Research Biologist — Division of Neurotoxicology

Xuan Zhang, M.D., Ph.D.
(870) 543-7121
[email protected]  

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About  |  Publications  |  Lab Members

Background

Dr. Xuan Zhang has been active in the field of neuroscience research for more than ten years. She has an excellent educational background, including M.D. and Ph.D. degrees in neuroscience from the University of Texas (2005). Dr. Zhang is successful as a principal investigator in obtaining and directing extramural funding for Interagency Agreements designed to allow investigation of problems of national and international scope that are of concern to both FDA and collaborating government agencies. Both her training and research efforts have been heavily interdisciplinary and have included the subject areas of pharmacology, toxicology, neurobiology, psychiatry, anesthesiology, and neuroimaging.

Dr. Zhang received the FDA “Group Recognition Award” in 2008 and “Scientific Achievement Award” in 2009 that recognized her research accomplishments. 

Research Interests

Dr. Zhang currently provides unique and highly specialized skills in neurotoxicology research. One of her main research interests is potential pediatric anesthetic-induced neural cell death and the potential role of neurotransmission. In addition, she retains an interest in the application of noninvasive imaging in developmental neurotoxicological studies as well as the application of dynamic molecular imaging approaches in pediatric-anesthetic studies. Dr. Zhang is also interested in the use of a variety of neuroimaging techniques to investigate the brain structures and neural circuitry associated with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, as well as the effects of substance abuse and addiction on the brain and its development.

Professional Societies/National and International Groups

Society for Neuroscience
Member
2000 – 2017 

Selected Publications

MicroPET/CT Assessment of FDG Uptake in Brain after Long-Term Methylphenidate Treatment in Nonhuman Primates.
Zhang X., Newport G.D., Callicott R., Liu S., Thompson J., Berridge M.S., Apana S.M., Slikker W. Jr., Wang C., and Paule M.G.
Neurotoxicol Teratol. 2016, 56: 68-74. doi: 10.1016/j.ntt.2016.06.005.
 

In Vivo Monitoring of Sevoflurane-Induced Adverse Effects in Neonatal Nonhuman Primates using Small-Animal Positron Emission Tomography.
Zhang X., Liu S., Newport G.D., Paule M.G., Callicott R., Thompson J., Liu F., Patterson T.A., Berridge M.S., Apana S.M., Brown C.C., Maisha M.P., Hanig J.P., Slikker W. Jr., and Wang C.
Anesthesiology. 2016, 125(1): 133-46. doi: 10.1097/ALN.0000000000001154.
 

Plasmodium Infection is Associated with Impaired Hepatic Dimethylarginine Dimethylaminohydrolase Activity and Disruption of Nitric Oxide Synthase Inhibitor/Substrate Homeostasis.
Chertow J.H., Alkaitis M.S., Nardone G., Ikeda A.K., Cunnington A.J., Okebe J., Ebonyi A.O., Njie M., Correa S., Jayasooriya S., Casals-Pascual C., Billker O., Conway D.J., Walther M., and Ackerman H.
PLoS Pathog. 2015, 0111(9):e1005119.
 

Application of MicroPET Imaging Approaches in the Study of Pediatric Anesthetic-Induced Neuronal Toxicity.
Zhang X., Paule M.G., Wang C., and Slikker W. Jr.
Appl Toxicol. 2013, 33(9): 861-8. doi: 10.1002/jat.2857.
 

Inhalation Anesthetic-Induced Neuronal Damage in the Developing Rhesus Monkey.
Zou X., Liu F., Zhang X., Patterson T.A., Callicott R., Liu S., Hanig J.P., Paule M.G., Slikker W. Jr., and Wang C.
Neurotoxicol Teratol. 2011, 33(5): 592-7. doi: 10.1016/j.ntt.2011.06.003.
 

Changes in Gene Expression after Phencyclidine Administration in Developing Rats: A Potential Animal Model for Schizophrenia.
Liu F., Zou X., Sadovova N., Zhang X., Shi L., Guo L., Qian F., Wen Z., Patterson T.A., Hanig J.P., Paule M.G., Slikker W. Jr., and Wang C.
Int J Dev Neurosci. 2011, 29(3): 351-8. doi: 10.1016/j.ijdevneu.2010.07.234.
 

MicroPET Imaging of Ketamine-Induced Neuronal Apoptosis with Radiolabeled DFNSH.
Zhang X., Paule M.G., Newport G.D., Sadovova N., Berridge M.S., Apana S.M., Kabalka G., Miao W., Slikker W. Jr., and Wang C.
J Neural Transm (Vienna). 2011, 118(2): 203-11. doi: 10.1007/s00702-010-0499-z.
 

Anesthetic-Induced Oxidative Stress and Potential Protection.
Wang C., Zhang X., Liu F., Paule M.G., and Slikker W. Jr.
ScientificWorldJournal. 2010, 10: 1473-82. doi: 10.1100/tsw.2010.118.
 

A Minimally Invasive, Translational Biomarker of Ketamine-Induced Neuronal Death in Rats: MicroPET Imaging using 18F-Annexin V.
Zhang X., Paule M.G., Newport G.D., Zou X., Sadovova N., Berridge M.S., Apana S.M., Hanig J.P., Slikker W. Jr., and Wang C.
Toxicol Sci. 2009, 111(2): 355-61. doi: 10.1093/toxsci/kfp167.

Lab Members

Contact information for all lab members:
(870) 543-7121
[email protected]  

C. Matthew Fogle
Biologist