Pierre Blanchet, M.D., Ph.D., FRCP(C)

Dr. Pierre Blanchet is an associate professor in the Department of Stomatology of the Faculty of Dentistry at the Université de Montréal. He directs the experimental Neuropsychopharmacology Laboratory at the CHUM’s Movement Disorders Clinic.

CONTACT

Université de Montréal
Paul-G.-Desmarais Building
2,960 de la Tour Road
Montreal, Quebec Canada

Phone: 514-343-7126
Fax: 514-343-2233
E-mail: Pierre.J.Blanchet@umontreal.ca

SUMMARY OF RESEARCH ACTIVITIES

Dr. Blanchet’s team works on the contribution of basal ganglia to the mechanisms responsible for persistent motor complications induced by antipsychotic drugs, as well as the motor learning disabilities occurring during exposure to these drugs. Clinical trials are conducted to identify the predictive factors for the occurrence of such motor complications (dyskinesia, parkinsonism) in older subjects after long-term treatment with antipsychotic drugs. Circulating hormones and parameters obtained from magnetic resonance are analyzed. Other ongoing projects seek relief for drug-induced oral dyskinesia through prosthetic dentistry and another pharmacological trial on the impact of omega-3. An animal model of dyskinesia induced by antipsychotic agents addresses the responsible mechanisms within the scope of pharmacological protocols and biochemical and molecular characterization of the brain regions involved. The motor learning disabilities brought on by these drugs are also studied in animals.

STUDIED DISEASES

Our research work mainly focuses on persistent motor complications associated with chronic antipsychotic drug treatment, particularly dyskinesia and parkinsonism. As such, the research principally concerns those receiving psychiatric treatment for psychosis. As part of a collaborative effort with neuropsychologists we also study the motor learning disabilities that arise during antipsychotic treatment.

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS

Lévesque M, Bédard M-A, Courtemanche R, Tremblay P-L, Blanchet PJ. Raclopride-induced motor consolidation impairment in primates: role of the dopamine type-2 receptor in movement chunking into integrated sequences. Experimental brain research (SOUS PRESSE).

Kuznetsov Y, Khiat A, Blanchet PJ, Boulanger Y. Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy study of dyskinesia patients. Movement Disorders 2007;22(7):957-962.

Beuter A, Barbo E, Rigal R, Blanchet PJ. Characterization of subclinical tremor in Parkinson’s disease. Movement Disorders 2005;20(8):945-950.

Hadj Tahar A, Blanchet PJ, Doyon J. Effect of amantadine on motor memory consolidation in humans. Behavioral Pharmacology 2005;16(2):107-112.

Blanchet PJ, Rompré PH, Lavigne GJ, Lamarche C. Oral dyskinesia : a clinical overview. Intl J Prosthodontics 2005;18(1) :10-19.

Blanchet PJ, Abdillahi O, Beauvais C, Rompré PH, Lavigne GJ. Prevalence of spontaneous oral dyskinesia in the elderly: a reappraisal. Movement Disorders 2004;19(8):892-896.

Lemay S, Chouinard S, Blanchet P, Masson H, Soland V, Beuter A, Bédard M-A. Lack of efficacy of a nicotine transdermal treatment on motor and cognitive deficits in Parkinson’s disease, Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology & Biological Psychiatry 2004;28:31-39.

Hadj Tahar A, Blanchet PJ, Doyon J. Motor learning impairment by amantadine in healthy volunteers. Neuropsychopharmacology 2004;29(1):187-194.

Lemay S, Blanchet P, Chouinard S, Masson H, Soland V, Bédard M-A. Poor tolerability of a transdermal nicotine treatment in Parkinson's disease. Clinical Neuropharmacology 2003;26(5):227-229.

USEFUL LINKS

Groupe de recherche sur le système nerveux central (GRSNC),

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