Thomas J. McCown, Ph.D

Email:  thomas_mccown@med.unc.edu

Office Phone:  (919) 966-3081

Education:

B.A., Psychology/Chemistry, Vanderbilt University

Ph.D., Pharmacology/ Neuropharmacology, Vanderbilt University

Summary Statement:

As a basic science investigator, Dr. McCown conducts non-human studies that, in general, seek to unravel how the brain performs certain functions and, based upon this knowledge, then devise new treatments for brain-mediated disorders. To achieve these broad goals, his research utilizes a technology where foreign genes can be delivered to the functioning brain. Non-pathological viruses have been modified such that genetic material can be delivered to cells in the brain, but since the virus is incapable of replicating, the cells remain healthy. Subsequently, the genetic code is expressed, resulting in the production of a specific protein. Furthermore, we can turn this gene expression on and off using a peripherally administered drug. With this technology, we have developed a novel therapeutic approach to the treatment of certain intractable epilepsies. As our research progresses, however, we expect the application of gene therapy to expand into a number of other brain disorders.

Representative Publications:

1. Haberman, R.P., Criswell, H.E., Snowdy, S., Ming, Z., Breese, G.R., Samulski, R.J. and McCown, T.J.: Therapeutic Liabilities of In Vivo Viral Vector Tropism: Adeno-associated Virus (AAV) Vectors, NMDAR 1 Antisense and Focal Seizure Sensitivity . Molecular Therapy 6:495-500, 2002.
2. Haberman, R.P., Samulski, R.J., McCown, T.J. Attenuation of seizures and neuronal death by adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector galanin expression and secretion. Nature Medicine 9:1076-1080, 2003.
3. McCown, T. J. Adeno-associated virus-mediated expression and constitutive secretion of galanin suppresses limbic seizure activity in vivo. Molecular Therapy 14:63-68, 2006.
4. Foti, S., Haberman, R.P., Samulski, R.J., McCown, T.J. Adeno-associated Virus-Mediated Expression and Constitutive Secretion of NPY or NPY13-36 Suppresses Seizure Activity In Vivo. Gene Therapy 14:1534-1536, 2007.