Molecular neuropsychopharmacology
Scientic Supervisor / Contact Person
Name and Surname
Juan-Carlos Leza
Localization & Research Area
Faculty / Institute
Faculty of Medicine
Department
Pharmacology & Toxicology
Research Area
Life Sciences (LIF)
MSCA & ERC experience
Research group / research team hosted any MSCA fellow?
No
Research group / research team have any ERC beneficiaries?
No
Research Team & Research Topic
Research Team / Research Group Name (if any)
Molecular neuropsychopharmacology
Website of the Research team / Research Group / Department
Brief description of the Research Team / Research Group / Department
All organisms are exposed to stressful stimuli. This is especially important in humans, since a correct stress response is essential for survival, even having beneficial consequences. Nevertheless, an inadequate response (when the stimulus is of high intensity or duration), can lead to diseases or even death. <br /><br />Numerous neuropsychiatric diseases, some cognitive alterations and some chronic metabolic diseases are consequence of stress.We have been involved for years in the study of the pathophysiological basis of the stress response in the brain. The neuroinflammatory reactions induced by exposure to stressful stimuli appear in numerous neuropsychiatric pathologies. <br /><br />Our main objective is to contribute from the basic research to the development of strategies aiming to the reduction of the incidence of pathological reactions to stress and the search of markers of susceptibility to neuropsychiatric pathologies: major depression, bipolar disorder, psychosis and schizophrenia and neurodevelopmental disorders.<br /><br />We work in collaboration with several clinical (Psychiatry Services) groups in Spain and Europe with clinical data of patients, biological or imaging data and also with brain bank resources. <br /><br />Overall, to identify and develop pharmacological tools to improve the quality of treatments psychiatricpathologies, both in the brain as in other systems.<br />
Research lines / projects proposed
Study of protective mechanisms against oxidative and inflammatory cell damage alter stress exposure. <br />Possible therapeutic targets and neuroprotective strategies. <br />Mechanisms of vulnerability to stress induced cell damage.<br />Study of possible anti-inflammatory mechanisms of norepinephrine on stress. <br />Role of chemokine MCP-1.<br />Study of stress-induced colonic bacterial translocation on brain response to stress.<br />Possible therapeutic targets and neuroprotective strategies.<br />Gut brain axis in psychiatric pathologies<br />Mouth brain axis
Application requirements
Professional Experience & Documents
- A personal letter- complete CV<br />- Two letters of recommendation
One Page Proposal
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