Subgroups of GL1(R) for local rings R

Let R be a local ring, with maximal ideal m, and residue class division ring R/m = D. Denote by R* = GL(1) (R), the group of units of R. Here we investigate some algebraic structure of subnormal and maximal subgroups of R*. For instance, when D is of finite dimension over its center, it is shown that finitely generated subnormal subgroups of R* are central. It is also proved that maximal subgroups of R* are not finitely generated. Furthermore, assume that P is a nonabelian maximal subgroup of R* such that P contains a noncentral soluble normal subgroup of finite index, it is shown that D is a crossed product division algebra.