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Paul Kenny

  • PROFESSOR & CHAIR Pharmacology and Systems Therapeutics
  • DIRECTOR Experimental Therapeutics Institute
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Research Topics

Training Areas

Education

  • BA, Trinity College Dublin
    Biochemistry

  • PhD, University of London
    Neuropsychopharmacology

Biography

Awards

  • 2012 -
    Mathilde Solowey Lecture Award in the Neurosciences
    Foundation for Advanced Education in the Sciences

  • 2010 -
    Jacob P. Waletzky Memorial Award
    Society for Neuroscience

Research

The Kenny Laboratory is focused on understanding the neurobiological mechanisms of drug addiction, obesity and schizophrenia, with an emphasis on the role of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) in these processes. They employ a multidisciplinary approach that includes complex behavioral paradigms, physiological analyses and molecular biological techniques. Current projects include the utilization of vector-based delivery systems to modify gene expression in the brains of rodents to identify novel signaling cascades that may play a role in addiction-like behaviors.

Publications

Kenny PJ. The food addiction. Scientific American 2013 Sep; 309(3).

Hope BT, Skinner MK, Kenny PJ, Akbarian S. Exploring the epigenetics of cocaine resistance. Nature Medicine 2013 Feb; 19(2).

Heyer MP, Pani AK, Smeyne RJ, Kenny PJ, Feng G. Normal midbrain dopaminergic neuron development and function in miR-133b mutant mice. Journal of Neuroscience 2012 Aug; 32(32).

Im HI, Kenny PJ. MicroRNAs in neuronal function and dysfunction. Trends in Neurosciences 2012 May; 35(5).

Fowler CD, Lu Q, Johnson PM, Marks MJ, Kenny PJ. Habenular α5 nicotinic receptor subunit signalling controls nicotine intake. Nature 2011 Mar; 471(7340).

Kenny PJ. Reward mechanisms in obesity: new insights and future directions. Neuron 2011 Feb; 69(4).

Im HI, Hollander JA, Bali P, Kenny PJ. MeCP2 controls BDNF expression and cocaine intake through homeostatic interactions with microRNA-212. Nature Neuroscience 2010 Sep; 13(9).

Hollander JA, Im HI, Amelio AL, Kocerha J, Bali P, Lu Q, Willoughby D, Wahlestedt C, Conkright MD, Kenny PJ. Striatal microRNA controls cocaine intake through CREB signalling. Nature 2010 Jul; 466(7303).

Johnson PM, Kenny PJ. Dopamine D2 receptors in addiction-like reward dysfunction and compulsive eating in obese rats. Nature Neuroscience 2010 May; 13(5).

Industry Relationships

Physicians and scientists on the faculty of the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai often interact with pharmaceutical, device and biotechnology companies to improve patient care, develop new therapies and achieve scientific breakthroughs. In order to promote an ethical and transparent environment for conducting research, providing clinical care and teaching, Mount Sinai requires that salaried faculty inform the School of their relationships with such companies.

Below are financial relationships with industry reported by Dr. Kenny during 2012 and/or 2013. Please note that this information may differ from information posted on corporate sites due to timing or classification differences.

Equity (Stock or stock options valued at greater than 5% ownership of a publicly traded company or equity of any value in a privately held company)

  • Eolas Therapeutics, Inc.

Mount Sinai's faculty policies relating to faculty collaboration with industry are posted on our website at http://icahn.mssm.edu/about-us/services-and-resources/faculty-resources/handbooks-and-policies/faculty-handbook. Patients may wish to ask their physician about the activities they perform for companies.

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