Misty D. Smith, Ph.D.
  • Research Assistant Professor, Pharmacology And Toxicology
  • Research Associate Professor, Sod - Education

Research Statement

Dr. Smith is a behavioral pharmacologist and a co-investigator in the NIH-sponsored Anticonvulsant Drug Development (ADD) Program, where she provide leadership and expertise in all of the preclinical models of acute and chronic seizure activity as well as in the assessment of behavioral comorbidities associated with epilepsy.  Dr. Smith coordinates the management of all regulatory and safety standards and licenses necessary to preserve the ADD Program’s high standards of scientific rigor and excellence in research.  In hopes of better understanding the comorbidities of epilepsy and their underlying mechanisms, Dr. Smith’s evaluates the therapeutic potential of investigational compounds in both acute and chronic preclinical models of seizures, epilepsy and the neuropsychiatric comorbidities of epilepsy.  Dr. Smith’s current research is aimed at the evaluation of the interactions of cannabidiol with various classes of antiseizure drugs utilizing isobolographic and pharmacokinetic analyses.  This research will not only help provide information on the efficacy and safety of unique antiseizure drugs (ASDs), such as cannabidiol, both alone and in combinations with other ASDs utilized in patients with epilepsy. The identification of novel compounds with broad or unique spectrums of therapeutic activity may help to better clarify the etiology of the epilepsy and its comorbidities and the most effective targets for their treatment.  Furthermore, understanding the nature of drug interactions will help identify better and safer drug combinations for the patient with epilepsy.  Additional related research interests include the role of neuropeptides, steroid hormones, and sex differences in neurological conditions and their pharmacological treatment. 

Research Keywords

  • Preclinical models of epilepsy
  • Preclinical models of the comorbidities of epilepsy
  • Early Drug Development
  • Behavioral Pharmacology
  • Animal models of epilepsy
  • Molecular mechanisms of pain
  • Seizures
  • Pain
  • Animal Models
  • Epilepsy
  • Depression
  • Neuropeptides
  • neurotensin
  • Anxiety Disorders

Presentations

  • Talk entitled "The Mechanism(s) of Action of the Newest Anticonvulsant Drugs" at the Annual Fundamentals of Epilepsy Symposium at the 2012 American Epilepsy Society Meeting in San Diego, CA. The Annual Fundamentals of Epilepsy Symposium addressed both the newer antiepileptic medications (AEDs) and current understanding regarding use of generic medications. Presentations addressed the pharmacology and mechanism of action of the newest AEDs, their clinical pharmacokinetics and drug interactions. Efficacy and adverse effects of newer AEDs in approved indications plus alternative uses of newer AEDs in epilepsy syndromes and status epilepticus were also reviewed. The most current data regarding the use of generic AEDs was discussed by the panel followed by an audience Q&A session. Invited Talk/Keynote, Presented, 11/30/2012.

Grants, Contracts & Research Gifts

  • Isobolographic Analyses of Cannabidiol Interactions with Antiseizure Drugs. PI: Misty D. Smith. Epilepsy Foundation of America, 11/01/2014 - 03/31/2016. Total project budget to date: $50,000.00
  • Identification and Characterization of Novel Therapeutics for the Treatment and Prevention of Epilepsy and Medical Countermeasures. PI: H. STEVE WHITE, Ph.D. Co-PI(s): HAROLD H. WOLF, Ph.D., KAREN S. WILCOX, Ph.D., F. EDWARD DUDEK, Ph.D.. National Institute of Health/National Instititue of Neurological Disease and Stroke (NIH/NINDS), 09/30/2012 - present. Total project budget to date: $24,500,000.00

Languages

  • English, fluent.

Geographical Regions of Interest

  • Europe
  • United States of America

Publications

  • Zhang L, Klein BD, Metcalf CS, Smith MD, McDougle DR, Lee HK, White HS, Bulaj G. Incorporation of Monodisperse Oligoethyleneglycol Amino Acids into Anticonvulsant Analogs of Galanin and Neuropeptide Y Provides Peripherally-Acting Analgesics. Mol Pharm. 2012 Dec 21. [Epub ahead of print]. Published, 12/21/2012.
  • Platt RJ, Han TS, Green BR, Smith MD, Skalicky J, Gruszczynski P, White HS, Olivera B, Bulaj G, Gajewiak J. Stapling mimics noncovalent interactions of gamma-carboxyglutamates in conantokins, peptidic antagonists of N-methyl-D-aspartic acid receptors: J Biol Chem. 2012 Jun 8; 287 (24): 20727-36. Epub 2012 Apr 19. PMID: 22518838. Published, 06/08/2012.
  • Gowd KH, Han TS, Twede V, Gajewiak J, Smith MD, Watkins M, Platt RJ, Toledo G, White HS, Olivera BM, Bulaj G. Conantokins Derived from the Asprella Clade Impart conR1-B, an N-Methyl d-Aspartate Receptor Antagonist with a Unique Selectivity Profile for NR2B Subunits. Biochemistry. 2012 May 30 [Epub ahead of print] PMID: 2259448. Published, 05/30/2012.