Main aims of the laboratory:
- To unravel dysfuncional neural networks and circuits underlying psychosis and cognitive impairment in schizophrenia.
- To find novel therapeutical targets based on pharmacological treatments (serotonergic, dopaminergic, antipsychotic, psychedelic drugs), natural compounds, and cognitive stimulation in rodent models.
- To contribute to the development of novel neurotechnologies to treat brain disorders. These include graphene-based state-of-the-art neural probes to record and stimulate brain tissue and light-activated compounds (photoswitches, photopharmacology).
Scientific Projects
Neural Network Activity
Study of the neural substrates of underlying serotonergic and dopaminergic modulation of neural network activity and inter-area communication and its impact on executive function.
Antipsychotic Drugs
Deepen our understanding on the effects of typical (1st generation) and atypical (2nd generation) antipsychotic drugs on executive function and elucidate the cellular mechanisms involved.
Neural Substrates
Study of the neural substrates of underlying deficits in executive function of murine models of intellectual disability. Models currently used: Down syndrome (Ts65Dn mice with partial trisomy equivalent to human chromosome 21) and the subchronic phencyclidine (PCP) model of schizophrenia. We also investigate the neural substrates of cognitive enhancers, natural compounds and environmental stimulation in these animal models.
Technological Projects
Graphene
Graphene-based neural interfaces: In vivo testing of neural probes made of graphene for high fidelity recording of neural activity (in collaboration with Jose Antonio Garrido at ICN2, Barcelona).
Photopharmacology
In vivo testing of novel drugs sensitive to light for treatment of psychiatric and neurological disorders (in collaboration with Pau Gorostiza at IBEC, Barcelona).
