Philip Seeman, M.D., Ph.D.

Philip Seeman, M.D., Ph.D.
bbrf awards icon BBRF Awards & Recognition

Scientific Council Member Emeritus (Joined 1994)

2000, 1995, 1988 Distinguished Investigator Grant

1990 Lieber Prize for Outstanding Achievement in Schizophrenia Research

Philip Seeman, M.D., Ph.D.

bbrf awards icon Title & Institution

Professor of Pharmacology and Psychiatry

University of Toronto
bbrf awards icon BBRF Awards & Recognition
bbrf awards icon Bio

In 1975, Dr. Seeman discovered the antipsychotic dopamine receptor, now called the dopamine D2 receptor. Later, he showed that atypical antipsychotics such as Clozaril® or Seroquel® dissociated from the D2 receptor more quickly than traditional antipsychotics such as Haldol® or Thorazine®. He discovered that the dopamine super-sensitivity is based on a marked increase in the proportion of antipsychotic D2 receptors in a state of high-affinity for dopamine (D2High receptors). This elevation occurs in all known animal models of psychosis. Antipsychotic drugs such as Haldol® can inhibit the rise in amphetamine-induced elevation of these D2High receptors. He recently showed that the new type of glutamate drug (LY404039) being tested for treating schizophrenia also has a significant affinity for the dopamine D2High receptor.

Since 1967, Dr. Seeman has been at the University of Toronto, Department of Pharmacology and served as its Chair between 1977 and 1987.

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