Brief Bio

Dr. Dren received his doctorate in Pharmacology from the University of Michigan (Ann Arbor) and a Master’s in Pharmacy from Duquesne University (Pittsburgh, PA). He is a registered pharmacist with over 30 years of experience in pre-clinical and clinical drug development with expertise in the design, execution, monitoring and reporting of Phase I-IV multi-center clinical trials. He has held managerial and research positions at Abbott Laboratories, Burroughs Wellcome Co., and, most recently, at Cato Research Ltd. He has implemented, managed, monitored, and reported on more than 40 drug development clinical trials, is credited with the publication of many scientific articles in professional journals, and holds ten patents.

Academic Program Affiliations

Master of Science in Nursing Program
Doctor of Nursing Practice Program

Education

PhD	University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
MS	Duquesne University

Research Interests

Design and execution of drug development clinical research studies.

Awards and Honors

• 2010 Achievement Award and Alumni Commendation, Duquesne University Tamburitzans

• 2010 American Epilepsy Society Fiftieth Anniversary Special Friend Award, American Epilepsy Society

• 2010 Central Pharmaceutical Journal Award in Pharmaceutical Administration, Central Pharmaceutical Journal

• 2010 Century Club Distinguished Alumnus Award, Duquesne University

• 1966 Inducted, Rho Chi

• 1966 Inducted, Phi Delta Chi

• 1961 NIH Predoctoral Fellow, University of Michigan, United States Public Health Service

• 1960 Performing Arts Scholarship, Duquesne University Tamburitzans

• 1960 Student Government Achievement Award, Duquesne University

• 1960 Student Hall of Fame, Duquesne University

Areas of Expertise

• Clinical Research Management
• Pharmacology

Representative Publications

• 2003 -- Dren, A. T., Gussin, R. Z., Diamond, J., DuCharme, D. W., Gibb, J. W., Levin, J. A., Zedeck, M. S. Memoirs of the early 1960s - The magnificent years. In Sixty-One Years of Michigan Pharmacology 1942-2003, edited by E. F. Domino 2003; pp. 225-229. Ann Arbor, MI: NPP Books.

• 2000 -- Dren, A. T., Turner, G. H. The drug development process: Challenges, changes and careers. Part I. Advance for Nurses. 2000; 2(20); 20-22

• 2000 -- Dren, A. T., Turner, G. H. The drug development process: Challenges, changes and careers. Part II. Advance for Nurses. 2000; 2(21); 18-28

• 1996 -- Pubmed # 8823232 Anderson, G. D., Yau, M. K., Gidal, B. E., Harris, S. J., Levy, R. H., Lai, A. A., Wolf, K. B., Wargin, W. A., Dren, A. T. Bidirectional interaction of valproate and lamotrigine in healthy subjects. Clin Pharmacol Ther. August, 1996; 60(2); 145-56

• 1995 -- Risner, M. E., Womble, G. P., Dren, A. T., Manasco, P. K. Long-term clinical trial experience with Lamictal (lamotrigine) treatment of epilepsy. Epilepsia. 1995; 36(Suppl 4); 66

• 1994 -- Bergen, D., Ristanovic, R., Rudd, D., Dren, A. T., Klein, K. Placebo-controlled evaluation of clinical laboratory data and body weight during administration of Lamictal in outpatients with partial seizures Epilepsia. 1994; 35(Suppl 8); 1963

• 1993 -- Pubmed # 8232944 Matsuo, F., Bergen, D., Faught, E., Messenheimer, J. A., Dren, A. T., Rudd, G. D., Lineberry, C. G. Placebo-controlled study of the efficacy and safety of lamotrigine in patients with partial seizures. U.S. Lamotrigine Protocol 0.5 Clinical Trial Group. Neurology. November, 1993; 43(11); 2284-91

• 1992 -- Dren, A. T., Risner, M. E., Womble, G. P., Yau, M. K., Rudd, G. D., Lineberry, C. G. Placebo-controlled add-on experience demonstrating the safety and efficacy of lamotrigine in patients with refractory partial seizures. Journal of Clinical Pharmacology. 1992; 32 766

• 1992 -- Rudd, G. D., Dren, A. T., Womble, G. P., Risner, M. E., Lineberry, C. G. Comparison of crossover and parallel designs in the clinical evaluation of lamotrigine Pharmacotherapy. 1992; 12 263

• 1991 -- Pubmed # 1681560 Borison, R. L., Diamond, B. I., Dren, A. T. Does sigma receptor antagonism predict clinical antipsychotic efficacy? Psychopharmacol Bull. 1991; 27(2); 103-6

• 1987 -- Dren, A. T., Gorodetzky, C. W., Cato, A. Case report: The case of the disappearing white blood cells. J Clin Res Drug Dev. 1987; 1 79-86

• 1988 -- Dren, A. T., Ebert, D. M., Warawa, E. J., Dodge, P. W. The intravenous anesthetic activity of bicyclic ketals structurally related to ketamine and etoxadrol. In Sigma and phencyclidine-like compounds as molecular probes in biology, edited by Domino, E. F. & Kamenka, J. M. 1988; pp. 69-77. Ann Arbor, MI: NPP Books.

• 1987 -- Dren, A. T., Ebert, D. M., Warawa, E. J., Dodge, P. W. Intravenous anesthetic activity of bicyclic ketals structurally related to ketamine and etoxadrol J Pharmacol Biochem Behav. 1987; 28(1); 122

• 1986 -- White H. L., Dren, A. T. Some preclinical and clinical pharmacological properties of BW A616U, a reversible MAO A inhibitor Clin Neuropharmacol. 1986; 9(Suppl 1); 561-562

• 1985 -- Davidson, J., Dren, A., Miller, R., Manberg, P., Kilts, C., Wingfield, M. BW234U: a non-dopamine receptor blocking antipsychotic drug without extrapyramidal effects? Drug Development Research. 1985; 6(1); 13-17

• 1985 -- Schwarcz, G., Halaris, A., Dren, A., Manberg, P. Open-label evaluation of the novel antipsychotic compound BW234U in chronic schizophrenics. Drug Development Research. 1985; 5(4); 387-393

• 1985 -- Warawa, E., Dren, A. T., Ebert, D. M. Synthesis and intravenous general anesthetic activity of 7-aza-II, 12-dioxxa-6-phenuyltricyclo-7,2,1,0 dodecanes Journal of Medicinal Chemistry. 1985; 28

• 1985 -- Davidson, J. R. T., Dren, A. T., Feighner, J. P., Ban, T. A., Chouinard, G. Multicenter study of a non-dopamine receptor blocking agent (BW234U) in schizophrenia. In Clinical and pharmacological studies in psychiatric disorders, edited by Burrows, G. D. and Norman, T. R. and Dennerstein, L. December, 1985; pp. 196-201. London: John Libbey and Company.

• 1984 -- Feighner, J. P., Dren, A. T., Manberg, P. J. Clinical experience with a new antipsychotic without dopamine blocking properties Clin Neuropharmacol. 1984; 7(Suppl 1); 148-149

• 1983 -- Pubmed # 6681843 Lee, C. M., Zaugg, H. E., Michaels, R. J., Dren, A. T., Plotnikoff, N. P., Young, P. R. New azacannabinoids highly active in the central nervous system. J Med Chem. February, 1983; 26(2); 278-80

• 1983 -- Guy, W., Manov, G., Wilson, W. H., Ban, T., Fjetland, O. K., Manberg, P. J., Dren, A. T. Psychotropic actions of BW234U in the treatment of inpatient schizophrenics: a dose range study. Drug Development Research. 1983; 3(3); 245-252

• 1982 -- Pubmed # 6130560 Davidson, J., Miller, R., Wingfield, M., Zung, W., Dren, A. T. The first clinical study of BW-234U in schizophrenia. Psychopharmacol Bull. October, 1982; 18(4); 173-6

• 1980 -- Dren, T. T. Drug toxicity (book review) J Pharm Sci. 1980; 69 753

• 1979 -- Pubmed # 33259 Minard, F. N., Cain, J. C., Grant, D. S., Dren, A. T. N-o-Methoxyphenylpiperazine: a simple blocker of dopaminergic receptors in the brain. J Pharm Pharmacol. February, 1979; 31(2); 91-3

• 1978 -- Pubmed # 660483 Dren, A. T., Bopp, B. A., Ebert, D. M., Geiszler, A. O., Holland, J. B., Horrom, B. W., Dunnigan, D. A. Local anesthetic activity and acute toxicity of N-substituted 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-1- and 2-naphthylamines. J Pharm Sci. June, 1978; 67(6); 880-2

• 1978 -- Pubmed # 660484 Bopp, B. A., Dren, A. T., Ebert, D. M., Geiszler, A. O. Local anesthetic activity and acute toxicity of N-heptyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-6-methoxy-1-naphthylamine methanesulfonate. J Pharm Sci. 1978; 67(6); 882-4

• 1978 -- Dren, A. T., Giardina, W. J., Hagen, N. S. Valproic acid (depakene): A review of pharmacological properties and clinical uses. Pharmacological and biochemical properties of drug substances. 1978; 58-97

• 1978 -- Domino, E. F., Dren, A. T., Giardina, W. J. Neurotransmitter and enzyme changes in the aged brain. In Psychopharmacology: A Generation of Progress, edited by Lipton, M. A., DiMascio, A,, & Killam, K. F. 1978; pp. 1507-1515. New York: Raven Press.

• 1977 -- Pubmed # 915915 Lee, C. M., Michaels, R. J., Zaugg, H. E., Dren, A. T., Plotnikoff, N. P., Young, P. R. Cannabinoids. Synthesis and central nervous system activity of 8-substituted 10-hydroxy-5,5-dimethyl-5H-[1]benzopyrano[4,3-c]pyridine and derivatives. J Med Chem. 1977; 20(11); 1508-11

• 1977 -- Pubmed # 15111 Kirkpatrick, W. E., Okabe, T., Hillyard, I. W., Robins, R. K., Dren, A. T., Novinson, T. 3-Halo-5,7-dimethylpyrazolo [1,5-a]pyrimidines, a nonbenzodiazepinoid class of antianxiety agents devoid of potentiation of central nervous system depressant effects of ethanol or barbiturates. J Med Chem. March, 1977; 20(3); 386-93

• 1977 -- Dren, A. T., Janicki, R. S. Pemoline. In Pharmacologic properties of drug substances, edited by Goldberg, M. A. 1977; pp. 33-65. Washington, DC: American Pharmaceutical Association.

• 1976 -- Pubmed # 817021 Winn, M., Arendsen, D., Dodge, P., Dren, A., Dunnigan, D., Hallas, R., Hwang, K,. Kyncl, J., Lee, Y. H., Plotnikoff, N., Young, P., Zaugg, H. Drugs derived from cannabinoids. 5. Delta 6a, 10a-tetrahydrocannabinol and heterocyclic analogs containing aromatic side chains. J Med Chem. April, 1976; 19(4); 461-471

• 1976 -- Razdan, R. K., Terris B. Z., Handrick, G. R., Dalzell, H. C., Pars, H. G., Howes, J. F., Plotnikoff, N., Dodge, P., Dren, A., Kyncl, J., Shoer, L., Thompson, W. R. Drugs derived from cannabinoids. 3. Sulfur analogs, thiopyranobenzopyrans and thienobenzopyrans. Journal of medicinal chemistry. April, 1976; 19(4); 549-551

• 1976 -- Pubmed # 817020 Razdan, R. K., Terris, B. Z., Pars, H. G., Plotnikoff, N. P., Dodge, P. W., Dren, A. T., Kyncl, J., Somani, P. Drugs derived from cannabinoids. 2. Basic esters of nitrogen and carbocyclic analogs. J Med Chem. April, 1976; 19(4); 454-61

• 1976 -- Pubmed # 944269 Razdan, R. K., Handrick, G. R., Dalzell, H. C., Howes, J. F., Winn, M., Plotnikoff, N. P., Dodge, P. W., Dren, A. T. Drugs derived from cannabinoids. 4. Effect of alkyl substitution in sulfur and carbocyclic analogs. J Med Chem. April, 1976; 19(4); 552-4

• 1976 -- Dren, A. T. Preclinical pharmacology of three nitrogen-containing heterocyclic benzopyrans derived from the cannabinoid nucleus. In The Therapeutic Aspects of Marihuana, edited by Cohen, S. & Stillman, R. C. 1976; pp. 439-456. New York (NY): Plenum Publishing.

• 1968 -- Pubmed # 4387241 Dren, A. T., Domino, E. F. Cholinergic and adrenergic activating agents as antagonists of the EEG effects of hemicholinium-3. Arch Int Pharmacodyn Ther. September, 1968; 175(1); 63-72

• 1968 -- Pubmed # 5648491 Dren, A. T., Domino, E. F. Effects of hemicholinium (HC-3) on EEG activation and brain acetylcholine in the dog. J Pharmacol Exp Ther. May, 1968; 161(1); 141-54

• 1968 -- Pubmed # 5710521 Rosecrans, J. A., Dren, A. T., Domino, E. F. Effects of physostigmine on rat brain acetylcholine, acetylcholinesterase and conditioned pole jumping. Int J Neuropharmacol. March, 1968; 7(2); 127-34

• 1968 -- Dren, A. T. EEG Evaluation of Drug Action INTEK. 1968; 4 1-3

• 1968 -- Pubmed # 5749010 Domino, E. F., Yamamoto, K., Dren, A. T. Role of cholinergic mechanisms in states of wakefulness and sleep. Prog Brain Res. 1968; 28(2); 113-33

• 1967 -- Domino, E. F., Dren, A. T., Yamamoto, K. I. Pharmacologic evidence for cholinergic mechanisms in neocortical and limbic activating systems. In , edited by Adey, W. R. & Tokizane, T. 1967; pp. 337-64. : .

Grant Funding (selected)

• Clinical Research Management Program for Nurses  
  Health Resources and Service Administration (HRSA)
  D09HP07350-02
  07/2006-06/2009
  Role: Faculty
  The purpose of this project is to “prepare advanced practice nurses through the enhancement of advanced nursing education and practice". The major goal of this project is to develop interactive case scenarios for on-line teaching.