Scientific Staff Profiles

This page allows you to read information about people engaged in research at CAMH. You can search for researchers using the name or keyword search engine below.

Dr. Rachel Tyndale University of Toronto Medical Sciences Building, Room 4336 1 King's College Circle Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A8 (416) 978-6374 r.tyndale@utoronto.ca Dr. Rachel Tyndale is a Scientist and Head of Pharmacogenetics in the Neuroscience Department. She is a Professor in the Department of Pharmacology and also the Canada Research Chair in Pharmocogenetics at the University of Toronto. Search again?
Areas of Research Dr.Tyndale is investigating genetic risk factors for drug dependence to better understand the mechanisms involved with drug abuse and to optimize treatment approaches. Drugs under study include opiates, benzodiazepines, and amphetamines with a focus on nicotine and smoking. She is tackling the serious public health issue of smoking and trying to find answers to the questions why some people smoke more than others, and why some find it easier to quit. Dr. Tyndale’s goal is to use genetic information to personalize treatment for people who want to quit smoking. The techniques range from molecular identification and characterization of novel genetic polymorphisms to in vivo pharmacokinetic, abuse liability, epidemiological, and treatment studies. Another area of her research involves the study of the unique regulation, function, and toxicity of cytochrome P450 enzymes in the central nervous system. Dr. Tyndale is assessing how commonly used drugs such as nicotine or ethanol regulate these enzymes and the subsequent impact on treatment drugs, as well as drugs of abuse. The techniques range from western blotting and mRNA approaches, to in vitro and in vivo drug metabolism, to behavioural/toxicity studies.
Publications Lee M, Jepson C, Hoffmann E, Epstein L, Hawk LW, Lerman C,  Tyndale RF. CYP2B6 genotype alters abstinence rates for smoking cessation treatment. Biological Psychiatry. 2007 Jan 12. Advance online publication. Siu ECK, Tyndale RF. Characterization and comparison of nicotine and cotinine metabolism in vitro and in vivo in DBA/2 and C57Bl/6 mice. Molecular Pharmacology. 2006 Dec 7. Advance online publication. Audrain-McGovern J, Al Kouds N, Rodriguez D, Wileyto EP, Shields PG,  Tyndale RF. The Role of CYP2A6 in the Emergence of Nicotine Dependence in Adolescents. Pediatrics. 2007;119(1): 264-74. Benowitz NL, Jacob P III, Lessov C, Swan GE, Tyndale RF. CYP2A6 Genotype alters the Metabolism and Disposition Kinetics of Nicotine. Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics. 2006;80(5): 457-467. Malaiyandi V, Lerman C, Benowitz NL, Jepson C, Patterson F, Tyndale RF . Impact of CYP2A6 Genotype on Pretreatment Smoking Behaviour and Nicotine Levels from and Usage of Nicotine Replacement Therapy. Molecular Psychiatry. 2006;11 (4): 400-9. Lee AM, Miksys S, Palmour R, Tyndale RF. CYP2B6 in expressed in African Green Monkey Brain and is induced by chronic nicotine. Neuropharmacology. 2006;50 (4): 441-450. Schoedel KA, Hoffmann EB, Xu B, Rao Y, Sellers EM, Tyndale RF. Ethnic variation in CYP2A6 and association of genetically slow nicotine metabolism and smoking in adult Caucasians. Pharmacogenetics. 2004;14: 615-626. EM Sellers, Kaplan HL, Ramamoorthy Y, Zeman MV, Djordjevic MV, Tyndale RF. The Effect of methoxsalen on nicotine and 4-(methylnitrosamino)-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK) metabolism in vivo. Nicotine and Tobacco Research. 2003;5, 1-9. Miksys S, Lerman C, Shields PG, Mash DC, Tyndale RF. Smoking, alcoholism and genetics alter CYP2B6 levels in human brain. Neuropharmacology. 2003;45(1):125-135. Howard LA, Miksys S, Hoffmann E, Mash D, Tyndale RF. Brain CYP2E1 is induced by nicotine and ethanol in rat and is higher in smokers and alcoholics. British Journal of Pharmacology. 2003; 138: 1376-1386.
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