We focus our research in the study of the molecular mechanisms involved in behavioral abnormalities and cognitive decline, by using mainly in vivo models of neurodegeneration and cognitive decline (senescence-accelerated mice, SAMP8, Alzheimer’s and Niemann-Pick’s disease mouse models). In this research line, our group is devoted to early preclinical evaluation of new compounds. Basically, we developed experimental strategies to obtain the proof-of-concept for new compounds for known targets, but also, we are interested in the validation of new targets to face the cognitive decline in ageing and neurodegenerative diseases. At present projects include:
1.-Pharmacological evaluation of 11β-HSD1 inhibitor in senescence cognitive
impairment and after chronic moderate stress
2.-Target validation and pharmacological evaluation of Imidazoline I2 receptor (I2-IR) by using new ligands.
3.-Pharmacological evaluation and target validation of novel soluble epoxide
hydrolase (sEH) inhibitors for neurodegenerative diseases (Alzheimer’s disease
and Niemann-Pick C disease).
4.-P2X7 receptor antagonists evaluation efficacy for neuroinflammation
process as a treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.
5.-Pharmacological evaluation of polycyclic compounds as a competitive
antagonist of NMDA receptors.
Our expertise is centered in behavioral evaluation and characterization of mice models for senescence and cognitive decline, molecular pathway studies, focus on neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dynamics and autophagy processes. Our lab has also available in vitro models (neuronal primary cultures) and C. elegans models of neurodegenerative diseases.
