The neuropharmacology research group is a UPF research group that is associated with the IMIM. NeuroPhar studies the neurobiological substrate of drug addiction, pain, affective and eating disorders. Our main interest is the development of research lines aimed at the identification of new therapeutic targets in the central nervous system.

We are interested in the neurochemical and neuroanatomical bases of addiction induced by opioids, cannabinoids, nicotine and psychostimulants. In our studies we address: 

• Possible physical aspects of drug dependence 
• Motivational components leading to the abusive consumption of such substances

A dual approach is followed: i) a classical pharmacological strategy using compounds able to block or activate the different receptors or intracellular signalling systems; and ii) genetically modified mice lacking a particular receptor or protein.