Egerton A, Cochran SM, Morris BJ (2008) Modelling prefrontal cortex deficits in schizophrenia: implications for treatment. British Journal of Pharmacology153 Suppl , S465-470 Published (review)
Thomson DM, McVie A, Morris BJ, Pratt JA.
(2011) Dissociation of acute and chronic intermittent phencyclidine-induced performance deficits in the 5-choice serial reaction time task: influence of clozapine.. Psychopharmacology213, 681-695
Egerton A, Reid L, McGregor S, Cochran SM, Morris BJ and Pratt JA (2008) Subchronic and chronic PCP produces temporally distinct deficits in attentional set shifting and prepulse inhibition. Psychopharmacology198, 37-49 [DOI: 10.1007/s00213-008-1071-5]
Xiao X, Dawson N, Macintyre L, Morris BJ, Pratt JA, Watson DG, Higham DJ. (2011) Exploring metabolic pathway disruption in the subchronic phencyclidine model of schizophrenia with the Generalized Singular Value Decomposition. BMC Systems Biology , Published (Epub)
Steward LJ, Kennedy MD, Morris BJ, Pratt JA. (2011) Chronic phencyclidine (PCP)-induced modulation of muscarinic receptor mRNAs in rat brain : Impact of antipsychotic drug treatment. NEUROPHARMACOLOGY , Published (Epub)
Thomson, D.M. ; Mcvie, A. ; Morris, B.J. ; Pratt, J.A. (2008) Clozapine produces modest effects on pcp-induced performance deficits in the 5-choice serial reaction time task. Behavioural Pharmacology19, 655-656
Henriquez S.A., Brett R., Alexander J., Pratt J., Roberts C.W. (2009) Neuropsychiatric disease and Toxoplasma gondii infection. Neuroimmunomodulation16, 122-133 [DOI: 10.1159/000180267 ] Published (review)
