James Brimson, Ph.D

JAD profile

Affiliation(s): 

Chulalongkorn University

ORCID URL: 

https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2074-8262

Areas of Interest: 

Sigma receptors; Dementia; Cognitive Impairment; neurodegenerative disease; Alzheimer's Disease; Aging and Cognition;

Biography & Research: 

Dr. Brimson trained as a research scientist under the guidance of Prof. Gregorio Gil at Virginia Commonwealth University USA, as part of his placement year during his undergraduate degree. He graduated with a degree in genetics from The University of The West of England, with First Class Honours, and obtained his Ph.D. from the University of Bath in the Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology under the supervision of Prof. Steve Safrany. Dr. Brimson’s major research interest is the role of the sigma-1 receptor in neurodegeneration and its potential as a therapeutic target in diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, and Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Recent research by Dr. Brimson and colleagues has identified several new classes of sigma-1 receptor ligands with potential uses in treating cancer and neurodegeneration. Dr. Brimson also researches the potential use of Thai medicinal plants and their use in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. Recent publications from Dr. Brimson et al., include: Malar DS, Thitilertdecha P, Ruckvongacheep KS, Brimson S, Tencomnao T, Brimson JM. Targeting Sigma Receptors for the Treatment of Neurodegenerative and Neurodevelopmental Disorders. CNS drugs. 2023 May 11:1-42. Chomchoei C, Brimson JM, Brimson S. Repurposing fluoxetine to treat lymphocytic leukemia: Apoptosis induction, sigma-1 receptor upregulation, inhibition of IL-2 cytokine production, and autophagy induction. Expert Opinion on Therapeutic Targets. 2022 Dec 2;26(12):1087-97. Rakkhittawattana V, Panichayupakaranant P, Prasanth MI, Brimson JM, Tencomnao T. Rhinacanthin-C but Not-D Extracted from Rhinacanthus nasutus (L.) Kurz Offers Neuroprotection via ERK, CHOP, and LC3B Pathways. Pharmaceuticals. 2022 May 20;15(5):627. Brimson JM, Prasanth MI, Malar DS, Thitilertdecha P, Kabra A, Tencomnao T, Prasansuklab A. Plant polyphenols for aging health: implication from their autophagy modulating properties in age-associated diseases. Pharmaceuticals. 2021 Sep 27;14(10):982. Brimson JM, Prasanth MI, Malar DS, Brimson S, Thitilertdecha P, Tencomnao T. Drugs that offer the potential to reduce hospitalization and mortality from SARS-CoV-2 infection: The possible role of the sigma-1 receptor and autophagy. Expert Opinion on Therapeutic Targets. 2021 Jun 3;25(6):435-49. Prasanth MI, Malar DS, Tencomnao T, Brimson JM. The emerging role of the sigma-1 receptor in autophagy: Hand-in-hand targets for the treatment of Alzheimer’s. Expert Opinion on Therapeutic Targets. 2021 May 4;25(5):401-14. Brimson JM, Brimson S, Prasanth MI, Thitilertdecha P, Malar DS, Tencomnao T. The effectiveness of Bacopa monnieri (Linn.) Wettst. as a nootropic, neuroprotective, or antidepressant supplement: analysis of the available clinical data. Scientific reports. 2021 Jan 12;11(1):596. Brimson JM, Brimson S, Chomchoei C, Tencomnao T. Using sigma-ligands as part of a multi-receptor approach to target diseases of the brain. Expert opinion on therapeutic targets. 2020 Oct 2;24(10):1009-28. Brimson JM, Akula KK, Abbas H, Ferry DR, Kulkarni SK, Russell ST, Tisdale MJ, Tencomnao T, Safrany ST. Simple ammonium salts acting on sigma-1 receptors yield potential treatments for cancer and depression. Scientific Reports. 2020 Jun 8;10(1):9251.