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Theodore J. Cicero, PhD
Current
Position
Professor, Vice Chairman for Research
Areas of Research Interests
The purpose of my research program is to determine in rats whether intrinsic, biological gender differences exist in opiate analgesia, physical dependence and tolerance and the reinforcing effects of these drugs. Accordingly, I have three general objectives: First, to examine whether there are sex differences in the pharmacological profile of morphine and other opiates including: their analgesic activity and their discriminative stimulus properties. Second, to determine whether the sex differences observed in opiate pharmacology can be explained by the "activational" or "organizational" effects of sex-steroids. Third, to examine whether the sex differences observed in opiate pharmacology can be explained solely by intrinsic differences in the sensitivity of the nervous system to morphine. Our studies could be relevant to several very important clinical issues related to the abuse of potential of opiates and potentially the treatment and prevention of drug abuse. Moreover, our studies could also focus on possible gender differences in the management of pain. Although there are a few studies in humans suggesting gender differences in the abuse liability of drugs, in prevention and treatment outcomes and pain management, there have been few systematic studies examining whether these differences are related to biological factors of reflect a possible artifact related to a host of psychosocial variables.
Key Publications
Cicero TJ, Nock B, Meyer ER: Gender-related differences in the antinociceptive properties of morphine. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 1996; 279:767-773.
Cicero TJ, Nock B, Meyer ER: Sex-related differences in morphine's antinociceptive activity: Relationship to serum and brain morphine concentration. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 1997; 282:939-944.
Broadbear JH, Winger GD, Cicero TJ, Woods JH: The effects of self-administered cocaine on plasma ACTH and cortisol in male rhesus monkeys. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 1998; 289:1641-1647.
Cicero TJ, Ennis T, Ogden J, Meyer ER: Gender differences in reinforcing properties of morphine. Pharmacology biochemistry and Behavior 2000; 65(1):91-96.
Funded Research Projects
NIDA(PI):Biomedical Research Training in Drug Abuse
NIDA(Key Personnel):Prescription Drug Misuse, Abuse and Dependence
NIDA(Key Personnel):Understanding the Scope and Magnitude of Prescription Drug Diversion
Barnes-Jewish Hospital Foundation(PI):Characteristics of Prescription Drug Abusers