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• Role of CB1-5-HT2A receptor heteromers in the cognitive and behavioural alterations in schizophrenia: interaction with cannabis use. A key aspect in the development of schizophrenia is the interaction between genetic predisposition and age at which cannabis consumption is started. We are investigating, from a translational approach, if the heteromeric formation of CB1-5HT2A receptor complex might be involved in the emergence of pro-psychotic symptoms and cannabis use, observed in a large proportion of schizophrenic patients.

• Evaluation of novel suppressors of brain phenotypes associated with myotonic dystrophy 1 using a transgenic mouse model. Our goal is to better characterize the neurobiological substrates of the disease using a novel mouse DM1 animal model that display key brain aspects attributable to toxic CUG-RNA expression and Muscleblind (Mbnl) sequestration, both well-established primary causes for disease manifestation. Furthermore, we will evaluate novel chemically diverse compounds with established anti-DM1 activity in this animal model.

• Involvement of the monoaminergic system in the addictive and cognitive alterations associated to drugs of abuse. We are interested in evaluating the dynamic and complex reciprocal regulation of the three monoaminergic systems in the nucleus accumbens (NAC) and the prefrontal cortex (PFC) in the behavioural and neurochemical alterations induced by acute and chronic psychostimulant and cannabinoid administration.  

• Neuroprotectant effects of acylethanolamides (oleoylethanolamide and palmithylethanolamide) in animal models of hypoxia-ischemia. We are assessing the effects of pre-treatment with these compounds on behavioral and physiological outcomes in wild-type and in genetically modified animals lacking the cannabinoid CB1 and CB2 receptors exhibiting brain damage induced by hypoxia-ischemia