DELIA A. DEMPSEY, M.D. Pediatrics, Medicine, Biopharmaceutical Sciences

Dr. Dempsey’s research focus is developmental and perinatal clinical pharmacology. She has studied the metabolism and effects of nicotine, cocaine and caffeine in the newborn. Dr. Dempsey is also studying the effects of pregnancy on the metabolism of nicotine. A recently completed longitudinal study of nicotine kinetics in pregnant women has shown a marked acceleration of nicotine metabolism during pregnancy. Dr. Dempsey is now studying the effects of pregnancy on drug metabolism in experimental animals, seeking to identify the drug metabolizing enzymes involved and the hormonal mechanisms that produce the changes in drug metabolism that are observed in pregnant women. Dr. Dempsey also has a clinical interest in medical toxicology, particularly focusing on developmental and perinatal toxicology.

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS:

1. Benowitz N, Dempsey D. Pharmacotherapy for smoking cessation during pregnancy. Nicotine Tob Res, 6 Suppl 2:S189-202, 2004.
2. Dempsey D, Tutka P, Jacob P, 3rd, Allen F, Schoedel K, Tyndale RF, Benowitz NL. Nicotine metabolite ratio as an index of cytochrome P450 2A6 metabolic activity. Clin Pharmacol Ther, 76(1):64-72, 2004.
3. Dempsey DT, Delano M, Bradley K, Kolff J, Fisher C, Caroline D, Gaughan J, Meilahn JE, Daly JM. Laparoscopic esophagomyotomy for achalasia: does anterior hemifundoplication affect clinical outcome? Ann Surg, 239(6):779-785; discussion 785-777, 2004.