Dr Caroline Dalton BSc, PhD

Biomedical Science

Pharmacogenetics 

Study of functional polymorphisms in the family of 5-HT receptor genes. These polymorphisms may affect gene expression in certain groups of psychiatric patients and therefore affect their response to drug treatment. The current study is focussed on genotyping patients for the various polymorphisms, and relating the genotypes to mRNA and protein expression using real-time PCR, binding assays and reporter gene assays in mammalian cell lines.

This work is in collaboration with Dr Adrian Hall and is part of a long-standing association with Professor Gavin Reynolds of Queen's University, Belfast.

Neurodegeneration

This work has focussed on the developed cell culture model of CAG repeat diseases, which can be used to study the mechanisms of these diseases, in particular the differences in vulnerability of affected neuronal cells to mitochondrial toxins. This has been applied to the investigation of the effect of polyunsaturated fatty acids and antioxidants on neurodegeneration in neuroblastoma cells.

Further studies are concentrating on investigating the potential neuroprotective effects of selenium. This work is in collaboration with Dr Philip Gardiner.

Journal articles

Thaweethee, B., Suttajit, S., Thanoi, S., Dalton, C., Reynolds, G.P., & Nudmamud-Thanoi, S. (2019). Association of SLC1A2 and SLC17A7 polymorphisms with major depressive disorder in a Thai population. Asian Biomedicine, 12 (3), 131-138. http://doi.org/10.1515/abm-2019-0012

Hudspith, L., Shmam, F., Dalton, C.F., Princivalle, A., & Turega, S. (2019). Neurotransmitter selection by monoamine oxidase isoforms, dissected in terms of functional groups by mixed double mutant cycles. Organic & Biomolecular Chemistry. http://doi.org/10.1039/c9ob01558b

Thaweethee-Sukjai, B., Suttajit, S., Thanoi, S., Dalton, C., Reynolds, G., & Nudmamud-Thanoi, S. (2019). Parvalbumin Promoter Methylation Altered in Major Depressive Disorder. International journal of medical sciences, 16 (9), 1207-1214. http://doi.org/10.7150/ijms.36131

Woodward, A., Broom, D., Harrop, D., Lahart, I., Carter, A., Dalton, C., ... Klonizakis, M. (2019). The effects of physical exercise on cardiometabolic outcomes in women with polycystic ovary syndrome not taking the oral contraceptive pill: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Diabetes & Metabolic Disorders. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40200-019-00425-y

Wei, X., Zhang, S., Yang, W., Luo, Z., Sun, P., Dalton, C.F., ... Reynolds, G.P. (2019). Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder in three generations of a Chinese family. Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders, 32, 94-96. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.msard.2019.04.010

Reynolds, G., Dalton, C., Watrimez, W., Jackson, J., & Harte, M.K. (2019). Adjunctive lurasidone suppresses food intake and weight gain associated with olanzapine administration in rats. Clinical Psychopharmacology and Neuroscience, 17 (2), 314-317. http://doi.org/10.9758/cpn.2019.17.2.314

Woodward, A., Klonizakis, M., Lahart, I., Carter, A., Dalton, C., Metwally, M., & Broom, D. (2019). The effects of exercise on cardiometabolic outcomes in women with polycystic ovary syndrome not taking the oral contraceptive pill: protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis. Systematic Reviews, 8 (1). http://doi.org/10.1186/s13643-019-1030-8

Taylor-Whiteley, T.R., Le Maitre, C.L., Duce, J.A., Dalton, C.F., & Smith, D.P. (2019). Recapitulating Parkinson's disease pathology in a three-dimensional human neural cell culture model. Disease Models & Mechanisms, 12 (4). http://doi.org/10.1242/dmm.038042

Fachim, H.A., Loureiro, C.M., Corsi-Zuelli, F., Shuhama, R., Louzada-Junior, P., Menezes, P.R., ... Reynolds, G.P. (2019). GRIN2B promoter methylation deficits in early-onset schizophrenia and its association with cognitive function. Epigenomics, 11 (4), 401-410. http://doi.org/10.2217/epi-2018-0127

Abdella, H.M., El Farssi, H.O.E., Broom, D., Hadden, D., & Dalton, C. (2019). Eating behaviours and food cravings; influence of age, sex, BMI and FTO genotype. Nutrients, 11 (2), 377. http://doi.org/10.3390/nu11020377

Rocha, J., Paxman, J., Dalton, C., Hopkins, M., & Broom, D. (2018). An acute bout of cycling does not induce compensatory responses in pre-menopausal women not using hormonal contraceptives. Appetite, 128, 87-94. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.appet.2018.05.143

Fachim, H., Srisawat, U., Dalton, C., & Reynolds, G. (2018). Parvalbumin promoter hypermethylation in postmortem brain in schizophrenia. Epigenomics, 10 (5), 519-524. http://doi.org/10.2217/epi-2017-0159

Simper, T., Dalton, C., Broom, D., Ibrahim, W., Li, J., Bankole, C., & Chen, S. (2018). Greater glycaemic response to an oral glucose load in healthy, lean, active and young Chinese adults compared to matched Europeans. Nutrients, 10 (4), 487. http://doi.org/10.3390/nu10040487

Veerasakul, S., Watiktinkorn, P., Thanoi, S., Dalton, C., Fachim, H., Nudmamud-Thanoi, S., & Reynolds, G. (2017). Increased DNA methylation in the parvalbumin gene promoter is associated with methamphetamine dependence. Pharmacogenomics, 18 (14), 1317-1322. http://doi.org/10.2217/pgs-2016-0188

Illangasekera, Y.A., Kumarasiri, R.P.V., Fernando, D.J., & Dalton, C. (2016). Association of FTO and near MC4R variants with obesity measures in urban and rural dwelling Sri Lankans. Obesity Research & Clinical Practice, 10 (Supp 1), S117-S124. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.orcp.2016.02.003

Mason, R., Paskins, A., Dalton, C., & Smith, D. (2016). Copper Binding and Subsequent Aggregation of α-Synuclein Are Modulated by N-Terminal Acetylation and Ablated by the H50Q Missense Mutation. Biochemistry, 55 (34), 4737-4741. http://doi.org/10.1021/acs.biochem.6b00708

Fachim, H., Srisawat, U., Dalton, C., Harte, M.K., Marsh, S., Neill, J.C., & Reynolds, G. (2016). Subchronic administration of phencyclidine produces hypermethylation in the parvalbumin gene promoter in rat brain. Epigenomics, 8 (9), 1179-1183. http://doi.org/10.2217/epi-2016-0050

Rocha, J., Paxman, J., Dalton, C., Winter, E., & Broom, D. (2016). Effects of a 12-week aerobic exercise intervention on eating behaviour, food cravings and 7-day energy intake and energy expenditure in inactive men. Applied Physiology, Nutrition and Metabolism, 41 (11), 1129-1136. http://doi.org/10.1139/apnm-2016-0189

Illes-toth, E., Ramos, M., Cappai, R., Dalton, C., & Smith, D. (2015). Distinct higher-order alpha-synuclein oligomers induce intracellular aggretation. Biochemical Journal, 468 (3), 485-493. http://doi.org/10.1042/BJ20150159

Rocha, J., Paxman, J., Dalton, C., Winter, E., & Broom, D. (2015). Effects of an acute bout of aerobic exercise on immediate and subsequent three-day food intake and energy expenditure in active and inactive pre-menopausal women taking oral contraceptives. Appetite, 89 (1), 183-191. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.appet.2015.02.005

Srisawat, U., Reynolds, G.P., Zhang, Z.J., Zhang, X.R., Arranz, B., San, L., & Dalton, C.F. (2014). Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) 677C/T polymorphism is associated with antipsychotic-induced weight gain in first-episode schizophrenia. International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology, 17 (3), 485-490. http://doi.org/10.1017/S1461145713001375

Reynolds, G.P., McGowan, O.O., & Dalton, C.F. (2014). Pharmacogenomics in psychiatry : the relevance of receptor and transporter polymorphisms. British Journal Of Clinical Pharmacology, 77 (4), 654-672. http://doi.org/10.1111/bcp.12312

Tang, H., Dalton, C., Srisawat, U., Zhang, Z.J., & Reynolds, G. (2014). Methylation at a transcription factor-binding site on the 5-HT1A receptor gene correlates with negative symptom treatment response in first episode schizophrenia. The International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology, 17 (04), 645-649. http://doi.org/10.1017/S1461145713001442

Rocha, J., Paxman, J., Dalton, C., Winter, E., & Broom, D. (2013). Effects of an acute bout of aerobic exercise on immediate and subsequent three-day food intake and energy expenditure in active and inactive men. Appetite, 71, 369-378. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.appet.2013.09.009

Illes-Toth, E., Dalton, C.F., & Smith, D. (2013). Binding of Dopamine to Alpha-Synuclein is Mediated by Specific Conformational States. Journal of The American Society for Mass Spectrometry, 24 (9), 1346-1354. http://doi.org/10.1007/s13361-013-0676-z

Preshaw, P.M., de Silva, N., McCracken, G.I., Fernando, D.J., Dalton, C., Steen, N.D., & Heasman, P.A. (2010). Compromised periodontal status in an urgan Sri Lankan population with type 2 diabetes. Journal Of Clinical Periodontology, 37 (2), 165-171. http://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-051X.2009.01519.x

Taylor, D., Dalton, C., Hall, A., Woodroofe, M.N., & Gardiner, P. (2009). Recent developments in selenium research. British journal of biomedical science, 66 (2), 107-116. http://doi.org/10.1080/09674845.2009.11730256

Reynolds, L.M., Dalton, C.F., & Reynolds, G.P. (2001). Phospholipid fatty acids and neurotoxicity in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells. Neuroscience Letters, 309 (3), 193-196. http://doi.org/10.1016/S0304-3940(01)02071-7

Reynolds, G.P., Dalton, C.F., Tillery, C.L., Mangiarini, L., Davies, S.W., & Bates, G.P. (1999). Brain neurotransmitter deficits in mice transgenic for the Huntington's disease mutation. Journal of Neurochemistry, 72 (4), 1773-1776. http://doi.org/10.1046/j.1471-4159.1999.721773.x

Laird, S.M., Dalton, C.F., Okon, M.A., Bunning, R.A.D., Marshall, R., & Li, T.C. (1999). Metalloproteinases and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1 (TIMP-1) in endometrial flushings from pre- and post-menopausal women and from women with endometrial adenocarcinoma. Journal of Reproduction and Fertility, 115 (2), 225-232. http://doi.org/10.1530/jrf.0.1150225

Li, T.C., Okon, M.A., Dalton, C.F., Heatley, M., & Laird, S.M. (1998). Is the measurement of placental protein-14 and CA-125 in plasma and uterine flushings useful in the evaluation of peri-menopausal and post-menopausal bleeding? Human Reproduction, 13 (10), 2895-2901. http://doi.org/10.1093/humrep/13.10.2895

Dalton, C.K., Laird, S.M., Estdale, S.E., Saravelos, H.G., & Li, T.C. (1998). Endometrial protein PP14 and CA-125 in recurrent miscarriage patients; Correlation with pregnancy outcome. Human Reproduction, 13 (11), 3197-3202. http://doi.org/10.1093/humrep/13.11.3197

Reynolds, G.P., & Dalton, C.F. (1998). Transgenic models and subcellular pathology - Do they tell us what goes wrong in Huntington's disease? Molecular Psychiatry, 3 (3), 192-195. http://doi.org/10.1038/sj.mp.4000374

Laird, S.M., Tuckerman, E.M., Dalton, C.F., Dunphy, B.C., Li, T.C., & Zhang, X. (1997). The production of leukaemia inhibitory factor by human endometrium: Presence in uterine flushings and production by cells in culture. Human Reproduction, 12 (3), 569-574. http://doi.org/10.1093/humrep/12.3.569

Dalton, C.F., Laird, S.M., Serle, E., Saravelos, H., Warren, M.A., Li, T.C., & Bolton, A.E. (1995). The measurement of CA 125 and placental protein 14 in uterine flushings in women with recurrent miscarriage; relation to endometrial morphology. Human Reproduction, 10 (10), 2680-2684. http://doi.org/10.1093/oxfordjournals.humrep.a135767

Li, T.C., Dalton, C., Hunjan, K.S., Warren, M.A., & Bolton, A.E. (1993). Implantation: The correlation of placental protein 14 concentrations in uterine flushing and endometrial morphology in the peri-implantation period. Human Reproduction, 8 (11), 1923-1927. http://doi.org/10.1093/oxfordjournals.humrep.a137961

Mackenna, A., Li, T.C., Dalton, C., Bolton, A., & Cooke, I. (1993). Placental protein 14 levels in uterine flushing and plasma of women with unexplained infertility. Fertility and Sterility, 59 (3), 577-582. http://doi.org/10.1016/S0015-0282(16)55803-8

Li, T.C., Dalton, C., Bolton, A.E., & Cooke, I.D. (1993). Concentration of endometrial protein PP14 in uterine flushings throughout the menstrual cycle in normal, fertile women. BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, 100 (5), 460-464. http://doi.org/10.1111/j.1471-0528.1993.tb15272.x

Li, T.C., Dalton, C., Bolton, A.E., Ling, E., Warren, A., & Cooke, I.D. (1992). An analysis of the variation of plasma concentrations of placental protein 14 in artificial cycles. Fertility and Sterility, 57 (4), 776-782. http://doi.org/10.1016/S0015-0282(16)54958-9

Conference papers

Fachim, H., Loureiro, C., Corsi-Zueli, F., Menezes, P.R., Louzada Jr, P., Dalton, C., ... Reynolds, G. (2018). S14. DNA methylation changes in GABAergic and glutamatergic markers in early schizophrenia. Schizophrenia Bulletin, 44 (suppl_), S329. http://doi.org/10.1093/schbul/sby018.801

Rocha, J., Paxman, J., Dalton, C., & Broom, D. (2016). Effects of a 12-week aerobic exercise intervention on eating behaviour, food cravings and 7-day energy intake and energy expenditure in inactive men. Journal of Sports Sciences, 34 (S1), s61. http://doi.org/10.1080/02640414.2016.1260807

Theses / Dissertations

Srisawat, U. (2015). Genetic polymorphisms, DNA methylation and antipsychotic induced weight gain in schizophrenia patients. (Doctoral thesis). Supervised by Dalton, C.

Bokhamada, H. (2014). The effect of testosterone on factors associated with diabetes, atherosclerosis and obesity. (Doctoral thesis). Supervised by Dalton, C., Woodroofe, N., & Jones, H.

Illes-Toth, T.E. (2013). Linking the structure of alpha-synuclein oligmers to function in Parkinson's disease. (Doctoral thesis). Supervised by Smith, D., & Dalton, C.

Ben-Hasan, M.H.A. (2011). Characterisation of the potentially diverse transcriptional regulatory mechanisms of human coagulation PZ gene. (Doctoral thesis). Supervised by Hall, A., Winship, P., & Dalton, C.

De Silva, S.N.T. (2009). Type 2 diabetes in Sri Lanka : Genetic epidemiology and periodontal association. (Doctoral thesis). Supervised by Fernando, D.J.S., Heasman, P., Preshaw, P., & Dalton, C.

Bunn, L.J. (2008). 5-HT1A receptor expression : Studies in postmortem tissue and characterisation of a model system. (Doctoral thesis). Supervised by Dalton, C., Hall, A., & Reynolds, G.

Rocha, J.B.P.F.D. (n.d.). Effects of exercise on hunger, food intake and energy expenditure. (Doctoral thesis). Supervised by Broom, D., Paxman, J., & Dalton, C.

Hameida El Farssi - Effect of increased dietary protein on weight-loss, satiety and gastric emptying

• Nutrition and Obesity
• The Genetic and Lifestyle Factors Associated with Obesity
• Epigenetic Factors in Schizophrenia and its Treatment